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Holland's K&N Team Brabo Lights Up the 2012 NL Dutch Drift Series

6 Sept 2012

It would be interesting to know just how many tires a season Team Brabo blows through.

In Holland as throughout most of Europe drifting continues to be one of the fastest growing of all motorsports, and one of the hottest new teams lighting up the Dutch Drift Series is K&N's Team Brabo. The team competes in a totally rebuilt-specific 1989 BMW E34 M5 powered by a 5.0 liter V8 from an E39 M5. Dennis van der Prijt is the driver and team owner. Van der Prijt also owns Brabo Rolls-Royce and Bentley Specialist in Holland, and as the name infers they specialize in Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars.

2012 is the first season that Team Brabo has been sponsored by K&N and they are already looking forward to continuing that relationship into next season.

"I started drifting as a hobby together with a friend three years ago," said van der Prijt. "We drove a drift course at Circuit Park Zandvoort. He drove a Mercedes and I drove my BMW."

Circuit Park Zandvoort is a motorsport track in Burgemeester van Alphenstraat, located in dunes north of the town of Zandvoort in the Netherlands, along the coastline of the North Sea. Shortly after that initial introduction into drifting van der Prijt was hooked.

"After about two years of playing around with drifting I wanted more and I started with the twin-drift battles in the NL Drift series," explains van der Prijt. "The first season I managed to climb up in the top-10, out of a total of 50 teams. This season we are currently in fourth place in the series' championship with three more events to go."

Team Brabo slows to take a few pictures - can you say Reypenaer artisanal cheese?

The automotive finesse art of sliding and spinning a highly powered car on the brink of chaos through a controlled course immediately captured the imagination of van der Prijt, as it does with anyone watching or within audible range. Folklore attributes the technique of drifting to Kunimitsu Takahashi, a former professional motorcyclist who would integrate the technique into races to throw off his opponents and block their racing line during the 1970's. Then in 1980's a young man by the name of Keiichi Tsuchiya began developing Takahashi's technique into what we know as drifting today. Although deeply rooted Japanese culture where it originated, the drifting talent pool didn't really begin to fill until it reached the street culture in the United States, and tire manufacturers have been smiling ear-to-ear ever since.

Dennis van der Prijt and five other teams entertained over 600,000 fans at the Rotterdam City Racing Drift Show.

Although early on it was called "drift racing," racing doesn't really come into play, and to be absolutely clear, it's also not power sliding. The key distinction between a power slide and a drift is that a power slide is initiated with brute force and kinetic energy, whereas a drift is instigated with varying techniques involving the shift of weight in the car and the shift of power between the wheels. This is one of the reasons why a limited slip differential and a rear wheel drive car such as the BMW van der Prijt's drives are essential to drifting.

Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift, North America's foremost drift championship series is quoted as saying. "Drifting is a judged sport. It's not about crossing a finish line, as in drag racing, but about performance, style and technique."

Up in smoke - that's how K&N's Dennis van der Prijt and his 1989 BMW E34 M5 rolled through the mean streets of Rotterdam.

In competition drifters are judged on speed, line and angle, and more subjectively on overall impression. Drifters need keen steering, braking, shifting and accelerating skills to control the car as it drifts around turns, and van der Prijt has displayed a highly refined and instinctive talent for the sport.

"We compete in five or six event a year and we do a lot of training whenever we get the chance," adds van der Prijt's. We also do some demonstrations like the Rotterdam City Racing Drift Show. It's a very popular event watched by over 600,000 people lining the streets and on Dutch national TV. This year we did two, fifteen-minute runs through the city of Rotterdam, along with five other drifters and people on the street where cheering the entire time."

Team Brabo will be back competing at Circuit Park Zandvoort on September 9th.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Andy Forsberg Earns 9th Win of the Year in a History Making 100th Win 2012 Season

6 Sept 2012

The Forsberg Family No. 92 heads to Calistoga for the Louie Vermeil Classic non-wing USAC show this weekend.

The one thing you can depend on with racing is that it's never linear, it oscillates and twirls betwixt highs and lows, podiums and DNF's. After a 13 race hot streak that had Andy Forsberg win four races and never finish less than fourth, things went figuratively south for a few events. On June 23rd while leading a race with only five laps to go, Forsberg was taken out by a lapped car leading to a 15th place finish, then a DNF, an 8th place finish and a 7th place finish. A less experienced driver might have started second guessing and pushing too hard, but Forsberg understands that in racing as with life - fortune favors the prepared.

Andy Forsberg reached a career defining 100 wins in 2012, winning the last two races in one remarkable night.

On Saturday July 7th the K&N backed F&F X1 car was in Petaluma, California for another Civil War show. Forsberg was 7th quick and 4th in his heat race and would line up 5th for the A main event. Forsberg progressively moved his way forward through the field and when the checkered flag flew he was in second. It was the result the team had patiently been working towards to get the momentum train back on track.

On August 25th Forsberg Racing was in back in Placerville, California for a 360 points event. He timed in an uncharacteristic 10th quick, but would finish 2nd in his heat race, and then started on the pole of the A main event. It was a long crazy race according to Forsberg, but he fought off all challengers and held onto the lead through the entire race, inking win number nine of his record setting 2012 season.

After the hot streak what was your thinking when things cooled down for a few races, do you simply chalk it up to the ebb and flow of racing, or do you start making changes? "Mostly it's an ebb and flow thing, but sometimes during the summer months in California the tracks do tend to start slicking up a bit more, so at that point we start messing with the car to hook it up a little more."

The K&N sponsored Forsberg Family No. 92 headed to Watsonville for a Non-Wing USAC race, the night was short lived though as Andy tipped over while qualifying, destroying his car.

This has been a huge year for you, give us a brief update on some of your 2012 highlights from your perspective? "Winning career main event win number 100 is the main highlight of 2012 so far. On top of that I won number 99 and 100 on the same night. It was a combo 360 and 410 race in Chico, California. We won both main events that night. I couldn't have scripted it any better."

Count them out loud, it's nine wins for Forsberg Racing in 2012, but the year isn't over yet.

How did it go at the Forni Memorial 360 back on Friday the 13th? "The Forni was an awesome race! I started 5th and by lap 9 was in the lead. But on a lap 16 restart I hit the cushion wrong allowing Jon Allard to get by. He led until lap 23, that's when on another restart, he made the same mistake. We sliced and diced the last two laps, and we just nipped him at the finish."

How would you rate this season overall so far, and what are you looking forward to next? "I'm happy with 2012 so far, there have been a few races that slipped away that I would like back, but that's racing. The Placerville point race will be done this Saturday Sept. 1st. Then we still have three more Civil War races to run and a whole bunch of open shows and non-points events all the way into November. World of Outlaws, USAC and Trophy Cup are the events we will be competing in the rest of the 2012 season."

This upcoming Labor Day weekend there are no races on Friday. On Saturday September 1st Forsberg and the F&F X1 will be back in Placerville for the final 360 race of the year. On Sunday September 2nd the Forsberg Family No. 92 heads to the famed Calistoga 1/2 mile for the Louie Vermeil Classic non-wing USAC show.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Formula Drift Driver Matt Field Challenges Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Evergreen Speedway

6 Sept 2012

During a recent Formula Drift event held at the Evergreen Speedway, Matt Field gave fellow driver Vaughn Gittin a run for his money.

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field, and his crew recently rolled into Monroe, Washington with anticipations making a showing at the Evergreen Speedway. With in the neighborhood of seventy drivers scheduled to compete in the event, Field was aware that his work cut out for him. "All of the top guys are at every event," he explained. "Formula Drift has the best drifters in the world. The competition is always tough."

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field recently finished in the top eight at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.

Field and his crew spent several hours dialing in his car on practice day, and his confidence level was high. Misfortune had reared its ugly head at this venue during the previous season. Due to bad fuel and a faulty fuel pump the driver wasn't able to qualify. But things appeared to be different in 2012. A solid practice and qualifying in the thirty second-position lent to the feeling that a positive outing was on its way.

With the pressure of qualifying behind, him, the driver was then able to focus on his first race of the event. "The key to success at Washington is running the bank," he recalled; "Not just running the bank, but being high on the wall and fast. If you can't be up on the bank, you will not get a good score. Evergreen Speedway is an awesome facility," he continued. "They take care of the track."

Field and his crew managed to get the car fine-tuned and ready to roll, prior to the beginning of the race. Granted all was well mechanically, and the driver knew what he must do to experience a successful run. There was one other obstacle, on the other hand, that he could not control. Field was scheduled to go up against Vaughn Gittin Jr., who's driving had proven superb throughout the earlier stages of the event.

When his first tandem battle was deemed underway, Matt Field showered down on it. He challenged his fellow driver for a while, but the 800 horsepower of muscle under Gittin's hood was more than his car could handle. That said, before long, the opposing driver pulled away, and held a three-car lead throughout the remainder of the race.

Formula Drift driver, Matt Field, and his crew have changes in mind that will prove beneficial during the final round of the season, and will hopefully help them make it to the top.

Embarking upon his second run, Matt Field experienced one of his best performances of the weekend. The driver had done his best, and given Gittin a run for his money. Although shy of a victory, Field earned a top-eight spot at the end of the day.

"I was glad I made it to the top eight this season," explained Field, "but I will never be happy until I am on the podium." When asked if he was resected by his fellow competitors, he continued, "I would certainly hope so. I am one of the drivers who has the least amount of horsepower out there. I am currently doing better than a few big teams and a few guys with way more horsepower and car than I have. I make what I have work. I feel that some people look to my car to see what I am doing, and what I am making work, so that feels good."

Of course, Matt Field's driving skills are essential in his quest for success, but the driver will be the first to credit his team for the role they play. "My crew is everything," he explained. "Without them, I wouldn't even be able to run. I need them for mental reassurance, mechanics and to tell me what I am doing wrong, I can't jump out and change my tires every few runs," he continued. "I need them."

The driver is also acutely aware of the importance of keeping his car in tip-top running condition. "Maintenance is huge in drifting.The cars take such abuse that we need to know what is going to fail. We get things replaced, serviced, and fixed before each round. I have a long check list of "things-to-do" to make sure the car is as good as it can be."

As one might suspect, Matt Field is an advocate of keeping the internal components of his engine contaminant free. That in mind, he depends upon K&N products for his filtering needs. "I have used K&N products my entire life,from my quarter-midgets to my ATV," he explained. "Now I use K&N air filters and air filter socks, as well as the awesome K&N pro-series oil filters. These oil filters are a must if I want to protect my engines. I use them in everything from my daily driven car to my tow rig, and of course, my race car."

Looking forward to future races, Matt Field said, "I think the key to success will be getting more horsepower. If I even had 100 more, I would be in business. The crew and I have something planned for the last round of the season. This should help us make it to the top."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Team Quad75Dezert Takes Second Place in the Baja 500

6 Sept 2012

After a hard-fought battle at the Baja 500, Quad75Dezert is anticipating success throughout the remainder of 2012.

The Quad75dezert team recently rolled into Ensenada, Mexico, eager to get the Baja 500 underway. Although the temperatures were stifling and the dust relentless, the team had been preparing and considered themselves more than ready for the competition. In fact, in preparation for the event, the four-man team embarked upon a regiment of exercise. Not only did they adhere to a strength training program, but they also dedicated time to cardio fitness.

Team Quad75Dezert recently earned a second place spot on the podium at the Baja 500.

"One of my least favorite things to do is running stairs," recalled rider/team-manager, Brandon Brown. "Everybody hates them until race day! We use supplements as well, to help us in training and competing. We've been racing in Mexico for a while now," continued Brown. "we have a good idea of the lay of the land. It's going to get tough, and we come prepared."

With "a solid game plan, and proper preparation of man and machine", the team began with Jorie Williams eager to tackle the first forty miles of the long and demanding event. Beginning second off of the line, the rider passed Josh Fredrick prior to the first pit, putting Quad75Dezert in the lead.

Team mechanic/rider, Kenny Sanford was scheduled to embark upon the next leg of the race, and would ride for in the neighborhood of sixty miles. Although Fredrick eventually took the lead over again, Sanford managed to hold on to second position upon being challenged by the third placed team.

Eager to get back on the quad, Jorie Williams took the helm for the second time, and as the race continued, team members, Brandon and Richie Brown anxiously added their skill levels to the mix. Just under eleven hours from the waving of the green flag, team Quad75Dezert was crossing the finish line. The extreme and treacherous conditions had literally sickened a few of their competitors, but the hard work and preparation of the team had paid off. In fact, when the dust finally settled, Quad75Dezert had earned a spot on the podium with second place.

Referring to their confidence level at the one-hundred mile point, Brandon Brown said, "It was high. We felt like we were in pretty good position, and Jorie was getting back on the bike. This kid is arguably the fastest guy in mexico right now, and nobody knows the Summit (one of the most treacherous sections of the race) as well as he does. It's terribly rocky, and there is no access other than the course," he continued. "If someone has a problem or gets hurt, they are going to be camped out on the hill until the race is over, or have a ride in a helicopter."

The Quad75Dezert team is looking forward to the remaining of the season, and has high expectations of stellar performances in the weeks to come. That said, they are extremely aware of what it will take to experience success on a consistent basis. According to the team manager, they are capable of winning every time they show up at an event.

"I honestly believe every time we race, we have the best machine on the line," he shared. "That coupled with good planning, a great support crew and riders that have done the work to prepare keeps us in strong contention."

That said, the team also understand the rigors of this style of racing, and the adverse effect it can have on their quads. That in mind, they are strong advocates of proper maintenance."It is a number one priority, both leading up to and during the race," explained Brown. "You can't win when plagued with mechanical failures."

Referring to the importance of keeping foreign debris from their engines, while still allowing ample air and oil flow, Brown said, "K&N manufactures high quality products, and I cannot imagine competing in the desert without them. Our engines run clean all day long, and that's a must when you're going for the win. We use their air filters, air box lids and oil filters, as well as their chemicals. K&N has been contributing to our success for quite a while now."

Of course the Quad75Dezert team are aware that their driving skills, teamwork, a proper game plan and maintenance are all essential components to success. But they are also very appreciative of their fans. When asked what fans can expect throughout the remainder of 2012 their answer was short and to the point. "We are going to "bring it" to the 1000! We want this championship bad, and know what we have to do to get it."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Nostalgia Funny Car Racer and AA/FC National Champion John Hale Wins at Rockabilly Rod Reunion

6 Sept 2012

AA/FC National Champion John Hale racing the Nostalgia Funny Car series dragster wrapped in a 1969 Camaro body.

What makes a man a "car guy?" For many, it's pretty clear: it's all you do. For John Hale, a self-professed "Chevy guy," the moniker of "car guy" runs far deeper than most. Hale is an accomplished AA/FC National Champion, racing a Nostalgia Funny Car series dragster wrapped in a 1969 Camaro body. Titled the "Mike Burkhart Tribute," Hale's Camaro - sponsored by Red line Oil, Mallory, Prestolite, Venolia Pistons and K&N Filters - has ran a top speed of 251.72mph in 5.673-seconds and keeps getting faster.

John Hale pulled around Jason Rupert with a 5.737-second pass at 251.81mph, only .100-second faster than Rupert

But again, what would you expect from a Dallas, Texas native who got bit by the drag racing bug by his first employer, local drag racer Mike Burkhart - for whom his current funny car was named. While working at Mike's truck accessory shop, Hale got a first-hand education in cars, trucks and engines. Cherishing his time at Mike's shop, Hale went on to work for the well-known drag racer, Larry LaDue, building custom trucks and other hot rods.

Crewing on Larry's dirt cars opened up new opportunities for Hale, leading to the world of NHRA superstock with a "wrench position with Division 4 racer Kim Barr," as Hale recounts. While working with Barr's team, Hale helped to reset the B/Altered Competition Eliminator E.T. record.

Of course, Hale wasn't satisfied "turning wrenches" as he put it, so he first climbed behind the wheel at age 22 driving an E.T. bracket roadster. That led to building his own blown rear-engine dragster. Meanwhile, Hale continued driving other owners' cars and crewing on teams. Eventually attending drag racing school, Hale earned his Top Alcohol Dragster license and tossed his hat into the Nostalgia Funny Car ring.

Recently, Hale dominated the AA/FC final round of June's Rockabilly Rod Reunion. Up against fellow AA/FC National Champion Jason Rupert. Despite Hale's slower-that- .200 reaction time, he still won for the second Eliminations with a .245 RT compared to lightning-quick Rupert's .148. Nonetheless, Hale pulled around Rupert with a 5.737-second pass at 251.81mph, .100-second faster than Rupert.

Hale, who has been using K&N Filters long before becoming sponsored by the company, accredited his win to his Camaro's superior performance and thanked K&N for building "the best product in the market today. None other delivers performance, horsepower and superior quality than K&N Filters." There's still plenty of racing left in Hale's season, so look out for more from this champion. Of course, when Hale isn't at the track, he's operating his own hot rod shop he started in 2002.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.