Latest News | Read Our Blog

Vaughn Gittin Jr. Leads Formula Drift Championship After Second Win in a Row

30 Jul 2012

The Monster Energy Falken Tire 2013 Ford Mustang RTR devoured all that got in the way of victory.

Initially built as a horse-racing track, Evergreen Speedway located in Monroe, Washington is the oldest track on the Formula Drift circuit and boasts some of the most knowledgeable fans in the nation. The Pacific Northwest aficionados love their drifting, so when the event's headline moniker declared "Throwdown" - you best not come in here with any weak stuff. We're here to report that everyone that witnessed the fiery action at the sold-out speedway got every penny's worth of their drift racing entertainment buck.

K&N's Vaughn Gittin Jr. is looking to ride his two round win momentum into Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Round 6.

"This has been one of the most exciting events of the season," commented Jim Liaw, president and co-founder of Formula Drift. "The chase for the championship heats up as we head into the final two events of the season and it is still anyone's to take with only 62 points separating the top 5 drivers."

The epicenter of the reverberating exhilaration generated at Formula Drift Round 5, at Evergreen Speedway, was once again K&N's Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his Monster Energy Falken Tire 2013 Ford Mustang RTR. After his last round win in Wall, New Jersey, Vaughn was focused on feeding that winning feeling he was riding. We are pleased to once again report that things went as planned, actually, better than expected. Vaughn first earned crucial points by qualifying in the number one spot, and then once more maintained the top tier of the podium. As a result of doubling-up on the points Vaughn now sits in the first place position overall in the Formula Drift Championship standings.

"It is a true testament to the hard work and passion of my team and myself that we are here now in first place overall after a not so ideal start to the season,"remarked Vaughn after the event. "The Monster Energy Falken Tire Ford Mustang RTR was on fire tonight, and I can't wait till Las Vegas to keep this momentum going!”

With Evergreen Speedway being so close to Seattle fans poured in from all over to see their favorite drivers compete on this high-speed, electrifying drift course. The track consisted of a fast entry into a long bank, with a quick transition into the technical "power ally.”

With his second straight win Vaughn is now in first place overall in the Formula Drift Championship standings.

Vaughn fought his way through Miro Ovcharik in the top 32, and then Michael Essa in the top 16, only to be matched with Matt Powers in the Great Eight. Vaughn led first and rode the bank high, while Powers pushed to keep close to the Ford, managing only to narrow the gap in the final turn. Next it was Vaughn's turn to give chase, following Powers' line into the infield. Powers went spinning and Vaughn managed to slide past him. Forced into altering his line in order to avoid contact, Vaughn too ended up spinning. However with his advantage in the first run, Vaughn was awarded the win and moved on to the semi-finals.

In the semis Vaughn met 2005 Formula Drift Champion, Rhys Millen. Vaughn led first and blasted the bank high on the wall until the transition into the "power ally" with Millen attempting to stay close. Vaughn played follow-the-leader next and stuck to Millen's door on the bank and into the infield, Millen, feeling the pressure, dropped a tire off course. Vaughn was judged the winner of the battle and moved on to the finals.

In the finals Vaughn battled his Drift Alliance teammate, Ryan Tuerck for the top spot on the coveted podium. Vaughn led first, initiating early, and maintaining a high-line on the bank. Vaughn transitioned into the infield and hit the outer clipping zone collecting two clipping points on target, while Tuerck pushed to keep up. Vaughn took the trailing position next, managing to keep close enough to Tuerck to prevent him from putting down a lead run as convincing as Vaughn's. The judges spoke and Vaughn was once again declared the victor of the final battle, and the winner of Formula Drift Round Five.

Next up for Vaughn on the Formula Drift circuit is Round 6 August 21 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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.

K&N Pro Series East Driver Brett Moffitt Takes Checkered Flag in Pennsylvania

30 Jul 2012

Bret Moffitt drives the No. 11 car in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Brett Moffitt led from the pole to the checkered flag in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at CNB Bank Raceway Park in Pennsylvania to win his second race of the season and the ninth of his career.

Moffitt wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Greenville Pickens Speedway

He had to put in a little extra work to win the Samuel 150 with a green-white-checkered flag finish, which resulted when the lights went out on the back stretch of the track on lap 147. Moffitt finished 0.396 seconds ahead of rookie Kyle Larson. "Kyle in the 96 car there gave me a heck of a run at the end too,"Moffitt said.

Moffitt won a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race leading wire-to-wire at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina in 2011.

With the win in Pennsylvania, Moffitt moved in to first place in the K&N Pro Series East standings. He has a four-point lead over Larson.

"From what I've heard we're the points leader,"Moffitt said. "It couldn't get any better than that. Just go on to Ohio and hopefully capitalize on that."

It was the first time since 1988 that the K&N Pro Series East has visited CNB Bank Raceway Park.

Chase Elliott, who entered the Samuel 150 as the leader in the K&N Pro Series East standings, had a rough race. A flat tire early in the race knocked him back in the field and he finished in 15th place.

Corey LaJoie, another K&N Pro Series East championship contender, didn't have a good race in Pennsylvania either. He was a point behind Elliott in the K&N Pro Series East standings when the race started, but finished in last place. He completed only eight laps and had to withdraw on lap 82 after his car suffered damage from a crash early in the race.

Larson was second in the Samuel 150. He has seven top-10 finishes in eight races and is in second place in the K&N Pro Series East standings.

Bret Moffitt has a four-point lead over Kyle Larson in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

"As soon as we took the green for the second half, I knew we were pretty good,"Larson said. "I could roll the bottom better than most could. It was definitely a good run, good points night for us. Hopefully we can keep these consistent runs going.”

Ben Kennedy was third, matching the best finish in his K&N Pro Series East career.

"We had a real good run tonight,"Kennedy said after the race. "Hopefully we'll be back at it in Columbus.”

Ryan Gifford was fourth and Bryan Ortiz was fifth.

The next K&N Pro Series East race is the Jegs 150 at Columbus Motor Speedway in Ohio on July 21.

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.

American Aboard, California's Kenny Ingalls, on Track for World Speedway Domination

30 Jul 2012

California's Kenny Ingalls is spending part of 2012 in England, racing for the Workington Comets.

Some motorcycle prodigies possess too much talent to be contained by a single continent or even one particular discipline. Before 25-year-old Kenny Ingalls left the states for a career racing speedway in England and Europe, he had already claimed two AMA Pro Hillclimb No.1 plates and was considered one of the top five Speedway riders in the country. He also inked a number of overall wins at local motocross Pro-Am events near his Foresthill, California home.

In May Ingalls got his extreme swerve-on, scoring two wins and a second place before being injured.

Kenny's two-wheeled aptitude surfaced early, "He started riding at age three and racing MX the following year,"said his dad Kevin. "I have been his engine builder, tuner, and manager for Ingalls Racing for the 22 years of racing Kenny has done." Not unexpectedly, Kenny says his dad is his biggest influence.

"When Kenny turned five we got him a TY80 Yamaha so we could start riding trials competition together. After a couple years he was racing MX on a KX65. By the age of eleven, Kenny was on a KX 80 competing in MX and Hillclimb. Before we bought Kenny a 125cc bike he was filmed for the Crusty Demons of Dirt video, jumping and doing some tricks. The 125 didn't last too long, but he continued to compete in MX and Hillcimbs. By the age of 17, Kenny was competing on a 250F and winning some of the local Pro AM MX races. He also started racing Speedway and won the Division II championship. By the age of 18, Kenny was one of the top pro multi-competitive motorcycle racers racing MX, Speedway, and Hillclimb.

Kenny says his favorite rider is Greg Hancock, which explains why his favorite race to date was finishing third overall at Costa Mesa Speedway at the 2009 National, right behind World Champion Greg Hancock and National Champion Billy Janniero. He also won his second 0-700cc Pro AMA Hillclimb Championship that same year, on the CR500 Honda he rebuilt and modified for hillcimbs for his high school senior project.

Kenny had a busy month of May, starting out by scoring at the top of the club he races for in England, the Workington Comets. At his fourth race of that month, Kenny was taken out in his fourth heat. He had already scored two wins and a second at that point. Kenny spent the last part of May doing lots of therapy on the shoulder he injured during the collision.

The K&N sponsored rider had the opportunity to display is skill with the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves in Poland.

In June, coming back from the injury and racing for his Premier team, the Workington Comets, Kenny was offered two guest rides for the Elite club the Wolverhampon Wolves. Kenny converted those rides into a contract for a spot on the team for the rest of the year. A couple days after he signed with the Wolves, he left for Poland to race with the USA World Cup Speedway team. After practicing with the team, it was determined that Kenny would not be replacing Greg Hancock on the team after all, as Hancock determined he was fit to race.

Kenny flew back to England on July 8th and was scheduled to race for the Comets against the Leicester Lions Premier League club. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled because of rain after the 7th heat. "Kenny's next races will be this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Comets Premier League, and Monday for the Wolves Elite League. Kenny has been back for only one race this month with his shoulder still not 100 percent,"reported Kevin. "Hopefully it will be better as this month goes on."

Kenny will be back in the US in October after the Speedway season ends in Europe. "Hopefully he will be back in time for the USA versus the World Speedway races at Fast Fridays Motorcycle Speedway in Auburn, California,"adds Kevin.

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.

Supermoto Rider Dustin Hoffman Makes a Splash in 2012

30 Jul 2012

20 year old Dustin Hoffman has won 5 of 7 SuperMoto races this season

The sport of Supermoto was started in the 1970's as a way to find the best motorcycle rider in the world, by combining road racing, motocross and flat track racing into one sport.

Dustin Hoffman get his ProMoto Team ECC Honda sideways

If Supermoto is the ultimate equalizer in motorcycle racing, Dustin Hoffman is the ultimate rider. The 20-year-old from Temecula, California has taken the Supermoto community by its reigns and not let go in 2012. Through 7 races, Hoffman has 5 wins, and the only thing keeping him from a perfect record is a mental mistake while leading and a flat tire.

"This year has gone very well for me so far," Hoffman said. "I've been training really hard at the motocross track and at Crossfit Temecula South to ensure that I'm physically fit beyond what's necessary. I've got to be happy with the way the year is going as a result."

Hoffman started the season with a bang, winning at the Stateline Supermoto Challenge.

"That had to be the best moment of the year thus far. A lot of people had written me off due to the trouble I had last year, so it was an awesome feeling to come out and win the first race of the season."

Hoffman comes from a racing family. His father, Rick, was a world-class Formula One Boat racer and builder before moving into road racing. Dustin's brother, Ryan, also started in road racing, winning a few AMA races before moving into the Supermoto ranks. It was an injury to Ryan that opened the door for Dustin to start racing in Supermoto.

"I was out doing local races on mini's when an ACL injury sidelined him. He had me come ride his bike, and that's where it all started."

Hoffman went on to win the national amateur championship in 2008 in both the 250 and 450 divisions. After finishing third in points in 2009 in the AMA series and getting an invite to compete at the X Games, Hoffman appeared headed for stardom.

But after a rough two-year stint, Hoffman knew he had to make a splash in 2012. The rest of the Supermoto Riders Coalition wishes he hadn't. Hoffman and his ProMoto, Team ECC Honda leads the points in the series by 6 points over Ryan Kearns, and the two of them have made it a two-horse race in the Premier division.

Hoffman is looking forward to the next three events stateside, in Wisconsin, Colorado and Oklahoma, but he already has his eye on the premier international event as well.

Dustin Hoffman get his ProMoto Team ECC Honda sideways

"I'm pretty sure I'll be heading back to Belgium to race in the Mettet Superbiker. The SHR team, based in England and leading the World Championship, really takes care of me so I hope to get back over there and do my best."

Supermoto, while popular in the states, is huge in Europe, and a strong showing by Hoffman at the Superbiker event would go a long way toward bringing Supermoto back to the AMA circuit in the United States.

But while victory is always the goal in racing, Hoffman said being at peace with his performance has become just as important as holding up a trophy at the end of a race.

"I just want to ride well. I'm not as concerned with winning (as in years past), I just want to be happy with the way I ride and handle myself at the end of the race. Whether I end up first or fifth, as long as I'm happy with how I ride, everything is good."

"I am very proud to be able to represent K&N Filters because they have backed me for many years. K&N is awesome and provides instant horsepower when you put their product on your bike, and I can't thank K&N enough. I really appreciate everything they do for me, and I always do my best to represent them well."

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.

Advanced Jr. Drag Racer Robbie Officer & Team OFFICER BOYZ at Bradenton Motorsports Park

26 Jul 2012

Robbie Officer and the 2007 OFFICER BOYZ half scale Advanced Jr. Dragster ready for track action

As a second generation driver, Robbie Officer was introduced to the sport of drag racing as a youngster. In fact, the Palmetto, Florida native actually began participating in the sport at the age of nine. Now fifteen years old, Officer already has a good deal of experience under his belt, and is no stranger to success. "My dad raced, and I fell in love quickly with the racing environment," recalled the driver. "I sharply enjoy the good time, cash when you win and the rush."

15 year old Advanced Jr. Dragster Driver Robbie Officer and father Mark Officer focus on the upcoming race

Although sporting a burning desire to be out on the track and matching skills with fellow drivers, Robbie Officer is very family oriented. That said, when his grandmother was stricken with health issues, he put racing on the back burner during the first part of this season. The ninth grade student and team OFFICER BOYZ are back now though; geared up, and ready to embark upon some fierce competition throughout the remainder of 2012. The driver ensured that he is eager to take up where he left off in 2011.

"My record last season was great," he explained. "Got a couple of wins and runner-ups." When asked his most memorable race thus far in his racing career, Officer said, "Probably when I beat the kid that won Bristol. I also beat him this weekend. This season, due to my gramma having health issues, I've been taking a break," he continued. "But I'm back at it now. I got one win this season so far, and runner up this weekend."

Racing in the Advanced Jr. Dragster class, Officer considers Bradenton Motorsports Park, at Bradenton, Florida as his home track, but the young driver has seen his share of action at other venues throughout the state as well. Robbie and his team have traveled to the Lakeland Dragstrip, at Lakeland; the Immakolee Regional Raceway, at Immakolee; the Sunshine Drag Racing Track in Tampa and has previously raced at the Palm Beach International Raceway as well.

Obviously, drag racing is a passion in Robbie Officer's house as he and his dad both participate in the sport, but the high school student's grades are of most importance. "Racing and keeping my grades up are my main priorities. My G.P.A. was 3.7 overall in the eighth grade, so racing and keeping my grades up are not so difficult at the same time."

As Officer maintains a high grade point level, he also has an acute understanding that if he plans to experience success on the track, he must maintain his dragster as well. "I consider my team, that is me and my dad, very important," he explained. "We polish my engine after every race, take the shell off and clean all inside of it. We go through everything and change the oil." When asked if maintenance has a bearing on his success rate, the driver was quick to answer, "Big Time, because you never want to be unprepared for a race, and need to have everything ready to go. More the maintenance, the more consistent you're gonna be."

That said, the young driver and his team depend upon K&N products to keep the internal components of their engine contaminant free. Referring to the K&N products he depends upon, Officer said, "My carburetor filter and the filter on my bar on the back of my car. My dad also uses K&N filters on his Mullis dragster. K&N blows other filters away. It keeps my dad's motor way cleaner. We just think their the better product."

While sitting behind the wheel of his 2007 half scale, the young driver is confident that his effort is his strong point. Sharing the key to his success throughout future races, Robbie Officer explained, "Hard work, and skillful judgement on the top end. My potential also makes me successful. I will always race; it's a dream come true," he continued. Fans can expect a strong finish for the remainder of the season, due to the image of my car and how hard I try!

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.