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Local Semi-Pro Women's Soccer Team The LA Strikers Visit K&N Facility in Riverside

29 Jul 2011

The LA Strikers, a semi-pro women's soccer franchise based out of Los Angeles.

The LA Strikers are a semi-pro women's soccer franchise based out of Los Angeles.

A first year semi-pro women's soccer franchise The LA Strikers, based from the Greater Los Angeles area, visited K&N's world headquarters in Riverside, CA. Owners Joe and Debbie Caracciolo, Director Steve Miller and players Amy Chapman, Alisha Foote, and Katie Tarrant were led through an extensive tour of the main office, manufacturing plant as well as the R&D testing facilities.

The Strikers learned more about K&N products and the process of taking a filter from raw material to finished good with all about the benefits K&N parts include.

The LA Striker's inaugural year has been one of growth, allowing players to team build and improve, capping their season record at (4-9-1). With the team's visit to K&N, the Strikers were able to learn more about K&N products and the process of taking a filter from raw material to finished good with all the benefits K&N parts include. After the tour the players held an interview with K&N product specialists Matt Smith and Vincent Pistonetti.

Player Alisha Foote, a left wing for the franchise who's hometown is Brisbane, Australia reported to K&N her enjoyment for playing for the Strikers as well as her delight for driving her Suzuki Swift when back home in Queensland. A hopeful to someday see Olympic gold, Foote stated that she enjoyed the tour and seeing the massive scale of K&N's production line.

Player Alisha Foote, Midfielder Katie Tarrant and Midfielder Amy Chapman at K&N

Midfielder Katie Tarrant, a worldwide player from Vancouver, has been involved with many pro leagues and teams such as the Chelsea ladies in the UK and now most recently, the LA Strikers. Aspiring someday to coach either professionally or for a school, Tarrant reported that "growing up around cars and motorcycles, it was really cool to see how all the [K&N] parts are made." Midfielder Amy Chapman, also a native of Australia, told K&N product specialists about her love of Soccer and her aspirations to be a coach for any and all sports after having played for multiple national women's teams around the world and her excitement of being part of the new Strikers team.

K&N is looking forward to the next season for the Strikers and the careers of players Foote, Tarrant and Chapman. More information about the LA Strikers including their full roster, can be found on their official website, www.lastrikersfc.com. More information about K&N oil filters, intake systems and air filters can be found at www.knfilters.com.

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.

Notching his 9th Victory Andy Forsberg Now in Three-Way Tie for Most Sprint Car Wins

29 Jul 2011

The $5000 to win Mark Forni Memorial prize was Forsberg single biggest payday this year.

In the movie Talladega Nights, Ricky Bobby, the character played by Will Ferrell is depicted being born in the backseat of his dad's stockcar. It's clear case of art imitating life, or at least paraphrasing it. Andy Forsberg's mom, Dianne, went into labor back in 1976 while watching his dad, Richard, race at the famous West Capital Speedway in Sacramento, California, and the next morning the second generation Forsberg driver was born into his destiny.

Win number nine at Silver Dollar Speedway put Forsberg into a three-way tie for for the most Sprite Car wins in the nation.

Ricky Bobby's fictional character was labeled "the fastest man on four wheels," and in the real world, Forsberg can certainly put his name atop a very short list claiming that title in Sprint Car racing circles this year.

This month alone Forsberg is having the kind of July that all other months will be measured against from here out. "It feels good to put the red Forsberg family car No. 92 in victory lane here tonight, I've got to thank Scott and Steve Van Den Broeke for letting us use this kick ass ASCS motor. It's an honor to be with them and support Autism Awareness." That was the K&N sponsored driver's remark after winning his ninth race of 2011 in the 360 Open Show at Silver Dollar. The win was Forsberg's third in July, and it positioned him in a three-way tie with Tim Crowley and Danny Smith for the most Sprite Car wins in the country.

The month's winning streak began on Saturday the 9th in Petaluma, California, in the second half of the Civil War double-header. Forsberg lead all 30 laps for his fourth Civil War Victory of the year, his fifth victory with the F&F X1, and his seventh win overall for the 2011 season at that point.

A&A Motorsports is on track to make 2011 their winningest year to date.

The following Friday the Forsberg Racing 92 team first head to Chico for a 410 points race. On the last lap of that race he was snaked by 29-thousandths of a second, and had to settle for third, which was still plenty good enough to give him the points lead at Silver Dollar Speedway.

The next day the team raced in Placerville, California, in the $5000 to win Mark Forni Memorial 360 points race. Forsberg once again grabbed the early lead at the wave of the green and he never looked back. The win was Forsberg's eighth of the season and his first Forni Win in six attempts, after leading the race twice in the past, only to tip over on both occasions, "This was a nice change of pace," Forsberg added.

With that win Forsberg became the only driver to ever be leading the points at Chico in the 410 Sprint Car Division, Placerville in the 360 Sprint Division, and the California Civil War Series all at the same time.

Win number nine last weekend at Chico in the Open 360 was a non-point race, and it was also the last chance for the Forsberg team to shake down the Van Den Broeke ASCS Motor before the National ASCS race in Placerville. This upcoming Friday July, 29th the A&A Motorsports No.92 first returns to Chico for a 410 points race, and on Saturday July, 30th the F&F X1 heads to Placerville for the National ASCS race.

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.

Hunt Motorsports NHRA & IHRA Drag Racing Team Is Back On the Road

29 Jul 2011

Having won the Big Money race on July 9, Michael is now leading in points this year at the El Paso Motorplex.

Pulling in to Firebird Raceway, at Chandler, Arizona, in late February, the Hunt Motorsports NHRA & IHRA Drag Racing Team was eager to compete in the NHRA Lucas Oil Division 7 Points race, and get their season underway.

When the race was over, the crew began anticipating upcoming events, but all it took was a slight miscalculation by a motorist to throw a wrench into their plans. In short, a motorist t-boned the drag racing team's motor home, putting a temporary halt on their racing agenda.

Hunt Motorsports was successful at defending the team's previous victories at El Paso Motorplex, San Elizario, Texas.

With the team's motor home temporarily out of commission, things didn't look too promising, but fortunately, some local friends were willing to loan the crew a couple of trucks and trailers, allowing them to defend their Big Money bracket race wins from last year at the El Paso Motorplex, situated in San Elizario, Texas.

Judging from last year's performance at this particular event, the father/son team had a lot to defend. In fact, they took the first three places in last year's Big Money race. The father, Michael, now 43 years of age, took third place, while his 22year-old son, Ryan captured the first and second places. Ryan also won the points championship at the El Paso Motorplex in 2010, which was his first full season. He managed to win eight of ten races, and made it to the semifinals in the remaining two as well.

In spite of missing two races due to damage sustained by their motor home, Michael had no intentions of quitting and in turn was successful at defending the team's previous victories at this venue. He showed up at the track with fire in his eyes, and a victory in his expectations and when the competition was over had earned first place in the Big Money race.

Running in the Quick 8 race, a bracket race consisting of the eight fastest cars in the competition, they made it to the semifinals, but came up short of the finals by a fraction of a second. In the sport of drag racing, many races are literally decided by thousands of a second, and there are no second chances for the drivers to redeem themselves. In short, he was out of the running in this particular competition.

On the other hand, Hunt Motorports NHRA & IHRA Drag Racing Team has still managed to make their mark at this particular venue this season thus far. Having won the Big Money race on July 9, Michael is now leading in points this year at the El Paso Motorplex.

One would be hard pressed to disagree that upon learning their means of transportation would be out of commission for a while after the accident, the team's level of moral likely took a hard hit. On the other hand, upon learning that friends were willing to pitch in and help, they were more than ready to roll upon pulling into the El Paso Motorplex.

"It felt good to finally get out to the track with friends and family," recalled Michael. "We always show up with expectations of winning, and putting on a good and professional show for our sponsors and fans.

Michael and Ryan Hunt are acutely aware that their success depends a great deal on how well their engine is performing on race day. That said, their entire team is of importance to them. "The key to winning is preparation and maintenance," explained Michael. According to Michael, he and Ryan aren't the only two members of the family playing a crucial role on the team. Rhen, his 19 year-old son, who is the crew chief for both cars, takes care of the mechanical end of the operation. In turn, Michael and Ryan have the luxury of dedicating all of their attention to driving and winning races. Referring to Rhen, Michael said, "Without him taking care of business, it would be harder for us to take care of business as drivers."

In closing, Michael stressed that one of the keys to experiencing a successful season is having great sponsors, such as K&N Filters. "The use of the products from our sponsors leaves us worry free, and we highly recommend them to everyone who has a vehicle, no matter what it is. Thanks a million for what you do for us."

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 Sponsored Supermoto Team 'Honda Austria' Ready to Rumble in 2011

28 Jul 2011

Florian Wedenig was the 2009 Vice Supermoto Dunlop Junior Cup Champion and he holds the 2010 Semi-Pro Speed Cup Championship title.

One year of racing experience is roughly equivalent to a handful in the real world. It's sort of like dog years, only with racing, the need for an accelerated education is far more dramatic and the learning curve tightens much quicker. K&N Race News first reported about team Honda Austria last year around this same time (Team Honda Austria Rules the European Supermoto Race Scene), and half way through the 2011 Supermoto season they are still rocking the Supermoto scene.

2009 Austrian S2 Supermoto Champion, Andi Rothbauer, once again looms large in the championship point standings in 2011.

Team veteran, Andi Rothbauer continues to compete in the International Class Open, and teammate, Florian Wedenig, marks 2011 as his first full professional season in the International Class S450. Among his many accomplishments Andi lists his 2009 Austrian S2 Championship near the top. Andi competed most of 2010 with a badly injured shoulder, yet still managed to finish third overall in the same championship, but this year he wants that championship back.

At 19-year-olds, Wedenig brought his own impressive resume to the team, he was a top national and international Supermoto Instructor and Supermoto Stunt Rider, with a few amateur titles. "He was very delighted to get the chance to get a spot at Honda Austria," Andi remarked. "He has made huge steps forward in the last year and a half, and he really wants to become State Champion within the next year or two!"

Rothbauer says he is looking forward to the second half of the season and feels confident at his chance at another Austrian Supermoto Championship.

New to the team this year are Honda Austria Team Managers, Michael Rohrmair, and Markus Rottensteiner, and both present an ideal fit with the team. Last weekend the fourth round of the Austrian State Championship was held in Kaltenbach, Tyrol, high up in the Austrian Alps. The event organizer, Pro-Motor, created a "very slippery" Supermoto track in the parking lot of the Hochzillertaler Liftstation and neither Andi, nor Wedenig, could find traction at first.

"We just didn't find any grip, the tarmac was really slippery," commented Andi. "Our Round 4 results were not that bad though, but I know we are just on the way back to the top, we know we are able to win, and that's what we are fighting for. I am still focusing on the title, and know that it is still possible, so I will do my best to achieve that goal! The next two tracks are tracks I know very well and like a lot, so let's see what comes around and in the end, when we count the points."

Wedenig's second overall in round four of the Austrian State Championship was his best finish to date in the International Supermoto Pro Series.

Despite traction issues both riders where able to secure points in that race, and at the mid-season break both riders currently hold onto fourth place in their respective class point standings, and both are within championship striking distance.

"I am still overwhelmed by taking the second overall in the fourth round of the Austrian State Championship, which is my first ever top-three result in the International Pro Series," Wedenig said. "The last year and a half with Honda has been a dream come true, and now I am already fighting for wins, how great is that? I can't do that without my great sponsors such as K&N Filters!"

The seven race Austrian Supermoto season begins in May runs through October. Both riders will continue practicing, testing and attending several other races during the break. Wedenig plans on racing at the Supermoto Euro Indoor Master in Tyrol on August 20th and Andi will race in the South Bavarian German Championship in Fridolfing, Germany on August 13th. The Austrian Supermoto season goes back in high-gear at the end of August.

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's Mike Edwards Climbs to the Top of the Mountain in Pro Stock at Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals

27 Jul 2011

Mike Edwards deemed "King of the Mountain" at Bandimere Speedway

It was quite a battle in Pro Stock between K&N's Mike Edwards and Allen Johnson throughout the entire NHRA National Event at Bandimere Speedway, but by the time the dust settled Edwards prevailed with the title "King of the Mountain," as many of the competitors refer to the championship at the Colorado facility.

Mike Edwards' Penhall/K&N Pontiac GXP at Bandimere Speedway

Edwards came out strong during qualifying and when the first two sessions were in the books Friday evening, he not only held on the number one position, but had made the quickest passes during each of the sessions, also gaining the maximum championship qualifying bonus points. Edwards best run of the day came during the second session when he posted a 6.989 at 196.50 in his Penhall/K&N Pontiac GXP.

"We're just going to have to make two solid runs on Saturday if we expect to hold on to the top spot," Edwards said Friday evening.

"It's not like we'll just be working on our tune-up for Sunday's eliminations. I've been racing for 30 years, and I just love racing here at Bandimere Speedway. It's always a challenge to make your car run real fast here, and I think that's why I like competing here so much."

Lurking in the shadows was both Allen Johnson and V. Gaines. Both teams were able to step up their programs for Saturday's qualifying sessions, finishing one and two for Sunday's eliminations. Although their runs pushed Edwards from his number one spot, he also managed to improve on the previous day's numbers and went into race day at number three after posting 6.986.

While Edwards may have missed out on the number one qualifying position, it certainly did not deter his team from making things happen on Sunday and it started with his first round match up against "The Professor" Warren Johnson. Edwards was able to make the most of his rather large starting line advantage and give the other teams something to think about with his quickest pass of the weekend and second quickest of first round when he put a 6.974 on the board.

The good first round number would also give Edwards lane choice in his Penhall/K&N entry for the round two pairing with Jason Line. Line was looking for a win on his birthday and thanks Edwards' slight edge on the tree and even quicker than his round before ET, would have to wait until next year to try again.

Edwards continued to not only outdo his competition on the starting line, but just flat outrun them. Even with the very high altitude the team's face when running at the Bandimere track, nearly 10,000 feet of adjusted altitude, Edwards and his crew seemed to have found something and made it work for them.

The final would pit Edwards and Allen Johnson in a battle of the 'Pro Stock Titans' and it would be their fourth meeting in a NHRA Pro Stock final. For the last several years, Johnson has been quite dominate during the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals and was looking to continue his fortune.

The driver's didn't disappoint and made it an exciting final all starting with a little staging dual, after both drivers lit the pre-stage and then took their time, before either made the move to stage. Whether Johnson had bumped in just a little deep or flinched, his uncharacteristic .009 red-light sent Edwards to the winner's circle for the third time this season and the thirty-first of his NHRA Pro Stock career.

The victory put Edwards a mere six points shy of Pro Stock leader Jason Line, with four events remaining before the NHRA Countdown begins.

"We might walk away with the Wally but Allen Johnson is still the king of this mountain," Edwards said after his victory. "It's so sweet to race up here. The Bandimere Family does such a great job with this track and the Mopar people do just a great job with this race."

The event at Bandimere is only the beginning of the three races in a row with the NHRA teams headed next to Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California for race two and now Edwards with his eye on a sweep.

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