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K&N's Peter Biondo Continues His Domination Over NHRA Super Stock After GatorNationals Victory

21 Mar 2011

NHRA Super Stock and Super Gas Racer Peter Biondo

Unlike most Division 1 racers that are just finishing the final touches on their hot rods to begin their 2011 season in the coming weeks, New York resident Peter Biondo has been hitting the trail hard for the last month and a half and racking up quite the collection of hardware and tons of points in the process.

NHRA GatorNationals at the Gainesville Raceway

Biondo has already posted three NHRA division wins, two in Super Gas and one in Super Stock, along with a division semi-final finish in Super Stock and that was just in his first two events of the season.

Recently Biondo competed in his first NHRA National event of the 2011 season at the historic Gainesville Raceway for the NHRA GatorNationals, where he once again entered in both Super Gas and Super Stock.

He was keeping pace in the rounds with both entries until an extremely close four-thousandths of a second loss in the third round, ended his weekend in Super Gas. Not the case in Super Stock, as Biondo and his K&N Filter equipped GT/DA 2000 Firebird slashed through the rounds, winning many of them on Biondo's stout reaction times along with his excellent judgment of the ever changing weather conditions.

After Biondo made it through his first round and a broke single in round two, when Bo Kenney was unable to make the call, he had a whopping eight-hundredths of a second starting line advantage over his third round opponent, Jerry Silveus and easily took the round win.

Peter Biondo entered in both Super Gas and Super Stock

"Yeah, they gave me a bunch of room," he explained of his later Super Stock rounds and his competitors reaction times. "Artie Martel was driving pretty good for a while sitting in the thirties and I thought for sure he would step it up a little against me and he went the other way. [Robert] Carpenter was killing the tree before we ran, obviously with internet we can see what everyone is doing and what you are up against. When he got up against me, he missed it a little and went forty-something. I just don't know why, but they were going the other way against me and it was really working out in my favor."

The weather over the three day period of eliminations was ever changing.

"There was a lot of moving with the shoe polish," he noted of the different racing conditions. "I was dialed anywhere from a 9.56 round one on Friday morning to a 9.72 in the final on Sunday afternoon. There was quote the weather variance and it's like anything else, you just have to pay attention, do your homework and be aware of the variables and adjust accordingly."

"We woke up Friday morning for round one and it was 38 degrees with a 10-15 MPH tailwind and by the time we run the final on Sunday, it's 76 degrees and 8 MPH crosswind," he added.

Just like many of his previous rounds, Biondo's final round challenger gave him all the room he needed to easily take the stripe, remaining safe on his dial all while forcing Merrill Schrimscher to breakout in his first NHRA National Event final.

It was far from a first National Event win for Biondo at the NHRA GatorNationals and with this victory he has now notched an impressive six wins at the historic event, five of them coming in Super Stock.

Biondo's weekend was even more memorable since both he and his brother Sal shared the winner's circle after Sal sewed up a fantastic showing in Comp Eliminator, marking the fourth time the two have won NHRA National Events at the same time.

After a month and a half of racing mayhem for the champion racer, Biondo will take a short break in the action to attend to his family business at home. Plans for the next stop on his schedule are for the 4-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.

With only a few races in the books for his season, he already sits at the top of both the NHRA National and Division 1 point standings in Super Stock and Super Gas, with plans to even do a little Super Comp racing in the months to come.

"I just ordered a brand new dragster and I'm really excited to get the new K&N 2nd Generation Composite scoop (PN 100-8512) that I ordered for it," he smiled. "I have heard a ton of great things about it and the fantastic performance results that others have seen by using it and I wouldn't want anything else for my new car."

"It's just a natural fit for the new dragster to have as many K&N products that I can outfit it with," he continued. "All the cars I compete and win with have K&N air and oil filters protecting them. My engine builder is even using their whole new line of Racing Glue products [www.racingglue.com] and when you think how many passes I have already made this season in a short amount of time, their quality speaks for itself for everything they make."

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 Signs Sigma Motor Bike Racing Team of France

21 Mar 2011

In 2010, the team's first year on the France Promosport 600 circuit, they managed to finish all seven races, with a season high seventh place coming at 24 hours of Le Mans.

Racer and owner of the French Sigma MBR team, Yohann Suard, says his goals for the 2011 race season are simple - to be happy, to win a race or two, even though he understands that will be difficult, and to continue to surround himself with people that share his passion.

Team Sigma MBR competes on Kawasaki ZX6R's, and for 2011 they will be sponsored by K&N.

Team Sigma is made up of volunteers and racing enthusiasts, the mechanic for example, Aldric Mercier, has a day-job working in commercial heating. Suard says that most importantly the team is highly motivated, as they all share the same passion for racing and all share a prevailing sense of good humor. Winning is of course paramount, but it needn't happen without having fun, according to how Suard sees it.

Including Suard, team Sigma consists of three racers riding Kawasaki ZX6R's, the other two riders are Erwan Quellet and Michel Noel. As a team they compete in the Championship of France Promosport 600, a series which includes seven races. In 2010, the team's first official full season of competition, they crossed the finish line in all seven races, with their best finish being a very respectable seventh place at the 24 hours of Le Mans.

About Le Mans Suard says, "It's nearly mystical. Its 24 hours of racing at breakneck pace. And it requires detailed race strategy, precise teamwork, intense mental and physical preparation, as well as technical mastery, to be successful."

More than ten nations, including the official teams of the largest manufacturers, show up for their shot at mastering the endurance race benchmark, and to perhaps claim the coveted trophy, for team Sigma to make that kind of showing is therefore rather significant.

Suard says he has had a love for motorcycles for as far back as he can remember, and he started riding when he was 14. Making team Sigma a real contender is the beginnings of a dream come true for him, the other part of that dream now is winning.

"In 2010, I found the atmosphere in the circuit paddock and with our team exhilarating, I want more," said Suard. "There are people like Erwan Quellet who is really great with winning, and others like Michel Noel who finds pleasure in competing, and I'm a little of both, so that atmosphere of passion will be revived this season."

Suard says he bought a K&N air filter in 2001 for his Suzuki SVS650, "And today it is still on the bike and it still works just as well. K&N is a guarantee of quality and I like that." Which is why when Suard went looking for sponsorship he immediately contacted K&N first.

"With my team I am surrounded by friends and racers that share my passion for the sport. We are all focused on being organized, reducing costs and together building a structure that approximates a professional team, even if it remains on amateur status because of a lack of budget."

Team Sigma MBR kicks off their season in the beginning of April in the south of France on the Nogaro circuit.

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 Welcomes Team Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports Onboard for the 2011 LOORS

17 Mar 2011

Adding support and team firepower will be Jerry's son Aaron.

Contrary to any initial impressions, Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports is not the title of the latest 3D adventure flick. They are in fact a Salt Lake City, Utah, based team that presently competes in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series, and the drivers and crew say they are pumped and ready for 2011.

The number 23 truck will continue to be piloted by patriarch team owner Jerry Daugherty.

For this season the entries consist of the Pro-4 Unlimited number 23 truck driven by team co-owner Jerry Daugherty, and the number Pro-4 Unlimited number 24 driven by Aaron Daugherty. Formerly known as Daugherty Racing, the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports team has been competing together for the past five years, and for 2011 they now add K&N to their family of sponsors.

"Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports is extremely proud to be a K&N affiliated team," commented Christie Daugherty, the other co-owner and team manager.

"As an organization, we hold great pride and a high level of importance in our structure building, and in maintaining valuable quality relationships. We are therefore proud to have built this type of relationship with the K&N Engineering Company. We believe that the products offered by K&N are far superior to others in the marketplace, and we feel that these products give the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports Pro-4 Unlimited trucks a definite advantage on the track."

The Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports father and son team should prove to be formidable to any and all track opponents.

Jerry Daugherty is a veteran short course driver with over 35 years of experience under his helmet. During those years Jerry has placed and won in many varied off-road events, including Crandon, Riverside, the Baja 500 and 1000 and Pikes Peak, to name but a few. After an 18 year respite, Jerry decided to get back behind the wheel in 2005.

"All through the years Jerry has continued to run and build a highly consistent and reputable team that continues to expand and grow," notes Christie.

With two Pro-4 entries and supportive new sponsors, the team plans on flying to victory many times this year.

The 2011 season will be driver Aaron Daugherty's rookie year in the Pro-4 Unlimited class. Aaron has been gaining experience competing in the Pro-Lite class for the past several years. Aaron says he is ready to get behind the wheel and onto the track with his dad.

"Aaron is certain to be a competitive force for the coming years, and he definitely will assist in leading our team to great finishes and future growth," adds Christie.

The rest of the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports team is comprised of Crew Chief, Jesse Lewis, and the crew of Todd Salazar, Trad Ronfeldt, Dustin Pence and Gary Logan.

The 2010 season ended with Jerry in eighth place in the point standings. "Although a top-ten finish is great," continues Christie, "Jerry is seriously looking to put the Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports Pro-4 number 23 on the podium, and to complete the 2011 season even closer to the top. The team has made major adjustments and changes, and we are excited to see the results on the track. Now with two Pro-4 entries, great sponsors, a well motivated and highly qualified crew, 2011 should prove to be an exciting and successful season for us."

The Live Fast Play Dirty Motorsports organization has also just completed a Pro-2, two-seat show truck, which will be making many appearances throughout the 2011 season. Speaking about the reality off-road thrill ride Christie says, "Sponsors and fans alike will have the opportunity of experiencing a little of what it is like to take a ride in one of these amazing trucks. We love to become involved with our partners and supporters, and we will look to expand on this in the future as 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.

Arnold Motorsports' Haley and Miranda Join K&N for the 2011 Sprint Car Season

17 Mar 2011

This is Haley's third season in a sprint car and she's looking for a championship in the newly formed ASCS Warrior Region.

Haley and Miranda Arnold, the sprint car racing sisters from Sedalia, Missouri, open their 2011 season this weekend at Malden Speedway in Malden, Missouri, racing with the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour. This is the Arnold's inaugural USCS event and their first race ever at Malden Speedway. The dynamic-duo will race virtually the same schedule this year, including events with the ASCS National Tour, Sprint Invaders and URSS.

2010 was Miranda's first season racing sprint cars and she's looking forward to putting the lessons she learned to good use this year.

Haley is 18-years-old and in her third season, and this is 15-year-old Miranda's second season. Last year Miranda bested her older sister by one position in the 305 points standings at LA Raceway, and both finished in the top-ten. Miranda also won the Rookie of the Year at Double-X Speedway in California, Missouri. To say the Arnold sisters are infatuated with racing would be like saying bees sort of like honey. They in fact both have high-octane race blood flowing through their veins. Their dad, Bryan, raced sprint and stock cars, and both their grandpas and an uncle all raced.

"Racing pretty much consumes all of my time which I am just fine with," commented Miranda. "If I am not racing then I am at the shop working on my cars."

Miranda and Haley say they are proud to be asked to be onboard with K&N, their products have always spelled good luck for the racing sisters in the past.

And Haley is in full accord adding, "My friends have mixed feelings about my racing. They think it's awesome and love to come and support Miranda and me, but on the flipside they don't like the fact that we don't get much time to hang out. With 2011 being my graduating year ,there are a lot of experiences that I have skipped out on because of races, but I am okay with that. Racing is my everything! My friends don't like that I have passed on some events, but they completely understand that racing is my main priority, and it comes first."

Last year was Miranda's first full season racing sprint cars and she found it to be a great education. "I learned a ton about racing and what it takes to become a driver. I hope to continue to keep learning new things every time out. I feel as if I accomplished a lot in my first year, so overall, I feel I had an awesome 2010 season. I am really looking forward to the 2011, with everything I have learned from my first season, as well as having K&N on our team."

The Arnold Motorsports sisters signed with K&N for the 2011 season and they couldn't be more pleased about it.

"We have been using K&N products for several years now," explains Haley. "We started using K&N filters, oil, and cleaner when we first started racing ATV's in 2006. We have had nothing but good luck with K&N products during those years. When we got into sprint car racing we needed to find a sponsor to help us out with air filters, oil, and cleaner, so because we had such good luck with all of our K&N products in the past, it was just the right company to go with. Miranda and I began talking to Bob Harris and sent him a portfolio, and we were lucky enough to be chosen to work with K&N as a partner. The products we use on our sprint cars such as; the box air filter, spray oil, air filter cleaner, and the wrench off oil filters are all awesome products. With K&N products we know it's the highest quality, so that's all we use on our race team."

Miranda chimes in with "Bob Harris is great to work with. When we were in Indy, at the International Motorsports Industry show, we got to meet him in person and talk about what we could do to help K&N. I also think K&N carries the most awesome products."

To prepare for the 2011 season Miranda and Haley say they have been busy searching for sponsors, working on their cars, and getting physically and mentally pumped up.

"There is so much to do during off season that I'm not quite sure why they even call it an off season," says Haley. "For example you have to get all of your spare parts together, like front axels, rear ends, and all kinds of other various parts. You really want to stay ahead of the game, and that's what we are trying to do. Also, along with searching for sponsors and working on the cars, I have been working out like crazy to get my body physically ready for a long season of racing."

Miranda's goals for this season are to pick up her first sprint car win and to consistently finish in the top-five every weekend in the 305's. As for the 360's, she plans on making every A-feature and to finish in the top-ten.

"My biggest racing dream is to win the Knoxville Nationals. I would really like to peruse a career in the motorsports industry. Any opportunities that I receive I will try my hardest and give it everything I have to be the best I can be," says Miranda.

Haley too says her one big race dream is to become a successful racer in whatever style of racing she ultimately chooses.

"If I choose to stay with sprint car racing I would like to travel with The World of Outlaws and to race the Knoxville Nationals with all of the top notch drivers. If racing takes me into NASCAR, then my big goal for that would be to race in the Daytona 500. I have so many dreams, and can't wait to see where they take me. As long as I am racing, I will be one happy camper."

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.

Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Motorcycle Benefits From K&N Air Filter

16 Mar 2011

Replacement Air Filter for 2010 to 2016 Yamaha Super Tènèrè motorcycles

Replacement Air Filter for 2010 to 2016 Yamaha Super Tenere motorcycles

The Yamaha Tènèrè and Super Tènèrè have been part of Yamaha's international adventure touring line-up for years. Having received much praise abroad, North American motorcyclists have long coveted these rugged machines.

Restriction Chart for YA-1210 Air Filter

Yamaha placed a target on the back of BMW's GS motorcycles and hopes to hit the mark with the new Super Tènèrè. Yamaha Motors has finally decided to offer the Super Tènèrè in the United States.

Tènèrè is an Italian word meaning "to hold." Not coincidentally, K&N also delivers performance and excellent dirt-holding filtration for 2010 to 2016 Yamaha Super Tènèrè motorcycles with 1199cc engines. K&N has released a new High-Flow Air Filter^™, YA-1210, to fill the need for a reusable performance air filter.

This high-flow replacement air filter is washable/reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride. K&N's YA-1210 is specifically designed to fit into the stock air filter assembly of 2010 to 2016 Yamaha Super Tènèrè motorcycles with 1199cc engines.

K&N high-flow replacement motorcycle air filters are designed to provide increased airflow, resulting in increased performance and acceleration while providing excellent filtration. Within each air filter, thousands of microscopic cotton threads absorb K&N's specially formulated air filter oil and create powerful filtering media.

K&N puts its products through extensive testing to ensure they are worthy of the K&N name. Fuel management modifications to your motorcycle are not necessary to obtain increased performance.

Covered by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty^®, and made in the USA, K&N's YA-1210 will provide years of performance and excellent filtration.

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.