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Team MMCR/GPF - AMA National Arenacross Efforts Start at Georgia Practice Facility

10 Mar 2011

In 2009 team rider Tyler Madalia won the Lites West.

When we contacted Ray Woods about his Georgia Practice Facility (GPF) and his newly formed AMA National Arenacross team he replied, "I will try and keep it as brief as possible but I gotta warn ya, I have put a lot of years in making GPF what it is, and sometimes I tend to ramble on about our efforts." Ramble on we said, GPF is a brilliant idea, and the only way it could get any better is if Ray had practice facilities accessible in other areas of the country as well.

Team MMCR/GPF riders A.J. Catanzaro and Dano Aulseybrook won both Lites West and Lites East Championships.

GPF is a seasonal training facility for aspiring amateur and pro motocross, Supercross and Arenacross athletes. Since their opening in 2000 GPF has gone through many changes and expansions, but the goal has remained the same - to provide riders and their families with a quality place to train and ride that will offer them the same opportunities as a factory sponsored rider. The limited membership facility is located just 30 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida, in Cairo, Georgia.

"In 2000 my son Josh Woods was 17-years-old and an aspiring pro rider getting help from Kawasaki Team Green. He and I had already been traveling to Florida and Southern Georgia for a few years during the winter months (our home state is Michigan) to keep Josh riding and training in the better weather. The reason we chose Cairo, Georgia, was mostly about the climate. You could ride year around and we were well accepted in the community. It also helped that many other riders were gravitating to the area, Ricky Carmichael already lived within 10 miles of GPF, and Davy Millsaps was next door. Ezra Lusk, Chad Reed, and James Stewart all rode and trained in Florida and Southern Georgia."

Making the K&N connection for the Team MMCR/GPF bikes was a no-brainer according to Ray Woods.

As in any new endeavor the first few years were tough going. Josh was in high school and weekends consisted of endless hours of driving to get him back to school by Monday after his training sessions.

The Georgia Practice Facility is a brilliant concept, and one of the few ways to improve on it would be to franchise it nationwide, so even more riders might reap the benefits.

"A friend of mine who also had a son that raced mentioned that we should look into purchasing a piece of property in the area we had been going to and make our own practice track, said Ray. "And from that Michigan Motocross, later changed to GPF was born."

Josh went on to win two amateur National Titles and he finished in the top-ten at Loretta Lynn's venue for several years. After high school Josh turned pro and held national numbers for six consecutive years.

"All during this time we continued to develop GPF into a premium training facility for up and coming riders and their families. We wanted to supply them with a place that they could ride and train throughout the winter months in an atmosphere that allowed them to reach their potential. We were also thinking about a future for Josh that allowed him to stay involved with a sport that he loved by training young riders."

Now in their eleventh year Ray feels that they have the complete package, with 32 full hook -up campsites, three rental homes, a national caliber motocross track, a full blown Supercross and two National caliber Arenacross Tracks, and a complete fitness Center.

K&N Banners are positioned around the Georgia Practice Facility MX Track

"We have also, have a basketball court, sand volley ball, a paint ball course , and our recreation center is equipped with a pool table, ping-pong, a big screen TV on the upper level, and a large room with fitness equipment on the lower level," adds Ray.

Georgia Practice Facility MX Track

Many of the members have been at GPF for several years, which is how the concept for their National Arenacross team came about.

"We wanted to help our younger riders coming out of the amateur ranks to gain the confidence they needed to go to into Supercross. We have always felt that Arena Cross is a great stepping stone for that too," explains Ray. "We started four years ago with Travis Sewell who was named AMA Arenacross Rookie of the Year. 2008 was all about 17-year-old Shane Sewell winning AX LITES North. Then in 2009 Tyler Madalia won the Lites West. Last year we followed that up with team riders A.J. Catanzaro and Dano Aulseybrook winning both Lites West and Lites East Championships."

"This year is a bit different for us, in that Feld Motorsports decided to not allow televised coverage for the Lites class, so we decided to join forces with another aspiring team and formed Team MMCR/GPF to race the Premier AX class on 450 cc bikes. Although it has been a challenge for us being the new kids on the block, just like when GPF originally formed, we will continue to improve, and with the help of great companies like K&N, we will gain the experience necessary to get to the top level of that class."

MX Track at the Georgia Practice Facility

Ray says he's also experienced a swing towards more women becoming involved in motocross and wanting to train at his facility recently.

"Over the years we have had the pleasure of having several top level women athletes ride at GPF, including current women's National Champion, Jessica Patterson," says Ray. For 2011, Ashley Foilek, the former women's National Champion, will also be riding at GPF preparing for the 2011 outdoor season."

"Our connection with K&N came about through our affiliation with Babbitt's Sports Center. Once we were introduced to K&N through Denny Bartz (Monster Energy AX Team), I used my experience in working for General Motors in the Experimental Engine Division to prove the gain we always suspected in performance. From there it was a no brainer, anytime you can get more horsepower with a bolt-on item, and prove it on a dyno, that's just plain and simple free horsepower."

"Our plans for the team for the remainder of the year are to gain as much experience as we can in the 450 AX Class, and to bring that to the table for 2012. Our goals for GPF will be to continue to give back to all of our members and guests and to help them achieve their goals, whether it is finishing up the Supercross season, or our amateurs preparing for the AMA National Championships at Loretta Lynns."

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 Female NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Sensation Kalifornia Katie Sullivan

10 Mar 2011

Two years ago when she was 18, Sullivan became the youngest female to ever qualify in NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle history.

"I pretty much have thoughts about racing running through my head all day long," remarked Orland, California's Katie Sullivan. "Along with those thoughts I usually get major butterflies in my stomach out of excitement too. I have this huge dream of being the best, and I plan to work, and do everything I can until we are at that point."

Kalifornia Katie says it gives her chills to think that K&N is supporting her and helping her to be the very best Pro Stock motorcycle drag racer she can possibly become.

Kalifornia Katie is on an extremely fast track to meet and exceed all her wildest dreams. At the age of 18, Sullivan became the youngest female to ever qualify in NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle history, and she's only the seventh female to ever qualify.

Johnny Jump, K&N's Brand Manager for the Powersports Division is quoted as saying, "I like to work with racers who are going somewhere. Katie has more drive and energy and is putting more into her career and this sport than many of the veterans out there. It makes me proud to support someone like her. We wish her the best this year, and we are going to do whatever we can to get her to the starting line. Gentlemen look out, and start your engines!"

When she's not scorching the dragstrip Sullivan is a fulltime student majoring in small business and entrepreneurship. In addition, she also owns two businesses, one is called Kalifornia Katie's Trailer Sales, and the other is a graphics business called Tough Girl Designs. Sullivan is driven to finish her degree, and to make her businesses successful, but the one thing she is most passionate about is drag racing.

When she's not racing, Sullivan is a fulltime student, and an entrepreneur with two start-up businesses.

Sullivan's New K&N Custom Designed Helmet was designed to match her new bike.

"When I am daydreaming, I think a lot about times that have meant a lot to me, times when people told me I couldn't do things, yet with the help of a lot of people, we went out and did them," said Sullivan. "One of my favorite memories is being barely 18 years old and getting on a Pro Stock bike for the first time. I had been having people tell me I couldn't do it, that I couldn't handle it. The first time I got on a Pro Stock bike I knew I was at home, as soon as they fired it, I knew that was where I belonged. On my first pass we clicked off a 7.28 with the bike turned down."

Sullivan understands and respects drag racing history and she reflects about where she will ultimately fit into that history. "I think about winning races and going out and being the best I possibly can. Then of course I am always thinking what I can do to make our team better too? I look for every conceivable way we can push harder to be better, and make it to the top. Even though I work on other things all day long, my mind is always going 250 mph on racing."

"It still gives me chills when I think about having a big name like K&N onboard with my team. I am 20-years-old and in my third year of racing Pro Stock, and to have K&N be a part of that, and helping me to be the best seems surreal. I am ecstatic to have K&N's support."

Sullivan's New K&N Custom Designed Helmet from the side

Sullivan says that 2010 was actually a pivotal year for her, as it was the first season that her dad, Charlie, and she stepped out with their own team.

"I would love to sit back and say how awesome the season was, but I am not sure that really describes it. I like to think of 2010 as a learning season, and oh boy did I learn a ton. We struggled, but what was important is even through the struggling we never once thought about giving up. Every time we were out at the track we were learning and improving. I walked away from our 2010 season with even more determination and passion than I have ever had."

"I am a very goal oriented person," adds Sullivan. "When I want something, I go after it, until I can make it happen. My dad told me when I was a little girl that if something is to be, it is up to me, and I live my life by that. This season I have big goals, but my biggest goal in all honestly is to have fun, and to make sure that everyone around me has fun. We take racing very seriously in our pit, but my team and I work too hard to miss out on having fun along the way. I feel like if we go out with the passion, determination and the will not only to win, but to have fun, this team is really going to go places."

Sullivan is very much aware of, and is grateful for, all the continuing support she receives for her team.

"My parents are really the first people I have to thank, without them and their support, none of this would be possible. I am where I am because of the amazing support I have received from a lot of people, and I honestly cannot give the people around me enough credit. I am excited to go out and show everyone what this team can do, and to have K&N Filters on my side going into this season - I know we are going to rock 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.

Hunt Motorsports - Over Two Decades of Drag Racing Excellence and Counting

8 Mar 2011

In the opening race for Hunt Motorsports, Michael made it through two rounds in Super/Comp and three rounds in Super/Gas, losing only to the eventual winner.

Hunt Motorsports located in El Paso, Texas, has been drag racing for over 20 years, during that time they have claimed several track championships, and won many Big-Money bracket races. Owner and driver, Michael Hunt, racing in the IHRA Super/Rod class, finished third in the world, his best finish to date. Michael has also been Division 4 champion. His appearances in the NHRA have taken him deep into the rounds in both Super/Comp and Super/Gas competition. The team's other driver and Michael's son, Ryan, finished ninth in Division 4 Quick/Rod in his very first full season of racing. Last year in 2010 Ryan won the track championship, plus he won a Big-Money bracket race and came in second in another, which is pretty much unheard of so early in a race career.

The hood scoop designed by two K&N engineers and Michael Hunt continues to very successful for Don Davis Corvette owners.

"By the way, dad finished third that weekend, making it a long standing dream come true for Hunt Motorsports," remarked Michael.

Hunt Motorsports is a family team, which is crewed by Connie and Rhen Hunt. In addition, Connie, Michael's wife, also has the title of chef, manager, motivator and consoler. Everyone is involved and contributes where they can to make the team work.

It is a huge honor to be associated with K&N the world's leader in filtration," said Michael. K&N products give us peace of mind, in that we don't worry about how our air and oil is filtered, and we don't worry about failures."

Big-Money bracket racing offers big checks to the winner, this one belonged to Michael's talented son Ryan.

Michael's association with K&N began with the development of a custom air filter which he needed for his Don Davis Corvette. Working with two K&N engineers, Geoff Nelson and Jonathan Fiello, they created a special hood scoop that continues to be very successful with Don Davis Corvettes all over the country.

"It was simply a marriage made in heaven," commented Michael.

"Our goals for 2011 are to run as many NHRA, IHRA and Big-Money bracket races as possible," continued Michael. "We started our season this year at the NHRA Lucas Oil Division 7 race in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 18. We went two rounds in Super/Comp and three rounds in Super/Gas, losing in Super/Gas to the eventual winner. Not a bad weekend considering we had a few gremlins to work out, and with the weather cutting our time trial short, leaving us to race on Monday. Unfortunately our future racing for 2011 is up in the air. On Tuesday, as we made our way home after the race, our motorhome was t-boned, and it got totaled. At this point we have no way of pulling our racecars and trailer to the races. Hopefully the insurance handles it quickly, so we can replace the motorhome and get back to our racing schedule."

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.

Bryan Clauson Racing and R&B Truckers Unite as USAC National Sprint Car Team

7 Mar 2011

USAC National Sprint Car Series Racer Bryan Clauson

At the outset of the 2011 race season Corey Tucker Racing and Bryan Clauson Inc. announced their return to the USAC National Sprint Car Series. Bryan Clauson, the 2010 USAC National Drivers Champion will once again be piloting the familiar K&N sponsored number 7 car. Curb Agajanian, who has a storied history in American Motorsports, will also be taking an ownership role in this new endeavor.

The number 7 entry landed on the podium two out of three races in the season opener.

Last weekend in the season opener at the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint race at Ocala Speedway, Florida, the number 7 entry landed on the podium with a solid third-place finish. The dynamic new team followed that up with a convincing victory the very next evening, as the Noblesville, Indiana, driver led the final eight laps.

"I would have never guessed that on our second night out we would have parked it in the circle picking up win number one for the season. The new Spike performed flawlessly and the Foxco Power Plant was hitting on all cylinders all night long," remarked Tim Clauson.

The third night out, Bryan was once again very much in contention, before getting caught up in an incident with 15 laps to go. Bryan's never say die attitude allowed him to pass 11 cars in 10 laps to finish 11th, and salvage a decent points night.

"It felt really good to roll out of the trailer so good, so quick," said Tim. "We felt like we had a pretty good baseline based on what we did last year, but to be one of the top three cars every time we hit the track was something we did not expect."

Clauson Racing didn't really get serious about putting this team deal together until the night before the Chili Bowl in January.

"Bryan had a couple of offers with a couple of really good teams, but we kept getting asked the same question - why aren't you doing your own thing? After awhile we started asking ourselves that too. We went to a couple of partners of ours, really just to get some advice, and they said - why not?"

"We basically built this program in the matter of a few weeks between the Chili Bowl and Florida. We are blessed with really good guys in the shop and they have an understanding of how we want to do things. Spike stepped up and got our cars built, and we were blessed that Roger and Barb Tapy of R&B Truckers wanted to get involved, and had a couple of engines ready to roll. So, it was really just a matter of working hard, gathering pieces and parts, and getting them together."

Tim explains that the first night out was really a just a get-acquainted night for him, Bryan and the new car. But they discovered they were very fast from the practice session on, and they even had a real shot in the first race, as they ran down the leaders, but a lapped car got in the way and first and second got away. During their get-acquainted gathering they had wisely opted to stay on the safe side and not beat themselves.

"The second night we gained on it, we got a little more aggressive with the set-up and Bryan got more comfortable, and we just kind of rolled around there really nice," said Tim. "Bryan did a great job of finding the track. And actually the third night might of been the best we had down there, but we got caught up in another's mess going for the lead."

"We changed a lot of our program from where we were in 2009," continued Tim. "We changed chassis, we went with the new Spike cars. The guys at Spike have built our Midgets over the past few years and we have been extremely fast with them. They were getting into the Sprint Car game, and it made sense to try and keep our programs all in the same place. They build safe, fast, racecars, and they are always there when we need them."

"In 2009 we also had great support from Gaerte race engines, but with the addition of R&B Truckers, and their association with Foxco, we made the change to their engines. We were really happy with the performance of the engine program in Florida, and really look forward to getting on some tracks that are more familiar to us. One thing that didn't change was our use of K&N Filters and products on the Midget and Sprint Car."

"Our goals for 2011 are very simple, win races and win the USAC National Championship, in both the Midget and the Sprint Car. We won last year's owner and driver championship, so when we sat down and evaluated what we needed to do to win a Sprint Car championship, and we decided that we needed was to control our own destiny."

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 Shea Holbrook Approaches 2011 With a More Aggressive Winning Attitude

7 Mar 2011

After wrecking her car in the last race at VIR last year, Shea has her ride is back in great shape for this year.

Being the new kid in class tends to stifle your true nature, you wanna make a good impression, so you hold back. Last year Shea Holbrook's was a rookie making her pro racing debut in the World Challenge Touring Car Series, but according Shea, this year she's not holding anything back. So, when the 2011 season begins at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 25-27th, sitting behind the wheel of her number 67 Honda Civic Si, you'll find a more aggressive person, both on and off the track.

Shea Holbrook isn't holding back in 2011, after making her pro racing debut last year, Shea says this year she's coming hard.

"We took a lot away from the 2010 season. There were many things we were proud that we did, and some things we would have changed, it's a learning process," said the Groveland, Florida, resident. "I think you will see a more competitive person this year. Last year, I put my out-spokeness in the background, which wasn't easy because I am an out-spoken person"

"Because it was our first year, we wanted to perform to the best of our abilities, and respect the veterans of the sport. You could say, we were playing the nice card off track. I know I proved myself on track, especially at the Streets of Toronto, when I took Robb Holland for P5. At the time, I really only knew the Holland name, and that I wanted to get him. After that race Holland came over to congratulate the team. Last year we were there to participate because we knew our car wasn't perfected to its prime. The 2011 season we're coming hard. This year I'm determined to be on podium."

Team owner, Jeff Holbrook concurs, "We're entering the 2011 season with winning attitudes. Shea has put a tremendous amount of effort into her racing career and K&N and Lucas Oil are our driving force. We have partnered with K&N and Lucas Oil for the 2011 season. K&N is a leading and innovative filter technology company for automotive applications. K&N has hit the motorsports market worldwide. To be an image for K&N is unbelievable, and I'm extremely thankful to be a part of it."

The 2010 season with World Challenge Touring Car did end on a positive note for Shea Racing. "With plenty of hard work we were able to capture sixth-place in the championship," commented Shea.

Shea explains that last season was truly an eye opener for her, in discovering just what the professional racing world is really all about.

"I was determined to have a fantastic rookie season on and off track. Every race we attended we finished in the top-ten and our best finish was a fifth-place. World Challenge presents the absolute best sports car fans. I was amazed by how much we were able to interact with fans. It's a blessing to be a part of a well-known, very competitive race series, and after last year I think we learned our spot."

Shea is a junior majoring in communications at UCF, and besides studying during the off season, Shea says she was able to lay down some rubber driving other cars around the Florida area.

"Unfortunately, in the last weekend we attended at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) in 2010, we got wrecked out on the start of the last race. This caused a lot of car damage, and all we could see were dollar signs. Last year we barely had any funding, and every minor, or major damage to the car had a price tag for us to pay. Therefore, our plans of testing the car during the off season really went out the window. Although, I'm happy to say with that with some funding backing us for the 2011 season, our Honda Civic Si is in great shape, and we'll be testing twice before the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg."

Shea says she has put a lot of expectations on herself for the 2011 season. "I'd like to win the hard charger and best move of the race awards once, along with being on podium, and winning a few races. I strongly believe I have it in me to be one of the best, and I know the team wants it badly enough to do everything possible to get us there. Lucas Oil is sponsoring the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 16-17th. It's exciting to have partnered with such strong forces in the motorsports industry." K&N and Shea Racing have been partnered for three years now."

Shea will also continue to use her racing skills to help fund several causes near to her heart, foremost being the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which has affected her own family. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year). "Racing for a Cure to END Duchenne" is name of Shea's charity.

"Duchenne is a cruel disease and it affects my family. I have two cousins with Duchenne, Matthew (1989-2008) and Jordan. Matthew and I were the same age, his passing made me realize I had to do something to better Jordan's life before its too late. From there Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and I began working together to educate, and raise awareness and funds to find a cure. Utilizing my professional racing career to help benefit Duchenne was a no-brainer. What young man doesn't like race cars!"

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.

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