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K&N Filters Runs Consumer Promotion With German Car Magazine Auto Bild

6 Jun 2017

The promotion targets K&N's largest market in Europe, Germany.

K&N Filters Europe has teamed-up to run a consumer promotion with the magazine Auto Bild in Germany

When they hear the name “K&N” most people tend to think of American muscle cars and trucks. Not only is the range of fitments much wider than that, but K&N is literally sold around the world and not just in North America, but also South America, Asia, Australia, Oceania, Middle East, and Europe.

Europe is a critical market to K&N, so much so that it operates two R&D centers there. One is located in the West of England, the other in The Netherlands (its official name, but sometimes referred to as Holland).

These facilities conduct the same type of research and development as K&N’s laboratory in California. The reason is simple: proximity to cars. For models not available in the United States, each would have to be shipped to the California, measured, filters or systems developed, production models tested and evaluated, and then shipped back.

With dedicated facilities in such a major market for K&N, it’s far easier and faster to acquire the vehicles locally for development and testing.

To control quality all filters are made in the same plant

All K&N air filters, no matter their destination, are manufactured in the Riverside, Ca facility

Emissions standards and the ability to modify your vehicle are heavily controlled in the European markets. That limits the opportunity to develop intake kits for many European cars. The focus at the two European development centers is on replacement air filters and replacement cabin air filters. And while the filters are designed and developed, every K&N Filter is manufactured in Riverside, California, to the same exacting standards.

As the most populous country in Europe with over 80 million inhabitants, Germany is also one of the primary markets for K&N products in the continent.

So K&N Filters Europe launched a promotional campaign with the German magazine “Auto Bild” (Auto Picture). The campaign draws a parallel between a sheet of paper and a t-shirt. The page represents an OEM or replacement paper filter, which if you place it in front of your mouth is difficult to breathe through. On the other hand, K&N's cotton filter, represented by the t-shirt, is far easier to draw air through. And more air equals more horsepower.

We had a chance to ask a few questions about the campaign to Robert Hordossy, K&N's Senior Director of International Business.

K&N: What made you decide to partner with Auto Bild for this marketing campaign?

European laws make it more difficult for an individual to modify their cars

While intake kits comprise some sales, the biggest sellers in Europe are K&N replacement air filters

Robert: Autobild is a well known nationwide publication across Germany and within all German speaking countries. They are powerful in automotive but also in general as a news provider. We have used them in the past as well and it worked quite well on feedback and coverage.

K&N: Are you running the promotion with other magazines?

R: Yes we advertising in many countries in Europe in many publications print and online

K&N: What is the primary focus of the promotion?

R: Our main business in Europe is replacement filters. However, from a branding perspective and to stay cool and innovative we continue to promote intake kits as we do sell those for select vehicles as well.

K&N: In general terms, what do you expect the promotion to achieve?

R: Increased brand awareness, to drive consumers to our website for more information and buy from our DTC channel. Germany is our number one market in Europe and we need to sharpen consumer awareness continuously. You can check-out the contest at http://www.autobild.de.

K&N: How long will the promotion run?

R:Throughout the year; three times online and periodically with consumer advertising in print magazines.

K&N: And what's your expectation for the results of the promotion ?

R: Brand awareness, for consumer to be educated about the features and benefits of our products, and to demonstrate that we are original filter with performance touch to the product. We drive these campaigns through automotive publications in order to hit automotive fans as these sites are mainly visited by consumers who are interested in cars.

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Find the Right Filter for Your Car, Truck, SUV, Minivan or Whatever Else You Drive

6 Jun 2017

K&N offers plenty of options for engine and cabin air filtration products for your vehicle

Do you haul your family around in your SUV or mini-van? Does your truck do double duty as a commuter and toy hauler? Your vehicles do a lot for you, why not protect them with the best products around? K&N makes performance products for thousands of vehicles on the road. Here we are going to give a rundown of those products and show you why they make a difference in your vehicle.

Replacement Air Filters

Installing a K&N replacement air filter is extremely easy and usually takes less than 10 minutes

K&N is probably most known for their oiled cotton filter media. As an entry level product, K&N has taken their famous filter media and produced washable and reusable replacement filters for hundreds of thousands of applications from cars and trucks to motorcycles and side-by-sides. The oiled cotton media offers greater airflow over the traditional folded paper air filters. By increasing airflow, these filters are designed to increase horsepower and torque. Better yet, because these are washable and reusable, you can forget having to change your filter every 12,000-15,000 miles. After 50,000 miles (depending on driving conditions), you can wash your filter and restore its contaminant capturing capabilities for another 50,000 miles of use. Lastly, K&N replacement air filters are covered by K&N’s famous 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty. So this truly may be the last filter you buy for your car.

Cold Air Intakes

K&N cold air intakes come with a guaranteed horsepower increase and a million mile warranty

The pinnacle of K&N performance for your vehicle may very well be the cold air intakes from K&N. These address not only the lack of airflow through the filter element, but also the restrictive, often times turbulent inducing intake tubes that most vehicles come from the factory with. By eliminating the restrictive tubing and filter media for a high-flow oiled cotton filter and smooth bore intake tubing, the K&N cold air intake kits are guaranteed to increase horsepower, torque, and throttle response. Like K&N’s replacement air filters, the K&N cold air intakes have washable and reusable filters. However, the cone filters that come with the cold air intakes have a greater surface area, and therefore last up to 100,000 miles between cleanings (depending on driving conditions). The K&N cold air intakes also come with the K&N 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty, so you don’t have to worry about spending money on disposable filters again.

Cabin Air Filters

Protect your family from harmful contaminants with a K&N cabin air filter

We put a lot of importance on getting clean, fresh air into your engine so it works at peak performance. But what about the air that is being fed into the cabin of your vehicle that you and your family is breathing? Well K&N asked that same question before developing a line of washable and reusable cabin air filters, like the VF2000, that covers hundreds of Toyota vehicles. These new filters are designed to replace the factory paper air filters that come in almost all new vehicles. Made from a proprietary synthetic media, the K&N cabin air filters are designed to capture most mold, mildew, pollen, spores, fungus, and germs. As air passes through the filter, it creates an electrostatic charge that grabs and holds on to contaminants before they enter the cabin. After 12 months or 12,000 miles, K&N recommends cleaning the filter with the K&N 99-6000 cabin air filter refresher kit.

Oil Filters

K&N oil filters are designed to work with conventional, synthetic, and even blended motor oils

Along with protecting your engine from airborne contaminants, it is also important to protect your engine from contaminants that may come from wear, such as metal fragments. These impurities can cause damage to the inner components of your engine. To help prevent this damage, it is vital to use a high quality oil filter with good filtration. K&N offers three levels of oil filters to choose from for whatever your needs may be. The first is the K&N Performance Silver line of oil filters. These offer a high-flow/low restriction design and are engineered to handle all grades of conventional, synthetic, and blended motor oils. The next line of filters are the K&N Wrench-Off Performance Gold oil filters. These are designed with high-durability and high-flow in mind. They also have a 1-inch nut welded to the top of the canister for easy removal of the used filter. For exceptional filtrations, these filters are made with a resin impregnated cellulose filter media. Finally, K&N offers a top of the line billet aluminum washable oil filter. This filter is used by race teams, engine builders, and anyone looking for a premium oil filter that has the ability to be washed and reused. Thanks to this design, you can see what particles may be floating around in your oil.

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Jordan Phillips’ Run for the Podium in GNCC Round 6 Derailed by Tree Branch

1 Jun 2017

Jordan Phillips racing in the GNCC round 6 in Peru, Indiana

Passing took time and effort for Jordan Phillips in the muddy conditions in Indiana (Photo Ken Hill)

In a wet and wild Grand National Cross Country Series (GNCC) round 6 in Peru, Indiana, Jordan Phillips’ hard-charging run for the podium was stifled by a tree branch. The already challenging X-Factor course was made even more brutal with the wet and muddy conditions that a storm front inflicted.

“The course had a mix of everything such as tight wooded sections, steep hills, off camber sections, and plenty of muddy areas,” reported Phillips. “Saturday morning before our 10:00 am race time, the temperatures were in the low 50s, which was a bit chilly.”

In the main event, Phillips got a great start off the line and was engaged in a fast and competitive fight for the podium. However, he soon found himself slaloming around stuck ATVs.

Rain and mud were the rule of the day in the GNCC round 6 (Photo Ken Hill)

“When the green flag dropped I rocketed forward and headed to the woods in 3rd,” said Phillips. “The first lap went smooth and I maintained 3rd. The second lap was pretty eventful with sport quads stuck everywhere. There were deep ruts everywhere. I picked a couple of bad lines and checked in 5th.”

Carrying good speed and picking better lines, Phillips found his way back to podium contention.

“The third lap was better and I moved up to 4th,” Phillips said. “However, a storm moved in and began pouring the rain during the entire last lap. I made a pass for 3rd.”

Things were looking good for a top-three finish but nature was not done influencing the outcome of the race.

A lodged tree branch took Phillips out of podium contention (Photo Ken Hill)

“With 3 miles to go I encountered a lap rider, and as I tried to make a pass I wedged a tree branch under my machine,” said Phillips. "It took me around ten minutes to free the branch. I put the hammer down and finished the race. By the checkered flag, I had to settle for 5th in 4x4 Pro and 10th overall.”

Phillips will be back in action in Athens, Ohio, for the seventh round of the GNCC series.

Jordan Phillips races a Can-Am Renegade 1000 which gets added airflow and protection from the K&N CM-8012 air filter. To find the perfect filter or intake for your UTV check out K&N’s online application tool.

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Davi Haagsma Retains WORCS Pro SxS Lead Despite Obstacles in Rounds 7 and 8

1 Jun 2017

Davi Haagsma with the race check for the WORCS round 7 in Sand Hollow State Park, St. George, Utah

Davi Haagsma's podium finish in round 7 extends his points lead

K&N-sponsored Pro side-by-side racer Davi Haagsma left the Utah swing of the WORCS schedule with a hard-fought podium finish in St. George and a disappointing DNF in Cedar City. However, most importantly, he also left the state with a solid series lead.

For Haagsma, the entire 2017 WORCS season has included the turbo versus naturally-aspirated debate. While Haagsma has a turbo car in development, he has competed in a non-turbo through the first 8 round of the WORCS schedule.

Haagsma has opted for the reliability and familiarity of the naturally aspirated UTV over the raw power of the turbo. It’s hard to argue with his rationale as he holds a solid double digit lead in the Pro class. He has maintained a 14-point lead despite the fact that the top podium spot eluded him in the two Utah races on the schedule.

Round 7 - Sand Hollow State Park, St. George, Utah

David Haagsma racing in his naturally aspirated SxS

Haagsma has raced the first 8 WORCS rounds in a non-turbo SxS

Haagsma extended his points lead in the WORCS Series Pro SxS class after a third-place finish at Sand Hollow State Park in St. George, Utah. As has been the theme throughout the season, Haagsma was again driving the top finishing naturally aspirated car in the class.

Despite being underpowered, Haagsma racked up his fifth podium finish in six races. That consistency has been a huge part of the grip H&M Motorsports holds in the points lead in the SxS Pro Class.

“The sand takes a lot of horsepower and I knew I was underpowered,” Haagsma said. “I had to race with the turbo cars and try to make it to the finish. With three corners to go, I got into the smoother stuff and barely got by for third. I had two more corners to block him and made it home third. Overall it was a good day points wise.”

Round 8 - Iron Mine Race Park, Cedar City, Utah

Haagsma grabbed the holeshot at the start of the Iron Mine race in southern Utah in his naturally aspirated car. He lost the lead to a turbo car on one of the track’s wide-open sections. Haagsma stayed consistent and competitive, and regained the lead on the final lap. He seemed well on his way to the win in Cedar City when he suffered a race-ending belt failure.

“On the very last lap, I passed Ryan (Piplic) and then about 20 seconds later I blew up the belt,” said Haagsma, “That ended my race.”

Haagsma holds the series lead going into the final three rounds of the season

While obviously disappointed in the mechanical failure that ended a promising day at Iron Mine, Haagsma stayed positive by looking at the big picture.

“This is not the race I wanted, but I still have a decent points lead,” said Haagsma. “We have to do well the next races.”

The WORCS season will move to Glen Helen Raceway in Devore, California, for the series’ Summer Festival.

David Haagsma's series-leading naturally aspirated Polaris SxS runs the new K&N 63-1133 Aircharger performance air intake. Use the K&N search by vehicle tool to find the performance and protection you need for your UTV.

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K&N-Sponsored Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa Give Ride Alongs at HyperFest

31 May 2017

Vaughn Gittin Jr and Chelsea Denofa drifting at Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa tandem at the Hyperfest event at VIR

Formula Drift drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa took time out of their busy schedules to attend the HyperFest event at Virgina International Raceway, providing ridealongs and drifting demos over the course of the weekend. HyperFest is an automotive festival which provides a slew of different driving events including drifting games, high performance driver experience (HPDE), off-roading, rally racing, go kart races, and even a burnout competition. Gittin Jr. and Denofa provided more than 30 ridealongs through the weekend in a pair of K&N-equipped Ford Mustang RTRs, with smiles emerging from every passenger that was given the experience.

Gittin Jr. and Denofa are both veterans of the HyperFest experience. Gittin Jr. has attended every Hyperfest event since 2003, while this year was a return to the event for Denofa who missed the past few seasons but attended many times when the event was held at Summit Point International Raceway. “If any place is the epitome of automotive culture, this is it. Hyperfest is a relaxed event full of fun-seekers like me. There are so many activities to choose from, and it’s great to see everyone bringing their rides out and just enjoying the culture,” said Gittin Jr.

Chelsea Denofa leads Vaughn Gittin Jr and drift train at Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

Chelsea Denofa leads a drift train which includes Vaughn Gittin Jr at Hyperfest

The drifting portion of Hyperfest was part of the Street Driven Tour this year, combining some open drifting sessions on the 1.1-mile Patriot course with ‘drifting games’ that include drift soccer, hard parking, and a 360 competition. The event gives drivers like Gittin Jr. and Denofa a rare opportunity to give back to local drivers with tips on how to improve their driving, as well as provide a first-hand experience to newer spectators who haven’t had the opportunity to ride in a drift car before. “Hearing the passengers get out of the car and get excited about the adrenaline rush from being sideways is exactly why we do these ride alongs,” said Denofa at the event. “The smiles speak for themselves”.

Vaughn Gittin Jr gives ridealongs at VIR - Photo by Luke Munnell

Vaughn Gittin Jr. gave several ridealongs to spectators at VIR during Hyperfest

After a rare weekend off, Gittin Jr. and Denofa are preparing for Round 4 of the Formula Drift Pro Championship in Wall, New Jersey. Gittin Jr. is the defending event winner, and has previous podiumed a total of five times (2 wins, 3 second place finishes) in eleven appearances. Denofa has struggled with mechanical issues and crashes in previous years at Wall Speedway, but has high hopes after joining the Ford Mustang RTR drift team in the offseason and earning his first Top 16 appearance of the season in Atlanta and a “one more time” battle with Ryan Tuerck. Gittin Jr. currently sits in fifth place overall in the championship standings, while Denofa is tied for eighteenth overall.

Chelsea Denofa drifting in front of the crowd during Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

Chelsea Denofa drifts in front of the crowd during Hyperfest event at VIR

Autozone Mustang being prepped for drifting at Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

The Autozone Ford Mustang RTR drift car burned several sets of tires at Hyperfest

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