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K&N's Peter Biondo Notches Super Gas Victory and Makes NHRA History

28 Sept 2010

With this latest victory Biondo now has been to 58 National NHRA finals and he's won 39 of those appearances.

In all of NHRA racing history only four drivers have ever won in five separate categories - a very elite club for sure - K&N sponsored driver Peter Biondo just became a proud platinum card carrying member at the third annual O'Reilly NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway.

Peter Biondo's historic Super Gas win at zMax Dragway makes him one of only four drivers to ever win in four different NHRA categories.

"To win in the new category of Super Gas was fun and exciting on its own. Then, when I think about how it was historical for me to be included in such a small and talented group, that's what made this win so special. One of the most exciting times I have experienced at the races and I am happy K&N was a part of it."

Let's recap briefly and put some context into Peter Biondo remarking that this was one of his most exciting times racing ever, because that covers a great deal of territory. With this win Biondo has now been to 58 National NHRA Finals, 39 of which he's won. That's a lot of excitement from which to choose.

It was in round six eliminations in Super Gas at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series in Concord, North Carolina that Biondo made history, winning on a double-breakout with a 9.899 ET at 158.86 mph.

At eleven minutes after six, on Sunday evening when the Super Gas finals staged, the air temperature was still near 90 degrees, the relative humidity stood at 38 percent, and the temps on the track hovered at 112 degrees. There's never been a question about Biondo's driving prowess, but we wondered just how much math and science goes into winning under such daunting conditions.

"Measuring air temp, humidity and barometric pressures is certainly a big part of what we do. Accurately monitoring those readings along with density, altitude, wind speed and direction, and track conditions are the main focus for sportsman racers between rounds," explained Biondo. "Of course, knowing how to apply that information is equally as important."

Next up for the K&N driver is the NHRA National event in Reading, Pennsylvania. "Where I will again be running in the Super Gas and Super Stock Categories," adds Biondo.

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.

NHRA World Champion Drag Racer Dan Fletcher Continues Family Tradition of Winning

28 Sept 2010

Dan Fletcher has won 69 NHRA National events, three World Championships, and six Divisional titles.

In 1969, Dan Fletcher's father pulled into the Taylor Chevrolet dealership in Rochester New York, and drove off in a brand new 1969 Chevy Camaro. Little did this car know that someday, it would become the winningest car in NHRA history.

NHRA Drag Racer Dan Fletcher

The car went straight from the dealership to the race track, where it ran in Modified eliminator thru the mid 70's. As young Dan competed in Little League Baseball, and Pop Warner Football, priorities changed, and the Camaro was parked. When Dan turned 16 he found himself another 1969 Camaro to drive to High School, and was ready to start racing his pop's original Camaro. Running at the local Bracket races with tuning help from his father, Dan learned the craft of driving a racecar. By 1991, he was ready for the big leagues, so the Camaro went through some major changes, and evolved into a Super Stocker. Dan & his father entered their very first race in Montreal Quebec, and walked away with a runner-up finish. Sadly, Dan's father passed away in April of 1993. With the car in pieces, and no experience of actually working on the car, Dan made the commitment to continue on with what they had started.

Dan Fletchers' K&N sponored 1969 Chevy Camaro

In 1994, Dan entered the NHRA Nationals in Columbus Ohio and WON! Not to rest on the one victory, Dan decided to participate in the "Western Swing", a grueling 3 weeks of racing that goes thru Denver, Sonoma, and Seattle. Dan didn't win just one race, but all three, becoming the only sportsman driver in NHRA history to accomplish this feat.

Fast forward 16 years, and Dan is still driving, and winning in that original 1969 Camaro, so many times, that it is now the winningest car in NHRA history. Not satisfied with winning in the Super Stock class, Dan decided a few years ago to pull the High School driver Camaro out of the barn and turn that into a race car as well. He now competes and wins in both of his nearly identical 69 Camaro's. If that wasn't enough, Driving and winning a World Championship in the Competition Eliminator class also was in the cards. To Date, Dan has won 69 NHRA National events, three World Championships, and six Divisional titles.

Along the way, Dan found time to get married, and raise three kids; 20 year-old Thomas, 18 year old Timothy, and a 14 year old daughter named Taylor. With help from his wife Donna, all three kids have spent plenty of time at the track, and have learned from the best. Thomas' first race was an Open National at Maple Grove Raceway, where he wheeled the Family's Stocker to a Runner up Finish. Thomas followed that up with a win in Stock at the Keystone Nationals, the same race that Dan won in the Competition Eliminator class, making it only the 3rd time in history that a father & son have won at the same event. Next up was Timothy's turn. He took to the wheel of the family's Stocker and won the very first time driving that car, at the Division 1 race at Lebanon Valley New York. Timothy decided to try his luck earlier this year at his 1st NHRA National event, and scored a runner-up finish at Denver. Keep in Mind, Taylor is only two years away from earning her license.

K&N has been supporting Dan Fletcher for the past four years. 1st as an associate sponsor, then in 2009 becoming Dan's major sponsor. When asked about K&N, Dan made it clear that competing at this level without the help of companies like K&N is impossible. As a Professional Sportsman racer Dan relies on the best products on the market to continue winning. K&N is one of those companies. "K&N has tremendous products, they make the best oil filter in the world. We work in a dirty, dusty environment, and K&N protects the air that goes into my engines, and the oil that pumps thru them. When I pull the bearings down at the end if the season, they look like new. K&N is a great company to work with, and I'm proud to be associated with them". If Dan trusts his cars to K&N, so can you.

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.

2008-2013 BMW M3 Drivers Can Rid Themselves of Restrictive Paper Air Filters

27 Sept 2010

Replacement Air Filter for 2008 to 2013 BMW M3

The 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 BMW M3 is a slick piece of German engineering that is available as a coupe, sedan or a hardtop convertible. Only one trim level is available on the M3 that was created by using a BMW 3 series as its base. Features that come standard on this BMW include alloy

Restriction Chart for 2008 to 2013 BMW M3

Restriction Chart for E-1994 Air Filter

wheels with performance tires, leather seats, automatic climate control, cruise control, heated power-adjustable sport seats with driver memory that allows drivers to have their seating position programmed. Another one of the great standard features on the M3 is the impressive multi speaker sound system that is sure to excite all music lovers. In addition all the M3's receive exterior styling upgrades that make this BMW exciting to drive.

K&N has released two high flow air filter parts, the E-1994 and E-2994, to be used with 2008 thru 2013 BMW M3's. Part E-1994 was designed for 2008 and 2009 US BMW M3's and will fit directly into your stock air box. Part E-2994 was designed to be used in the BMW M3 years 2008 Non-US, 2009 Non-US and all 2010, 2011, 2012 ans 2013 BMW M3's.

Restriction Chart for E-2994 Air Filter

Both air filters are designed to provide your vehicle with a highly efficient air filtration option. Depth of the pleating has been carefully chosen to ensure your vehicle receives minimal restriction from this air filter while getting outstanding dirt and debris retention capacity which results in long service intervals.

These K&N air filters come pre-oiled and ready to install making this upgrade fast and easy. They can go for up to 50,000 miles before servicing is needed depending on driving conditions. When servicing the air filter does become necessary drivers can purchase the K&N re-charger cleaning kit number 99-5000. This kit comes with spray oil and cleaner. Re-charger kit number 99-5050 comes with squeeze bottle oil and pump spray cleaner. These kits are available at most major automotive parts retailers.

K&N E-1994 air filter fits the following:
2009 BMW M3 4.0L V8 - US
2008 BMW M3 4.0L V8 - US

K&N E-2994 air filter fits the following:
2013 BMW M3 4.0L V8
2012 BMW M3 4.0L V8
2011 BMW M3 4.0L V8
2010 BMW M3 4.0L V8
2009 BMW M3 4.0L V8 - Non-US
2008 BMW M3 4.0L V8 - Non-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.

Performance Filter for 2009 - 2015 Mercedes Benz C180 CGI, C200 CGI, C250 CGI, E-200 CGI & E-250 CGI

27 Sept 2010

Washable and reusable replacement air filter for 2009 to 2015 C180 CGI, C200 CGI, C250 CGI, E200 CGI and E250 CGI models with the 1.8L engine

Automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz continues to build their reputation for luxurious cars with considerable comfort. The Mercedes C-Class and E-Class were introduced to the American market as entry-level luxury/sport sedans.

With top-of-line safety features, sporty body styling and increased performance, 2009 to 2015 C180 CGI, C200 CGI, C250 CGI , E-200 CGI and E-250 CGI models with the 1.8L engine took a big step up when compared to older generations of these models.

As far as performance, the 1.8 liter turbocharged direct injection engine is certainly an improvement from older models but still lacks the overall horsepower and torque you would expect from Mercedes-Benz.

Many owners of the 2009 to 2015 C180 CGI, C200 CGI, C250 CGI , E-200 CGI and E-250 CGI models with 1.8L engine have been waiting for an after-market air filter option to unleash some of the power that is otherwise hidden by the restrictive paper filter. K&N answered the call with their 33-2965 performance air filter.

The 33-2965 is designed to boost horsepower and acceleration in these models while providing excellent filtration and engine protection. Engineered to fit directly into the factory air box, the 33-2965 is simple to install for added performance.

K&N's Million Mile Limited Warranty ensures the 33-2965 air filter will remove the need from buying disposable paper air filters in the future. It can be used for up to 50,000 miles before servicing is necessary depending on driving conditions. 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 Michael Malmgren Wins 2010 FIA Pro-Stock Championship

27 Sept 2010

The trophy and laurels are all business, but the headgear and glasses say let's start the party in Monaco.

You'd have to wonder if it ever get's old being introduced as one of Europe's greatest drag racers ever? We suspect not, and Sweden's Michael Malmgren may as well make his peace with it, because he just got even greater. How's that saying go, some men are born into greatness, while others race consistently great all year long to achieve it.

Winning the FIA Championship for a third time was an incredible experience according Malmgren (Malmgren in red)

At the beginning of the season Malmgren listed winning his third FIA Pro-Stock Championship at the top of his "goals" list. His first championship came in 2002, and he followed it up with his second the next year. Of course he also listed doing the Haute Route, skiing from Chamonix in France to Zermatt in Switzerland in just seven days, and learning to ski as well as Swedish ski legend Jon Olson. To his credit he did admit the Olson thing as being kind of unrealistic. We're guessing though that's only because he was too focused getting the championship thing done.

In his press release Malmgren wrote "I am very proud to confirm that we did clinch the 2010 FIA European Pro-Stock Championship," adding, "and we are invited to the FIA Awards in Monaco."

Malmgren came up just a tick behind fellow countryman Jimmy Alund in the final at Santa Pod, but he locked up his third FIA Championship.

"To get up on stage and get your trophy, and stand there looking down, and you see Bernie Eccelstone, Michael Schumacher, Jaen Todt, Kimi Roikenen, Jacob Solberg and the Royal family of Monaco, well then you really feel special," said Malmgren remembering his first award ceremony in Monaco in 2002.

In his office Malmgren is ready to get-it-on and do some business.

Malmgren says that having the most elite racers in the sport applauding him made him feel as though he had indeed achieved something very special. "I was very proud of that, proud for my team, my family, and my sponsors like K&N."

And now, after his final race at Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, England, against yet another Swede, longtime protagonist Jimmy Alund, Malmgren will once again get to experience the adulation from the other greats of racing - clearly his peers.

In the end, Alund was never a real contender for the points race, even though he qualified at the top with a 6.726 ET at 205 mph. By all counts Malmgren pretty much just had to show up and get a few runs in to sew up the title. But Malmgren faced off with Alund in the final, coming through as runner-up with a 6.731 at 205 mph.

"Jimmy was the faster car this weekend, but I got the hole-shot on him with six-hundreds on the lights, and I had him, but lost traction, too much second gear and that hurt us," said Malmgren. "But four straight final round appearances is something we are very proud of too."

When asked if anyone of the three championships stands out Malmgren says "Well, when I did win the first time that was of course a truly strong memory, and a real highlight, but winning again in 2010 also feels very, very good." Then, after giving it some thought he adds, "I must say I may have been even more thrilled and excited about winning it in 2002."

"After the awards presentation we all got together to party at Jimmy's nightclub, which seems to be a tradition, and that was pretty cool, and then around midnight Jaen Todt from Ferrari brought out a big red cake the size and shape of a car, and that was pretty awesome. For sure a memory that lives forever."

During his 2002 championship run Malmgren did slightly out do his performance of this year, logging two wins, two runner-ups and one semifinal, but it appears it all comes down to the after-party in Monaco. So, based on that, an assessment of which championships stands out the most might be more accurate after the 2010 FIA award presentation.

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.