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Winning the 52nd March Meet was almost as good as winning the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series for Davenport
Celebrating 52 years of racing, the March Meet run at the historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, California) is a three-day speedfest, it's the Mecca of old-school drag racing, or as fans refer to it 'the Jewel of Nostalgia Racing.' It's a big deal regardless of how you tag it and Doug Davenport, the Las Vegas, Nevada resident piloted his blue-jewel, front-motored econo dragster to victory in the Nostalgia Eliminator II division.
Davenport making lap after wheels-up lap to get dialed in for the big race
"It's was almost as good as winning the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series in 2009," says Davenport. "We had some problems when we arrived at Bakersfield because I switched tire manufactures (M/T to Hoosier) and the new tires hooked so well we were having problems getting off the starting line. After some fine-tuning we got it figured out and we were off to the races. I really believe it's every drag racers dream to win the March Meet and this dream came true for me in 2010. I have been going to the March Meet since 1968."
Davenport says if all goes to plan he would like to repeat as NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Champion this year. Which is a very realistic goal for the veteran racer.
"K&N has sponsored me in all my racing efforts for over 20 years and they have simply been great," comments Davenport. "Whether it was off road-racing (MTEG), or the NASCAR Sportmans Series, or my drag racing career, they have been behind me all the way supplying the best oil and air filters in the business."
Davenport says there are a few other things he's energized about for the season. "I am really excited about our Nostalgia Funny Car (The War Horse AA/FC) for 2010, and working with Kenny Koretsky, and the "NITRO FISH" brand on the NHRA circuit."
Davenport will be attending over 30 drag races this year, so it's going to be a busy 2010 for "Dynamic" Doug Davenport.
Joon Maeng testing his new RX-8 drifter for the first time
Joon Maeng won the Formula Drift "Spirit of Drifting" award in 2007, and if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting this talented driver, you would immediately know why. He lives and breathes drifting, and has worked endlessly to make his passion into a reality, while continuing to always maintain a positive and grateful attitude.
Joon Maeng and the team have been working to make sure the vehicle is fully-prepared for the Formula D series
For the 2010 season, Joon has teamed up with Bergenholtz Racing and will be driving the Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8 in the Formula D series. He finished 17th overall in points in the 2009 season as a privateer.
The Formula Drift season is coming up quick, and Joon and the team have been working around the clock to make sure that driver, vehicle, and team are all fully-prepared to make a grand entrance come first round. The RX-8 has seen track time once so far this year for a test day, and Joon made sure to push the vehicle to its limits in order to give as much feedback to his team as possible. More practice sessions are on the agenda "so that if there are hidden problems laying dormant from within" says Joon, "these practice sessions can shake the glitches to the surface and have them rectified by team."
First race for Joon Maeng is the season opener of Formula Drift on April 9-10 in downtown Long Beach, California
Repetitive test sessions can take a toll on any race-prepped vehicle, so Joon and the team rely on K&N products for the Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8. "The K&N oil filter and breathers keep the Mazdatrix 3-rotor and TiAL turbo running strong and clean. Not only do they help keep junk out of the engine, but they also perform reliably. In drifting we are constantly driving at high RPMs, and to have a phenomenal filtration system helps the longevity of the rotary engine and turbo. It's practical to run on a proven system that works."
Joon Maeng with his new RX-8 and new team
With a new car and a new team, Joon is glad to be able to relieve himself (at least a tiny bit) from the challenges and pressures of being a privateer. "In the short time we've been together, every member of Bergenholtz Racing strives above and beyond to get me out there on the track so that I am a step closer to victory," says Joon. "Their diligence and faith in me prove that it's not just about the driver; it's also about those behind the driver who, in my case, really are the powerhouse of all that's in store this year. In return, I want to bring to the forefront our amazing collaborative energy in hopes of it being seen as a direct reflection of what comprises this team's core."
Joon Maeng's Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8
Joon admits that one of his biggest challenges this upcoming season may be liberating himself from the total control that he once had as a privateer. "I have been relying on myself to be the alpha and omega of my ambitions for almost all my life, so it's hard to detach myself from the direct process of control," says Joon. "With my inception to Bergenholtz Racing, the present is a good a time as any to end one chapter of my life and start a new one. So far it's been amazing since everyone is uber responsible and just as passionate, if not more, about this sport as I am. I'm just riding the waves right now and enjoying it."
First up for Joon is the season opener of Formula Drift which takes place April 9-10 in downtown Long Beach, California, where the city streets are shut down to be used and abused by fast speeds and smoking tires. What is Joon's key ingredient for success at the first round of America's pro drift series? "It's fairly simple actually: expect the worst and hope for the best."
Meyers in victory lane after history making come from behind win (far as we know that's not lady luck next to them)
Lady Luck, sometimes she disdains, other times it's all smiles and giggles. When Jason Meyers and Elite Racing pulled into the dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the World of Outlaw's Las Vegas Super Sprint Classic, things weren't looking pretty. The night before Meyers qualified in eighteenth position - no giggles there. Yet, with only two laps go, Meyers rolled the bones, and pulled off one of the most spectacular moves for a victory - ever. An instant classic immediately referred to by many as one of the greatest races in Sprint Car history.
Elite Racing team celebrates second victory of the season at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California, Meyers' home track
"I don't think I have ever won a race from that far back and I don't know when the last time an Outlaws race was won from that far back," remarked Meyers after the race.
"To be part of one of the greatest races in the history of sprint car racing is certainly an honor. That night in Vegas was certainly a career moment for me, as well as our entire team." People will indeed be talking about, and comparing other races to this one from here on.
"During those last few laps is when I actually realized that we had a shot to win the race. I had started the race with the goal of getting our car in the top-ten, attempting to minimize the damage to our points standing on an evening where we were hindered by unforeseen mechanical issues. As the race wound down, and we made our way to the front of the pack, I realized that I had a chance to get the car in the top-five, but then once I got into the top-five I was able to continue moving forward. When I passed Steve Kinser for the second position and saw that the leader was just in front of me, I realized that I could actually win the race."
Meyers says that when he's racing it's tough to know exactly what lap he's on, he just keeps charging.
"But when I got to the front, I knew we had to be close to the end," he adds.
"When you come from the back like that, and have as good of a car as I had, you just go for it. You get in that zone where there are no numbers on the cars, they are just cars, and you go wherever you can to get by them. I would definitely have to say that the stars lined up that evening and my good friend Jim Boyd, who we lost unexpectedly only four days before, was looking over us, and showing me the way to the front."
If the stars continue to align, where would Meyers like to see them lead?
"Right now my short term goals are to win the World of Outlaws championship, as well as the Knoxville Nationals. We have come very close many times and we want this more than anything. In the long term, my goals are to build Elite Racing into a multi-car team that is capable of winning championships, and has strong corporate financial backing. I want to build the team to a point that when I decide to step out of the drivers seat, that I will be able to hire a talented driver and continue to oversee operations and provide that driver with the proper team around them to win championships."
"Our relationship with K&N is going on seven years now. At Elite Racing we work very hard to build strong working partnerships with our vendors that make both parties better. We use K&N air filtration products exclusively on our cars to protect our number one asset, our Charlie Garrett horsepower," reflects Meyers.
"We have worked, and continue to work, very closely with the staff at K&N to help make sure that they are providing the finest and most advanced products to market, that way we win races, and they can sell even better products. K&N has been an incredible partner to Elite Racing, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come, and to enjoy many more trips to victory lane together."
Meyers and Elite Racing rode the Vegas momentum surge into Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California, and recorded Meyers' second victory of the season in the World of Outlaws competition at his home track last weekend.
Forsberg was also ranked fifth on the Driver of the Decade list for 410 Drivers
There's a top-ten list that David Letterman hasn't yet compiled, it's Sprint Car Drivers of the Decade, but Handy Racing Promotions has. According to their list Andy Forsberg was ranked number one for the 360 division. Forsberg was also ranked fifth on the Driver of the Decade list for 410 Drivers (2000-2009).
Forsberg making a move on the outside in his number 92 360 Sprint Car
The criteria for their list included wins and championships only, and Forsberg completely dominated the decade when it came to local winged 360 racing. Forsberg won 38 times while earning four Civil War Titles, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007, the most of any driver throughout the decade. He was also the 2000 Placerville Speedway track champ.
"I was very excited when I found out about being honored as Driver of the Decade," remarks Forsberg. "I never really thought my stats over the last ten years would ever be compiled into a driver of the decade award, but to see the actual numbers on paper, against some other very good drivers that I race with, it makes me feel pretty proud of what I have accomplished."
Big awards carry with them big rewards and sometimes they add unnecessary and unwanted pressures, Forsberg chooses not to dwell on it too much. "As far as how this affects my career, I am not real concerned about that, I race because I love it, it's not a career, it's a hobby - although we take it very seriously," says Forsberg.
"I race 60 to 65 times a year and I'm not interested in moving up the ladder at this point in my driving career, I am completely satisfied with what I have accomplished. I have a family and a business to take care of, and it's hard to do that on the road. I love racing close to home in Northern California."
What does Forsberg attribute a decade of such high-level, consistent racing on? "A lot of dedication from my parents Richard and Dianne, my wife Candace, my crew, which are not just crew members, but my best friends, and a group of sponsors that do everything they can to help me stay on the Race track," he says.
"And talking about sponsors, I could not ask for anything more from K&N. Everything they make that could be used on a Sprint Car, they provide to us, and everything works great. We use their oil filters, carbon fiber air cleaners, filter oil, and filter cleaning solutions, it saves us a lot of money and on the family budget, that helps out a lot."
For 2010 Forsberg plans on racing approximately 45, 360 races, throughout California, for Brian Cannon Motorsports, and Approximately 20, 410 races, for A&A Motorsports and various Golden State Challenge races, and the World of Outlaws races when they come to town.
"As for the next ten years, that seems like a long time, but it also seems like just yesterday when I won my First Championship in 2000. I can see myself driving for another ten years; hopefully I'm still winning races and Championships. I look forward to making K&N proud, so that they will continue to sponsor me as a driver, and hope that I can live up to my nickname Mr. Excitement for at least another ten years. I just want to win some more championships and have fun doing what I love."
K&N has released a replacement air filter (E-2995) to fit
several 2007 to 2010 Fiat Bravo, Fiat Grand Punto, Fiat Punto Evo, and Lancia Delta III models.
K&N Replacement Air Filter for Select Fiat Bravo, Grand Punto and Lancia Delta III
For full vehicle details see list below.
K&N replacement air filter E-2995 is a round air filter that is 10.188 inches long. This unique air filter shape allows it to fit directly into the factory air box without any cutting or fitting. Adding performance is easy with K&N's simple drop-in design.
The E-2995's cotton gauze filter media offers higher airflow than the OE paper filter and provides excellent filtration from dirt and debris. K&N stock replacement air filters are washable, reusable and backed by a one million mile limited warranty. The E-2995 will be the last air filter your car will ever need.
