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Yamaha T135 Underbone Scooter Motorcycles Get Performance with K&N Air Filter

The Yamaha T135 wears many names depending on which part of the world you are in. The T135 goes by Spark 135 in Thailand, Sniper in the Philippines, Jupiter MX in Indonesia, Exciter in Vietnam, and T 135 Crypton X in Greece.
K&N's YA-1306 For Yamaha T135 Underbone Motorcycles
K&N's YA-1306 For Yamaha T135 Underbone Motorcycles

The T135 is classified as an underbone motorcycle. Although the appearance is similar to a scooter, the wheels, engine position, and transmission are based on the design of conventional motorcycles. Underbone motorcycles are especially popular in South Asian and South East Asian countries.

The T135 underbone motorcycle has a performance oriented 135cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine. It received fuel injection beginning with the 2008 model year. K&N has released a new washable/reusable High-Flow Air Filter™ (YA-1306) to meet the performance demands of these machines and their owners.

This high-flow replacement motorcycle air filter is washable/reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride. K&N’s YA-1306 is specifically designed to fit into the stock air filter assembly of 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Yamaha T135 models with a 135cc engine.

K&N high-flow replacement air filters are performance designed to provide increased airflow, resulting in increased horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration. Fuel management modifications to your T135 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-1306 will be the last air filter your T135 underbone motorcycle will ever need.

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.

Wally Pankratz Driving School and Three Generations of Midget Racer Legends

"Racing has been my passion since I was little. My father was my hero - So I was doomed early in life," says Wally Pankratz.
A Wally Pankratz Midget Car in Action.
A Wally Pankratz Midget Car in Action.


Wally's father was the 1940's Midget Racer legend Bob Pankratz. As a racer Bob was largely considered a journeyman, but his legend grew as he went on to become a master automotive craftsman, injecting new ideas into racecar construction. Bob's innovation and craftsmanship helped contribute to the transition in racecar construction, from the pre-World War II rigid chassis, to the flexible and adjustable streamlined components we're used to today.

Currently living in Orange, California, Wally is the second generation of Pankratz racing legends. He is a very accomplished Midget Racer in his own right, sporting an impressive race resume.

2000 Western States Midget Champion
63 Main Event Wins - Super-modifieds
2 Main Event Wins - Dirt Modifieds
7 Main Event Wins - Sprint Cars
44 Main Event Wins - Midgets
1977 Ascot Midget Champion
1981 Super-modified Racing Association Champion
1984 Kings Sprint Car Champion
1997 Jimmy Caruthers Memorial Award - USAC

Like his father however, Wally may be best remembered for what he's done with his post race career. Wally has a successful and well-respected driving school held at Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, California.

"Four years ago I realized that the open-wheel midget and sprint car schools on the west coast were all on dirt. If you want to be a major league racer though, you need to know asphalt. So, I thought that there would be a need for a pavement school."

"My school is a one-on-one program, so all students get 100 percent attention. We run 200 total laps - 12 sessions of 15 laps, and one 20-lap run. I watch and fine tune students after each session," explains Wally.

"I have been lucky to have really talented people come to the Orange Show - Bobby Grewohl, Alex Bowman, Jake and Cody Swanson, Tanner Swanson and his brother Kody Swanson, Michael Lewis, Austin Smith - all these have gone on to success in Midgets and Focus Midgets."

"Cody Williams went on to be National Sprint Car Rookie of the Year, and his brother Austin was the '09 Rookie of the Year for CRA-USAC and Victorville Speedway," adds Wally proudly.

"K&N has been very generous with their help and support. We use K&N air filters, oil filters and small breather filters. K&N filters insure our school cars engines run their best and will endure for thousands of laps," says Wally.

Starting next year Wally will begin offering a Primer Course for beginning dirt drivers. They will utilize the Speedway bike track at the Orange Show Fairgrounds. That track is run by Speedway bike racing great, Shawn McConnell.

"Because the track is so small the cars will be virtually sideways the entire circuit," says Wally. "This will quickly teach throttle control and car control, without the necessity of using great speed to shake the car loose. Dirt track is a better teacher of car control than pavement in the beginning," adds Wally.

Topping off the third generation of Pankratz Midget Racers is Wally's daughter Randi. Randi is an up and coming TQ driver. She has raced as far away as Paris, France and New Zealand and locally at Ventura, Bakersfield, Hanford, El Cajon, Irwindale and Perris, California. In the 1999 season, she held the 1 lap record at Irwindale and finished 3rd in Western States TQ points. Her plans include moving up to the midget class. There's no telling what Randi will come up for her post racing contribution, but rest assured, as a Pankratz it will be good.

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.

Cory Kruseman Preps Sprint Car Ace Wendy Mathis for the Dirt Tracks of Australia

Between the ages of 12 to 16, Wendy Mathis racked-up 75 feature wins racing Quarter Midgets
Between the ages of 12 to 16, Wendy Mathis racked-up 75 feature wins racing Quarter Midgets
As is often the case, talent begins to reveal itself early on in life. For Wendy Mathis, living in Tampa Bay, Florida, her mad skills began to shine overtly between the ages of twelve and sixteen. During that four-year period, racing Quarter Midgets, Mathis racked-up an impressive 75 feature wins.
At age fifteen Wendy Mathis became the first female to win the Florida State Quarter Midget Championship
At age fifteen Wendy Mathis became the first female to win the Florida State Quarter Midget Championship


At the ripe age of fifteen she became the first female to win the Florida State Quarter Midget Championship. Since 2001, Wendy has competed with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) Sprint Car Club, and she is currently competing full-time in the O'Reilly USCS Asphalt Thunder Series (Winged Pavement Sprint Car).

With the paint still wet on this new decade's Open for Business sign, Mathis is already in Australia, ready to take on a new challenge - the dirt tracks of Australia. Her debut has been delayed slightly though. In her January 3, blog entry she writes, "It's raining cats and dogs (kangaroos and wallabies) down here. Dubbo and Parramatta both got rained out, so I've been playing tourist waiting for another race, which should be on Monday (January 4, 2010).
Wendy Mathis uses K&N Sprint Car Air Box and Wrench Off oil filters
Wendy Mathis uses K&N Sprint Car Air Box and Wrench Off oil filters


To prepare for her Australian assault Mathis first spent time with Sprint Car Yoda Cory Kruseman. "Right off the bat I have to thank K&N Filters for helping me get into the Cory Kruseman Sprint Car & Midget School (Ventura, California) right before I flew over here. That was a lot of learning in a short amount of time, and it really helped me out tremendously."
Wendy Mathis attended Cory Kruseman Sprint Car & Midget School in December, 2009
Wendy Mathis attended Cory Kruseman Sprint Car & Midget School in December, 2009


"I actually attended Cory's school on December 20. I had the opportunity to race against Cory in the "Little 500" some years ago, so I knew that he was a very talented driver. I had heard a lot of great things about his school and I couldn't wait to get instruction from one of the best in the business," explains Mathis.

"Some of the things that Cory was able to help me with were understanding the cushion, and how to use it properly - how to read the race track - throttle control and braking - and correctly entering and exiting corners."
2010 will be Wendy Mathis' second season as a team owner
2010 will be Wendy Mathis' second season as a team owner


"Cory took a lot of extra time with me to make sure that I understood as much as possible. Unfortunately, because of scheduling problems (the Ventura County Fair Association had pre-scheduled a horse show), our time together was very brief, so I had to learn as much as I could really fast."
Wendy has competed with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) Sprint Car Club Since 2001 and currently competing full-time in the O'Reilly USCS Asphalt Thunder Series
Wendy has competed with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) Sprint Car Club Since 2001 and currently competing full-time in the O'Reilly USCS Asphalt Thunder Series


"If anyone is transitioning from pavement to dirt, or if they are already driving on the dirt, but want to hone their skills, or even if they just want a once in a lifetime experience, I highly recommend that they take Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car and Midget Driving School. This was an amazing experience and I can't thank Bob Harris at K&N enough for arranging it for me," says Mathis.

We asked Mathis how the decision to travel to the other side of the planet to race came about. "This is truly one of those opportunities that found me," says Mathis. "Todd, my marketing guy, my business manager, Josh, and my friend Brian, created a website to help keep sprint car fans in Florida up to date.

The Skene family (Craig, Trisha and their kids Zara, Jackson and Laura) where in the planning stages of a visit from Australia to the United States, to the Orlando area, to visit Disney World, among other things. Craig, being the hardcore racer that he is, managed to work in a few trips to speedways around Florida during their visit. Craig found www.FloridaSprintCarFans.com and contacted Todd. Together Todd and Josh compiled a list of every possible type of sprint car racing for Craig to take in during his visit." That's how the initial connection to Mathis came about.

As fate should have it, the first race on that list was only hours after the Skene's arrived in Orlando. Mathis and TBARA were racing at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, Florida. There was a lengthy, but fortuitous rain delay that night, which provided Mathis plenty of time to chat and get familiar with the entire Skene family, and they hit it off well. "The entire family is so cool," says Mathis.

Mathis nearly won that night, running in third place for most of the race. Craig was "blown away" not just by Mathis, but with how fast and close the racing was. After the race, the family asked Mathis what she was doing for the next couple of weeks? She wasn't busy, so she agreed to show them around Florida.

"This incredible opportunity came about when Craig and his family invited me to travel to Australia and drive for them. I had done some research on Craig when I heard that he was coming over, and I knew that he was one of the best non-wing drivers in Australia. Craig is one of only a few drivers to reach the number one spot in Australia multiple times," adds Mathis. "So, to have the chance to drive his car was something that I couldn't pass up. It's one of those things you really usually only dream about."

"The Skene Family Racing Team has done a great job making sure I don't have too much down time out of the car," says Mathis. "I'm going to squeeze in six races in four weeks. I have two races scheduled at the famous Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway (TPCR) in Sydney. I also have three races scheduled at Dubbo City Speedway, and one at Norwa Speedway. The history at TPCR is incredible; I can't believe that my first race ever on dirt will be there. How do you top that?"

"I really have to say that K&N really is the best filter in the world," says Mathis. "I've always believed in their products, but after touring the production facility and seeing the lengths that K&N goes through to assure that they stay the best is amazing."

"I use the K&N Sprint Car Air Box and the Wrench Off oil filters. I also use the K&N filter cleaner and filter oil to keep my air box working like new, and the K&N Pre-Filter to keep the pleats from getting clogged with debris. The entire staff at K&N has been so helpful since I've been a part of the team. I just can't say enough good things about everyone at K&N. They really pride themselves on building relationships. Whether you're a retail customer, or a sponsored driver, you get their very best every time."

2010 will be Mathis' second season as a team owner and by all indications she has no intentions of slowing down. "There's a lot of pressure being the team owner and the driver. A lot of that is self-inflicted though. I expect more of myself and refuse to settle for less. I've got some big ideas for 2010 that I would like to announce, but I'm not quite ready just yet. I guess that will have to be another story."

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.

RedLion Motorsports Prepares 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbocharged for the 2010 SEMA Show

RedLion Motorsports would like to see this 2006 Chevy Cobalt achieve 200mph
RedLion Motorsports would like to see this 2006 Chevy Cobalt achieve 200mph
RedLion Motorsports specializes in vehicle restoration, engine builds, suspension, brakes and more. They have been in business for 37 years and developed an impressive resume of hot rods, custom imports and sport compact cars.
RedLion Motorsports' 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS
RedLion Motorsports' 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS


In the mid '70's Shane and Ben Therrien raced flat track motorcycles for Darryl Bassani in Southern California. Their passion for performance and restoration slowly grew into the conception of RedLion Motorsports. Some of their many accomplishments include a 1955 Chevy with zz4 Crate engine, 1958 Cadillac Sedan Deville, 1968 Chevelle, 1970 Nova, 1950 Dodge, 2006 Nissan 350z and a fully restored 1980 Chevy pickup.

RedLion Motorsports is currently located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and recently became a dealer for StreetGlow, Vertical Doors, Ksport, NRG Innovations, MHT Wheels, WSI Wheels and 3M products.
2006 Chevy Cobalt SS uses K&N air intake and oil filter
2006 Chevy Cobalt SS uses K&N air intake and oil filter


K&N spoke with Shane Therrien about the recent activities at RedLion Motorsports. "We are working on a 2008 Chevy Corvette Z06," said Therrien. "We already installed vertical doors on the Z06. It will soon include a supercharger, custom wheels and tires. We are also getting ready for the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada." The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show is an automotive expo that offers an abundance of information about automotive aftermarket parts and accessories and provides a platform for displaying modified vehicles that incorporate classic and modern aftermarket technologies.
RedLion Motorsports installed vertical doors on their custom Chevy Cobalt
RedLion Motorsports installed vertical doors on their custom Chevy Cobalt


For SEMA 2010, RedLion Motorsports will be displaying their custom 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS in the StreetGlow booth. "We have made some major modifications to the Cobalt in preparation for SEMA 2010," Therrien said. "We installed a Stage 2 supercharger kit and NGK spark plugs, Vibrant polished header and 3" downpipe elim cat, prototype Bassani exhaust, MRZ performance strut bar and dress up kit, Ingalls torque damper, Cryo2 intake system with 10lb bottle and dual purge and front spray bar and a lot more."
Chevy Cobalt with K&N air intake and Stage 2 supercharger kit
Chevy Cobalt with K&N air intake and Stage 2 supercharger kit


The RedLion Motorsports Chevrolet Cobalt SS is a show car, track car and a daily driver. "We take it to the local SCCA events as well as many car shows such as HIN, Speedworld, Route 66 Days, Hot Rod Power Tour, World of Wheels, Import Face-Off and more," added Therrien. "I also drive it to California, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and around town on a regular basis. We believe in driving the vehicle no matter how nice it may be."
RedLion Motorsports will be displaying their Cobalt SS in the StreetGlow booth at SEMA 2010
RedLion Motorsports will be displaying their Cobalt SS in the StreetGlow booth at SEMA 2010


This unique Cobalt is equipped with a K&N air intake and oil filter. "I love the way K&N has performed on our Cobalt," said Therrien. "When I got the car I upgraded to a Stage2 supercharger kit. The noise of the supercharger along with the performance was there, but it needed a little more. After I installed the K&N Typhoon air intake system, the noise from the supercharger was awesome. We had more horsepower that we could feel on the freeway. I also noticed a gain in MPG from 22 city/30 hwy to 26 city/38 hwy."
RedLion Motorsports plans to convert this '06 Chevy Cobalt from a 2.0L to 2.3L
RedLion Motorsports plans to convert this '06 Chevy Cobalt from a 2.0L to 2.3L


RedLion Motorsports have been using K&N products since the late '70's on their flat track motorcycles. "We use K&N products because there is no one out there who can compete with the performance in horsepower, torque and fuel economy," Therrien said, "as well as the great product manufacturing of K&N. We have tested the product time and time again and we have not been let down by the performance of the filter."

There is hard work ahead for RedLion Motorsports in order to prepare their 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS for the 2010 SEMA show. "We are in the works with REME Designs for a custom interior and sound system," said Therrien. "We are also installing a roll cage, Garrett 40R turbo, Brian Crower stroker kit to make the 2.0L a 2.3L and a fully built bottom end. Our goal is to achieve 200mph in the car with full interior and sound system within 2010."

RedLion Motorsports continues to gain recognition in the automotive industry for their great skills and understanding of performance. "We are trying to become a one stop shop for great deals on parts and installation," concludes Therrien, "we just need to get our name out there. We will definitely be involving K&N in our future by referring all of our customers to use K&N products, as well as using them on all of RedLion Motorsports' vehicles."

The 2010 schedule for RedLion Motorsports include the following:
- 2010 SEMA Show, H.I.N. in PHX, AZ
- H.I.N. in Anahiem, CA,
- H.I.N. in Pleasanton, CA
- DUB Show tour PHX, AZ
- DUB Show tour L.A.,CA
- DUB Show tour San Diego,CA
- NOPI in PHX
- Route 66 Days Flagstaff, AZ
- Speedworld Import vs Domestics in PHX, AZ
- AZ's fastest street car in PHX, AZ
- 2 events at the Northern AZ shootout at Speedworld in PHX, AZ
- Extreme Autofest -San Francisco, CA
- Just Cruisin car show-Willams, AZ
- Summit Fire Department Show-Flagstaff, AZ

2006 Chevy Cobalt SS Modifications as of November 2009

ENGINE MODS:
K&N Typhoon air intake, Stage 2 supercharger kit,bigger injectors, reflash, 3" pulley, Step 2 colder Iridium NGK Spark Plugs, Vibrant polished header,Vibrant 3"downpipe elim. cat, Prototype bassani exhaust, ingalls torque dampner, mrz performance strut bar, mrz performance dress up kit, Spec stage 2+ clutch and flywheel, Cryo2 intake system with 10lb bottle and dual purge and front spray bar.

SUSPENSION:
Ksport control pro 36 way adjustable coilovers

BRAKES:
Prototype Baer Brakes, 13.5" drilled and slotted rotors on front with Corvette C5 four piston calipers, and 13.5" drilled and slotted rotors in back, with all stainless steel brake lines

WHEELS & TIRES:
20" Chip Foose wheels, Wrapped around 225/30/20 BF Goodrich KDW's

EXTERIOR:
Halo projector headlights, StreetGlow 7 color LED kit, with strobes all the way around in engine, tailights, etc. Vertical Doors, Cryo2 Purge ...VIS carbon fiber trunk, APR front splitter and canards.

INTERIOR:
Painted interior trim, Tenzo Racing pedals,Recaro SS seats, Pioneer Stereo package, cobra radar detector with screen, 10lb Cryo2 bottle in trunk, streetglow all inside the car and in the trunk to light up the bottle.

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.

Kyle Wissmiller Revs Up for 2010 Charge at ASCS, MSCS and USAC Racing Events

Wissmiller Racing Inc. got its start in 1989, with the purchase of a Stanley quarter midget, and nine-year-old Kyle Wissmiller behind the wheel. The hometown of Kyle and Wissmiller Racing is Saybrock, Illinois. However, no Wissmiller Racing story would be complete without a shout-out to Mitch, Kyle's younger bother. Mitch began his racing career one year after Kyle - he was seven years old at the time. The two bothers careers have been irrevocably intertwined ever since.
Kyle Wessmiller plans to include the ASCS non-wing, Illinois Sprint Series, MSCS and select USAC events in 2010
Kyle Wessmiller plans to include the ASCS non-wing, Illinois Sprint Series, MSCS and select USAC events in 2010


That very first year Kyle began racing he prodigiously went on to win the 1989 Quarter Midget Indoor Dirt Championship. The very next year Kyle finished second in Region 5 points, with eight feature wins. The year after that he won ten features and he was crowned 1991 Illinois State Quarter Midget Champion.

And, so it went every year after, victories piled on top of milestones, right up to 2001, his last year in quarter midget racing. Kyle ended the quarter midget phase of his racing career by wining ten features, including the biggest purse in mini-sprint racing in the country, the Pike County Nationals.

In 2002 Kyle bumped it up to the next phase of his racing career, moving into full-sized sprint cars. Two years later he landed a USAC midget and Silver Crown ride. And, so it continues to go with each passing year, the layers of experience and accomplishments continue to mount for the relentlessly efficient Kyle.

"We are currently working on putting two cars together for Mitch, and I am building a new car for 2010. Our plans include the ASCS non-wing, Illinois Sprint Series, MSCS and select USAC events. I will be running a Silver Crown car for Rick King in 2010, starting in May at the Indy fairgrounds," reveals Kyle.

"We use K&N air filters, oil filters, filter oil and cleaners. These have kept our engines running strong the entire season and have eliminated the need to replace rings mid-season. We have been able to distribute K&N brochures to all of our sponsors that could use K&N products. We will continue to run and promote quality K&N products on any cars we run, because we believe in the products."

Wissmiller Racing's plans for next season remain similar to their past schedules, meaning a large number of dirt sprint car races, Silver Crown races and a select number of midget races in the Midwest.

"We plan to travel to tracks in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, as we chase the larger paying races across the country. Continued success on and off the track is our number one goal, and with the help of companies like K&N, we will continue to win races," concludes Kyle.

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.