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The RealWheels Corporation rolled into SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) this year with a little bit of the Hawaiian Islands on its project vehicle. The company introduced its 2010 RealWheels/Maui Jim Cool Shades Chevy Camaro at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada.
2010 Camaro modified by RealWheels Corporation for SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
2010 Cool Shades Camaro is not a trailer queen, it's a car that will be driven, said RealWheels Vice President, Jhan Dolphin
“In order to get some attention at an amazing show like SEMA, you have to come up with something unique,” said RealWheels Vice President, Jhan R. Dolphin. “This year we are thrilled to join forces with luxury sunglass manufacturer Maui Jim. It helped keep our team enthusiastic during the build process and is also enjoyable for our audience.”
RealWheels Maui Jim 2010 Camaro makes 640 horsepower and is equipped with a K&N air filter
2010 Camaro's interior features seem to glow from accent lighting and placement of red LED lights
The custom paint and body styling match the red accents that flow into the Camaro’s custom leather seating and trim. The interior glows from the innovative placement of red LED lights.
“This Camaro is something we drive,” said Dolphin. “It’s not a trailer queen that is driven from show to show. Our guys are about performance and this car makes 640 horsepower. We also put proven products on it like K&N. K&N filters worked well on our award winning vehicles of the past and we don’t mess around with performance.”
Modifications on the Cool Shades Camaro include:
Alea Leather
Estrada Customs Paint Scheme
GWG Wheels
Nitto Tires
Pedders USA Performance Suspension
ProCharger Supercharger
Revolution Styling Custom Hood and Chin Spoiler
SLP Performance Headers and Exhaust
Street Glow Custom Lighting
Team Real Design
K&N air filter
“With the turn of a key, all of your attention goes to the sound and power,” said Dolphin. “Air being thrust through the supercharger, headers and exhaust create one of the best notes you can imagine.”
RealWheels Corporation also featured a new billet accessory package for the new Camaro. It's new trim kit featured billet shift knobs, fuel doors, pedals and a variety of stainless steel accessories that compliment the vehicle's design. Look for the 2010 RealWheels Maui Jim Camaro with K&N at car shows throughout 2010.
K&N was selected as a 2009 Manufacturer of the Year by the Performance Warehouse Association at the SEMA Awards Banquet
Roland Sands custom bike and futuristic V-REX by Travertson in K&N booth at SEMA show
1969 Camaro with a twin turbo charged 572 cubic inch big block engine on display in the K&N booth at SEMA
2010 Ford Mustang RTR in the K&N booth at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
A custom built one off motorcycle with a Harley Davidson based motor
K&N Infiniti G35 showcase vehicle at SEMA 2009
The K&N booth at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show was full of beautiful builds and full of information for the automotive aftermarket parts and accessories industry.
Attendees at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada had the opportunity to work with K&N employees directly to understand K&N and how it can benefit them.
“We’ve been working to expand our air filter line into some new areas,” said K&N CEO Steve Rogers. “We’ve gone in two directions and developed some reusable air filters for use on engines as small as chain saws or generators. On the other end of things, we’ve developed a new air filter and oil filter product line for commercial grade over the road diesel trucks, agricultural equipment and diesel powered RV’s. We developed a new Hybrid filtration medium for these commercial grade filters. We wanted a robust performance filter that could withstand the higher compression ratios of turbo diesel engines. At the same time we wanted the filter to be even easier to clean given the high number of miles driven annually by a commercial vehicle. It was clear from the beginning that we wanted a commercial grade air filter that could be cleaned at a truck stop using our filter cleaning solution and a power washer. In order to hit the target, we had to switch gears many times and ultimately developed a whole new filtration medium. We call it a Hybrid medium because combined non-woven synthetic technology with elements we adopted from our cotton air filters such as depth loading and reinforcing screen wire. We are also excited to introduce our new heavy duty oil filters that once again sport a 1 inch nut to make removal simple. With these new offerings, we’ve got the heavy duty world covered.”
The personality of K&N is built around some basic tenants, said Rogers. “We build products that perform as promised,” he said “We want people to make purchasing decisions that are reliable, credible and backed up by testing. When we launch a new line it has to meet high standards.”
The beautiful builds in the K&N booth also drew lots of attention from attendees. All were equipped with K&N products. Champion Drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr., was on hand to answer questions about the 2010 Ford Mustang RTR. A new generation of Mustang that will be available to consumers in February 2010.
Designer Tom Nelson’s 1969 Camaro was on display in the K&N booth. Its twin turbo charged 572 cubic inch big block engine makes 1300 horsepower on pump gas. The
K&N Infiniti G35, built by K&N employees was also part of scene.
K&N also launched its new line of
apparel at SEMA. These garments reflect the passion people feel for motorsports and vehicle performance. Available from the K&N website and a few retail locations, K&N apparel includes both traditional and edgy designs that will appeal to all types of consumers.
“K&N is successful because of the reputation that our brand name carries in the minds of millions of consumers,” said Rogers. “K&N was selected as a 2009 Manufacturer of the Year by the Performance Warehouse Association. This is the fifth time we have received this honor at SEMA. This award is the result of voting by most of our performance warehouse distributor customers. It is based on our service levels, contributions to the industry and support for the performance distribution business model.”
The Cherry Bomb 1964 Dodge D-100 was featured on Stacey David's Gearz Show
Cherry Bomb Exhaust is a high performance exhaust builder with a keen eye for style and performance. Cherry Bomb has been modifying vehicles for 5 years with numerous projects such as a 2007 Harley Davidson Custom Street Glide, 1964 Dodge D-100 and they are currently working on a 1968 Camaro.
The Cherry Bomb 1964 Dodge D-100 with 528 Hemi
Matt Graves, Marketing Manager for Cherry Bomb, spoke with K&N at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, where their 1964 Dodge D-100 pickup was on display. "The Cherry Bomb D-100 has a 528 Hemi engine, aluminum dual carburetor and a K&N air intake system." Graves explained. "It was recently featured on Stacey David’s Gearz. Stacey installed some traction bars and set of Radir wheels and tires."
The Cherry Bomb 1964 Dodge D-100 with K&N Custom Assembly
Cherry Bomb project cars have been featured in many popular magazines such as Hot Rod, Mopar Muscle, Car Craft, Ol Skool Rods and PowerBlock TV.
Cherry Bomb has been using K&N products for over 5 years. "We use K&N on our project cars because they provide great performance and they always seem to fit right," said Graves. "We even use K&N on our personal vehicles."
Their 1968 Camaro still has work to be done. "We are still in the works at year one with the Camaro," Graves said. "K&N is sure to be a part of this project as well."
There are young racers who go for the glory, and there are the young racers who give that glory to others. Christian Copley is one who gives. His grandfather, Mike Kappmeyer helped Copley discover his need for speed when he was only 11-years-old. Kappmeyer also helped Copley understand how important it is to help underprivileged teens and kids with cancer.
Orange Show Speedway win for K&N supported Christian Copley, photo by Ms. Mary, Mary Secord
MRK Motorsports helps to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation
“I started my grandson in Go Karts,” said Kappmeyer. “At the time, there wasn’t a program for kids at Ventura Raceway or Santa Maria Speedway in California. Those are the closest tracks to our home.”
Christian Copley of MRK Motorsports drives in the NASCAR South West Tour Truck Series
Christian Copley hopes to drive in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Kappmeyer eventually built junior midgets for kids from 10 through 16. The midgets were safe enough to satisfy the track owner at Ventura Raceway and that’s how everything started for the MRK Motorsports Team. Within the first year there were junior midgets everywhere. “We branched out from our friends at the track and took trouble kids and put them behind the wheel,” said Kappmeyer. “As Christian progressed with his racing skills so did our benefit program. We eventually started raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation to help children with cancer.”
Copley moved up to Junior Midgets when he was 13-years-old and by 15 he became the youngest driver to compete in the adult division half-mile track series. At 18-years-old he has enough points to win in the NASCAR South West Tour Truck Series. He just has to show up at the next race for the win.
“Every year we have a special charity event to benefit children with cancer,” said Copley. “I have received this big gift, the gift of racing, from my grandpa. This is a way for me to give back to others.”
Copley races his Chevrolet Silverado with a 602 Chevy Crate engine. “There are so many things I like about racing,” he said. “It’s the speed, the adrenaline rush of knowing I can go a half of a tenth of a second faster. I use K&N air and oil filters on the track. K&N protects my engines from debris and gives me the boost I need to help make it to the winner’s circle.”
Grandfather and grandson are in the process of putting together another charity event for the kids. They want to raise more money for Make a Wish. Copley also wants to race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
“The more you give, the more you get back,” said Kappmeyer.
Malcom Pointon's racing goals for 2010 include winning an Unlimited Buggy Championship and earn a truck ride
Carbon fiber, or graphite, is a classification for any fibers, which are at least 92 percent (by weight) carbon in composition. Carbon fiber is the common name used to refer to plastic reinforced by a graphite textile. Less frequently, the term is used to describe the textile itself, but it is pretty much useless embedded in plastic.
Pointon's engine of choice is every bit as cutting-edge as the carbon fiber body.
The complex interwoven nature of the fiber makes it very difficult to break while reducing overall weight ridiculously. You can make really fast racecars from the stuff, ask Malcolm Pointon.
"The advantage of having a carbon fiber body is that the car's overall weight is lower and stiffer. This makes it easier to stop, and a lot more efficient to drive under race conditions. It is super-lightweight and it's super-strong. Carbon fiber is roughly 3 times stronger, and more than 4 times lighter than steel. Also, it's much easier to clean after each race."
Pointon's engine of choice is every bit as cutting-edge as the carbon fiber body. "The Toyota 4A-GE race engine is compact and it's a lightweight design. The 4A-GE's durability is equal to its performance. As a full racing engine it has proven itself. I have made many upgrades to the engine: titanium rods, a cam package, really, too many upgrades to name. Before the Arizona race we dry-sumped with TRD upgraded dry-sump parts, and changed to a K&N oil filter (HP-3001). Also, we are currently testing a new exhaust system from Fat Performance. I also have a Toyota 4A-GE spare engine, which I race with back in New Zealand, but it does not have the latest upgrades," continues Pointon.
"The Lucas Off Road Series, it's the best," declares Pointon. "Tony has done a great job, he has turned the sport totally around as far as I'm concerned. It's very competitive with all the top racers out there vying for the top spots, which just adds to the excitement of the racing. Our last race was Arizona, I placed 7th, but we had overheating problems. It's a hard track; I actually buckled four rear wheels - now that's hard. For the next race we are heading to Stateline, Primm, Nevada. I do all my own prep work on the car at my workshop; I'm a diesel mechanic by trade, so when I have a time, I work on the car. Right now all the problems have been sorted out, we have new wheels - we are ready to race next week."
"Besides the K&N oil filter I also use the K&N air filter (E-3471), the engine breather (RE-0280) - I find all of K&N's product's to be unbeatable."
Pointon's racing goals for the 2010 include winning an Unlimited Buggy Championship and earn a truck ride.
