Latest News | Read Our Blog

Rising Star Jon Henry Wins 2009 American Late Model Series Championship

16 Oct 2009

Jon Henry is proving to be a rising star for Modifieds in the years to come

John Henry just won the 2009 UMP DIRTcar Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. This is just the latest in a lengthy list of achievements for Henry. He has been racing since he was 12 years old, carrying on a lengthy family tradition. Both his dad and granddad competed together racing micro sprints at ADA Speedway in Ada, Ohio. Jon started out racing go-karts at Cridersville Speedway, and a year later moved up to micro sprints at Waynesfield Raceway Park. His dad by then had begun racing UMP Modifieds, and Jon never missed a single one of those races. "In 2004, my dad stepped aside and started to let me race the modified," stated Henry. "I got my first win after only my fourth time in the car at Waynesfield, and continued to race Modifieds for the next several years."

In 2008, Jon Henry completed 63 total races with 33 top 5 and 36 top 10 finishes.

Henry's racing success has continued to climb steadily ever since. In 2007 he participated in a total of 50 races, won four, had 32 top 5's and finished 2nd ten times. He was in fact selected that year out of 16,000 applicants to appear on Spike TV's new show "Reality Racing."

In 2008, he completed 63 total races with 33 top 5's and 36 top 10's. Highlights from the season include qualifying 44th fastest at the World 100 out of 175 drivers, winning his first Dirt Late Model event after only his 2nd race ever in the car, being named "Bell Racing Driver of the Month" for July, and making four out of five features at Volusia Speedway for the Dirt car Nationals. So far this year, he has continued an amazingly successful track record. He has already been in 68 races with 10 wins, 32 top 5's and 43 top 10's. He took 1st place at the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS), is 7th in United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) National Points, and was named Sunoco Rookie of the Year, UMP National Rookie of the Year, Eldora Speedway Rookie of the Year, and Oakshade Raceway Rookie of the Year. Henry indeed looks to be a truly rising star in his series'.

"I met with K&N at the PRI show in Orlando Florida, and have had the opportunity to partner with them ever since," says Henry. They have a proven record of success and I knew it was the best choice for our racing program. K&N provides the best air filters on the market and not only have we seen consistent results, but have complete trust in their products."

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.

Sportcar Motion Builds One of the Fastest FWD Acura Integra in the US

16 Oct 2009

Sportcar Motions use K&N air and oil filters on Honda Integra and all of their projects.

Loi Song is the owner of Sportcar Motion located in San Marcos, California, he builds and prepares really fast aftermarket cars. Song's philosophy is to bring customers only the best that the aftermarket industry has to offer, to prove his point, he's put together one of the fastest FWD Acura Integras in the country. With Tim Kuo at the wheel, driving at Spring Mountain, they placed first in the Modified Class (Renzo Marsano is the co-driver and Loi's go-to guy).

Award winning Honda Integra owned by Sportcar Motion in San Marcos, California

"It feels great to win in the car's debut, we've worked hard over the years to perfect our balanced tuning methodology. It's a special time for us at Sportcar Motion; this proves that we're not just a one hit wonder. We look forward to the end of the '09 season and a tough '10 season. We will be moving our trusted EG hatchback into the unlimited class to battle against factory backed teams. Should be an interesting and fun year," explains Song.

The brainstorm for building the winning Integra came after GM broke the FF record back in '05. "I knew that we had to step up our game," claims Song. "We've learned a lot by running our trusted EG6 Civic chassis through the years. We've always taken plenty of notes on what we want to see in a perfect chassis/platform. Some of the things we had on our wish-list were a more rigid chassis and a longer wheelbase for high speed corner stability."

Sportcar Motion, located in San Marcos, California, builds and prepares really fast aftermarket cars.

All their copious notes added up and lead to one conclusion - a Type R chassis. "We believe that the '98 Integra chassis is the best FF chassis ever produced," says Song. "I didn't do this all by myself though, I'd like to thank some important people that have made this project happen in a very short period of time: Tim Kuo, Billy Edwards, Socrates, Romeo and of course, Renzo."

Songs' engine of choice is the Hondas' newest K24. "Many people think that we run forced induction. We probably will in the near future, but for now we are trying to keep it simple - besides you can't beat the sound of an NA engine."

The USDM K24 engine modifications include:

-USDM RSX transmission, CRV 4.78 Type R final drive, KAAZ Clutch Type Differential
-Exedy clutch/flywheel
-JE 13.7:1 pistons, 87.5mm
-Crower MaxLite rods
-Skunk2 cams, valvesprings, and retainers
-HaSport mounts
-DTR exhaust manifold
-RBC manifold
-BDL fuel rail
-SX fuel pressure regulator
-Earls lines used throughout engine bay
-Wire tuck, deleted excess hoses and wiring
-Hondata K-Pro management
-Tuning provided by Shaun Church of Church Automotive Testing
-SportCar Motion custom shift-box
-Custom painted OEM valve cover/Mugen oil cap/Spoon spark plug cover

The Integra and all of Sportcar Motions' creations use K&N air and oil filters. "We wouldn't even consider anything else," says Song. "Can you guys provide us with a big-rig though, so we can haul the car to all the East Coast Races next year," jokes Song.

The '10 season will be a challenging one for the Sportcar Motion crew, "we plan on competing in all classes of the Redline Time Attack, we also plan on breaking the GM FF record in SUPERLAP," concludes Song, not joking this time.

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.

Dixie Shootout in Woodstock, Georgia Nets Big Payday for Tarheel Tiger Ray Cook

16 Oct 2009

K&N supported racer Ray Cook, aka the Tarheel Tiger is on a roll. The Brasstown, North Carolina native scored his first career Dixie Shootout win at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.

Ray Cook collected $10,000 for the win in the 20th Annual Dixie Shootout in Woodstock, Georgia, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned event was Cook’s fifth win this year. He also collected $10,000 for the win. Cook took the lead on lap 23 on the D-shaped track after starting in 7th place.

MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS with a Race Engine Design Motor, K&N filters, Integra Racing Shocks, American Racer Tires and Real Racing Wheels driven by Ray Cook in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Woodstock, Georgia, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos

Ray Cook and his family in victory lane after he took first place in the Dixie Shootout at Dixie Speedway, Courtesy of Rick Schwallie Photos

There was a caution on lap 37 which turned out to be a break for Cook as it cleared out the cars in front of him for the restart. The green flag restart only lasted two laps. Racer Don O’Neal slowed the track down with a flat tire and brought out the third and final caution of the night.

After the final restart, Cook held his lead over Dan Schliper and kept a three-car length lead with ten laps to go. With five laps remaining, Schlieper started to cut down Cook’s lead.

Schlieper was within two car lengths of Cook but he could not get by and Cook took the win in his Danny Dishman and Ronald Ivey owned MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS with a Race Engine Design Motor and K&N filters. “Our K&N filters protect our engines at every race and give us extra horsepower and great filtration,” said Cook. “I’ve used K&N products for a decade and would not use anything else. I also use K&N on my personal vehicles and in my race shop.”

Cook currently stands sixth in Lucas Oil Series points after 39 events.

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.

Custom 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 is Ongoing Project for Owner Robert LeJuett

16 Oct 2009

This custom 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 is equipped with K&N Air Intake System

Robert LeJuett is far from your ordinary Chevy truck owner. He is constantly improving his 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to match the vision that is fueled by his overwhelming passion for custom vehicles. "I just purchased the truck in December 2008," LeJuett stated. "I received a lot of great advice and guidance on modding my truck from GMTruckClub.com. I have been a member since Dec. of '08." LeJuett won Ride of the Month in August of 2009.

Prior to owning his Chevy Silverado, Robert LeJuett had customized his motorcycle. "My motorcycle was heavily modified," said LeJuett. "But my Silverado is the first vehicle I have owned which I've put so much into aftermarket mods."

Robert LeJuett's modified 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L

LeJuett has equipped his 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 with K&N air intake 57-3058. "I chose the K&N intake system for my truck because of the great experience I had with K&N on my motorcycle," LeJuett said. "Not to mention it sounds great."

"I've been using K&N for approximately 6 years with the first being a K&N air filter for a custom intake on my 2003 Yamaha V-Star 1100 motorcycle," added LeJuett. "I will continue to use K&N performance products for the added horsepower."

The future is still bright for custom Silverado owner Robert LeJuett. "I have several mods I would like to complete before I would consider it for any truck shows," he said. I would like to add an aftermarket audio system, custom gauges, off road lights, Bushwacker fender flares, and finish blacking out the rest of the chrome."

LeJuett speaks very highly about the guidance available from his truck club GMTruckClub.com. "You will find a lot of great personal experiences and photos of their GM/Chevy Trucks and SUV's," said LeJuett. "They have great contests as well. I have won some great K&N products through GMTruckClub.com."

Lifted 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 won Ride of the Month in August of 2009

Modifications for this 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L are as follows:

K&N High-Flow Intake (# 57-3058)
K&N Oil Filter (# HP-1017)
40 Series Flowmaster Dual Exhaust System
4.56 Yukon Gears
7 1/2 inches of Suspension Lift
20" Ballistic Jester rims
35" Toyo Mud Terrain Tires
N-Fab Nerf Bars
Painted front and back Chevy Bowties
Tint, bedliner and window visors

Other upgrade options for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L by K&N are:

K&N 33-2129 Replacement Air Filter
K&N 77-3058KP: Polished Finish - 12.49 HP @ 4917 RPM
K&N 71-3058 Blackhawk Induction Systems Intake

Find additional Chevrolet Silverado 1500 upgrades, such as Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Air Filters, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Air Intakes or Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Oil Filters. For a vehicle another than the Chevy Silverado, use the search by vehicle tool on KNFilters.com. To find a K&N dealer in your part of the world, use the K&N Dealer Search.

Honda CBR 600RR and Suzuki GSXR 1300s Set New Records at Bonneville World Finals

15 Oct 2009

“The magic number used to be 200 mph in Land Speed Racing, now we’re headed for 300 mph on our motorcycles,” said Paul Livingston of Falkner Livingston Racing. “We go to the Salts, look at each other and say we can do it.”

Spider Grips equipped FL Racing Suzuki GSXR 1300s with K&N air and oil filters were pushed to top speeds of 206 and 203 mph at the Bonneville World Finals

Falkner Livingston Racing hit Bonneville’s World Finals event with 5 race ready motorcycles. Bonneville’s salt flats are about 90 miles west of Salt Lake City, Utah. Enthusiasts go there to break speed records. There are three annual events were people congregate to break those records, Speed Week, the World of Speed and the World Finals.

Paul Thede and Crew Chief Shaun Higinbottom at the Salts. Thede rode his Race Tech FL Honda CBR 600RR with K&N air and oil filters to a new record in the 650cc MPS/F class of 195.604 mph on a normally aspirated motor.

Rider Paul Thede ran a Spider Grips equipped Race Tech-FL Honda CBR 600 RR in the 650 cc class at the Salts. Thede took back a record that was lost at the end of Speed Week. His new record of 195.604 mph is a huge jump on the record which was set at 178.294 in August. “It is a remarkable speed for a normally aspirated 600 cc motor,” said Livingston. “Overall, we had a fantastic 2009 season.”

FL riders Paul Livingston and Lukas Lundin ran two Spider Grips equipped FL Racing Suzuki GSXR 1300s to top speeds of 206.958 mph and 203.251 mph respectively. Both have qualified for their Class-A competition licenses, which allows these riders to run at speeds from 200 mph to 250 mph on their race motorcycles.

“Going more than 200 mph on a motorcycle is surreal,” said Livingston. “The sensation of speed does not change but the sound changes. There are also no real reference points and everything is pure white at the Salts.”

Other riders on the FL team qualified for new levels on their competition licenses. Charlie Van Valkenburg rode a Pit Bull Skeleton ZX-12 to a top personal speed of 180.574 mph. “FL rider Greg Tracy had a heartbreaker,” said Livingston. “While riding to qualify for his Class-A competition license, he reached a top speed of 199.768 mph in the timed mile before he had to leave the Salts to catch a flight.”

FL will resume racing at the Salts in 2010. Right now they are preparing for the Baja 1000. “K&N filters play an important part in making our motorcycles run well,” said Livingston. “In order to break records we have to get as much air as possible into our engines, and at the same time, keep the debris out of our engines. That is why we rely on K&N air and oil filters at the Salts and in the Baja 1000.”

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.