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Laguna Seca was the place where the Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team scored its first podium finish of the year in AMA competition. Chaz Davies took second place after a hard fought battle that lasted all the way to the finish line.
AMA Daytona SportBike Series Race hard fought battle for Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team
“What a great race,” said Davies. “The Aprilia RSV4 is competitive and a million miles from where it was at Daytona. Now our goal is to take first place on the podium before the season is over.”
Factory Aprilia RSV1000R Rider Chaz Davies scores first podium of the year at Laguna Seca
In the three weeks prior to Laguna Seca, KWS Motorsports continued its development of the Millennium Technologies sponsored Factory Aprilia RSV100R. The riders used the first day of the event to test new parts and settings.
Davies ran with the leaders during qualifying. “Although he only qualified in the sixth position, he was only a few hundredths of a second out of the second position,” said Team Manager Chip Spalding. “Teammate Ben Thompson continued to struggle with his bike set-up and qualified in 22nd position.”
During the Sunday morning warm-up session, Davies posted the fastest time. Thompson also made progress over the course of the weekend, finishing the morning warm-up in 18th position.
The Daytona SportBike race took place immediately after the MotoGP race in Monterey, California. The start of the race went well for both riders. Davies was shuffled back to seventh in the first corner and Thompson make up a few positions.
Davies then fell into a four-way battle for third place. “Riders went into Laguna’s tight turn two, three-wide and sideways all the way to the apex,” said Spalding. “Eventually something had to happen and Jason DiSalvo fell down and took two other riders with him.”
That brought out a red flag and the race stopped. The re-start worked out well for the Factory Aprilia team. Davies took the lead after some very aggressive passes. He held on for five laps until Ben Bostrom slipped by with only two laps to go. Davies caught up and stayed with Bostrom on the last lap, but was not close enough in the final corner to make a final move and took second place.
Thompson moved up to fifteenth position but had to withdraw from the race due to mechanical issues. “We made some progress this weekend trying to find a setting I can work with,” he said. “The race was going well and we were moving forward but we had to pull out. We’re working on a solution and I am confident we will find it soon.”
“We have eight more chances to win this year and we are looking forward to each and every race,” said Team Owner Kevin Hunt. “This is the culmination of an effort that started with four bare Aprilia chassis eight days before Daytona. We didn’t know how it would turn out when we started, but we’ve put in our best efforts and no resource has been spared.”
The Aprilia RSV1000Rs are equipped with K&N motorcycle air filters and oil filters. “We use K&N on everything we build,” said Spalding. “K&N protects our engines from track debris and takes away any additional worry we may have. We are confident that K&N will perform each and every time.”
“I’ve wanted a Wally for as long as I can remember,” said Sportsman Drag Racer Rick Baehr. “I just got my Wally in my first NHRA National event competition and it was awesome.” Baehr won the Stock Eliminator title in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series at Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Stock Eliminator title goes to Wellington, Ohio's Rick Baehr who won his first NHRA National event at his home track in Norwalk, Ohio
Summit Racing Equipment Nationals Motorsports track owner, Bill Bader Jr. jokes with long time friend Rick Baehr in the Winner's Circle at Norwalk, Ohio
Baehr lives twenty minutes from the track in Wellington, Ohio. “I’ve drag raced at Norwalk since I was 15-years-old,” he said. “I was driving my mother’s Ford F-150 pick-up back then. Now I'm going a lot faster down the track.”
Rick Baehr, wife Sarah Baehr and dog Sasha after his first NHRA National Event win
Rick Baehr drove a 1988 Ford Mustang to a final round win at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals
At 28-years-old, Baehr drives a 1988 Ford Mustang with K&N products. K&N oil filters protect my engine from track debris," he said. "I love the nut on the end. The K&N wrench off design makes oil changes so much easier. I would like to thank K&N for all its help and support.”
He worked his way through seven rounds and defeated Randy Simpson in the final round at Norwalk with an elapsed time of 12.512 at 103.34 mph. “It was challenging to dial-in the Mustang that weekend because of the wind and weather changes,” he said. “But the Mustang ran great, and the win was absolutely unbelievable. And, it was at my home track which made it so much better.”
Baehr said he was proud to win a National event at Norwalk for all his friends at Norwalk. “I’ve known Bill Bader Jr. (track owner) since I was a kid,” he said. “And Bill was so happy that I was in the Winner’s Circle of my first National event at his track.”
Baehr will race 35 weekends out of the 2009 season. He is an engineer with a regular job, but uses all his vacation days at the race track. “I take off Thursday and Friday, race, and it’s back to work on Monday,” he said. “My wife Sarah and I take our motor home, our dog Sasha and make our racing vacations, camping vacations at the track.”
Baehr has an extensive IHRA resume, some of his most memorable wins include:
2005 IHRA No Box World Champion
2005 Norwalk Raceway Turn Key Dragster race winner
2006 IHRA Bracket Finals Champion
2007 IHRA Canadian Nationals Stock Eliminator Champion
2008 IRA Stock Eliminator 3rd place finish
“I plan to race in Columbus, Virginia and North Carolina,” said Baehr. “I will also mix up my racing in the big dollar bracket circuit.” Baehr’s goals are to win more Wally’s and join the chase for the
World Championship.
So, we started with our drivers meeting at 8am and headed for the trail around 8:45am. We spent the day at Turtle Ridge offroad park, this park had a combination of everything from technical off camber tree mazes, to mud holes, rock obstacles and hill climbs.
The K&N Jeepster made it through the off camber tree mazes and luckily since the side mirrors had previously been lost to other trees, we are glad to report we made it through these mazes without any damage, except maybe a scrape or two. Getting the K&N Jeepster thru some of these tight spots is like threading a needle with rope instead of thread!
Next stop, turtle ridge mud hole, I think this one may top the previos reference of the deepest mud that I have ever seen a vehicle in. It started out relatively shallow, but if you didnt make it thru the other end you ended up with mud up to at least the bottom of your door. The K&N Jeepster made it, and oh yes, we are covered in mud, luckily the windows were up, though some still came thru the openings of the softop and up thru the floor board. Good times!
Now onto a few hill climbs, another off camber tree maze and then a couple of rock obstacle climbs.
We ended the day with the 2009 UA group cutting our own trail thru the trees and ended at a rock ledge, where once all the rigs tackled the ridge we lined up for a group photo.
The K&N jeepster's final day was a success.
Wow what an adventure, truly an experience of a lifetime! A great group of people and week of true offroad adventure! We would do it all again in a heart beat, just let us know when and where.
Thank you K&N for allowing us to represent your outstanding company and product. Thank you Peter's 4 Wheel & Offroad for putting on such an Ultimate Adventure. We welcome future opportunities.
Dont forget to get your subscription for full disclosure and details of the 2009 Peterson's 4 Wheel & Offroad Ultimate Adventure!
Thanks again, it was truly our pleasure,
Terra & Ryan Hagel
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 6
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 6
Today was an all day road day, 230 miles in 14 hours. We obviuosly dont always take the most direct route, for good reason (20 some rigs attract a lot of attention, so side roads are sometimes safer even if it takes longer, especially if someone has vehicle issues).
The K&N Jeepster survived the 14 hours without issues. Others were not so lucky, but repairs were made and we all made it to the ferry in time to cross over to drummund island.
Next up, our final day, day 7, we have a full day of adventure ahead of us.
Stay tuned for our final update.
Terra & Ryan Hagel
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 5
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 5
Well we got to sleep in a bit today, Driver meeting at 7:30 on the trail at 8am.
We started with a twisty obstacle of off camber trails then onto a mud bogg that was the deepest mud Ive ever seen any vehicle in. Many as well as our K&N Jeepster relied on our Warn winch and assistance of the other UA particpants to get our rigs out of the mud.
We then headed for our first of two rock climbs for the day, of which very few vehicles made it thru, we even had one tip over on its side, luckily no damage or injuries reported. The K&N Jeepster gave it a grand effort, but after 3 tries moved along to let someone else try.
Next up a river of mud, our K&n Jeepster and filter performed well and we were able to assist some that went a little too deep in the mud by using the K&N Filter Care Cleaning Kit to clean off their filters. Those that use the K&N dry charger performed just as they should and were able to rinse off the charger and move right along to the next trail.
Next up another maze of trees and off camberg obstacles and then to a steep hill climb that ended short at the top so you better be paying attention and turn left at the top.
Last up for the day was an obstacle called "winch hill" another rock climb obstacle. The K&N Jeepster, I'm proud to report, climbed that obstacle all the way to the top!
now back to camp where the locals have preparred another great feast for us, what a great surprise after another full day of sun, fun and wheeling.
The K&N Jeepster has a few repairs so dinner was quick and no time to sit around the fire. Power steering and hydrolic break pump has been leaking since day 2 and its getting worse so luckily thanks to Mel at Offroad evolution and assistance from steven at offroad design they got the pump replaced in record time!
Took out the driver side mirror today as well, so now we have no side mirrors, but all and all, minus the body damage, scrapes, mirrors, power steering pump, and bent steering ram skid plate, the K&N Jeepster is holding strong and ready for the next trail.
Next stop the U.P. of Michigan. Day 6 will be another driving day, approximately 150 miles, should be relatively simple, but as with any adventure, we are preparred for anything!
Stay tuned for the next K&N update!
Terra & Ryan Hagel
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 4
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 4
Today was an all day road day, 456.7 miles to rocks and valleys offroad park. Drivers meeting at 6:30am on the road at 7am.
With a few site seeing stops along the way and one flat tire for a member of the group we arrived at camp around 6pm with the locals welcoming us with a bbq feast.
After we ate we set up camp and got our rigs ready for day 5 a full day of wheeling.
The K&N Jeepster is all ready to go.
Stay tuned!
Terra & Ryan Hagel
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 3
Another fun adventurous day to be had. Drivers meeting 6:30am, on the road at 7am, with setting up camp and breaking down in the morning, we are averaging about 3-4 hours of sleep, good times!
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 3
We traveled 250 miles to reach our destination of painted rock off road park. We arrived around 2:30, had 15 minutes to set up camp and then head for the obstacles.
The K&N Jeepster performed well, at the second obstacle we opted to take the more difficult line and we are proud to say we made it up the obstacle, of which only about a 1/4 of the rigs did, however, at the top of the obstacle there was a tree which, in our accomplishment of making the obstacle we smacked the tree square on with our front bumper! With a ledge to the left and ledge behind we succesfully completed the obstacle with the use of our Warn winch as we winched out sideways from the tree.
Luckily enough no major damage done, on to the next obstacle, the waterfall.
The waterfall claimed many, with only about 5 rigs making it up. Some of us re-named it tire hill, as 4 of us sliced a tire, not because of the tire but because of the sharprocks on the obstacle. Though we gave it a full force effort, the K&N Jeepster didnt tackle that waterfall as we sliced a sidewall and had to pull off the trail to change out.
After the waterfall it was back to camp, 11pm and all is good, finished setting up camp, had a bite to eat and enjoyed sometime by the camp fire with a cold beverage, then it was tents zipped and bug spray on for a few hours of shut eye before we head out for day 4!
We hit the road tomorrow early for a long road day, drivers meeting 6:30am, on the road at 7am, only 456.7 miles to go!
Terra & Ryan Hage
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 2
And we are off to another adventurous day. Drivers meeting at 6:30 on the road at 7am. Today was planned to be a combination of wheeling and driving with the driving portion taking us 350 miles west of PA into Ohio.
After an eventful morning in the mud and some beautiful back country we found ourselves at an offroad park that we were not quite sure what we were in for.
However, it turned out that this was the beginning of an offroad park called jeepskool (jeepskool.com), the idea was to do some wheeling at jeepskool and continue from there to our first night of camping.
After a couple tough obstacles we headed for one last challange before we hit the road, and thats where plans changed! The official UA truck got wedged between two rock walls and then broke the rear axle and thats when it was decided we would camp there for the night. Only 250 miles behind schedule.
Another great day for the K&N Jeepster.
We will head out early tomorrow to make up for the 250 miles we didnt get to today. Everyday another great adventure!
Terra & Ryan Hagel
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 1
Ultimate Adventure 2009 Day 1
Well, we are proud to report the K&N Jeepster passed inspection on the 4th and
we were officially signed in for the 2009 Ultimate Adventure.
Trail day # 1 officially started with a drivers meeting at 7:30 am which means
you are fueled and ready to be out on the trail all day.
The group of approximately 15 rigs rolled out at 8am. A group of locals led us
out to an off road park for the day. The park was amazing, full of many, many
trees, some much more forgiving than others! We also encountered lots of rocks,
big and small, but mostly BIG and of course, Mud - slippery, slimy , and did I
mention slippery mud!
Along with others the K&N Jeepster encountered a few trees that left some
damage, but we are still trekking along.
For the K&N Jeepster the damage was all taken on the passenger side some easily
replaceable/repairable and unfortunately some that will take some magic!
To end my message for day 1 I would be remise if I did not mention the
significance of the location we started our 2009 Ultimate Adventure which was
Butler, PA, the birth place of the Bantam, known to you and I as the Jeep!
It is definitely a privilege and honor to be here, I will admit I'm a bit
disappointed with my performance thus far, however, I will continue to charge on
and prove myself as deserving to be here. Don't worry, the K&N Jeepster is very
capable.
Terra & Ryan Hagel
See Peterson's 4 Wheel & Offroad Magazine for full coverage of The Ultimate Adventure.
In the 1960's, Jim Torosian purchased his first car, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop. "It was fully stock, automatic transmission, 283 cubic inch V8, power everything. Of course, I pulled out the automatic transmission and put in a 4 speed manual, and then I put in a 327 cubic inch Corvette engine, along with many other modifications. I took it to a drag strip outside Fresno, California where anyone could race for a few dollars", Torosian said. Torosian's twin sons, Michael and Chris must have inherited their father's interest in cars and trucks. "When they were small, they would hang out at the Freightliner Truck dealership with their grandfather, sitting behind the wheels of the diesel trucks," says Torosian. "I would also take them to local car shows and shops."
Michael's 2002 Custom GMC Sierra SLE Truck
When the twins turned 16, Jim purchased Michael's truck, a new, white 2002 GMC Sierra SLE. The next year, the family bought Chris' new blue 2003 GMC Sierra SLE. "We chose GMC over Chevy just to be different. It seemed like everyone was customizing Chevy's and GMC had a different front end and grill. On Michael's truck, we installed a Denali grill, headlights, maker lights and front bumper, which gave the truck a unique look." In fact, both trucks are so unique that they were featured individually in the September 2008 issue of Sport Truck Magazine. The articles praise both trucks for their innovative paint jobs, smooth body modifications and overall cool, clean looks.
The Torosian Family chooses K&N products because of the quality and reputation of the product.
The Torosian Family chooses K&N products over other air intake systems because of the quality and reputation of the product. Both trucks are outfitted with K&N products and the family appreciates their aesthetics, as well as their performance. "We purchased the chrome tube version and there is not a cleaner looking product on the market," says Jim. They have seen marked improvement in the performance and gas mileage of the trucks, as well. "We are definitely not racy with these trucks, but if the need arises to get on them a little, you can definitely hear and feel the air being sucked in the intake."
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about these trucks is that the family did not spend a fortune on the modifications, yet the trucks look like a million bucks. The custom truck world will definitely be watching this family to see what they come up with next!
The Ultimate Adventure has begun for Terra and Ryan Hagel. The Southern California couple is driving their K&N sponsored Jeep on one of the most challenging four-wheel adventures in the United States.
Off road rigs line up to began the Ultimate Adventure Four Wheeling Road Trip
Terra Hagel tackles the first trail named 6 Points near Butler, Pennsylvania on the Ultimate Adventure
The Ultimate Adventure is an annual event that mixes some of the hardest trails with long highway runs over several states. 4 Wheel & Off-Road Magazine invited some of its staff and loyal readers to take a seven day journey where driving skills are put to the test.
One of the requirements for the Ultimate Adventure is rigs must be able to go 150 miles without having to stop for fuel
The first driver's meeting on the Ultimate Adventure
The Hagel’s drove first to Michigan to drop off their tow vehicle. The couple then took their 1969 K&N sponsored Jeepster and drove 600 miles to the Ultimate Adventure starting point in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“One of the requirements for our road days is to go at least 150 miles without having to stop for fuel,” said Terra Hagel. “No problem, at last calculation we can go 156 miles before we need fuel
in our 13 gallon tank.”
The Hagel’s made it to the first trail area called 6 Points for a driver’s meeting and began to tackle their first trail.
“We promise to make K&N proud,” said Hagel. “We’ll keep everyone posted as we head to a new location each day. Wish us luck.”
During the 2008 Ultimate Adventure 19 vehicles began the trip in South Dakota and 19 vehicles finished in Northern Colorado. Only three
made it through without some sort of breakage.
The Hagel’s will drive the plains, over steep hills and rocks for some of the most intense trail action as they head to their next destination.
