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K&N Continues Their Sponsorship of the Premier Stunt Riding XDL Championship Series for 2012

Jun 20, 2012

Bill Dixon performs the always popular 'stoppie' or AKA the 'what could possibly go wrong' maneuver.

It is up-in-your-grill fast and loud and belligerent one second, and an elegant synchronized two-wheel ballet the next. It's a showcase for extraordinary talent and precision that unremittingly teases with chaos. Which is precisely why right from its inception back in 2005, the XDL Championship Series has been the sickest, must-see, stunt riding championship on the planet.

The XDL is the longest running, and hands down the most popular stunt riding championship, drawing the most talented competitors from around the globe. India, Indonesia, Thailand, France, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and many other countries are helping to make the XDL one of the most powerful emerging international action sports. In Asia where 85% of all motorcycles in the world are sold the rumblings have already started and it's only a matter of time before China is added to the XDL schedule. To that end K&N announced earlier this month that they are enthusiastically continuing their multi-year partnership with the XDL Championship Series through the 2012 season. Once again they return as the title sponsor of the fan mesmerizing, whirling dervish called the K&N Circle Challenge.

The perpendicular parking trick.

"Circle wheelies require a high skill level to perform because they are so technical," explained Randy Grube, founder of XDL. "Imagine having to do 10 rotations as quickly as possible against a fellow competitor in front of thousands of fans. That is the essence of the K&N Circle Challenge."

Riders line up side-by-side and enter the competition area for a one-on-one face off. When the starter gives the signal the riders clutch up into a circle wheelie and start spinning. The first rider to 10 wins. If a rider falls, or their foot touches the pavement, that's considered a DNF, and the remaining rider wins. One judge is assigned to each rider to ensure an accurate count.

"Our director of competition watches over the whole thing to determine the winners. After each face-off the winner goes to one side of the competition area, the loser to the other," adds Grube. "The winners then go up against each other until there are only two left for the finals. In some cases there are an odd number of participants, which means we end up with three riders instead of two."

Let's see, was it gas, lift, brake and kick, or the other way around?

Fan support worldwide has been remarkable and it continues to grow exponentially, with at present over 60% of XDL fans coming from countries outside the United States. "I expect attendance to go up significantly this year due to how we are improving the overall event concept, which we now call Motorcycle Madness. We are putting XDL, trials riding, static displays, motorcycle art, a kid's zone, vendors, a beer garden, food and music all into one space," said Grube. "Under ideal conditions I see XDL becoming a major action sport globally."

In Monterey last year rider Colton practices some alternative seating options.

Outside of the United States and Western Europe motorcycles are the go-to commuter vehicle. Stunt riding is therefore a clear path into the action sports market. Kids that don't have skateboards, snowboards, BMX, or Arena Cross available can now look to stunt riding as an outlet for personal expression. The K&N Circle Challenge for example is a truly "open" format where the displacement of a motorcycle can be any type without putting a rider at a disadvantage. As XDL expands into markets where displacements are in the 150cc to 250cc range, this format could turn out to be a core competition element, because it allows for top riders from XDL to go up against top international riders without the need to standardize motorcycle categories.

"We are working on putting on an event in India this year and one in Indonesia in 2013," said Grube. "This will allow us to start XDL India and XDL Indonesia. With stunt riding becoming so tremendously popular overseas, I've already written a number of letters to U.S. embassies around the world to help kids get visas so they can come here and ride. In the U.S. we are working on a reality TV show so stayed tuned for that."

"K&N has been an XDL partner for two seasons now and we are excited to continue the relationship in 2012," declared Grube. "K&N is one of those rare companies that puts their money where their mouth is, which is such a great help when you are building a new sport from scratch. In my position as the guy that started XDL, it's all about the long term. Nick and Johnny at K&N decided from the beginning that XDL was a long-term play and that the biggest benefits would be a few years down the road. It is this type of support that has allowed XDL to grow, and we're glad to have it for another year."

Johnny Jump, Powersports Brand Manager at K&N Engineering adds, "We are very excited to support the riding at this level that will drive fans to these events and hopefully continue to grow this sport into the future of motorcycling. The street freestyle events cater to a younger generation and it exceeds the limitations set by the manufacturers for how these motorcycles were designed to be ridden. It becomes an art form like no other form of motorsports."

XDL Championship Series gets underway at Maryland International Raceway July 21 and 22, in Budds Creek, Maryland.

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Duck Tape Racing's Michael Beard Takes the Win at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina

Jun 20, 2012

After bolting in a bulletproof Moser M60 and some new Mickey Thompson slicks the car was ready.

Everyone enjoys the exhilarating experience the Winner's Circle seems to convey but, how does one continue to be number one? On the Drag Strip, a complex combination of skill, consistency, knowledge, and patience is required to bring home a Wally. One racer in particular who seems to be aware of this combo is Michael Beard. Patience has been his main focus for quite some time and we can easily say it is paying off.

Between April and May of 2012 there were some setbacks with the Duck Tape sponsored Super Stock Volare. A new rear end and tire combination had to be installed in the classic body Dodge. A drag racer with a broken car is like making a child do his chores before he can go out and play. The only thing standing in the way is the dirty work. After bolting in a bullet proof Moser M60 and some new Mickey Thompson slicks the car was able to return get back on the track in late May.

Once Beard and the Duck Tape Volare began making runs at the Spring Fling, electrical problems seemed to arise.

The first destination with the new and improved Volare was Mooresville Dragway. This event was used to prepare for the K&N Spring Fling at Thunder Valley in Bristol Tennessee. After 3 passes Beard felt confident enough to tackle to generously large field of cars in Thunder Valley.

Once Beard and the Duck Tape Volare began making runs at the Spring Fling, electrical problems seemed to arise. They were able to compete all four days but, did not find their way into the Winner's Circle. Beard claims it was not a total loss because, "The Duck Tape Volare caught the lens of multiple photographers, and each run was broadcast on the live streaming webcast, which garnered over 39,000 unique viewers." This is one of the biggest "foot brake" drag races of the year and competing itself is an accomplishment. Beard also had the opportunity to participate as backup announcer for the event. Keep in mind the Duck Tape Volare has not seen the Winner's Circle or for quite some time. Patience is a virtue.

After 8 elimination rounds Beard found himself holding the ridiculously large check at the end of the event.

Things have seemed to make a change for the better recently as the wins have been more frequent. After swapping out the fuel management system testing continued at Rockingham Dragway in order to get the race car dialed in. Beard said, "Saturday and Sunday ended with close early exits in eliminations." Fouling out lights on the tree will not get any drag racer very far in the rounds but, on Monday the race car was hitting on all cylinders. Beard was nailing the tree with excellent reaction times of .002, .004, .014, .027, and .010 between rounds. After 8 elimination rounds Beard found himself holding the ridiculously large check at the end of the event.

The success continued the next weekend as Beard subbed in for the driver on the Duck Tape sponsored Stock Dodge Dart run by Terry Knott. Beard managed to click off a perfect reaction time for the win in round 2 against division 1 racer Jeff Gardiner. Beard went on to win the event that Saturday. Not a victory for the Volare but, a win none the less.

This past weekend was the third week in a row that the Duck Tape team found their way into the Winner's Circle only this time a victory for Beard and Knott. Beard's win last weekend has bumped him to a points lead in the IHRA division 2 Super Stock category. He now leads by 142 points. Let's just say Beard seems to have the proper combinations of tools to carry his sponsors, like K&N Engineering, to the Winner's Circle.

The next big task for Beard is racing in the NHRA Div. 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atlanta next week. Plenty of testing will be completed in the meantime. Congrats to Michael Beard for his dedication and hard work. Keep it up!

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Kyle Larson Wins the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Race at Gresham in Georgia

Jun 20, 2012

Bryan Ortiz sliding down the backstretch after a wreck.

A newcomer and a part-timer took the spotlight away from the top drivers in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia. Rookie Kyle Larson won the Slack Auto Parts 150, the first of his K&N Pro Series East career, taking the lead on lap 146 and holding it for the last five laps of the race.

Cale Conley, making only his third start of the K&N Pro Series East this season, won the pole and led the first 145 laps of the race. But he spun his tires on the final restart allowing Larson to pass for the lead. "I just got lucky there," said Larson, a driver from Elk Grove, California. "I spun my tires really bad and fell back to fourth and we got a red and they put me back up to second. I started on the inside row and just didn't spin my tires. I beat him into (turn) 1 on the restart."

Kyle Larson thanking the fans from victory lane.

Larson won the pole, led for 35 laps and finished fifth in the K&N Pro Series East race at Bowman Gray Stadium on June 2. He has three top-five finishes in six K&N Pro Series East races. Conley held on for second place giving him two top-fives in three K&N Pro Series East starts. He said after the race being the runner-up left a sting, though. "Next time I'm definitely not going to spin the tires," Conley said. "Gosh, I'm going to think about this one all the way home. This is going to be frustrating, Second place in a NASCAR race, this is what we dream of. We're here. We're all healthy. We're all blessed to be here. Let's looks at the positives, not at the negatives."

Brett Moffitt was third, his fourth top-five finish in K&N Pro Series East races. "We had a really good car," Moffitt said. "It's tough racing here. It's all about where you start on a restart whether you're going forward or backward. It came down to the end there and we were in a decent spot. I guess we were lucky to hang on to third. It was a rough night, but hopefully we'll go to Langley and run a little bit better."

Chase Elliott, the leader in the K&N Pro Series East standings after six races, finished in 12th place at Gresham. Larson moved up to second place in the East Series standings with the win. He is three points behind Elliott. Larson is also the sixth different winner and the third first-time winner in six K&N Pro Series East races this year. Larson said after the race he had to make adjustments throughout the race, especially after caution periods. "We definitely didn't have the best car on the short runs," said Larson. "We probably were the best car on the longer runs, but we kept getting all the yellows."

Corey LaJoie, who won the previous K&N Pro Series East race at Bowman Gray Stadium, was fourth at Gresham. Ben Kennedy was fifth.

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Corey LaJoie Takes the Checkered Flag at the K&N Pro Series Race at Bowman in North Carolina

Jun 20, 2012

Corey LaJoie takes the checkered flag.

After years of runner-up finishes and near-misses, Corey LaJoie won the first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina and made a huge jump in the East Series standings. LaJoie etched his name next to NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Tim Flock, previous winners at Bowman Gray Stadium. "It's awesome and it's an elite group of people," La Joie said. "I have a long, long, long way to go to catch up to the prestige of those guys. I'm just happy to get into Victory Lane once."

The 20 year-old son of two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Randy LaJoie was second at Bowman Gray Stadium in last year's K&N Pro Series race at the track. He had three runner-up finishes in his career racing in the K&N Pro Series East. "It took a long time to get to this point," LaJoie said. "The Lord gives a lot of trials to, I think, build my faith to come to this moment and be strong with my faith. I'm just so blessed and grateful to be here talking with you guys."

Corey LaJoie and his team celebrating their victory.

Rookie Kyle Larson won the pole and led 35 of the first 36 laps of the race. LaJoie, who started the race on the front row with Larson, led the first lap of the race. Larson passed LaJoie on the second lap and held the lead until lap 36. LaJoie regain the lead on lap 37 and was out front for the remainder of the race, including a green-white-checkered flag finish. "When that caution came and the green-white-checkered, I was like, 'Oh no, same song and dance here,'" LaJoie said. "'I'm going to be on the right side of it this year, not on the wrong side.'"

Corey LaJoie being presented with the 1st place trophy.

There were 10 yellow flag cautions and one red flag caution period in the race. Chase Elliott spun out in turn 4 with five laps to go in the race and set up the green-white-checkered flag finish. Darrell Wallace Jr. was second in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 150. "It's definitely been up and down for us," Wallace said. "We already got our win out of the way. It's Bowman Gray-style racing there. It was a hard-fought battle from lap one to lap 150."

Rookie Bryan Ortiz, a driver from Puerto Rico, was third, the first podium finish of his K&N Pro Series East career. "It wasn't a win, but it was a good step forward for me," Ortiz said. "I'm very, very happy for today."

Rookie Harrison Rhodes was fourth, followed by Larson in fifth. Elliott, the leader in the K&N Pro Series East standings, was sixth. He has 16-point lead over LaJoie in the K&N Pro Series East standings after five races. LaJoie moved up from fifth to second place in the East Series standings after the Bowman Gray race.

There have been five different winners in the five K&N Pro Series East races this year. Elliott recorded his fifth top-10 finish of the season. LaJoie has three top-five finishes in five races.

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Greg Pursley Takes the Win at the K&N Pro Series Race at the Bullring in Las Vegas

Jun 20, 2012

Greg Pursley leads Dylan Kwasniewski in Las Vegas.

Greg Pursley won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at the Bullring in Las Vegas for the second year in a row. His trip to Victory Lane was not nearly as dominant as it was last year though. Pursley qualified third, passed his Gene Price Motorsports teammate Dylan Kwasniewski on lap 12, and won by a mere 0.700 seconds.

"It was a great race," Pursley said. "We had a really good car there and a really good battle there with Dylan. Our car, on a restart, wouldn't start going until about 10 laps in. We had a great battle with him there at the end. Kid's a great driver, but our car was just a little bit better and had a little bit more at the end."

Pursley and Kwasniewski gave Gene Price Motorsports a 1-2 finish in the Star Nursery 200. Kwasniewski won the pole and maintained his lead in the K&N Pro Series West standings. "That's two in a row here and we just can't be proud enough," Pursley said.

Greg Pursley celebrates his victory in Vegas.

Pursley, the driver of the No. 26 Ford, won his second race of the season and the 11th of his K&N Pro Series West career. Pursley worked his way to the front on lap 12 and held the lead for 147 laps before Kwasniewski regained the lead. "It's pretty critical to get a good restart here," Pursley said. "You want to be on the bottom. I knew we had a little bit better car than him, so I was going to try and get in back a little later. It worked out for us. I'm just really proud of my Gene Price Motorsports guys. It's a brand new car, first race on it. I'm just really proud of them."

Kwasniewski was out front for the next 32 laps including a caution period that started on lap 184. Jessica Brunelli spun out in turn 4 and brought out the 10th caution flag of the night. When the race restarted on lap 192, Pursley passed Kwasniewski and stayed out front for the last eight laps of the race. "He had a good car and I definitely knew he was on my bumper," Kwasniewski said. "We'll come back and we'll definitely put it to him the next race."

Jonathan Gomez was third, followed by David Mayhew in fourth and rookie Cameron Hayley in fifth. "I knew it was going to be hot, but it took a toll on the car," Gomez said. "The car ran really hot the whole race. I went through like three bottles of water. But the car was really good. I'm happy to be in the top three. It's good for the team. Good momentum. We're moving forward every race."

Kwasniewski has a 12-point lead over Pursley in the K&N Pro Series West standings after seven races. Each driver has won two races. Kwasniewski has seven top-five finishes to Pursley's six. "Second place is alright," Kwasniewski said. "I know it's not a win, but I lost to Greg, so it's definitely better than losing to somebody else."

The Star Nursery 200 will be televised on Speed on June 14 at noon PDT. The next K&N Pro Series West race is the Pick-N-Pull Racing To Stop Hunger 200 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on June 23.

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