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El Gato Racing's Ernie Serfas Wins M.O.R. E. Balls Out 250 Desert Race

Apr 27, 2011

The 302 powered four-link Ford Ranger number 1449 is piloted by Shawn Walters and Justin Rhynes.

El Gato Racing from Big Bear Lake, California runs two trucks in the 1450 Sportsman Class. Team owner Carl Walters' philosophy is that El Gato is all about the team and he doesn't much go for idle chit-chat, so when he talks it's because there's something to say.

In 2011 it was Ernie Serfas getting the win at the Ball Out 250 in Barstow, driving the 1491 Trophy Truck.

"Ernie took a first in the desert in 1491. We only entered the one truck. We're going to expand our operation a little bit and bring the trucks to Glen Helen for both the short course and Baja Cup Challenge Series," reported Walters to K&N Race News.

The team has expanded their racing program to include Primm, Nevada, and Glen Helen raceways, as this year the expectations are that participation at these two spectator venues will increase sharply.

"It was supposed to be a year for depth and reorganization and that did happen, but the tragic incident in August that claimed so many lives also claimed a competing organization. The resultant governmental knee-jerk reaction has all but brought desert racing in California to its knees," says Walters, referring to the off-road race in southern California's Mojave Desert that claimed eight lives last year.

El Gato Racing's Ernie Serfas is the current class leader.

"Through it all El Gato raced and culminated last season with Ernie Serfas taking the win in the 1491 truck and J.J. Hanson in the 1469 truck backing him up with second place at the Toys for Tots Barstow event," continued Walters. "It was a nice sweep for the El Gato team in the 1450 Sportsman Class. It was also an uneventful race with both trucks completing the 200 mile event without mishap or breakdown."

"This is when and where the K&N products prove themselves time and time again," says Walters. "We stay competitive because we have this K&N support and that gives us the edge. Ernie recently backed up his December win with yet another first place at the March 21 Balls Out 250."

In 2010 El Gato Racing won and took second place in the M.O.R. E. (Mojave Off-Road Racing Enthusiast) Balls Out 250 desert off-road race. "Over the past several years M.O.R.E. has emerged as the premier Southern California desert race scene and we're going to stay with them," Walters said.

This year Serfas is the current class leader, "And he's going for the title," adds Walters. "In the meantime two of our roving pit members, Adam and Cory, are preparing a fresh trophy truck chassis which with any luck will debut later this fall."

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.

2010 to 2015 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with 6.2 Liter Engine Gets Serious Power with K&N

Apr 25, 2011

K&N Air Intake Installed on 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L

Dyno Chart for 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

Out of all Ford F-150 models available, the SVT Raptor is by far, the most exciting truck to drive. Geared toward higher performance than the other models, the F-150 SVT Raptor is a high-powered pickup truck designed for off-road domination. Ford’s website states that the Raptor gets 411 horsepower and 434 ft/lb of torque from models equipped with the 6.2L engine. The SVT Raptor’s bold appearance, aggressive power and durable construction make it a great truck to own.

K&N Air Intake System for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F-150 Raptor 6.2L 2010-f-150-raptorS

In order to squeeze more power and torque out of your 6.2L engine, K&N designed a performance air intake system 77-2579KTK for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor models that have the 6.2L engine. The 77-2579KTK was dyno-tested and produced an estimated gain of 20 horsepower at 4830 rpm. This is a significant amount of extra power resulting from a simple cold air intake installation.

Detailed installation instructions with color photo illustrations are included in the 77-2579KTK air intake system packaging. Since the OEM airbox and washer reservoir are mounted together, the K&N air intake system also includes a new washer reservoir to replace the removed one. When it comes to adding significant performance to your Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, K&N’s 77-2579KTK is one of the most cost-effective ways available.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L

In addition to a guaranteed performance boost, the 77-2579KTK was designed with a washable high flow K&N air filter, part RF-1044XD, so it can be cleaned, oiled and reused. This air filter can go for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings depending on driving conditions. Once it does get dirty K&N’s Recharger Kit makes the cleaning process very simple.

K&N backs the 77-2579KTK with a million mile limited warranty. It will be the last air intake and filter your Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 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.

Jason Line Tightens Up Chase for Number One Spot in 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge After Concord

Apr 22, 2011

K&N Horsepower Challenge Driver Jason Line

Taking the pole position for race day in NHRA Pro Stock had been a long time coming for Jason Line, the driver of one of the Summit Racing Pontiacs, and he not only had to wait until his return to the last facility he managed the feat, but knock off his teammate Greg Anderson in the process.

Jason Line with the Summit Racing NHRA Pro Stock Pontiac GXP

While Jason Line was pulling double-duty at the most recent NHRA national event in Concord, North Carolina, running both in Pro Stock and also Stock eliminator wheeling a 1970 Buick Grand Sport in C/SA, it was in the Pro Stock car where Line found his greatest success of the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Zmax Dragway.

Line had been sneaking up on his first number one qualifier of 2011, consistently moving up each and every event since the season start and just prior to the Concord event had made his best qualifying position of the still early season, grabbing number two at Las Vegas. It seemed to be only a matter of time before Line found his way back to a number one qualifier and at Concord only Mother Nature and Anderson were standing in his way.

During Pro Stock session one on Friday afternoon, Line was a part of the final four cars to head down the track and made a respectable 6.622 lap to land at number six on the sheet.

With major weather threatening the scheduled events for the following day and the removal of the provisional qualifying for the 4-Wide event, all teams looked to take full advantage of the cooler track conditions during Friday's second session. Both Line and his teammate moved up a good handful of spots to end the day at one and two, Line one-hundredth of a second behind Anderson's 6.566.

After numerous rain delays on Saturday and some extremely nasty ones at that, the professional classes finally got to take to the track late in the afternoon. During Line's foursome, which again was the last to run during the session, he along with Allen Johnson, K&N's Mike Edwards and Anderson were all able to make runs in the fifty's, but not able to improve on their efforts from the day before.

With little time between sessions, Line came back in the fourth and final early Saturday evening to lay down the best pass of the pack, posting a 6.562 and ripped the pole away from Anderson by a mere four-thousandths of a second. The feat marked Line's eighteenth NHRA Pro Stock number one qualifier.

Not only did the top spot earn Line the maximum event points in the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge, by doing so his team also grabbed the $3,000 bonus provided by K&N. With only five events left to earn points for the 2011 K&N Challenge, Line now moves within just fifteen points of current leader Allen Johnson.

The top seven qualified teams along with an eighth, as selected by fan vote, will battle it out for the largest single payday in all of NHRA Pro Stock. The 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge will be contested during the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio June 23-26, 2011.

The K&N Horsepower Challenge is not just for the Pro Stock competitors as it also includes a shot at one of eight trips to the 2011 K&N Horsepower Challenge event with the K&N Horsepower Sweepstakes. The grand prize winner will drive away in a 2011 Ford Explorer XLT! For complete sweepstakes rules and information plus online entry form, visit today!

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.

Cole Cabrera Won His First Super Late Model Race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Apr 22, 2011

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Racer Cole Cabrera

Often times, in the world of auto racing, drivers follow a natural progression on their way to the top. In NASCAR, it usually starts at the local short track, moving from Legends to Late Models, and eventually to the touring K&N Pro Series before arriving at the track for one of the Big 3 events. In Open Wheel cars, the progression starts in karting, moves to sprint cars, and then into formula cars and eventually one of several minor league divisions utilizing indy-like cars.

Cole Cabrera's #53 Stock Car

But, while most of the drivers who race at a premier level have graduated from a traditional development line, some drivers take extreme approaches. Some times it works, some times it fails, but at least they tried something different. For Cole Cabrera, it appears to be working. The California kid has never stayed in a series for more than two years, yet finds his name listed amongst the most intriguing stock car prospects on the west coast.

At 14, he captured his first win in the ASA Truck Series (only the second 14-year-old to do so) in just his second series start. At 16, he jumped head first into the three elite stock car classes on the west coast. First, he debuted his K&N Pro Series car at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, shocking the likes of Steven Wallace, Eric Holmes, Jason Bowles and other veterans of the NASCAR world by racing his way into the main event in the last chance qualifier.

Cole Cabrera won his first Super Late Model race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring

Then, less than a month ago, he grabbed headlines again, winning in his first ever Super Late Model start at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring.

Did it surprise him? Of course not.

"I hope this doesn't sound conceited, but I believe I can win every time I race," said the 16-year-old. "It's the edge I think I need to perform at this level. The competition is so tough, sometimes I look around at the track and think 'Wow! There's twenty teams that could win this race.'"

Cabrera has fallen on harder times in the last month. Although he has had Top-5 cars on the speed charts during a Super Late race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and both SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour races so far, Cabrera has zero quality finishes to show, running into a myriad of problems not of his doing. Still, Cabrera is not worried.

"We have worked really hard to get me where I'm at. It's not by luck. We test a lot and my crew chief Mike Munoz is always building the next fast setup. I work hard to understand racecars and that gives me an advantage. I try to take an intelligent approach to my racing," Cabrera added.

Intelligent might best describe Cabrera's approach at Las Vegas, when he used patience to work track stalwart Alex Haas, finally making a pass with 5 laps to go.

"It felt great. It always does win you beat the best. I've raced against older, stronger talent my whole life. The saying 'You're only as good as your competition' is a favorite of mine. I never underestimate my competitors, so that makes beating them all the better."

Cabrera, who started his racing career on dirt, first on quads, then motorcycles, and finally in Sprint Cars before moving to the pavement in a INEX Legend car, ranked his win at LVMS just ahead of his experience at the Showdown, but only because he "really likes winning."

"I think I could have won the Showdown, but we really didn't show up with good enough equipment. But it was a great learning experience."

Cabrera will compete for the SRL Championship full time this season. The series returns to Las Vegas in May. The SRL already visited The Bullring, and Cabrera got everyone's attention at a track he now feels very comfortable at, making him a popular pick to be the next first-time winner in the Southwest Tour. The team will also continue running the Super Late at The Bullring, Toyota Speedway, Orange Show Speedway, and Cabrera will make a few more starts in the K&N Pro Series as 2011 advances into the summer.

When asked about K&N's products, Cabrera lit up. "I grew up with K&N, it's all I know! Everything else is an imitation to me. K&N Filters are in everything we have, from our racecars, to our personal cars, and even our toys. I'm all about my equipment being the best, and you can't have that without K&N."

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.

Modified Kart Racer Mitch Guthrie Jr. and the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series

Apr 22, 2011

Modified Kart Racer Mitch Guthrie Jr.

Mitch Guthrie Jr. is not your normal high school freshman. While most teenagers are finishing up their first year of high school, planning summer vacation and avoiding the senior bullies, Guthrie is strapping into his Modified Kart in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series on the weekends, where he is currently battling Mitchell DeJong for the championship.

Guthrie Racings' Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Modified Kart

Guthrie started the year with a disappointing 8th place finish in a race marred by crashes, but the following day, picked up the win at Firebird Raceway. Three weeks later, Guthrie found himself on the podium two more times, capturing 2nd on Saturday and the win on Sunday at Speedworld Off Road Park.

Ever confident in his ability, Guthrie delivered a calm response when asked about his team's recovery from the opening round crash. "It felt very good to get a couple wins. I knew we could do it."

Mitch Guthrie Jr. is no stranger to the podium in 2011

The win's are far from Gurthrie's first in the wild world of off road racing. Last season, Guthrie finished 4th overall, and 2nd in the regional point's standings, collecting a win and 4 podium finishes. In 2009 he captured the TORC 250cc Modified Kart Championship. This season, he is looking to regain his championship form of two years ago.

"I need to stay consistent and win races. Hopefully we can get the points lead for good and win the championship. We've had good trucks. I just had to put the wreck behind me and be confident."

Mission accomplished.

Guthrie says his friends from school think the racing looks cool, but his closest friends are the ones at the track, often times his biggest competition. "I don't think my (school) friends even realize how fast we are going. I think my closest friends are actually the one's I race with every weekend."

Guthrie is already an accomplished student and racer, and if all goes well in 2011, he has his eyes set on moving up to a bigger division next year.

"I want to hopefully move up to a class like Pro Lite V8. The goal is to keep moving up into bigger and faster vehicles until I hit the top."

Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2011 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will be held in San Bernardino, CA at Glen Helen Raceway on May 21-22.

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.