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Hunt Motorsports - Over Two Decades of Drag Racing Excellence and Counting

Mar 8, 2011

In the opening race for Hunt Motorsports, Michael made it through two rounds in Super/Comp and three rounds in Super/Gas, losing only to the eventual winner.

Hunt Motorsports located in El Paso, Texas, has been drag racing for over 20 years, during that time they have claimed several track championships, and won many Big-Money bracket races. Owner and driver, Michael Hunt, racing in the IHRA Super/Rod class, finished third in the world, his best finish to date. Michael has also been Division 4 champion. His appearances in the NHRA have taken him deep into the rounds in both Super/Comp and Super/Gas competition. The team's other driver and Michael's son, Ryan, finished ninth in Division 4 Quick/Rod in his very first full season of racing. Last year in 2010 Ryan won the track championship, plus he won a Big-Money bracket race and came in second in another, which is pretty much unheard of so early in a race career.

The hood scoop designed by two K&N engineers and Michael Hunt continues to very successful for Don Davis Corvette owners.

"By the way, dad finished third that weekend, making it a long standing dream come true for Hunt Motorsports," remarked Michael.

Hunt Motorsports is a family team, which is crewed by Connie and Rhen Hunt. In addition, Connie, Michael's wife, also has the title of chef, manager, motivator and consoler. Everyone is involved and contributes where they can to make the team work.

It is a huge honor to be associated with K&N the world's leader in filtration," said Michael. K&N products give us peace of mind, in that we don't worry about how our air and oil is filtered, and we don't worry about failures."

Big-Money bracket racing offers big checks to the winner, this one belonged to Michael's talented son Ryan.

Michael's association with K&N began with the development of a custom air filter which he needed for his Don Davis Corvette. Working with two K&N engineers, Geoff Nelson and Jonathan Fiello, they created a special hood scoop that continues to be very successful with Don Davis Corvettes all over the country.

"It was simply a marriage made in heaven," commented Michael.

"Our goals for 2011 are to run as many NHRA, IHRA and Big-Money bracket races as possible," continued Michael. "We started our season this year at the NHRA Lucas Oil Division 7 race in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 18. We went two rounds in Super/Comp and three rounds in Super/Gas, losing in Super/Gas to the eventual winner. Not a bad weekend considering we had a few gremlins to work out, and with the weather cutting our time trial short, leaving us to race on Monday. Unfortunately our future racing for 2011 is up in the air. On Tuesday, as we made our way home after the race, our motorhome was t-boned, and it got totaled. At this point we have no way of pulling our racecars and trailer to the races. Hopefully the insurance handles it quickly, so we can replace the motorhome and get back to our racing schedule."

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.

Bryan Clauson Racing and R&B Truckers Unite as USAC National Sprint Car Team

Mar 7, 2011

USAC National Sprint Car Series Racer Bryan Clauson

At the outset of the 2011 race season Corey Tucker Racing and Bryan Clauson Inc. announced their return to the USAC National Sprint Car Series. Bryan Clauson, the 2010 USAC National Drivers Champion will once again be piloting the familiar K&N sponsored number 7 car. Curb Agajanian, who has a storied history in American Motorsports, will also be taking an ownership role in this new endeavor.

The number 7 entry landed on the podium two out of three races in the season opener.

Last weekend in the season opener at the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint race at Ocala Speedway, Florida, the number 7 entry landed on the podium with a solid third-place finish. The dynamic new team followed that up with a convincing victory the very next evening, as the Noblesville, Indiana, driver led the final eight laps.

"I would have never guessed that on our second night out we would have parked it in the circle picking up win number one for the season. The new Spike performed flawlessly and the Foxco Power Plant was hitting on all cylinders all night long," remarked Tim Clauson.

The third night out, Bryan was once again very much in contention, before getting caught up in an incident with 15 laps to go. Bryan's never say die attitude allowed him to pass 11 cars in 10 laps to finish 11th, and salvage a decent points night.

"It felt really good to roll out of the trailer so good, so quick," said Tim. "We felt like we had a pretty good baseline based on what we did last year, but to be one of the top three cars every time we hit the track was something we did not expect."

Clauson Racing didn't really get serious about putting this team deal together until the night before the Chili Bowl in January.

"Bryan had a couple of offers with a couple of really good teams, but we kept getting asked the same question - why aren't you doing your own thing? After awhile we started asking ourselves that too. We went to a couple of partners of ours, really just to get some advice, and they said - why not?"

"We basically built this program in the matter of a few weeks between the Chili Bowl and Florida. We are blessed with really good guys in the shop and they have an understanding of how we want to do things. Spike stepped up and got our cars built, and we were blessed that Roger and Barb Tapy of R&B Truckers wanted to get involved, and had a couple of engines ready to roll. So, it was really just a matter of working hard, gathering pieces and parts, and getting them together."

Tim explains that the first night out was really a just a get-acquainted night for him, Bryan and the new car. But they discovered they were very fast from the practice session on, and they even had a real shot in the first race, as they ran down the leaders, but a lapped car got in the way and first and second got away. During their get-acquainted gathering they had wisely opted to stay on the safe side and not beat themselves.

"The second night we gained on it, we got a little more aggressive with the set-up and Bryan got more comfortable, and we just kind of rolled around there really nice," said Tim. "Bryan did a great job of finding the track. And actually the third night might of been the best we had down there, but we got caught up in another's mess going for the lead."

"We changed a lot of our program from where we were in 2009," continued Tim. "We changed chassis, we went with the new Spike cars. The guys at Spike have built our Midgets over the past few years and we have been extremely fast with them. They were getting into the Sprint Car game, and it made sense to try and keep our programs all in the same place. They build safe, fast, racecars, and they are always there when we need them."

"In 2009 we also had great support from Gaerte race engines, but with the addition of R&B Truckers, and their association with Foxco, we made the change to their engines. We were really happy with the performance of the engine program in Florida, and really look forward to getting on some tracks that are more familiar to us. One thing that didn't change was our use of K&N Filters and products on the Midget and Sprint Car."

"Our goals for 2011 are very simple, win races and win the USAC National Championship, in both the Midget and the Sprint Car. We won last year's owner and driver championship, so when we sat down and evaluated what we needed to do to win a Sprint Car championship, and we decided that we needed was to control our own destiny."

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.

K&N's Shea Holbrook Approaches 2011 With a More Aggressive Winning Attitude

Mar 7, 2011

After wrecking her car in the last race at VIR last year, Shea has her ride is back in great shape for this year.

Being the new kid in class tends to stifle your true nature, you wanna make a good impression, so you hold back. Last year Shea Holbrook's was a rookie making her pro racing debut in the World Challenge Touring Car Series, but according Shea, this year she's not holding anything back. So, when the 2011 season begins at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 25-27th, sitting behind the wheel of her number 67 Honda Civic Si, you'll find a more aggressive person, both on and off the track.

Shea Holbrook isn't holding back in 2011, after making her pro racing debut last year, Shea says this year she's coming hard.

"We took a lot away from the 2010 season. There were many things we were proud that we did, and some things we would have changed, it's a learning process," said the Groveland, Florida, resident. "I think you will see a more competitive person this year. Last year, I put my out-spokeness in the background, which wasn't easy because I am an out-spoken person"

"Because it was our first year, we wanted to perform to the best of our abilities, and respect the veterans of the sport. You could say, we were playing the nice card off track. I know I proved myself on track, especially at the Streets of Toronto, when I took Robb Holland for P5. At the time, I really only knew the Holland name, and that I wanted to get him. After that race Holland came over to congratulate the team. Last year we were there to participate because we knew our car wasn't perfected to its prime. The 2011 season we're coming hard. This year I'm determined to be on podium."

Team owner, Jeff Holbrook concurs, "We're entering the 2011 season with winning attitudes. Shea has put a tremendous amount of effort into her racing career and K&N and Lucas Oil are our driving force. We have partnered with K&N and Lucas Oil for the 2011 season. K&N is a leading and innovative filter technology company for automotive applications. K&N has hit the motorsports market worldwide. To be an image for K&N is unbelievable, and I'm extremely thankful to be a part of it."

The 2010 season with World Challenge Touring Car did end on a positive note for Shea Racing. "With plenty of hard work we were able to capture sixth-place in the championship," commented Shea.

Shea explains that last season was truly an eye opener for her, in discovering just what the professional racing world is really all about.

"I was determined to have a fantastic rookie season on and off track. Every race we attended we finished in the top-ten and our best finish was a fifth-place. World Challenge presents the absolute best sports car fans. I was amazed by how much we were able to interact with fans. It's a blessing to be a part of a well-known, very competitive race series, and after last year I think we learned our spot."

Shea is a junior majoring in communications at UCF, and besides studying during the off season, Shea says she was able to lay down some rubber driving other cars around the Florida area.

"Unfortunately, in the last weekend we attended at VIR (Virginia International Raceway) in 2010, we got wrecked out on the start of the last race. This caused a lot of car damage, and all we could see were dollar signs. Last year we barely had any funding, and every minor, or major damage to the car had a price tag for us to pay. Therefore, our plans of testing the car during the off season really went out the window. Although, I'm happy to say with that with some funding backing us for the 2011 season, our Honda Civic Si is in great shape, and we'll be testing twice before the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg."

Shea says she has put a lot of expectations on herself for the 2011 season. "I'd like to win the hard charger and best move of the race awards once, along with being on podium, and winning a few races. I strongly believe I have it in me to be one of the best, and I know the team wants it badly enough to do everything possible to get us there. Lucas Oil is sponsoring the Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 16-17th. It's exciting to have partnered with such strong forces in the motorsports industry." K&N and Shea Racing have been partnered for three years now."

Shea will also continue to use her racing skills to help fund several causes near to her heart, foremost being the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which has affected her own family. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year). "Racing for a Cure to END Duchenne" is name of Shea's charity.

"Duchenne is a cruel disease and it affects my family. I have two cousins with Duchenne, Matthew (1989-2008) and Jordan. Matthew and I were the same age, his passing made me realize I had to do something to better Jordan's life before its too late. From there Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and I began working together to educate, and raise awareness and funds to find a cure. Utilizing my professional racing career to help benefit Duchenne was a no-brainer. What young man doesn't like race cars!"

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.

National Champion Pro-lite Off Road Racer Marty Hart

Mar 7, 2011

"Winning championships never gets old, each one you earn just gets sweeter" and that is exactly what Marty Hart does in his Pro-lite Off Road Racing Truck, win championships. Hart has been doing so for about 20 years. He told us "I started in motorcross, went to ATV racing because I love dirt, if it throws dirt I will ride it or drive it." From 1983 to 1988 Hart was an American Honda Factory ATV Rider.

Pro-lite Off Road Racing Driver Marty Hart

Hart has done well over the years and made a name for himself in the off-road world.

Marty Hart and his Pro-lite Off Road Racing Truck

His wins, awards and championships include; 1984 Score Baja 1000 Overall, 250cc ATV Class, and first 3-Wheel team to beat all vehicles, 1984, 1985 and 1986 AATVA Grand National Championship 4-Wheelers, 1990 Score Off-Road Series Class 5 Championship, 2005 ESPN Great Outdoor Games - Gold Medal Winner Terracross Event, 2005 Rookie of the Year - W.E. Rock, 2007 Rookie of the Year - WSORR Pro-lite, 2008 CORR Pro-lite Championship, 2009 2nd TORC Pro-lite and most recently 2010 Lucas Oil Offroad Series-Prolite Championship winner. Marty Hart's latest victory, the 2010 series championship, was won in his 2010, Keith Stamper-built Prolite truck.

Hart attributes his success to thorough car prep, strong team support and DESIRE. Speaking of team support, besides man and machine, Marty gets help from his crew Jason, Will, Mike & Dan. He also gets a lot of his support from his wife, Sharon. Wins like Marty's can't happen without great sponsors as well. Some of Hart's sponsors include Maxxis, Redilift, K&N, ProAm, Kolpin, Lucas Oil, Fiberworks, Fox and Simpson. Hart tell us "My K&N filters help improve engine life in a class that is brutal on engines. I have used K & N throughout my racing career and have never used any of their competitors. K & N helps me race at my best and that's the way it's going to stay."

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.

K&N Team Green Rider Wins the Team Green - 2010 Rider of the Year Award

Mar 4, 2011

Wise before his years, Trevor says he didn't win the Rider of the Year award, his entire family did.

"I was given the award," said 13-year-old Trevor Pearson, "But my family won it. I didn't win it. We did."

13-year-old Trevor Pearson is the reigning Team Green - 2010 Rider of the Year.

Trevor is an eighth grader at George Elliot Secondary School, and it when it comes to life, or racing fundamentals, he's way ahead of the learning curve. As a member of K&N's Team Green Riders, he clinched the "Team Green - 2010 Rider of the Year Award."

2010 was the first year for Canadian Kawasaki's "Team Green - Rider Support Program," a program were riders signed up through their local dealerships and then reported their race results directly through a Team Green website. The rider of the year award was then given to the top Kawasaki rider in Canada, regardless of discipline, meaning it includes all sanctioning bodies of motocross, cross-country, Enduros, and so on. The winner is based on an overall point total for the entire year, which thereby implies a torrid level of racing consistency and perseverance.

Trevor's dad says that one of the mitigating factors for his son's success this year is that he simply loves to race.

"I think that Trevor's success can be attributed to a couple of mitigating factors. First of all, though maybe not the most important, he truly loves to race," remarked Chris Pearson, Trevor's dad.

Not only is the award a huge source of pride for Chris and the entire family, but it also upped Chris' "cool" quotient several notches at work, as Chris is District Manager, Canadian Kawasaki Inc.

"He enjoys the competition and the challenge of riding against top caliber riders. Although I don't believe that this in particular is what gave him the drive to finish the season with the results he did, I do believe that it is what kept him going when exhaustion and disappointment would have stopped others."

Chris explains that the real key to Trevor's continuing success is the relationship he shares with his brother, as well as the respect and admiration that he has for his mother's courage dealing with her own challenges. Trevor's mom was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis, yet her unwavering focus has steadfastly remained on the family.

"Trevor's focus was never in winning the "Team Green - Rider of the Year", it was simply to get better and spend as much time with the family as possible - until we couldn't."

"Witnessing firsthand the courage and determination of both his mom and brother as they struggled through rehabilitation, put his own challenges in perspective," adds Chris. (Justin, Trevor's brother, had a horrendous crash and broke his leg in six places halfway through last season.) "During that time, we focused on the positive things in our life - the fact that we could travel together, work together, and ultimately 'win' together - it gave each of us the opportunity to celebrate and remain positive, despite some of the other circumstances that we were facing. As a father looking in, I believe that this is what drove Trevor, his brother, and our family, to succeed."

Chris says his own clear perception of being a father was passed along from his dad, a great role model. And although his own father was always the definitive "father figure," he also continues to be one of Chris' closest friends.

"I have tried to emulate him as a father myself, and in doing so, have tried to teach my kids three things."

"Faith - that though things don't always work out the way we want, we trust that they'll work out the way that they should."

"Perseverance - it's not the results that define us, but rather the choices we made on our journey to get there."

"And respect - which is difficult to earn, easy to lose, and owed to those around us."

Chris has now prolifically passed on these essential values to his own family, continuing with the straightforward aphorism that a building a better world begins at home.

"Trevor has a great balance right now," continues Chris. "He is an Honor Roll student, and accomplished musician, and enjoys playing a number of different sports. Motocross is most definitely his favorite, and while I think that it's important to let it run its course, I also believe that racing must remain 'fun.' For 2011, Trevor will race both the Vancouver Mainland and Vancouver Island race series. In addition, Trevor would also like to run into Washington State and race against some different riders, as well as participating in the Western Canadian Amateur Championships in Raymond, Alberta."

Both Trevor and Justin will be working with CnC Crash Co. /BC Team Green Race Team for 2011. "In addition to racing at the above mentioned events, there will also be a strong 'non-profit' component to their 2011 efforts," adds Chris. "Last year, we helped organize the Kelowna and Victoria MX 'Ride for the Cure,' supporting Breast Cancer Research in British Columbia. We also coordinated the first ever 'Dry Grad Freestyle Show.' These events brought positive exposure to the Motocross community while also raising much need funds for two incredibly important causes."

"We realize the importance of having sponsors, and how their involvement makes it possible to participate in a far greater amount of events than you could as a privateer. While race results are important, the boys realize their responsibility to build exposure for their sponsor's products. Last year, we started making videos of the events that we participated in. This gave us the ability to keep our corporate partners updated on our progress, showcase our results, as well as acknowledge our sponsors involvement on a more global level. My daughter, Reanne, has taken an active role in this, and can be seen clicking pictures and video at the races, which can be viewed on YouTube under BCTeamGreen.

"Thank you to Johnny Jump and the staff at K&N for believing in us, and helping out all year long. You made it possible for us to achieve our goals."

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.

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