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Bob Fuller Looks Forward to 2011 NHRA Season & Addition of Second Gen K&N Scoops

Feb 7, 2011

Bob Fuller's New Top Dragster waiting for the New K&N Scoop

While 2010 started off for Bob Fuller the way any racer would like for it to, with NHRA National Event victory right out of the gate when he grabbed the coveted Wally in Super Comp during the NHRA Midwest Nationals, it didn't play out the way he had planned it.

Due to some family medical problems, Fuller made the decision mid-season to concentrate his efforts at home and not out chasing points.

Fuller's have used K&N Filters on their cars for many years.

With renewed vigor, and a new dragster added to their stable, Fuller began testing the new Top Dragster combination late last fall in preparations for what could be one wild 2011 season for the Fuller race team.

"The new Top Dragster car that we are bringing out this year is going to run the nitrous and all alcohol and we are pretty excited about that deal," said Fuller. "The car is a 256 inch Davis with the one piece body with the carbon wing and canards. We bracket raced just a little with it a smaller motor in it than what we will run this year for the Top Dragster class."

Team Fuller's NHRA National Event Winning Super Gas Corvette

While there are many drivers who hope to easily lose some weight between seasons, for Fuller it was actually his new dragster that shed quite a few pounds.

"We were up around 1940 pounds," confessed Fuller of the new dragster's weight. "So we dropped an aluminum block in it, it's a completely different motor basically, with the twelve degree heads and all that. It can run 6.90's to 7-flat on a good day and then we are going to spray down to the 6.40 range."

In addition to competing in Top Dragster, a new class for Fuller, he is also looking forward to the added benefits of the new K&N Second Generation Composite Dragster Scoops that he will be utilizing on both the Super Comp and the Top Dragster entries this year. "I have heard a lot about them and discussed them with Bob [Harris] from K&N at PRI [Trade Show]," said Fuller of the new K&N dragster scoops. "I have heard of guys picking up four mile-per-hour when they switched to this new K&N scoop and I'm anxious to see what it does for our cars."

The Fuller team will once again tackle NHRA Division 5 and they have quite a full season of action in the works.

"I think what we have planned here is Tony [Fuller] is going to run Super Street in the Camaro and we are getting some more work done on it. It's actually Scotty and Edmond's [Richardson] old car," he said. "We've actually had the car for fifteen years and this year we are also putting one of the new K&N scoops, the carbon fiber one and dropping a new hood on it. Tony ran the car just a little bit last year but this year he's going to run the whole deal and try to win the Super Street championship in Division 5 along with running his dragster."

"What I'm going to do is probably go a little crazy here, well it's going to sound crazy," he smiled. "I'm going to run the Top Dragster when I can. Super Comp and Super Gas will be our main object in the national event schedule. We are going to run all the divisionals and twelve nationals."

Fuller made an announcement about what had been rather secretive plans…until now.

With the elimination of the "Scotty Rule" in NHRA, where if a driver entered the Super Street class, it was the only class they could enter, both Fullers plan on entering events throughout the 2011 season in Super Street and an additional class.

"Tony has a plan," he chuckled. "He plans on resubmitting the rule when we go to our first race in Belle Rose and make it the 'Tony Rule' since he's probably going to win in Super Street and Super Comp."

Not to be outdone, Bob has some pretty big plans of his own that he would like to fulfill in 2011.

"My goal this year is that I want to win in four categories," he paused. "Well not that I'm going to win in all four categories this year but I want to win in the other two categories that I haven't yet, which are Top Dragster and Super Street. I really want to be like those other guys who are in that very elite club."

"You gotta dream," he added.

While Team Fuller looks forward to the addition of the new K&N Composite Scoops for several of their cars before the commencement of the 2011 season, they have used K&N filters, both air and oil, on all of their team car entries for many seasons.

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.

Jürgen Mohr - Twice European Quad Champion and Four-Time German Champion

Feb 7, 2011

Although racing with dated machinery, Mohr plans on winning his fifth German title this year.

Jürgen Mohr, the 40-year old rider from north Bavaria, won his first European Quad Championship in 2006. Three years later Mohr finished the 2009 ATV Cross Country race season with the European over 450cc Championship in the Baja Series, and the German-Enduro-Quad-Cup Series Championship. Racing a Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS, Mohr made history that year by becoming the first National Champion to also win a European Series title in the same year. He has in fact clinched the German title, the Deutscher Meister, four times - in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, and after talking with him it's clear he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

Jürgen Mohr has won the European Quad Champion twice and the German Championship four times, and he has every intention of adding more to his resume.

Mohr, it appears, is in fact just hitting his stride in the sport, as he already has race plans extending down the road several years. High up on his agenda too, is simply getting Germans to tune in, so they can see for themselves how truly exciting quad racing can be, and to dissuade them from thinking that bowling is indeed an extreme sport. We began our conversation with Mohr by getting caught up on how 2010 went for him.

"Well, I had some difficult technical problems last year. One engine problem destroyed my chances for the championship. In the last winter months, we spent some time, and energy, improving the engine's overall endurance and durability. This is the reason we were looking for professional help with our filters. So, that's how I found the partnership with K&N Filters. In 2010 I still placed second in the German championship, which is very good when you consider the engine problems. In 2011 I want to win my fifth German title, before I begin working on 2012, and learning about the Dakar Rally. In 2013 my aim is to race the Dakar and finish on the podium."

Mohr is looking forward to perhaps racing several WORC races in the states this year as well.

How did you get started and how long have you been racing?

"In 1999 I visited my brother in-law in the USA. That was the first time I got to know quad riding, on his pretty old four-stroke Suzuki. It was more trail riding than racing, through the woods in Pennsylvania. I used to race bikes in cross-country races in Germany first, and as I tried quad riding, I immediately loved the style. I came back to Germany and started quad racing in 2001. So now I've raced more than 180 races over the last 10 year, first in the motocross, and later in the enduro, cross-country and Baja Races."

"I've been racing with K&N Filters on my KTM for the last four years, because I wanted to find some extra performance on my engines. In 2010 I got to know the people from K&N at the Intermot Show in Cologne, and we talked about a possible partnership. In a pragmatic way, Marcel Blom, and his colleagues offered me their support. As a four-time German Champion, and double European Baja Champion, I know a lot about quad racing, and definitely the experience exchange with real racers is also good for the K&N Company."

How popular is quad racing in Germany and Europe overall, does it have a large fan base, and is it still growing in popularity?

"Quad racing is coming up in Germany, but other countries are stronger at this point. In France, UK, Portugal and Spain you find more racers and more fans. During the Baja Races in Portugal for example, hundreds and sometimes thousands, of people are jumping out on the track. It feels like the Tour de France."

"In France you find some huge races too. In Pant de Vaux for example, you may see more than 12,000 spectators. And in the beach race in Le Touquet, more than 150,000 fans show up. Yeah, that's awesome."

"The big TV Stations like Eurosport are a little disappointing at the moment. You will find more coverage about darts and billiards, and even about this action sport 'bowling.' It makes me tired thinking about it. But, I am very confident for the future."

In 2008 I had the chance to make a little show on a big German TV program, more than 3.5 million people watched it. In another show, a camera team came to my practice session, to talk and film it. It's growing and we will continue to produce the best possible PR-Work we can."

How do you feel about your chances for another championship this year?

"I was training hard in the winter and I will try to win my fifth championship this year. It won't be easy though, because my race quads are two years old, and the engines are three years old. That's why we are so concerned with reliability."

Have you raced much in the United States, and if so, what are some of the differences from where you usually race?

"Not yet. But my next goal is to race one or two races in the WORC Series in the states this year. Right now I'm trying to connect and collect people for this plan. I supported the 16-year-old Supercross winner 'Prince of Dortmund,' Austin Politelli. I got to know his dad, who was a very successful quad racer in the 80's in the USA."

"Another important person is my friend Andy Green, who was racing on my own team in Germany in 2008 and 2009. He used to race in the GNC series a few years ago, and he taught me a lot about the scene. The main thing is to find a team in the USA that would be willing to make a race quad available for me."

"Another 'classic' race I want to have on my list is the Baja 1000. I think the big difference between USA and Europe, is opportunity for the top riders in America to concentrate on their sports 100 percent. They are professional and get big deals."

"When you look in the backyard of an American rider's house, you will often find they have their own practice track. As a European top rider you have to have one, or even two jobs, just to earn enough money to spend on your sport. Finding enough time for training and managing your team is very hard. You have to have 100 octane gas in your blood. But, it's exactly what I love to do, so I won't stop racing."

Do you have anything new or different for the 2011 race season in mind, and when does your race season get started?

"My first race is in March. This year my plan is to look even cooler than the guys up to 20 years younger. Ha-ha. For real though, I want to shock the German racing scene with my two strongest upcoming team members this year. They are two 14-year-old little fighters, and I expect to find them on the podium in the German Motocross Quad Sports scene. But, it's always hard work, and we need good luck and no injuries."

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.

Falkner Livingston Racing Competes as Spider Grips Ducati for Third Time in 2011

Feb 7, 2011

Rider/owner Paul Livingston at Bonneville on a team Hayabusa - top speed currently is 206.958 mph.

In racing there's no greater foe than the clock - it's relentless, impervious to pressure, and unerring. To beat it, you gotta bring it, you're not going to cheat it. Case-in-point, Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, breaking the 10-minute barrier for the run up the 14,110-foot mountain, has long been the Holy Grail for speed junkies the world over.

Spider Grips Ducati Team at Ducati Newport Beach for Team Introduction - riders Greg Tracy and Alexander Smith are sandwiched between owners Becca and Paul Livingston.

Train loads of money have been tossed at the mountain in the form of exotic, steroid-jacked, muscle vehicles, yet the clock has still never been bested. But with a new year comes new promise, and just maybe, in 2011 rubber crosses the finish line before the last tic goes tock. And just maybe, Falkner Livingston Racing, aka, Spider Grips Ducati, will be the one.

"2010 Was a really terrific year for us - most notably we raced as Spider Grips Ducati at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June and came home with a first and third place in the Pro 1200 class," said team co-owner Becca Livingston. Team manager, and the other owner, Paul Livingston, completes the dynamic speed duo. Piloting two brand new Ducati Multistrada 1200's, it was Greg Tracy that took first place, with teammate Alexander Smith taking third.

Greg Tracy's start off the line at Pikes Peak in 2010.

Greg Tracy and teammate Alexander Smith share a moment together on the line at Pikes Peak 2010.

"We really enjoyed partnering with Ducati - 2010 was our second time as team Spider Grips Ducati, and we're very happy to say that we're putting together the same program now for a third year in 2011."

The official Land Speed Season for FL Racing gets underway this year with the Mojave Mile in early April, it continues through Speed Week in August, and culminates with the World Finals in October. "The Pikes Peak Race takes place over the third week of June, and of course there is the Baja 1000 in November. Then we take a deep breath and relax a bit," adds Livingston.

Along with FL's successful Pikes Peak efforts, their twin Honda CBR600's - one turbo and one nitrous -

The Pikes Peak pit area - fondly nicknamed the "Taj Mahal."

made an admirable showing last season as well, reaching and exceeding speeds of over 200 miles per hour. According to Livingston, "The K&N air and oil filters on the bikes were a key part of finding that power."

"But, we were very focused on Pikes Peak, so our land speed efforts were directed more towards testing," stated Livingston. "This year we have some new things in the works for top speed, but like last year the Pikes Peak event in June will be our primary focus for this spring. The 10-minute mark at Pikes Peak is still a monumental goal - I'm not sure we'll have the course for it yet this year, but with the continued paving, it is a milestone that is on all of our minds."

The season opening Mojave Mile is a new event for the K&N sponsored team, "We only had one motorcycle there last year, because we just wanted to get a feel for the event," remarked Livingston. "The first one this year will be April 10th, and we're planning to bring a bigger arsenal, and to get some high speed testing in before Speed Week."

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 Can-Am Motoworks Finishes First, Third and Fifth in WORCS Season Opener

Feb 7, 2011

Can-Am Motoworks' Jeremie Warnia brought home the first hard earned win of the season for the team.

The World Championship Off-Road Racing series kicked off their 2011 ATV Pro Class season at Honolulu Hills Raceway in Taft, California last weekend, and the Can-Am Motoworks team flat-out stole the show.

"There was no real strategy going into the first round," said the team's spokesperson Casey Greek,

Josh Frederick finished the WORCS season opener third on the box.

"When you line up on Sunday for the first round of racing its every man for himself. All we knew was that we had three chances at winning, and we were going to win it, and didn't matter who won, as long as it was a Motoworks DWT Can-Am Ds 450 on the top of the box Sunday afternoon."

And come Sunday afternoon the K&N sponsored Can-Am Motoworks team put their name smack-dab on the box, with Jeremie Warnia taking the top spot and Josh Frederick taking the third tier. Dillon Zimmerman waged battle all during the race, and in fact only got passed by his own teammate, number one Josh Frederick. Frederick went on to close the gap on second place, finishing right on his rear bumper.

Dillon Zimmerman made it three in the top-five for team Can-Am Motoworks.

"Starting the season like that feels amazing," continued Greek. "We have such a great team with our riders and mechanics. Our bikes were perfect all weekend, with Gil Flores and Andrew Chamberlin wrenching on the bikes, we knew that the chassis would be in great hands."

"And Ryan Cox put together an amazing motor package. So we were confident that we were positioned to have great starts when the gate dropped. Additionally, we knew we had the reliability to finish without any issues, so it was on the riders to bring their talents out, and they did their jobs perfectly."

During the off-season the team put in a vast amount of testing time with engine builder Ryan Cox to insure that they would have an "unstoppable package" for the 2011 season. "And we tested non-stop with Fox Racing Shocks as well, Rick and the guys over there are so great to us," added Greek. "We came up with some really great setting."

"Going into the next round at Primm, Nevada, we have the same mind set as always - we head into it as though it was a championship race on the line - and we will do our absolute best."

Greek explains that with each passing week they will continue to work harder than the week before, because the entire team understands that championships never, ever, come easy. Greek says that they are headed into the next race with great spirits, along with a huge amount of help from all their sponsors such as K&N. "As a team, we thank every one of our great sponsors, without their support we couldn't do what we do," said Greek. "The team feels really strong about the momentum we picked up with the first race, it's always easy to come to work Monday after a long weekend of racing when you win," remarked Greek.

"We are going to take it race-by-race, and go out every weekend and do our best. We are really working toward a Can-Am podium sweep, so look for it in the future. When you win the first round, it really puts the pressure on everyone though, you know that you are expected to win every race you line up for."

Sports legend and people motivator Billie Jean King once said "pressure is a privilege," addressing his team's weight to continue winning Greek says, "pressure is okay for us, we just don't like to lose anything."

"So, with the support of our sponsors and our team owner Johnny Leach, and the support that Can-Am B.R.P. gives us, we will be able to give it our best shot this year."

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 Lucas Off Road Racing Pro 4 Rookie of the Year Mike Johnson

Feb 7, 2011

2008 Championship Off Road Racing Pro 2 Rookie of the Year Mike Johnson

K&N Off-Road racer Mike Johnson is a natural. From the first day he strapped into a off-road truck, he was fast. In 2010, Mike was fast enough to capture Rookie of the Year honors in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series' premier division, Pro 4. For the long-time veteran of the Pro 2 division, it was a smooth and simple transition.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) Racer Mike Johnson

"I'm extremely comfortable in a Pro 4," Johnson said. "It's a very good fit for my driving style. I had tested with Carl [Renezeder] and was pretty quick right away, so I was confident we could compete."

Johnson narrowly edged out John Harrah and Eric Barron for the rookie honors. The three were separated by just 14 points at the end of the season. Working with Renezeder, a multi-time champion in different off-road classes, and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer, was the highlight of Johnson's season. "To be able to drive for the American Flyer team and Carl and to help build a team was a very rewarding experience."

K&N Off-Road racer Mike Johnson

Johnson was the 2008 Championship Off Road Racing Pro 2 Rookie of the Year, and has spent the last three season's mastering the 2-wheel drive vehicles. When the call came to jump into the 4-wheel powered beasts, Johnson was ready. He finished 9th in points and collected his first podium, a third place finish, in the seasons fourth race. Johnson said success didn't come easy.

"It's just like the NFL. On any given Sunday there are 10, 15 drivers who could win. I try not to take anything for granted. I think the fact that we didn't clinch the rookie honors until the last race of the season says a lot about the quality of drivers and teams we faced last year," Johnson said.

Johnson is already preparing for 2011, and knows there are areas his team can improve, like "having less DNFs (did not finish) and more podiums."

Johnson spoke well about K&N and their commitment to racing. "Obviously we us them, and so do most of the other teams. I have never used another filter. They perform flawlessly, so we never even need to think about them malfunctioning. They know racers and their needs, and are always working to develop new products that are competitive and environmentally friendly. And, the best part is, all of their products are made in the USA!"

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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