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Reigning NHRA Pro Stock Champion Mike Edwards set foot on the grounds of the famed Gainesville Raceway this past weekend with a shot to do what few professional drivers ever get to do, and that's win two NHRA National events in one weekend.
Mike Edwards Penhall/Interstate Batteries/K&N Pontiac
The scene was set when the final rounds of the NHRA Arizona Nationals were delayed and rescheduled to take place during this past weekend's Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida. By doing so, Edwards became one of eight Pro Stock drivers with the unique opportunity to double up and went into the event well prepared for the extra pressure.
Having already stamped his mark on the NHRA Pro Stock class very early in the season, Edwards has managed to claim about every point possible in just the first three events, starting right out of the gate with a victory at the Winternationals in Pomona.
Mike Edwards win in Gainesville Raceway in Florida
During the event at Gainesville, Edwards continued to build on his momentum by first grabbing the Pro Stock Wally for the delayed NHRA Arizona Nationals and his run didn't stop there.
His Penhall/Interstate Batteries/K&N Pontiac also was the quickest car in two of the three qualifying sessions for the Gatornationals and by the time the dust settled, Edwards had added yet another No. 1 qualifier to his streak, a streak that started at the NHRA stop in Brainerd in 2009 and has continued with the first three events of 2010. Now totaled at twelve, Edwards has one of the longest No. 1 qualifier streaks in Pro Stock history.
While all NHRA professional drivers earn championship points for both qualifying placement and round wins, the Pro Stock drivers have an extra qualifying incentive in that of the revered K&N Horsepower Challenge.
With Edwards' continued domination of the Pro Stock pack and his numerous No. 1 qualifiers, he secured a spot in the 2010 K&N Horsepower Challenge, to be held during the NHRA event in Norwalk, Ohio later this summer.
"The K&N Horsepower Challenge is just an awesome opportunity for NHRA Pro Stock," Edwards noted. "K&N has given us the platform to race and be seen. Steve Williams and all the employees at K&N have been a tremendous help to our class and every team works extra hard to make the top eight so we can run for the substantial amount of bonus money that K&N has put up for us to shoot for at Norwalk every year."
Edwards continued to power his way through the Pro Stock class during the regularly scheduled Gatornationals. He made his quickest pass of the weekend during his first round victory over Rickie Jones, nailing down an ET of 6.520 at 212.53 MPH, which is also the third quickest and fastest pass in the history of Pro Stock.
Making it to his third final of 2010 in as many events, Edwards found himself paired up against former Pro Stock Champion Jason Line, whose semi-final ET lagged a whopping four hundredths of a second behind that of Edwards.
On paper, it looked as if Mike Edwards was just one round away from adding to his early season sweep.
"We ran well and we had a really great weekend. After winning the Phoenix race earlier in the weekend and then we made it to the second final, but we just came up a little short against Line," Edwards said referring to his hole-shot final round loss. "It was just driver error in the final. Jason has a super light and I just didn't get what I was looking for."
"But really, what a great weekend," he added.
As the "Pro Stock Bull's-eye" is firmly placed on Edwards back in what is already one of the most competitive classes, he continues to look for ways to stay ahead of the game.
"You try to find every little bit you can and we test and test and test to stay at the top or even get to the top. It is 24/7, I can tell you that," said Edwards. "We are running good thanks to all of our sponsors like K&N coming on board this year plus Penhall, Interstate Batteries and A.R.T."
Look for the excitement to continue when NHRA makes its next stop on the 2010 Full Throttle Series at Concord, North Carolina and the Inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals March 25-28.
Begining stages of this custom 1996 Off-Road Ford Ranger Pickup
You've seen the comedy setup before, three friends sitting around, left to their own devices, and next thing you know they're jamming across country in search of a romanticized perfect burger joint, while in route mischief and frivolity ensues. Okay, this is nothing like that, except for the three friends part and maybe some merriment.
Custom Built 1996 Off-Road Ford Ranger Truck
"We were sitting in the desert watching all these trucks that were half done, and talking with people that had bought vehicles because they didn't know how to begin to build one. So we decided to venture on building a 1996 Ranger on a $15,000 budget," explains Brian Johnson laughing.
Two years and multiple tests later, and with a revised budget of $35,000, Jeff Itschner, Craig Otto and Johnson had themselves a snarling, totally race-worthy, off-road truck. The three of them built the entire truck from the ground up in a two-car garage.
Jeff Itschner, Craig Otto and Brian Johnson built the entire truck from the ground up in a two-car garage
Was the project tougher or easier than they expected? "Easier, but a lot more time consuming and a lot of geometry," says Johnson. "There were also some hurdles, like getting the driveline setup correctly so it's able to handle the 480 horsepower motor. After three transmissions, three driveshafts and a rebuilt rear-end, all the tests are good now."
Getting the correct filter setup was a whole lot easier and far less time consuming. "BFE Performance in Lake Elsinore, California uses nothing but K&N products on all their motors, and we already knew that they are the most dependable filters on the market. We have been using K&N air intakes on all our personal vehicles for years," says Johnson.
After the first two, expensive, shakedown runs, they've got the truck completely dialed in now. "We had the truck going along a section of four-foot woops all weekend long at 105 mph with no problem," says Johnson. "We love the end results so much that we sold the vehicle and are starting a new, bigger, faster one that we do intend on racing, and we would love to have K&N on-board for the next build."
Stay tuned for the sequel "The Three Amigos Go Huge."
1996 Off-Road Ford Ranger Specifications:
STEREO: JL Audio T21000.1, J2 360.2, (1) PR. OF C2-650 Components, (2) 10W3V3-4, Eclipse Head Unit With Navigation
MOTOR: 383 Stroker pushing 480 Horsepower Built by BFE Performance
SHOCKS FRONT: FOX 2.5 16" Coil Overs and FOX 2.5 16" Double Bypass
SHOCKS REAR: FOX 2.5 16" Double Bypass
SUSPENSION FRONT: Equal Length I Beams with 22" of Travel
SUSPENSION REAR: Deavers with 19" of Travel
OTHER MOTOR COMPONENTS: K&N Air Filter, K&N Filter Wrap, K&N Wrench Off Oil Filter, K&N Fuel Filters, K&N Crankcase Vent Filters
STEERING: Equal Length Steering with Heims
FUEL SYSTEM: Jazz 32-Gallon Fuel Cell with Holley Carburetors
SEATS: PRP Racing Seats and 5-Point Harnesses
WHEELS/TIRES: KMC 15" Beadlocks with ProComp 35x12.5x15 Tires
GAUGES: Autometer Pro Series
TRANSMISSION: TCI Competition Turbo 400 with Transmission Cooler
GRAPHICS: Awthentik Graphics
ADDITIONAL INFO: AV Comm Race Radio, Parker Pumper, Supertrapp Exhaust, MSD Ignition, (8) HID Lights
Kawasaki's VN2000 Vulcan motorcycle features a 2053cc (125 c.i.) V-twin engine. This makes the VN2000 the largest motorcycle Kawasaki has ever produced.
High-Flow Replacement Air Filter KA-2008 for 2004-2010 Kawasaki VN2000 models.
Massive engine displacement, liquid cooling, and electronic fuel injection are
the ingredients used in this recipe for power. Kawasaki’s VN2000 Vulcan
motorcycle is capable of producing 141 lb-ft of torque at a mere 2,800 rpm.
K&N has released a new washable/reusable High-Flow Air Filter™, part KA-2008, to meet the performance demands of these machines and their owners.
This high-flow replacement air filter is washable/reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride. K&N’s KA-2008 is specifically designed to fit into the stock air filter assembly of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Kawasaki VN2000 Vulcan models.
K&N high-flow replacement motorcycle air filters are designed to provide increased airflow, resulting in increased performance while providing excellent filtration and long service intervals. Fuel management modifications to your VN2000 are not usually required to obtain increased performance.
Covered by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty®, and made in the USA, K&N’s KA-2008 will be the last air filter your VN2000 Vulcan motorcycle will ever need.
Below is a list of models that part number KA-2008 fits:
Winning the 52nd March Meet was almost as good as winning the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series for Davenport
Celebrating 52 years of racing, the March Meet run at the historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, California) is a three-day speedfest, it's the Mecca of old-school drag racing, or as fans refer to it 'the Jewel of Nostalgia Racing.' It's a big deal regardless of how you tag it and Doug Davenport, the Las Vegas, Nevada resident piloted his blue-jewel, front-motored econo dragster to victory in the Nostalgia Eliminator II division.
Davenport making lap after wheels-up lap to get dialed in for the big race
"It's was almost as good as winning the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series in 2009," says Davenport. "We had some problems when we arrived at Bakersfield because I switched tire manufactures (M/T to Hoosier) and the new tires hooked so well we were having problems getting off the starting line. After some fine-tuning we got it figured out and we were off to the races. I really believe it's every drag racers dream to win the March Meet and this dream came true for me in 2010. I have been going to the March Meet since 1968."
Davenport says if all goes to plan he would like to repeat as NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Champion this year. Which is a very realistic goal for the veteran racer.
"K&N has sponsored me in all my racing efforts for over 20 years and they have simply been great," comments Davenport. "Whether it was off road-racing (MTEG), or the NASCAR Sportmans Series, or my drag racing career, they have been behind me all the way supplying the best oil and air filters in the business."
Davenport says there are a few other things he's energized about for the season. "I am really excited about our Nostalgia Funny Car (The War Horse AA/FC) for 2010, and working with Kenny Koretsky, and the "NITRO FISH" brand on the NHRA circuit."
Davenport will be attending over 30 drag races this year, so it's going to be a busy 2010 for "Dynamic" Doug Davenport.
Joon Maeng testing his new RX-8 drifter for the first time
Joon Maeng won the Formula Drift "Spirit of Drifting" award in 2007, and if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting this talented driver, you would immediately know why. He lives and breathes drifting, and has worked endlessly to make his passion into a reality, while continuing to always maintain a positive and grateful attitude.
Joon Maeng and the team have been working to make sure the vehicle is fully-prepared for the Formula D series
For the 2010 season, Joon has teamed up with Bergenholtz Racing and will be driving the Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8 in the Formula D series. He finished 17th overall in points in the 2009 season as a privateer.
The Formula Drift season is coming up quick, and Joon and the team have been working around the clock to make sure that driver, vehicle, and team are all fully-prepared to make a grand entrance come first round. The RX-8 has seen track time once so far this year for a test day, and Joon made sure to push the vehicle to its limits in order to give as much feedback to his team as possible. More practice sessions are on the agenda "so that if there are hidden problems laying dormant from within" says Joon, "these practice sessions can shake the glitches to the surface and have them rectified by team."
First race for Joon Maeng is the season opener of Formula Drift on April 9-10 in downtown Long Beach, California
Repetitive test sessions can take a toll on any race-prepped vehicle, so Joon and the team rely on K&N products for the Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8. "The K&N oil filter and breathers keep the Mazdatrix 3-rotor and TiAL turbo running strong and clean. Not only do they help keep junk out of the engine, but they also perform reliably. In drifting we are constantly driving at high RPMs, and to have a phenomenal filtration system helps the longevity of the rotary engine and turbo. It's practical to run on a proven system that works."
Joon Maeng with his new RX-8 and new team
With a new car and a new team, Joon is glad to be able to relieve himself (at least a tiny bit) from the challenges and pressures of being a privateer. "In the short time we've been together, every member of Bergenholtz Racing strives above and beyond to get me out there on the track so that I am a step closer to victory," says Joon. "Their diligence and faith in me prove that it's not just about the driver; it's also about those behind the driver who, in my case, really are the powerhouse of all that's in store this year. In return, I want to bring to the forefront our amazing collaborative energy in hopes of it being seen as a direct reflection of what comprises this team's core."
Joon Maeng's Full Tilt Poker Mazda / Nitto RX-8
Joon admits that one of his biggest challenges this upcoming season may be liberating himself from the total control that he once had as a privateer. "I have been relying on myself to be the alpha and omega of my ambitions for almost all my life, so it's hard to detach myself from the direct process of control," says Joon. "With my inception to Bergenholtz Racing, the present is a good a time as any to end one chapter of my life and start a new one. So far it's been amazing since everyone is uber responsible and just as passionate, if not more, about this sport as I am. I'm just riding the waves right now and enjoying it."
First up for Joon is the season opener of Formula Drift which takes place April 9-10 in downtown Long Beach, California, where the city streets are shut down to be used and abused by fast speeds and smoking tires. What is Joon's key ingredient for success at the first round of America's pro drift series? "It's fairly simple actually: expect the worst and hope for the best."
