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Traversing Mars-like terrain lined with spectators
Left to our own devices we will unravel the secrets and concoct a vehicle to race over pretty much any surface, even something otherworldly, say Mars-like in appearance. Save the billions of dollars projected on a Mars rover and send Brad Lovell instead, he'll traverse that desolate rock in record time.
At the finish line of the King of Hammers race it’s Lovell, his twin three-year-old boys Adam and Byam, and Bill Kunz (left to right)
Lovell is one of the very best rock-crawlers on this planet, Dirt Sports Magazine crowned him '09 Rock Racer of the Year. And, in the opening event of this season, the 2010 running of King of the Hammers, Lovell picked up right where he left off last season. Lovell coaxed his number 232 AMSOIL Ranger over 135 miles of arguably the roughest off-road race ever run. At the finish, Lovell came up a mere, tough-to-make-peace-with, 28 seconds out of first place.
"Everyone that races faces challenges. For me, the hardest part is the balancing family and racing," says Lovell. "It takes a lot of time and dedication and it is easy to get completely wrapped up in it. I want things right when I get to the track and that means a lot of hours at home. Lucky for me, I have a shop at my house and my boys are getting old enough to help in the shop. The honor (Rock Racer of the Year) means more to me than winning any event. It is way bigger than that. I have always aspired to be driver of the year. Andy McMillin got that and deserves it more than I do. Winning Rock Racer of the Year surprisingly feels just as good. It is amazing to be distinguished in a group of such great people."
This is Lovell's seventh season of rock racing, three years ago he quit his day job to comment fulltime to the sport. He admits there are days he regrets that decision, but ultimately racing is far more rewarding in the end he says. "Good or bad, it is an adventure," adds Lovell.
The number 232 AMSOIL Ranger negotiating 135 of the toughest miles ever
"Nobody in my family ever raced before my brother (Roger) and I. We used to go camping as a family in the Colorado backcountry, once we were old enough, we got trucks and started modifying them for the rough terrain. Finally, we took the plunge and converted my daily driver into a competition rig. We won every event that season and never looked back. It is really important to me that future generations can access the same remote areas we did to get us to this point."
Lovell feels strongly about that last point, keeping the access to remote areas open to everyone is important to him. "The Marines are trying to acquire the valley that hosts King of the Hammers," he says. "We have watched for years as other areas have been closed. Please be responsible while in the backcountry and join the fight through the Blue Ribbon Coalition http://www.sharetrails.org/ or other land use organizations."
So if all goes to plan for Lovell, what are his ultimate racing goals for the future? "That's a tough question. Right now we are building a new AMSOIL sponsored Pro-Light for the Traxxas TORC Short Course Series. I remember watching these races as a kid. I told myself I would never have a chance to race short course or Baja. I was wrong. I am really excited about having a chance to race short course and want to focus on that for the coming years. I will never leave the rocks or desert though."
"K&N was our first sponsor," explains Lovell when asked how that relationship started. "We used K&N products for years before we ever competed and all I knew is that I wanted to work with the best. We have never used anything else. Right now we are running both 14" round and conical air cleaners on our race trucks. We have also used the 14" round on the Torchmate Class 7 truck running in Baja."
The race season has already started for Lovell and the epic King of the Hammers race is already in the bag. "I started 88th and was only 28 seconds short of the win. That one is going to take a while to digest. Either way, it was a great race and adventure of a lifetime," says Lovell. "For the next couple months I will be stuck in the shop building the AMSOIL Pro-Light and the season will really take off in May. We are going to do a little bit of everything this year – dessert, rocks, short course, hill climbs, everything we can get our hands on." NASA are you listening, Lovell may well be open to that Mars exploration thing.
"I'm a cowboy - on the steel horse I ride." J. Bon Jovi
Indian Chief Classic Motorcycle
During the turn of the century, not this last one, but the one a hundred years before that, cowboys were known to actually ride Indians. Yeah, weird, but historically accurate. In 1901, Indian motorcycle riders, some of them cowboys by vocation, could be seen roaming the dirt trails and rolling along the wagon-wheel ruts of Americas' roads. You only get to be first once and Indian Motorcycles owns that slice of history outright.
Ten years after those initial sightings, in January 9, 1910 the New York Times reported - "While the 2 3/4 horsepower single and the five horsepower twin have been retained, two new models will be presented and a seven horsepower twin. The radical changes of the Indian, however, will consist in a mechanical oiling device, free engine and two-speed gear, and a new spring fork."
The Indian Motorcycle Company, or the "Wigwam" as the factory would later be called, was started in 1901 by two bicycle racers, George Hendee and Oscar Hedstrom. Their first motorcycle was a bicycle that housed a small engine capable of reaching a top speed of 30 mph.
Indian Chief Vintage Motorcycle
Indian motorcycles experienced instantaneous engineering and racing success, thrusting the company forward at a tremendous pace during the early 1900s. By 1920 Indian claimed the title of the largest motorcycle manufacturer on the planet. But, the most popular models were still two years away. In 1922 the most famous model debuted - the "Chief." Together with the "Scout" these two models would become the icons of the Indian brand.
Indian Chief Roadmaster Motorcycle
"The most important aspects for Indian Motorcycle Company are our Heritage, our attention to detail, and our fit and finish," says Marc Pomerantz, Marketing Manager for Indian Motorcycle Company. "The finished product that the Indian Motorcycle Company has developed has to encompass the thought provoking images of our past, the quality one would come to expect of the brand, and the performance that the motorcycle deserves."
That kind of meticulous craftsmanship and painstaking attention to every nut and bolt and paint finish can only be achieved through persist patience. In 2009 Indian Motorcycles produced fewer than 500 bikes. For this year they project they might get out somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 motorcycles. It is what it is. The company uses a "team build" concept, where two builders work on the bike along a slow creeping assembly line. The same two people build the bike start to finish, ensuring the highest possible quality fit and finish.
We asked Pomerantz how he viewed his place in the American and worldwide motorcycle market. "We view ourselves as the Bentley of motorcycles. Indian Motorcycles have always been the motorcycle that everyone wants. We feel that we have the highest quality motorcycle on the market. The care and precision that goes into each and every bike imbues the major difference between us, and the rest of the industry. One look will entrance you, one ride and you will want one."
With so much love and devotion poured into every fiber of every motorcycle, nothing, not one single nuance is dismissed or ignored. Only the very best of the best goes into making the most excellent motorcycle on the market. "When the new leadership at Indian Motorcycle Company decided to build the best motorcycles in the business, we spared no expense in cosmetics and performance. K&N has always been the leading company in air filters and performance. The choice was easy," says Pomerantz.
"As far as future projects are concerned," reveals Pomerantz, "I can't comment on the exact projects or their names, but, what I can say is that we are constantly working on new models within and outside of the Chief Platform. Look for some new models again in 2011."
Springer, his car and his trophy, enjoying victory lane
Sometimes you just feel it, you can't put your finger on it, but you know something good is gonna go down. That's how things rolled for Modified racer Brad Springer at Speedfest 2010 held at Lanier Speedway in Braselton, Georgia. Springer's car was fast right from the get-go during Friday's open practice, and when murky weather pushed Saturday's events forward until Sunday, it was no worries for Springer Racing. Springer's number 61 Modified just had to wait another day to set the fast time, start on the pole, and lead all 40 laps to victory lane. Oh, and he also got to meet Super Late Model winner Kyle Busch.
"It was an honor to meet someone that has achieved all that he has in racing," commented Springer about his meeting with Kyle Busch.
"We work really hard as a family racing team and it feels really good to achieve fast time and the feature win," says Springer. "My wife and I are the ones that work on the car, so winning against teams with a lot of mechanical help, is always a good feeling. I couldn't be as successful in racing without the support of my great sponsors, K&N Filters, RaceStatus.com and Conely Engines though."
So how was it for Springer to go face-to-face with Kyle Busch? "It was an honor to meet someone that has achieved all that he has in racing. I look up to him in the way that he races in all types of cars and tracks just for the love of racing."
"We have a great relationship with K&N Filters and use their products on the racecar along with the truck that pulls the car to the track," explains Springer. "We use their oil filters, air filters and breathers on the racecar and also the oil filters and air intake system on our truck. Those products provide us with extra horsepower and performance that keeps us in the winners' circle."
Plans for Springer Racing this season include competing with the USA Modified Series that runs primarily in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, along with some select "bigger paying shows," such as The Rattler in Alabama and the North/South Shootout in North Carolina. "We love to race and be competitive so we will continue that long into the future," adds Springer.
The STAR Late Model Series is designed as a cost-effective, entry-level racer
Have you had a hankering to start racing but can't find an affordable racecar dealership? We can hook you up with exactly the right guy. Hank Scott from Concord, North Carolina owns Real Race Cars, a company that successfully quells the spousal inquisition, "You wanna buy a what?" Interestingly enough, Scott is also irrevocably linked to the founders of K&N.
The three-quarter-scale cars are capable of running with the big-boys in some scenarios
The STAR Late Model Series is designed as a cost-effective way for entry-level racers to run on both dirt and asphalt. STAR is an acronym for, Scale Two Application Racecar, although the platform is based on a dirt late model, with few minor changes it will run on asphalt as well.
This particular series is designed to transition the "up and comer" into a full size Late Model, and give racers a venue to compete competitively on a weekly basis while still on a budget. With similar four-bar suspension geometry to its big brother, the three-quarter-scale dirt late model is powered by a 1250cc Yamaha motorcycle engine, which produces 150hp. This is the same power plant used in similar scale car applications, and they are also readily available brand new, or used from RRC.
Cars can be purchased as kits, rollers, or in turn key form. A turnkey car from Real Race Cars (RRC) can be custom built with optional equipment installed. Base cars start at $19,500.00 race ready, and a loaded car fitted with a full gauge cluster, three-stage oil system, coolers, fans, and a Butler seat is $22,500.00. Frames are powder coated black, and bodies come in black or white.
Yamaha motorcycle engine equipped with K&N filter produces 150hp
"The STAR series is great for all regions of the country, and its application can be conducive to the tracks in your area," explains Scott. "On tracks of 4/10ths and smaller the STAR car will rival the times of any full-size car, and in some cases it will run faster."
"Short Tracks around the country are looking for something new and different to add to their weekly programs. The STAR series offers both a dirt late model that runs on asphalt, and on dirt, that will rival lap times of cars three-times the cost. We anticipate not only regional divisions across the country, but local tracks, that will have there own weekly division with track champions," says Scott.
Scott and RRC have committed this year to traveling to various racetracks with their two house cars and running demo races. "Many local tracks in the North and South Carolina area are interested in starting divisions, or running select shows for the end of 2010, and full seasons in 2011," adds Scott.
As for Scott's long running relationship with K&N he says it reaches all the way back to 1967, when he first raced with Norm and Kenny's (K&N founders) kids on his Honda 50. In 1973 Scott became the number one Junior in the nation. He followed that up in 1974 by becoming Rookie of the Year, finishing eighth in the points and winning his first of 17 Nationals at the Syracuse Mile.
"My brother Gary raced for K&N back in 70's, at Ascot, on a Yamaha Twin," says Scott. Scott actually began his involvement with racing more than 40 years ago. Hailing from California, Scott began traveling with his older brother, Gary, as he raced flat-tracks all across the country. That year, Gary finished 2nd in the nation.
"My relationship continued throughout those years, more with Kenny than anyone else. I even had my own handle bar bent for me and sold as the K&N number 24 handlebar," reflects Scott.
"I can tell you with certainty, that everyone of my National wins came with me using K&N air cleaners, and of course the handlebars. Even though K&N has changed hands, I still carry on my relationship with the company, because it has always been so committed to the racer, by first manufacturing a superior product, and all the while maintaining it's commitment to the racer in support. K&N has Bob Harris to oversee the operations of racer support and I want to thank him."
As far as where Real Race Cars is headed down the road Scott says, "We will continue to build engines for the sport of Legend Cars, we have already built over 7000, as well as a host of performance items for serious Legend racers."
"The Star Late Model is our latest project, and we are committed to it, because we believe it's a great product that will be instrumental in producing the next generation of great racers to a sport in which has seen my involvement for 40 plus years. Thanks K&N for all the great years and a product unmatched in the racing industry."
When reporting on racers it's often unavoidable to make the connection to family racing lineage, that's not the case with San Antonio, Texas drag racer Marty Ladwig. We want to note his roots simply because they're cool. Marty's dad worked as an intelligence analyst for the National Security Agency (NSA). Yeah, that's right, Marty's father works to keep us all protected so we can continue to race on.
Marty putting the personal touch on pre-race preparations
When Marty was ten he moved with his family from Okinawa, Japan, to the United States. For the next two decades, because of his father's job, the family continued to relocate, going from California to Illinois, then El Paso, Texas, finally settling in San Antonio.
Marty didn't start racing until after graduating from high school, racing his suped-up Firebird and various motorcycles, at tracks like Alamo Dragway, San Antonio Raceway and Temple Academy Raceway. In '01 Marty decided to stay strictly with racing cars, for the time being, and wouldn't change until he won two AMA/Prostar National Championships.
The Intel analyst gene appears to be paying huge dividends for Marty when he hits the dragstrip, rewarding him with success wherever he runs. "We were really happy with last season," says Marty. "We finally decided to try NHRA Comp Eliminator racing and qualified number one at all three events we attended, two National events and a Divisional."
An engine shakedown between passes
"It was fun, but we found out there is more to winning in the class than having a fast car. This year we will have radios, so we can communicate about letting off the gas, or staying in it. We are used to running all out in heads up, pro-tree classes, but we'll get it. Also, it was cool to set a NHRA National record in our class in Las Vegas at 7.23 @ 199mph," adds Marty.
Marty also ran at an Import Face-Off event in San Antonio and won the Outlaw Class, setting a personal best record of 203.90mph. "Our car is a front wheel drive, four-cylinder Chevy Cobalt. It has a full-tube chassis and full carbon fiber body," explains Marty. "It is powered by a 2.2 liter Ecotec engine with a single TiAL turbo, running on methanol, and it puts out about 1500 hp. We hold the ET records with the last three major Sport Compact Series (NHRA, NOPI and BOTI) with a 7.16 ET."
"My ultimate racing goal is to compete in a NHRA Top Fuel or Funny Car," says Marty. "Every time I see one go down the track I try to study what's going on and what the driver is doing." We suspect that's the Intel gene at work.
"The next best thing is Pro-Stock Motorcycle. I'm putting one together and hopefully I'll be able to bring it out this season," adds Marty.
"Working with K&N has been great, their support has been the difference in us being able compete at the level we do. More importantly though is that K&N has products that we can rely upon. The HP-3001 oil filter that we use has provided us with 100 percent reliability through four seasons of multiple race wins and records set. It has done an awesome job of enduring 100psi+ of oil pressure and filtering the oil so that we have had zero engine problems in four years of racing."
"No amount of support is worth it unless a product helps you win, and with K&N we have won 11 races, hold four current records, and we were the first front-wheel drive to set a record over 200mph in drag racing," adds Marty confidently.
For the 2010 season Marty's main goal, for now, is to be the first to run a six-second pass with a front-wheel drive. "We are really close and we learned a few things last season, so I am really looking forward to making some passes in this year," concludes Marty.
