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Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience runs from Dec. 30, 2009 until Jan. 31, 2010 at
Louhosareena
On Aaltonen Motorsport's website this question is posed regarding winter driving "Have you ever dreamed of being able to keep your car under full control while looking through the side window to see where you are going?"
Aaltonen Motorsport's' Arctic Driving Experience
One would have to believe that is one downright handy skill to have grooved should your side window unexpectedly became perpendicular to the road. Understanding the dynamics of a full-on automotive ice slide is the focus of this unique driver training opportunity, although a totally revamped perspective of all your driving abilities is the overall benefit.
Retired professional racer Tino Aaltonen is the head instructor for the Arctic Driving Experience. Tino is the third generation of racing drivers in the Aaltonen family. The Aaltonen Motorsport training courses are based on the unique training methods created by Tino's father, Rauno Aaltonen, Rauno is a motorsports legend (see Finnish K&N Importer Aaltonen Motorsport - Created by Three Generations of Racing).
Drivers from around the world travel to Finland to participate in
the unique snow and ice driving school.
Rauno Aaltonen began his coaching career while he was still professionally competing in rallies and races. A group of prominent German racers, respecting Rauno's often
completely original driving techniques, asked whether he would provide them with training and coaching. This was in the early ‘70's, during the period that Finnish rally drivers ruled the rally world.
The Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience was introduced in 1991
The popularity and success of that program grew exponentially each year. In 1991 Tino introduced the first winter weather specific driver training course called the Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience. The annual event is held in eastern Finland, at the breathtaking Tahkovuori winter sport resort. The course used during the training is on an actual frozen lake in the middle of untouched, pristine Finnish nature. The Arctic Driving Experience is known for the extensive practical training, the theory portion of the training is very comprehensive, although as brief as possible.
Aaltonen's philosophy has long been that driving is something you learn by doing - not by studying.
"Our participants come from all over the world, they are truly an international group. Most guests do not have the chance to really ever experience the limits of their car, nor their own limits and reactions. The Aaltonen Arctic Driving
Experience improves their abilities on both the race track and in tricky situations on normal roads," says Tino.
"We coach in groups, with the emphasis of the training set on individualism. The course participants are divided into very small groups, which are based on their individual skill levels and target goals. Therefore, we are very close to delivering a one-on-one coaching experience. All drivers have areas where their skills are less developed than others. Even top drivers have weak areas. Because of our many years of experience, we can quickly diagnose those areas and address them. It is all about the
maximum learning experience in a minimum of time."
The training begins with basic car control maneuvers and advances towards more difficult performance driving tasks. In order to maximize car control at the very limits of high speeds, the MINI Coopers are equipped with ice rally tires. At the end of the training, participants get the opportunity to pit their newly acquired race skills against the clock on the closed course, to discover who truly is the champion of the ice track learning experience.
The cars used for the training have several specific modifications to ensure the ultimate performance during the challenging winter conditions. "Not many people understand the problems air filters encounter. The filter has to work equally well in the searing heat and dust, as well as in the arctic cold, both in dry and very, very wet circumstances," explains Tino.
"We found out back in the 50's about unexpected problems during the winter with the paper filters. The snow melted on the warm paper filter and the humidity reduced the airflow through the filter. Wet paper can be airtight. We did a lot of development with filters, because you need full-power to win a race."
"With K&N Filters on all our training cars there's no need for further testing or experimentation. They are already tested and we know they will be totally reliable, both for ideal power, endurance and fuel consumption. This saves us time so we can stay focused on our work coaching our students,"
summarizes Tino.
The Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience runs from Dec. 30, 2009 until Jan. 31, 2010 at
Louhosareena in Nilsiä, Finland. The course then continues on frozen Tahko Lake until the end of March.
Paul Brown is an automotive visionary as well as the General Manager for Tiger Racing. His 25 year love for performance and racing has driven Brown to sharpen his skills and achieve or exceed customer satisfaction.
1994 Ford Mustang GT at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
K&N met with Paul Brown at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his custom 1994 Ford Mustang GT was on display. "This Mustang was actually on display in 1994 when it was new," said Brown. "It was cool seeing it there 15 years later." Brown's first appearance at SEMA was in 1989 while he worked for Kenny Brown Performance. "In 1993 to 2003 I was at SEMA as the manager for HP Motorsport," he added, "and now as the General Manager for Tiger Racing." Brown's custom 1994 Ford Mustang is equipped with K&N air and oil filters. "I use K&N products because of their consistent performance," said Brown. "K&N filters give us the performance we need along with the protection from contaminants which makes our motors last longer."
Ford Mustang GT with K&N air and oil filters
Brown's primary business is preparing and maintaining vintage race cars and providing track support. "We have also developed a line of carbon fiber race parts for the Mustang," Brown said. "I also do coaching, driver development, product testing and test driving. I've also been hired to compete in a few series as a hired gun like Redline Time Attack and Super Lap Battle."
Tiger Racing's Ford Mustang GT
Paul Brown has completed many modified vehicle projects that include a 2003 ASM Mustang that was a joint project with Ford R&D which featured an Aston Martin paddle shift transmission, 2000 Saleen SR for World Challenge, 2005 Mustang for Ford Mobility, Custom Morgan Aero, 8 GTR's, Ferrari 512M, Alfa T33, Devin SS, Eagle Indy Car and many more. K&N is happy to be a part of Paul Brown's custom projects. "I've been using K&N since 1992. I use the air filters, FIPK air intake kits and K&N oil filters," said Brown. "They perform perfectly as required. I am very happy with the quality of the product. I've used them on my personal vehicles for years."
Recognition for Brown's skill and experience continue to grow around the automotive market. Magazines such as 5.0 Mustang, Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords, Grassroots Motorsports, Hot Rod and Super Ford have all featured his handy work.
Next year, 2010, brings new challenges and adventures to Paul Brown and the Tiger Racing Team. "We are looking to defend our NASA AIX Championship, he concluded. "We would also like to compete in the Redline Time Attack Series in 2010."
Casey Currie spent time working with Kyle Leduc and as a driver for Art Schmitt
At age four, Casey Currie began racing motorcycles, and continued to do so on and off for several years, though not professionally. By the time he turned 16, his mom understood that racing was in his blood, but sure wanted him in something a little safer…maybe something with more than two wheels. As luck would have it, Casey's Dad Ray, owner of Currie Enterprises, came to the rescue.
Casey Currie has used K&N filters for as long as he can remember
Currie Enterprises, well known in the off road world, specializes in building rear ends and suspension kits for jeeps and hot rods. In fact, they design, build, modify, test, sell, and install rear end and drive-train products, all under one roof in their 27,000 square-foot complex in Anaheim, California. With humble beginnings in 1959 fabricating and assembling rear ends for personnel carriers, electric carts, tugs, scissor lifts and other specialty vehicles, Currie Enterprises expanded in 1970 into the development of superior aftermarket rear ends for Jeeps. It was not much of a stretch for Dad to build Casey his own race vehicle, which he raced for four years in the stock Jeep Speed class (which of course made Mom breathe a little easier). He then began to feel a familiar pull back into racing motorcycles, and together with cousin Brandon Currie began racing in the Super moto class (which of course had Mom all nervous again, but hey, he was over 20 by then). The decision however was a good one for Casey and Brandon, as they learned a lot about competition and were able to win the # 1 plate after getting 1st place in the AMA Supermoto Lites Team Championship. They then went on to be ranked 5th in the nation in Supermoto on their lime green Kawasaki KXF's.
After a time, Casey felt a calling by the great outdoor spaces, and became involved in the courses of Championship Off Road Racing (CORR). He spent time working with Kyle Leduc & the Leduc team, and as a driver for Art Schmitt, he ran in CORR's Pro Lite division behind the wheel of a Nissan Frontier, with a number of podiums during the 2007 CORR Pro Lite series.
Having learned a great deal about the sport by then and also having a strong entrepreneurial spirit in his blood, Casey formed Casey Currie Motorsports in 2007. His company not only builds race trucks, they do everything associated with the sport in-house. Today, Casey and his team race in The Off Road Championship (TORC) series, sponsored By TRAXXAS, which was formalized in 2008 to unify formerly fragmented short-course drivers and organizations into a cohesive nationwide series. TORC events are packed with flag-to-flag fender banging as drivers push the limits over whoop and jump filled natural terrain racetracks.
"This year, we were able to win two rounds under the lights, one at the Texas Motor Speedway in round one, and the other the last round at Las Vegas Motor Speedway," says Casey. "And with the younger, edgier fan base that TORC attracts, there's nothing like coming under the flag a winner to the screams of this kind of crowd."
Casey has used K&N filters for as long as he can remember. "They make the best filters for my trucks and motorcycles when I train" says Casey, "So when I met one of their representatives at a show, serious discussions ensued, and it only fit like a piece of a puzzle when we formalized a partnership. I know for a fact that when I run a K&N air filter, it increases airflow and collects more dirt than any other brand. And the oil filters flow more oil and collect more metal than any other filter."
With this kind of race history behind him, and at only age 26, there's no telling what else Casey has in store for him, but you can bet it'll be fun, and that K&N will be right there with him!
The 2009 Pro Pulling League (PPL) season has been a year full of success and broken records. Increased payouts from companies including K&N Filters have enabled an average of 17 Super Modified Tractors to compete at the league's highest level on the Champions Tour. Despite economy concerns, the Lucas Oil PPL saw record-breaking numbers in live event attendance nationwide over the previous year. Due to a great 2009 television package, the Lucas Oil PPL could be seen by all motorsports enthusiasts on ESPN2, Speed Channel, and Versus.
Knoxville 2009
"Our competitors on a nightly basis punish their machines to try to gain a victory over the toughest pulling competitors," says John Mears of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League. John has been with the league since its inception in 2006 as one of the co-creators of the largest pulling sanctioning body in the United States. "K&N Filters have a high-quality product that can stand some of the most stressful situations on the planet," he continues, "which in turn keeps them on the track and out of the pits."
Dirtslinger with K&N Products
Nancy Weller of Taneytown, Maryland is the 2009 East Coast Pullers Champion and has been pulling for 13 years. Nancy leads somewhat of a double-life, as she pulls on the weekends and is a Public Defender for Baltimore City during the weekdays. "When I show up to court in my suit and heels and I tell them what I do on the weekends, it's always a big surprise," says Weller.
Nancy Weller is the 2009 East Coast Pullers Champion
Weller drives "Hot Damn" in the Modified Tractors class along with her teammate and father, Earl Howard. "When I started in 1996, there was a ton of pressure on me for being a woman in a male-dominated sport," she says. "It made my push to win even stronger."
K&N Filters is a contingency sponsor of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League. "The drivers and competitors of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League are extremely product-loyal," says Mears. "Hence, they trust their high-horsepowered machines on the track with K&N, which transfers to their daily drivers. When fans and spectators talk shop in the pits, they realize that K&N is truly the best air filter on the market."
For the 2010 season, the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League will stop at a few new venues across the United States and the upcoming season's television package will be released in the near future.
Tino Aaltonen is recognized for providing the best training available in all of Europe
"The Flying Finn" was a nickname originally given to a group of Finnish middle and long-distance runners. Later, inspired by world-class Finnish performances in motorsports, the term was extended to include distinguished Finnish sportsmen who drove cars fast. The early generations of Aaltonen family racers are very much the corner stones of those notable, transitional sportsmen.
Tino Aaltonen's BMW rally car
In order to fully appreciate the big picture of respectability that surrounds the Finnish K&N importer Aaltonen Motorsport, we need to go back to the genesis of the family's racing heritage - to August Aaltonen. August began his career in motorcycle racing before World War II. On January 7, 1938, the Aaltonen racing gene pool doubled, with the birth of August's son, Rauno.
In the late '40's, as Rauno was growing up, his father was busy introducing the spectacular sport of speedway racing to Finnish motorsport fans. It was during this period that August also began building race bikes for other racers. Rauno grew up immersed in the adrenaline rush of racing, the clattering roar of engines, and the smell of petroleum. His destiny had been irrefutably imprinted early on.
Aaltonen Motorsport Enduro Training
Rauno began his own career with speedboat racing, winning the Nordic Championship at the age of 16. It wasn't long after that when he turned to motorcycles, encountering a notable amount of success with motorcycles as well. In 1956 in Hedemora, Sweden, Rauno won a TT World Championship event, becoming the first Finn to ever do so. A number of racing accidents however had him reassessing the overall career longevity of a motorcycle racer. In the late '50's he decided to start rallying, driving a Saab.
Rauno Aaltonen won the Nordic Championship at the age of 16
At first he considered car racing as only a hobby, but based on his immediate and formidable achievements, Mercedes Benz requested that he drive for the factory team. In 1962 Rauno joined forces with BMC, driving a Mini Cooper, and the legend of the Flying Finns was redefined. Teamed up with another Finn, Timo Mäkinen, and an Irishman Paddy Hopkirk, Rauno and the BMC works cars won pretty much everything there was to win on the European rally circuits and racetracks.
Tino raced in the Finnish Production Car Championship and became known as the fastest Touring Car racer in all of Finland
Although Rauno preferred hard surfaces to gravel, and was actually better at racing than rallying, he was never-the-less, the most successful rally driver on the planet in the 1960's - winning more rallies than anybody else. In 1965 he won the European Rally Championship (equivalent of today's WRC). Arguably though, the most recognized single victory in Rauno's career was the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. Along with his navigator, Timo Mäkinen, he mastered the difficult conditions driving a Mini Cooper S.
Nicknamed "The Rally Professor" Rauno introduced many new techniques to the sport, such as left foot braking. Rauno kept rallying professionally until the mid-80's, but he has participated in many rallies and other forms of racing ever since. Rauno has competed in nearly every venue requiring an engine, and has done so in an astonishing 127 countries.
Towards the end of his rally days, Rauno started a new career as a driving instructor. His groundbreaking, innovative notions regarding driving and car dynamics, backed by his vast experience with performance driving, have made him a legend - not only as a driver, but also in the field of driving techniques. In the late '70's he founded the BMW Driver Training program for the Munich, Germany manufacturer. To this day, the "Rally Professor's" ideas and training programs continue to be in high demand worldwide.
Next in line for Aaltonen family motorsport greatness is Rauno's son, Tino. He began his racing career in the late 80's, on the rally special stages. Tino raced in the Finnish Production Car Championship (Sport 2000), and became known as the fastest Touring Car racer in all of Finland. In 1991 he established Aaltonen Motorsport as his own racing team.
Aaltonen Motorsport has prepared countless successful racing cars for the Finnish and European racetracks. Tino has also raced in the German DTC Touring Car Series with good results. After his racing career, Tino also started giving driving lessons to both average motorists and racers.
Today Aaltonen Motorsport Ice Racing School is widely recognized for providing the best training available in all of Europe. Tino has also been conducting instruction programs for several of the most prestige's manufacturers in the world, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and MINI, to name but a few. In addition to the Ice Racing School, Aaltonen Motorsport is regarded as a respected Finnish importer of preferred performance and motorsports products, such as K&N.
Considering their pure race pedigree, when Tino and Rauno talk cars and performance driving, people tend to listen. According to them, good air filtration is just as important as free airflow.
"Our regulations used to state that we had to use original sized air filters, so we had a real problem with getting the air properly filtered to protect our carefully prepared engines," explains Tino.
"If the airflow was sufficient, then the filtration was poor, and vice versa. K&N air filters give us the ultimate combination of filtration and flow. Also, the airflow stays consistent during even the longest events. Any resistance caused by the air filter means power loss, which again could cost the victory," continues Tino.
"In the 1967 Safari Rally in East Africa, we actually had our car stall and the engine destroyed, because it was unable to breathe through the dirty air filter," explains Rauno.
"Since K&N air filters don't get clogged as easily, engines will have virtually unrestricted airflow and excellent filtration, even on the dustiest roads. With K&N, your engine will produce maximum horsepower under all conditions."
"I pride myself in offering only the best products to my customers," says Tino, adding, "K&N truly make the world's best air filters. All our company cars, including the ice racing cars, and my personal vehicles have K&N filters installed. This way I know they'll get all the clean air their engines require. It's like K&N and Aaltonen Motorsport belong together," smiles Tino.
