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Ray Cook and the D&R Motorsports Team enjoyed a stellar 2009 racing season, with 12 different trips into victory lane. Cook, also known as the Tarheel Tiger, wrapped up the year at the historic Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Ray Cook in Victory Lane with a $4,000 Payday for winning the Grand Adcox Memorial at the historic Cleveland Speedway in Tennessee, photo by Action Shots and Graphics
The Southern Regional Racing Series (SRRS) sanctioned its annual race named
the Grant Adcox Memorial. The event paid $4,000 to the winner. Cook started off the race by qualifying first at the southern Tennessee venue.
Late Model Dirt Series driver was fastest racer on the track in southern Tennessee venue
Tarheel Tiger Ray Cook hopes to repeat his 2009 Ice Bowl victory in 2010, photo by Thomas Hendrickson Photos
Cook took first position on lap nine where he stayed until the end of the race for the win. “I can’t believe how good of a season we had in 2009,” said Cook. “I am so thankful to the entire D&R Motorsports team and our great sponsors including K&N. Our K&N filters protect our engines in this type of dirt racing. We get great filtration and additional horsepower for our engines with K&N.”
Cook amassed 27 top five finishes and 37 top ten efforts in 71 races this year. He also achieved a sixth place finish in the Lucas Oil Late Model Series.
Some of his 2009 accomplishments include:
$41,000 ‘Hillbilly 100’ Victory at the Tyler County (West Virginia) Speedway
$10,000 ‘Dixie Shootout’ Victory at the Dixie (Georgia) Speedway
$10,000 Lucas Oil Series Victory at the Fayetteville (North Carolina) Motor Speedway
$10,000 Lucas Oil Series Victory at the Utica Rome (New York) Speedway
$10,000 Lucas Oil Series Victory at the Bluegrass (Kentucky) Speedway
$7,500 ‘Bama Bash’ Victory at the Green Valley (Alabama) Speedway
$6,000 ‘Ice Bowl’ Victory at the Talladega (Alabama) Short Track
$5,000 Unsanctioned Victory at the Boyd’s (Georgia) Speedway
$4,000 SRRS Series Victory at the Cleveland (Tennessee) Speedway
$3,000 SRRS Series Victory at the Green Valley (Alabama) Speedway
$2,000 Unsanctioned Victory at the Talladega (Alabama) Short Track
$2,000 Crate Late Model Victory at the Columbus (Mississippi) Speedway
Finished Fifth in $20,000 ‘Scorcher 100’ at the Volunteer (Tennessee) Speedway
Finished Fifth in $15,000 ‘Fall Classic’ at the Whynot (MS) Motorsports Park
Finished Sixth in $40,000 ‘Show-Me 100’ at the West Plains (Missouri) Motor Speedway
Finished Tenth in $50,000 ‘Dirt Track World Championship’ at the Lawrenceburg (Indiana) Speedway
Cook is looking forward to the 2010 Ice Bowl at the Talledega Short Track, where he hopes to repeat his 2009 victory.
2000 SEMA Award Winning 300hp PT Woodie Indian Cruiser
Dale JR. Chevy Colorado Extreme
Bob Fehan has been designing and building specialty vehicles for more than 35 years. His passion began when he was only a child. Fehan would draw pictures of, what he saw as, the future of the automotive industry. This cutting-edge perspective has carried him to the present as a well-recognized designer of custom automobiles.
2010 Ford Transit Connect aka the "Travel Inn Van"
600hp Hummer H2 for Joe Gibbs Performance
Bob Fehan's many accomplishments have given him a strong reputation for meeting and exceeding client satisfaction.
Fehan custom built vehicles awarded to top music producers at the 2004 MTV Music Awards. Some of his other modifications include his "PT Cruiser Woodie Indian Cruiser", "Dale Jr. Colorado Extreme", "1969 Parnelli Jones Replica", a modified Hummer H2 and a 500 horsepower Chrysler PT/10 pickup.
The 2009 SEMA Show featured the Bob Fehan "Travel Inn Van." This 2010 Ford Transit Connect is a mini motor home that is complete with a kitchen Solaire grill, Edgestar fridge and beer taper, Thatford portapotty, Bedslide slider system, Kicker sound, Azente computer, Greant Products body kit and race steering wheel, GAC interior, BBS wheels, Bridgestone tires, Concept and Visualogic DVD screens, Acsco badges, Imagequest Graphica and Borla Exhaust..
Bob Fehan has been going to SEMA for 28 years and continues to impress automotive enthusiasts with his creativity and style. K&N spoke with Fehan about his dedication to using K&N products for his builds. "I have been using K&N filters for 19 years," he said. "They are proven products that perform great. I even have K&N on my personal vehicles."
Many of the major automotive magazines have recognized the numerous accomplishments of Fehan. His passion for specialty vehicles and aftermarket parts continues to grow as he implements new technology and puts his intuitive concepts in the hands of the consumer.
Freakishly gi-normous trucks with 66-inch tires and 1500 horsepower exploding into the air with all the intensity of a Saturn-V rocket, capable, and very willing, to munch on lesser vehicles much like mini-wheat - welcome to Monster Jam. What's not to like? There's something, no everything, so comfortably unsubtle about it - and fans can't get enough of it.
Grave Digger
We recently spoke with Henry Cross from Poplar Branch, North Carolina. Cross is the Race Team Director for Feld Motor Sports - the prompters of Monster Jam.
Tell us about the Monster Jam series - when and how did it really get started?
"It all started when a guy named Bob Chandler decided to soup-up his 4X4 some 30 years ago. He put some of the biggest tires he could find and stuffed a blown mountain motor under the hood as a power plant. Heck, once it was built the only thing to do with such a large toy is go see if you can drive over some cars. Well, that's exactly what happened, in 1982, in front of 72,000 people, he rolled up and over a row of cars, and monster trucken was born."
"The series 'Monster Jam' is to Monster Trucks, what NASCAR is to cup cars. It is a series that tours around the country and puts some of the biggest names in Monster Trucks in front of millions of awesome race fans. Our fans are the greatest fans in the world. They know the drivers, trucks, and sometimes the crew by name. They are very loyal to their favorite truck like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, Monster Mutt, or El Toro Loco. They have different reasons for liking a particular truck, could be the driver, color of the truck, or a favorite character. But whatever the reason, they are the best."
Pastrana 199
Talk a little more about some of the heavy hitters you just mentioned, like Grave Digger, Maximum Destruction, and Pastrana 199, how's he doing?
"Well, Grave Digger and Maximum are the two hottest trucks on the circuit. When they meet in an arena or stadium, you know there is going to be some fireworks. Neither Dennis nor Tom wants to be outdone by the other. They will do whatever it takes to win racing or freestyle. They both would break their trucks in half if that's what it took to outperform the other."
"It's really awesome to watch these guys in action. There's intensity in the air and you just know you're in for a real spectacle. This is one of those things you have to see in person, TV doesn't do it justice. These two guys battle it out from week to week like it is the last time they will ever be in a truck. I guess we will see what happens in Minneapolis?"
"The 199 truck - yeah, Travis Pastrona has jumped into the monster truck scene. His crew chief for years, Cam McQueen, is driving his truck, and he's doing an outstanding job. I was worried to death after watching all those videos of Travis and his friends doing really crazy stuff. I didn't know what to expect from Cam, but I've got to tell you, this guy is the real deal. He's smooth, has good throttle rhythm, and he ain't scared to get the job done. He doesn't just go all crazy; he's more methodical when he's driving. Puts on a hell of a show!"
The filter that K&N provides for the trucks was specifically designed for your application and we've heard claims that it is saving thousands of dollars in rebuild costs - talk a bit about that if you would?
"When K&N and the Monster Jam fleet got together, K&N worked very closely with our engine builder Richard Midgette. Together they came up with a custom design that's works like a champ for our application. We went through a little R&D at first, but the engineers at K&N came up with a filter that moves roughly the same amount of air, as not having a filter on at all, plus it's as tuff as nails."
"Talk about a lifesaver though, these filters get the tar beat out of them. Have you watched our shows? We put those filters through a lot and they hang in there through bumps, jumps and wicked doughnuts. If those filters were to fail, we would lose tons of money. With all the dirt that gets thrown around and tossed in the air, we need a good filter that not only is tough, but keeps the harsh elements out of our 1500hp motors."
"Talk about a cost savings too, not only do they hold up under the abuse, but all we have to do is wash 'em off, put another coat of the oil on, and they are ready for the next show."
Are there any future plans for Monster Jam that you would care to share with us?
"I think the fans are in for a real treat in 2010. We are changing our format a little in some of the smaller arenas. It's going to be a freestyle mania event. We are going to rock the house from the time the fans sit down, until it's time to leave. I cannot wait myself."
"I really like to thank K&N for their support and help, and to our other sponsors for helping us out so much. Just remember, you can buy your K&N air filter at any Advance Auto Parts."
2009 Ford F-150 FX4 truck modified as Baja Chase Support Truck by Hellwig for SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ford F-150 FX4 Baja Chase Support truck is ready to traverse rough terrain and intercept supported riders for refueling and tire changes
Racing support truck will hit the desert at the Baja 500 in 2010
Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 is equipped with K&N air intake system, part number 57-2575
Ford F-150 FX4 Truck incorporates necessary features and equipment to support a motorcycle race team in the desert
Mark Hellwig modifies his vehicles with more power and efficiency under the hood
Behind the scenes of every operation there is a work horse, in desert off road racing the work horse can be the chase truck.
Hellwig Motorsports of Visalia, California designed the ultimate motorcycle race team support vehicle and put it on display at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We used a 2009 Ford F-150 FX4 truck as our platform,” said Mark Hellwig of Hellwig Products Inc. “It has the ability to maneuver around the California and Nevada deserts along with the Baja California Peninsula. It also incorporates all the necessary features and equipment to do the right job.”
The Baja Chase Support Truck by Hellwig carries support equipment, repair parts, food and water for the riders and fuel for the motorcycles. “It can be life or death situation in the desert,” said Hellwig. “Our Ford is road capable, dependable, safe, comfortable and tough. It has the ability to travel down the road at highway speeds and exit the pavement at a point on a map and transform into an off road performer.”
The Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 is designed to intercept riders and to do whatever is necessary to continue
a race.
Modifications include:
Hellwig Products front and rear sway bars
Hellwig traction spring stabilizer
Hellwig auto level air suspension
Skyjacker Suspension 6 inch lift
Dick Cepek Mud Country 35 inch tires
Torque wheels 20 inch
Warn winch
Hi-lift jack
Carr Products Super Hoop steps
Lund International tri-fold motorcycle ramp
Tuffy Products Roll-out tool drawers
Baja Rack roof rack
Banks Performace products
K&N air intake system, part number
57-2575
PCI race radios
Bushwhacker Fender Flares
Husky Products
Optima Batteries
Mag Hytec Differential Cooler
ACRO lights
Air Ride Technologies
All-Pro Fire and Safety
Lund International
“My passion is off-road racing,” said Hellwig. “K&N and Hellwig have been around for a long time as a team. We’ve had several project vehicles with K&N products. K&N is reliable, provides us with additional filtration and keeps the dirt out of our engines. K&N is also easy to clean.”
The Baja Chase Support Ford F-150 will hit the dirt in June 2010 at the Baja 500.
Rider Jared Mees makes his living motorcycle racing year round. The 2009 AMA Grand National Dirt Track Racing Champion was still celebrating his victory from Pomona, California when he went to Round 1 of the 34th Annual World Championship Ice Racing Series at the Roanoke Civic Center in Virginia.
World Champion Ice Racer Jared Mees wins the opening round in the 34th Annual World Championship Ice Racing Series in Roanoke, Virginia
“We arrived in Roanoke on Saturday afternoon,” said Mees. “There is no practice for these events, you just go in there and pull the trigger racing.”
AMA Grand National Dirt Track Racing Champion Jared Mees on the podium at Pomona, California
Harley Davidson XR750 Dirt Tracker and rider Jared Mees
During the first round the riders worked to secure points and good starting positions for the finals. “I won one of the heats and was on the outside of the front row,” said Mees. “I got a good start but was running third when someone sent me up to the wall. I dropped back to sixth and had a lot of work to do.”
Mees was aggressive and started to knock down some fast laps. Mees, the Ice 2007 World Champion, finished the run with some force and took JR Schnabel to the ground. Mees won the event. “That’s racing,” he said. “JR and I shook hands and said wait until we're on the ice next weekend. We both can dish it out and we both can take a beating, no hard feelings.”
During the Ice Racing Series, Mees rides a 2008 Honda CRF 450 with K&N air and oil filters, part numbers HA-4503XD and KN-116. “We also run special tires that have sharp studded screws in them for traction,” he said. “We use K&N products because we get a great throttle response and it’s just a win - win situation.”
Mees has a full ice motorcycle racing schedule planned on indoor ice rinks and on lakes. “We make sure the ice is 4 or 5 inches thick before we get out there for competiton,” said the 23-year-old. “I started racing at 6 and turned pro at 16. I also prefer dirt racing to
ice because dirt racing pays the bills a little better.”
When the Clio, Michigan resident is off the ice he rides a Harley Davidson XR750 Dirt Tracker with K&N products
RU-1240,
RU-1240PK,
62-1370 and
81-0151. “I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all of my sponsors including K&N who made the AMA National Dirt Track Championship possible. I also want to thank Craig Rogers from Rogers Lake Racing for giving me the opportunity. Craig picked me up this year after I finished 9th in points in 2008. It’s been a huge thing to have his support and giving him his first Grand National Championship.”
Mees wants to keep riding motorcycles year round for as long as he can. “I have no immediate plans to trade in
my bikes for off-road truck racing,” he said. “Four wheels are for getting you to the race, two wheels are for racing.”
Mees next ice events will take place in the West, starting in Bakersfield, California, to Fresno
and the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.
