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Short course dirt track action is full of excitement. It’s fast paced, full of drama and lots of fun for the drivers and the crowd. The inaugural season in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series started off at the Primm Valley Motorsports Complex near Las Vegas, Nevada in April.
Ricky James (center) captured victories in Rounds 11 and 12 of Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at the Primm Valley Motorsports Complex near Las Vegas, Nevada
Short course off road racing is on the agenda for SoCal SuperTrucks in the 2010 season
The drivers, crews and spectators returned to the challenging track in Nevada
in November to start closing out the year. The bone chilling wind in the desert did not stop K&N sponsored racer Ricky James. He dominated the competition in his SoCal SuperTrucks SuperLite and captured both victories in Rounds 11 and 12 of the
LOORRS Series.
SoCal SuperTrucks piloted by Ricky James captured 5 out of 6 victories and one runner-up position this season
Ricky James is ready to capture a $20,000 purse in the Rockstar Energy Lucas Oil Challenge Cup at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex in December
Friday’s qualifying session put James in 2nd position behind UTV Champion, Chad George. The track featured a demanding rhythm section which became somewhat of an obstacle for James throughout the weekend. "The rhythm section consists of double jumps," said Casey Coughlin, co-owner of SoCal Super Trucks. "You jump off of one and land on the backside of the next one. There were three pairs of double jumps in a row. They are really big and spread out so the smaller SuperLite trucks had trouble getting through them cleanly. Timing is critical and that is why it is called the rhythm section."
The truck also had a few issues, but the SoCal SuperTrucks crew worked late into the night to find the problems and fix them. They cleaned the carburetor and replaced the alternator and James was ready for battle.
On Saturday, James and George went ahead of the pack after the green flag. It looked as if it would be a fight to the finish until George became a casualty of the rhythm section and flipped his truck several times. The crash allowed James to finish the race uncontested and take the victory.
James completely dominated Sunday’s Bully Dog Super Lite Race after the second lap of racing. He spun out on the first lap which brought him back to 6th position, but quickly advanced to the lead on the second lap. James won by more than 10 seconds.
James started the LOORRS 2009 Season late. He was a newcomer to the sport of four- wheel off road racing, but captured five out of six victories this season and one runner-up position.
James was paralyzed from the chest down in a motocross racing accident in 2005. SoCal SuperTrucks outfitted the Super Lite race truck with hand controls that allow James to control the throttle, brake, clutch and shifting with his left hand. This allows him to steer with his right hand.
“We make progress every time we take the truck out,” said Coughlin. “There is a learning curve to short course racing and we’ve given Ricky a good solid truck and he’s getting great results. We also put the best products available on the truck. K&N is always on top of our list. K&N gives us excellent power and filtration and protects our engines. Without the help and support of K&N we would not be sitting on the podium.”
“I want to thank everyone who helped me win over the weekend,” said James. “These victories are a team effort.”
James will next race in the Lucas Oil Challenge Cup, December 11-12 at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Complex in Lake Elsinore, California. James will be competing for an early Christmas present with a $20,000 prize purse in the Super Lite Class.
The Ford Fiesta is one of Europe’s top-selling small cars. The current generation Fiesta was completely redesigned in 2008 and has received much praise.
Air Intake for 2008 to 2012 Ford Fiesta V1.
Ford spent considerable time developing the new Fiesta, as it is part of Ford’s global strategy to once again become profitable. Ford plans to introduce the Fiesta to additional markets, including Asia, Australia and North America. The Fiesta is slotted to arrive in the U.S.A by early 2010 as a 2011 model.
Part number 57-0686 is a K&N 57i series air induction system that fits 2008 to 2011 Ford Fiesta VI models with 1.25-liter, 1.4-liter, and 1.6-liter L4 engines and the 2012 Ford Fiesta VI with the 1.25-liter. This intake system replaces the potentially restrictive factory air box with a conical shaped, chrome-top, K&N high-flow, washable and reusable lifetime air filter. K&N air filters capture harmful particles, provide high airflow, and long service life.
K&N air intake systems are designed to free vehicles from the restriction of the original factory air box. This allows a virtually unrestricted flow of air to reach the engine for more power and performance when you need it. 57-0686 is designed with attachments that are vehicle specific which help direct outside air toward the air intake. K&N rolling road tests showed positive power gains.
With a K&N air intake system, consumers can count on extra horsepower whether maneuvering amongst city traffic, or winding through the countryside. The 57-0686 air intake takes about 90 minutes or less to install and is covered by the K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty®.
Manny de Encio started building cars in his uncle's shop when he was only 13 years old. His passion for modified cars continued to grow until he began his own shop, CTL Motorsports, in 2002. CTL Motorsports gave Manny a way to unleash his imagination and years of practical experience as he continued to build custom cars and trucks.
Kia Motors USA 2010 Kia Forte Coupe
In 2008, de Encio changed gears and began focusing on building image vehicles for automotive manufacturers such as GM, Chrysler, Dodge, Nissan, Infiniti and Lexus. As part of this change his Huntington Beach, California company name went from CTL Motorsports to Automotive Design Concepts. In 2009, Kia Motors became an addition to de Encio's long list of automobile manufacturers.
Manny de Encio continues to impress his clients by delivering top-of-the-line service rich with skill and experience. "I have been modifying vehicles for over 25 years," de Encio said. "I have built everything from street rods, low riders, tuners, luxuries, limos, trucks, SUVs, and some of the largest H2 Hummers in the world."
K&N visited de Encio at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. His custom 2010 Kia Forte coupe was on display outside SEMA where spectators gathered around the many high-end vehicles that covered the parking lot. "I have been coming to SEMA since 1999," he explained. "I brought the 2010 Forte coupe as a feature vehicle for Kinetik Audio. It is a show vehicle for Kia Motors USA."
This custom Kia Forte is equipped with K&N air filter 33-2380 and K&N oil filter HP-1004. "I have been using K&N products for over 25 years," said de Encio. "They are a manufacturer that has been in business for over 35 years and provides quality products that perform as promised. I have used everything from K&N Cold Air Intake Systems, factory replacement drop-in filters, Fuel Injection Performance Kits and their line of innovative Performance Gold® oil filters."
2010 Kia Forte Equipped with K&N Air Filter 33-2380 and Oil Filter HP-1004
Manny de Encio and his custom builds have been featured in over 100 magazines with a total of 19 magazine covers. "My endeavors have graced the covers and pages of magazines such as DUB, Dropstar, Mini Truckin, RPM, Truckins SUV, Truckin, Lowriders Edge, Hot Rod, Hot Boat, Lexani, Import Tuner, RIDES, SEMA NEWS, Tailgate, Street Trucks, Sport Truck, Rear View, DCX, Performance Auto Sound, FHM, STUFF, Playboy and Penthouse," he adds. "They have also been on the big screen for Britney Spears Video "Do Something", Johnsons Family Vacation w/ Little Bow Wow and Cedric the Entertainer, Collateral w/ Jamie Fox and Tom Cruz and The Fast and the Furious."
As de Encio's visions and his business, Automotive Design Concepts, continue to grow, one thing is certain for the future. Custom design and implementation will continue to be a major portion of his life. K&N is proud to share a piece of Manny de Encio's concept builds. "K&N is always a part of all our image vehicle builds," he concludes. "I use them at work as well as on all of my vehicles at home."
Modifications for Manny de Encio's 2010 Kia Forte coupe are as follows:
AIT Racing - Carbon Fiber Hood, Upper and Lower Front Bumper Grills, Side Mirror Caps, FRP Chin Spoiler and Rockers. Auto Expolosion - Wide Body, Side Vents, Custom Body Work and Paint. PPG - Lambo Green Paint Katzkin - Leather and Suede Seat Covers, Suede Headliner and Pillars Audiovox - Headunit, Speakers and Amplifiers Advent - Headrest TV's Hush Mat - Sound Deadening Material Kinetik Audio - HC 1800 Power Cell Metra Electronics - Radio Dash Kit and Wiring Eibach Suspension - 1 Inch Pro Kit Lexani Wheels - LSS 10 20 X 8.5 And 20 X 10 Black Finish With Lambo Green Face Dunlop Tires - SP Sport Max TT 245/35R20 and 255/35R20 K&N Filters – Air Filter 33-2380 and Oil Filter HP-1004 Magnaflow - Stainless Cat Back System with Square Rolled Tips Presto Tint - Window Tint and Vinyl Meguiars Car Care - Total Car Care Products
Farmington Dragway hosted the annual Footbrake Nationals near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Michael Beard drove his Duck Tape Turismo in three separate races over two days.
Solid race at Farmington Dragway's annual Footbrake Nationals Weekend for Michael Beard in his Turismo, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Farmington Dragway added its inaugural Champions Showdown, a special shootout race only open to racers with championship wins. “Fifty drivers qualified for the Showdown,” said Beard. “We raced for a paid weekend entry to Piedmont Dragway’s upcoming $20,000 Foot Nationals Race on Thanksgiving weekend. We were also honored with a special event t-shirt.”
Beard tried to win a paid entry to Piedmont Dragway's $20,000 to win Footbrake Nationals Thanksgiving weekend, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Cold tires and a warm engine on the Duck Tape Turismo made it harder for Michael Beard in the third round of a Warm UP Race at Farmington Dragway, Photos courtesy of Robert Ellison
Beard’s Turismo made it to the third round of Saturday’s warm up race, but was shut off on the line while the track crew rebooted the scoreboards. “With the tires cold and the engine warm, I was a sitting duck,” said Beard. “The four-cylinder front wheel drive combination car can be finicky in the wrong situation.” Beard still managed a good reaction time.
Beard uses K&N products on all his race cars and K&N’s air intake system, part number
57-1516 on his 2000 Dodge Dakota with a 4.7 liter engine. “We go back and forth to many events all season long and that
is expensive,” said Beard. “We save gas with K&N and at the same time notice additional performance on our tow vehicle. K&N is reliable on and off the track.”
Beard will next race in Greensboro, North Carolina during Thanksgiving.
This year Mark Bitner's very adaptable Twister Motorsports team started running 360 Sprint Cars in the United Racing Company (URC) series, traveling to New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware in the process. "We had some motor issues early on in the season that we finally worked out," comments Bitner. "We had a lot of good runs, but about half way through the season, we were approached with an opportunity we just couldn't refuse."
#202 SS Sprint Car
That opportunity came in the form of a 410 Sprint Car motor that they were able to run in their existing car. The 410 is a much more competitive series than the team was familiar with, yet they jointly felt up to the challenge and were in fact rather excited by the prospect.
"Our first race was a USAC race at Big Diamond Speedway in Pennsylvania. After that we ran primarily at Port Royal Speedway, which is also in Pennsylvania. Understandably we had a few kinks to work out in the motor, but overall we had multiple top 15 finishes and considering the competition our new team was up against – we were very happy with the outcomes," adds Bitner.
Given the occasion, Twister Motorsports will also select to run in a variety of other racing events each year. For example, this year that included building and running an Enduro car. The team agreed to build the car as a bonding and "letting loose" project. "We wanted to put the car together so the crew could have some fun and to combat the racing blues we were feeling from the multiple run-outs we experienced. We also sometimes run an SS Sprint, and we will even race Quads on Ice," says Bitner.
#2 1972 Buick Enduro Car
The team's Sprint cars are already being prepared for the 2010 season. Their primary car remains the 2009 Maxim that they started running last year, and it will continue to be their car to watch. The team's secondary ride is a 2007 Maxim, it will remain waiting in the wings, ready to spring into action should it be called upon.
"We would not be able to get through our season if it weren't for the generous support of K&N and their wonderful products. All of our racing equipment, from the Sprint cars, to the truck that pulls the trailer, are all equipped with K&N air and oil filters. And if you check under the hoods of all the crew when they pull into the shop at night, you will find K&N products under there as well. Not to mention that all of our vehicles sport the K&N logo, even my wife's VW," proclaims Bitner.
"We hope 2010 will be another exciting year for Twister Motorsports. As for me personally, I already know I am in for some big changes, my wife and I are expecting our first baby in December. Twister Motorsports will be undergoing some changes as well. We are looking forward to running 410 Sprint cars exclusively. If all goes as planned, we will run primarily at Port Royal and a few select Outlaw races. We will also continue to run the SS Sprint when the schedule allows."
