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Grassroots race teams are the heart and soul of the sport. Granted their challenges and day-to-day tribulations are on a smaller scale than the big leagues - but often the tests put on a racers individual spirit at that level carries far more impact, and they can at times be far more debilitating, or inspirational.
#1c at Belleville Midget Nationals
Midwest midget driver Garrett Hood from Concordia, Kansas was out of racing for a spell when he got involved in a racing incident which destroyed his car a couple of years back. "The team is just my Dad and I. He has done so much for me and in helping me pursue a career in racing. I only hope the right opportunity will come my way and I will be able to run a lot more in the coming season," reflects Hood. The Two Hoods Racing Team purchased new wide body Stealth car after that crash and Hood was back in business - until just a few months ago, when Hood had to face a far deeper, more soul searching tragedy.
"Overall things have been going good for Two Hoods Racing and me. I work at Chados Auto Body and Glass and run the team from our shop in Concordia. I want to move to more of a hot bed of racing but just can't afford to move and run the racecar right now," says Hood.
"I have been racing a midget for the last four years and before that I raced mini sprints for three years. In 2004 I worked for Jimmy Weller III, the owner of a sprint car team in Ohio. I had a great time with the team and learned a lot. I love open wheel racing, from the day-to-day maintenance on the cars, to being at the track racing for the fans. I do all the work on my car and I also worked on Chad McDaniel's cars."
Two Hoods Racing getting ready for the next race.
"Chad and I raced together from the beginning of my career. He was a very close friend and unfortunately we lost him in a race accident at Knoxville (Midget Nationals May 30, 2009). There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. It has been tough getting back into the swing of things with racing. When we ran together we pushed just a little harder to make sure we beat one another to the checkers. I traded more slide jobs with Chad than all the racers combined and it is just tough to think I will never trade another one with him until my number is called. I will keep running as long as I can - I know he is with me every lap I make."
Since the accident Hood has only been entered at McCool Junction and at the Belleville Midget Nationals. "We finished 11th at Belleville which was awesome," says Hood. "Chad and I loved that track so much, it's only 18 miles from home. I just don't have enough experience at that place for set ups though. We had the car way too loose and it was a handful, so I just ran the bottom and finished," adds Hood.
"I run all the K&N stuff I can on the car. I run the short four-injector air filter on our Fontana motor, along with a K&N oil filter. I use the cleaner, oil, and grease for the maintenance of the filter. I also run the carbon fiber base plate for the filter, which is great. It holds up to the vibration and movement better than the rubber bottom base. I also run a cold air intake on our Duramax diesel that pulls the race trailer. It has been great having K&N as a sponsor and I look forward to the years to come."
"I'm planning on running at Kemper Arena and then the Chili Bowl. As for the upcoming season, I have no definite plans yet. I can only hope I will get to do this forever, or to be involved with racing on some level, but if not, I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the experience. I do not regret a single moment. I love this sport - there are some truly amazing people in racing."
Once upon a time, back in the day, there were only a handful of Mini's on the road in the United States - only imported versions straight from Britain, with the steering wheel on the "wrong" side. There wasn't anything that could touch those four-passenger go-kart-like cars for canyon cruising, nothing street-legal anyway. They held to the road like slot-cars and you could practically carry one in the back of a pickup as a spare. Then, for a number of reasons, they all but disappeared completely for many years - except for those collectors stashed away. That is until April of 2001, when the BMW Group wisely began producing the "MINI" the successor to the original Mini.
Eddie Kim and his crew prep their JCW MINI for the Redline Time Attack Finals
Eddie Kim, Vice President of Dynamic Autosports/Gruppe-S in Lake Forest, California, and his crew recently prepped their Yellow JCW MINI to do battle at the Redline Time Attack Finals. The field was deep that weekend at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, with many teams in attendance and championships in multiple classes at stake. This was their first event, and the goal was to simply go out and be competitive and to showcase the performance potential of the MINI to all their industry partners, racers, and enthusiasts.
"We are preparing a spec series for MINI and this particular car is our test bed," says Kim. "The car has some basic modifications, which we believe will not void the factory warranty. That way consumers can buy a new MINI, do the modifications, and still keep the car under warranty. This is our goal, and that is why we have chosen the K&N intake, because of their pursuit to be a smog legal product."
Dynamic Autosports/Gruppe-S Race Team
What the team ended up taking home with them was First Place in the Stock Front Wheel Drive class, along with an abundance of respect and admiration from the other teams and spectators. The MINI performed flawlessly and flat-out ran away from the field. In their first attack session they ran a best of 1:59.14, which would have been good enough for second overall in modified class, and third in the street class as well. In their final attack the team again ran a sub-2:00 on the 2.5-mile course, clinching a surprising, but much-deserved first place.
"The chassis itself is great right out of the factory box. We then modified the car with a K&N intake system," informs Kim. "We also added a Mega Mini prototype downpipe, Eibach suspension, Mega Mini intercooler, Mega mini spec brake pads, Enkei NT03 wheels and Yokohama AD08 Neov tires - and of course some bad-ass driving from Dez Ballard."
"We will continue to test and make some alignment settings and possibly re-flash the ECU. We are trying to keep all the parts legal and low cost so that MINI enthusiasts can have a lot of fun and be competitive."
The Yellow JCW will be one display and a part of the driving experience at their Los Angeles Road Tour, November 21-22, at the Home Depot Center.
Seven time defending Champion, Terry Gray Bartlett, Tennessee currently leads the National point standings. Uses K&N filters Sprint Car Airbox on his Championship winning car. Phil Bowden photo.
The United Speed Contest Sanction (USCS) oversees both the United Sprint Car Series sanction, which promotes winged outlaw style sprint car racing at major venues in the United States on Asphalt and Dirt ovals, and the Rislone USCS Modified Series, which sanctions and promotes races for the popular open wheel modified division of these racecars. We recently spoke with Pete Walton, the founder and President of the USCS.
The popular 4 abreast salute to the fans: Phil Bowden photo
How and when did USCS get started?
"We were Founded in 1997 - with the USCS Outlaw Thunder Tour (winged sprint cars). We are now in our 13th season for the sprint car series. Our Rislone USCS Modified Series started in '06 and it is growing by leaps and bounds as well. Our title sponsorship for the '09 season was with the Part Plus organization."
How has the year gone for you overall?
"We have been very fortunate to have only two events lost due to weather in '09. Our season finale, the $50,000 USCS Fall Nationals, is this weekend (November 13th and 14th) at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas. Saturday night will be our 40th completed race night for the sprint car series. It will be our 26th and 27th USCS Modified Series events."
"Surprisingly, with the economy being what it has been in '09, it really has been a great year. Our car counts have been up in the United Sprint Car Series and the USCS Modified Series. Attendance at the events has been, in most cases, at least even with, or better than '08. During the '09 season the United Sprint Car Series has had over 150 different competitors thus far. There have been 231 different drivers to compete in the 25 USCS Modified Touring Series events."
The current Rislone USCS Modified Series points' leader, Hunter Rasdon from Jonesboro, Arkansas in action. Jimmy Jones photo.
"Additionally, the USCS Modified Series created a Weekly Racing Series for '09 that sanctioned nearly 150 USCS open wheel modified weekly events at seven tracks. So far over 300 different drivers participated in the '09 USCS Modified Weekly Racing Series. We expect that the number of tracks will expand to 10-12 in 2010, with over 200 events."
Do any particular races or drivers stick out more than others?
"It appears that seven-time National Champion; Terry Gray from Bartlett, Tennessee, will garner his eighth title in '09. We additionally have three young drivers, ages 18-22 years old, who have been standouts this season and veteran Marshall Skinner, with three feature wins, from West Memphis, Arkansas, who comprise the top five in the standings."
"Terry Gray leads the Nationals and both regional point standings. The current Rookie-of-the-Year points leader, 18-year-old Justin Carver, from Drummonds, Tennessee, is currently second in the Nationals and Mid-South regional point standings. Carver has a rare rookie driver feature win as well. Another 18-year old rookie driver, Jon Stinson from Memphis, Tennessee, is fourth in the current standings. '08 Rookie-of-the-Year Anthony Nicholson from Bartlett, Tennessee, also has one feature win and ranks fifth in the standings."
How are K&N Sprint Car air boxes, universal filters and oil filters working for you?
"They work just great. In addition, my entire family uses K&N products on our bikes, trucks, cars, etc. We also use the servicing products like filter oil and filter cleaning solution. Everything just works terrific."
Any plans for the USCS in the future you'd care to discuss?
"The 2010 schedules are shaping up to be more aggressive than the '09 schedules. We expect to have approximately 50 United Sprint Car Series events in nine southeastern states and approximately 30 events scheduled for the USCS Modified Touring Series. In addition to the Weekly Racing Series events already mentioned above."
"Furthermore, USCS is contemplating creating a USCS Late Model Dirt Car Series. That series would have a first year schedule of 12-16 events in 2010."
Mike Edwards captured his first NHRA Pro Stock World Championship title at the Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, California.
Mike Edwards captured his first National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Pro Stock World Championship title at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals
Edwards only had to make a successful run down the track to clinch the
title in his Young Life Pontiac GXP. His win became official at the conclusion of Saturday’s qualifying session. Edwards took home K&N low qualifier money at 16 races in 2009 and tied Greg Anderson's season record.
Edwards only needed to make a successful run down the track to clinch the NHRA Pro Stock title in his Young Life Pontiac GXP
“We came into Pomona in a position we were never in before,” said Edwards. “I’ve had a fabulous car all year long and a really good bunch of guys on my team. We all pulled the rope in the same direction and that paid off for us.”
Edwards started the 2009 season off well and was soon on a roll. He kept the momentum going for the rest of the year. His pass at Pomona of 6.562 seconds at 210.64 mph was
also the best of the weekend.
“I’m really happy for my team,” he said, “I also want to thank K&N for the great support in 2009 and for helping to keep the Pro Stock class alive with the awesome
K&N Horsepower Challenge. I’m very lucky to be living the dream
and am looking forward to 2010.”
2009 Challenger RT was transformed from a silver metallic stock car to bright yellow car show with satin black for SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada
2009 G5 Challenger outfitted with Nitto tires on display at SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
Modified hood was designed for the G5 Challenger to have the shapes and lines of a 1970 Challenger
G5 Challenger Project Twisted will next be on display at the L.A. Auto Show in December
K&N 63-1114 air intake system on 2009 Challenger at SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada
New Scott Drake Aluminum Fuel Cap Assembly was unveiled at SEMA and will be available to the public in 2010
Project Twisted is the name of a G5 Challenger that began as a 2009 Challenger RT. Group Five Limited from Mesa, Arizona transformed the silver metallic stock Challenger into a show car for the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association)
Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The car was displayed outside the Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center and received a lot of attention. Its bright yellow custom paint job along with a black satin hood, a brand new Scott Drake Aluminum Fuel Cap Assembly and a K&N air intake system stopped foot traffic.
“We are proud to have K&N as a sponsor on our latest G5 Challenger project for SEMA 2009,” said Chris Wilkins of Group 5 LTD. “K&N makes a nice beautiful air intake kit, part number 57-1542 that is easy to install. It comes with great instructions and allows our Challenger to gulp down more air to the tune of 20 plus horsepower. Not only does it have a clean factory look but it’s much more aggressive and freer breathing over the restricted factory setup.”
It took three weeks to get the build ready for SEMA. “The hood follows the shapes and lines of a 1970s Challenger,” said Wilkins. “We also have front and rear G5 fascias, changes to the wheels, tires and interior for a killer show car.”
Sponsors for the SEMA G5 Challenger Project Twisted are:
SATA Spray Guns
Paint by Simon
Nitto Tire
Petrol Wheels
Micro-Tronics, Inc.
H&R Sprints
Katzkin
Spaghetti Engineering
T-Phlo Trinity Mufflers
Scott Drake Engineering
K&N
Hoodpins.Net
Midnight Octane
Trinity Exhaust
Pryde Fabrication
Razors Edge
VPA International
PistolGripShifters.com
HPC Coating
Cover King
Evercoat
Jet Hot Ceramic
Group Five will next work on a muscle car with a Fiat exterior. “Every product we do at Group Five is equipped with K&N,” said Wilkins.
The Project Twisted Challenger will next be on display at the L.A. Auto Show in December.
