Latest News

Benjamin Wins Third Race of Career After Winning Pole at Greenville Pickens Speedway

Kyle Benjamin won pole at Greenville Pickens Speedway

Kyle Benjamin won the pole for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina. It was his fifth pole of the season.

Benjamin won the third race of his K&N Pro Series career and his second in the past three races. This one was a little more meaningful though. He was second in the K&N Pro Series race at Iowa Speedway in July, but was awarded a win for being the top-finishing driver from the K&N Pro Series East. Todd Gilliland, a driver in the K&N Pro Series West, won the race, which pits drivers from the K&N Pro Series East and West.

“I had a lot of family out tonight, a lot of people I know watching me,” Benjamin said. “It was really cool to win in front of them.”

Kyle Benjamin won race at Greenville Pickens Speedway

Kyle Benjamin won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina. It was the third win of his K&N Pro Series East career.

Benjamin won the pole, his fifth of the season, and led all 140 laps in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 140. The K&N Pro Series East made its second visit to Greenville Pickens Speedway this year. In March, Benjamin led 122 laps and ended up second to Justin Haley.

“It’s cool to get your first win of the year that way,” Benjamin said. “We’ve been working so hard all year. All the guys have put in a lot of hard work at the shop. We’ve been close, had a lot of bad luck. You can feel the history here at Greenville Pickens, it’s pretty cool too.”

Kyle Benjamin in winner's circle at Greenville Pickens Speedway

Kyle Benjamin led all 140 laps of the K&N Pro Series East race at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.

Van Wieringen had a historic race at Greenville Pickens Speedway. She finished third, the first podium finish of her career. It was the second-best finish by a woman driver in K&N Pro Series East history. Kenzie Ruston was the runner-up at Iowa Speedway in 2014.

“I’m on top of the world,” Van Wieringen said. “It’s like a win. It shouldn’t feel like one, but it definitely does.”

Van Wieringen, a rookie driver in the K&N Pro Series East, has three top-10 finishes this season. Her previous best finish was a 10th place at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida to open the season.

Kyle Benjamin leading at Greenville Pickens Speedway

Kyle Benjamin leads the field in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.

“It was definitely exciting,” Van Wieringen said. “I had to work my way up from ninth to third. There was a lot of good racing going on. I got to give credit to Haley for the crossover move before the caution. That was amazing.

“This is like a win to me because we have had so many problems this year. I am so happy. We finally have the finish that I think we need.”

Brandon McReynolds was second. Ronnie Bassett Jr. finished behind Van Wieringen in fourth place, followed by Haley in fifth place.

“We struggled in practice, a lot more than I expected we would,” McReynolds said. “But when they dropped the rag, we knew we had a good car and came up just a little short. The 40 was better on the long run. All in all a good finish for us.”

Haley leads the K&N Pro Series standings after 12 races. He leads Benjamin by 30 points with two races to go. The next K&N Pro Series East race is at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Sept. 17.

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

clear

Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s Custom 2015 Ford F-150 Ultimate Funhaver

Vaughn Gittin Jr taking spectators for a ride in his Funhaver F-150

The Ultimate Funhaver is a 2015 F-150 on-and-off road beast with five Recaro seats ready to give passengers the ride of their life

What is more fun than riding copilot in a drift car? Try buckling into one of four Recaro race seats in the Ultimate Funhaver. Vaughn Gittin Jr. is known for his incredible talent behind the wheel, but when it was announced that he would be building a 2015 F-150 with on-and-off road capabilities, we couldn’t wait to see what he had up his sleeve.

The F-150 was released during the 2014 SEMA show. The truck, which was built by Kibbetech Offroad, featured a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, Magnaflow exhaust, custom Currie full-floating F9 rear end, and a K&N air intake.

Since its debut, the truck has attended several events including the recent Auto Enthusiast Day in Anaheim, California. Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s Ultimate Funhaver was seen drifting the course in typical fashion, but an additional element was added this year that caught the crowd by surprise.

Vaughn Gittin Jr jumping his Funhaver F-150

K&N driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. is well known in the drift world, but his 2015 F-150 is a one-of-a-kind vehicle that extends beyond the drift track into the off-road enthusiast group

As passengers piled into each seat, buckled up, and pulled out their phones to catch the action, each rider quickly realized they were about to get much more than just a drift demonstration. As the truck drifted around the track alongside Cody Currie’s Pro Lite Race Truck, Vaughn Gittin positioned the F-150 towards the ramp in the middle of the course, mashed the gas pedal and went airborne. The jam-packed truck did not see much height during each jump, but it was also accommodating five people, including Vaughn Gittin Jr. Regardless, the crowd cheered as the truck landed safely and continued its demonstration.

This was not the first time Vaughn Gittin Jr. has jumped his F-150 at an event. The truck has seen quite a bit of airtime including some dirt action during a Speedhunters photo shoot last year.

The K&N-sponsored driver is always ready to put on a great show, but when the Ultimate Funhaver is present, there’s no telling what Vaughn Gittin Jr. will do out on course. As for the lucky passengers that rode along in the tricked out F-150, they will probably be talking about their experience for quite some time. By the looks on each of their faces, no one was disappointed by Vaughn Gittin’s show at this year’s Auto Enthusiast Day.

Vaughn Gittin Jr talking to Cody Currie

Vaughn Gittin Jr. was seen at Auto Enthusiast Day in Anaheim, California conversing with Cody Currie about their demonstration before hitting the track

RTR booth at Auto Enthusiast Day in Anaheim, Ca

The Ultimate Funhaver can seat four additional passengers, who were chosen throughout the one-day event for a rare opportunity in Vaughn Gittin’s truck

Vaughn Gittin Jr drifting his Funhaver F-150

When the truck was not on course, it was on display in the RTR booth beside Vaughn Gittin Jr. where autographs and pictures could be taken of both truck and driver

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

clear

Tyler Dippel Drives to the Top of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Tyler Dippel Wins at Mobile International Speedway

Tyler Dippel won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Mobile International Speedway in Alabama in March. He took the lead on lap 31 and led the final 124 laps of the race.

If it weren’t for flat tires, Tyler Dippel might be contending for a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship in his rookie season. The rookie driver, one of the NASCAR Next drivers, won a race and posted six top-10 finishes in his first 11 races in the K&N Pro Series East.

He started the season with a pair of eighth-place finishes in the first three races and won his first K&N Pro Series East race in his sixth career start. He won the K&N Pro Series East race at Mobile International Speedway in March.

“We got off to a pretty strong start there,” said Dippel, who drives for HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks. “Probably the midseason we struggled a little bit with flat tires and breakdowns a little bit. We need to get back going again as a team and rally back. We’ve been running good the last three races. It’s been really good lately. I think it’s been a success. We were struggling pretty bad in the middle of the season there. I think we are starting to turn it around. Hopefully we can finish off strong too.”

In the race at Mobile, Dippel qualified fifth and moved up quickly. He took the lead from Dominique Van Wieringen on lap 31 and was out front for the remaining 124 laps of the race.

“We just unloaded really, really good,” Dippel said. “It was one of those few times when you have the absolute perfect car. Nothing to complain about. The car was absolutely perfect. We started fifth and got up to third really quick. Just cruised around, tried to save my stuff. The race really unfolded in my favor and we came away with it there.”

Dippel enjoyed success early in the season. The 16-year-old driver was also learning how to market himself and his team through the NASCAR Next program. He said it was a huge honor to be part of the class and he embraced the opportunity to follow drivers like Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott who went through the program, too.

“You could be one of the next ones because you’re following exactly what they did,” Dippel said. “We’ve gone through a lot of social media training. It helps marketing us, getting our names out there. It’s been a huge help and it’s great to be a part of. It’s a great group of guys to hang out with.”

Dippel went through a six-race stretch in which he finished outside the top 10. He blew a tire at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. He blew a transmission at Virginia International Raceway. He had tire trouble again at Dominion Raceway and Columbus Motor Speedway.

Tyler Dippel in Winners Circle at Mobile International Speedway

Tyler Dippel won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Mobile International Speedway in his sixth career start. He is fifth in the K&N Pro Series East standings with three races remaining.

“The team meshed together really well,” Dippel said. “I got a good group of guys behind me. We got stuff figured out in the beginning. We just had a couple of breakdowns, a couple of blown tires. A lot of bad luck there in the middle more than anything.”

He bounced back in his last few races. He was 10th at New Hampshire International Speedway and seventh at Watkins Glen International in New York. In the race at Iowa Speedway, which pitted teams from the K&N Pro Series East and West, he was 14th overall and eighth among East Series drivers.

Through 11 races, Dippel is fifth in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East standings. He is two points behind Hunter Baize for fourth place and 15 points behind Austin Theriault for third place.

“I would like to be a lot higher. We are really capable of it,” Dippel said. “All the bad luck we’ve had this year, I would like to be higher. I think we should be a little higher. We are a couple points away from fourth. Third we’re not too far back from either. We are going to strive to move up here in the next three races. I think it’s definitely possible.”

There are three races left in the K&N Pro Series East schedule. The teams will visit New Jersey Motorsports Park and Dover International Speedway in Delaware before the season ends in September.

“The car keeps getting better. I keep getting better as a driver,” Dippel said. “Just working together, we just keep getting better. I would like to pick up a win in the last three races here. That would be the ultimate goal. I think the rest of the season will be good for us.”

Racing in the K&N Pro Series East has given Dippel the opportunity to hone his racing skills. He said the longer races and the style of cars have helped him develop as a driver.

“It taught me a lot in the K&N Pro Series,” Dippel said. “The cars, a lot of car control, you got to be really smooth to race these kind of cars. More than anything, just smooth

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

clear

VW Classics of 1983-1997 Live On with K&N Replacement Engine Air Filters

K&N 33-2029 air filter for Volkswagen Corrado, Jetta, Golf, Santan, and Passat

Designed and engineered to fit more than 120 models of VW Corrado, Jetta, Golf, Santana, and Passat built between 1983 and 1997, the K&N 33-2029 is a panel style engine air filter that easily slips into the stock air box.

Volkswagen's sport compact cars, the Corrado, Jetta, and Golf, plus the all-rounders, Santana and Passat, are all world cars in their own right, manufactured in several countries, driven on miles of international highways, country roads, and urban streets. They have done respectable duty as family cars, sport tourers, club racers, and fleet vehicles, engendering loyalty and winning high-mileage awards along the way.

When introduced, the Corrado was marketed by Volkswagen as a sport compact car with a difference, replacing the Scirocco and complementing the Golf II, Golf GTI, and Jetta II while sharing their A2 platform. This car, built between 1983 and 1997, shares similar engine configurations with the Golfs and Jettas, primary among them a 1.8-liter, fuel-injected inline 4-cylinder, and for 1992-1997, the Corrado got the VR6 engine, a 2.8-liter, 179-bhp V6 for the U.S. and Canadian markets, and a 2.9-liter, 187-bhp version for Europe. It was a wedge-shaped hatchback that was fun to drive. Limited edition variants were the Storm (UK only) and Campaign specials with trim modifications and special wheels. With its performance a popular selling point, it enjoyed warmhearted reviews, and now has status on a few "gone but not forgotten" lists. If you still have a Corrado, you have a special classic that you've worked hard to maintain.

Early second-generation 2- and 4-door sedan Jettas, and 3- and 5-door hatchback Golf IIs can also be collectibles in their own right because of their longevity. The Jetta, VW's best-seller of the time, outsold Golf two to one, but the Golf maintained an enthusiast niche, and the GTI model was named VW Vortex's "Best Golf of All Time" and in the U.S., Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1985.

The Jettas of 1983 to 1991 showcased VW's 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder turbo diesel that grew from 54hp to 79hp in that time frame. The Jetta II also was powered by this diesel plus a 1.8-Liter, four-cylinder fuel-injected gasoline engine. They proved reliable and high-mileage cars were on the road for decades. Interestingly, a 1986 Jetta turbodiesel won a 2007 contest by Volkswagen of America in the U.S. with 562,000 miles (904,000 kilometers) on the original engine.

Packaging for K&N 33-2029 replacement air filter

Depending on the car's maintenance schedule and driving conditions, you may inspect and clean your engine air filter up to 50,000 miles or 80,000 kilometers. The procedure is simple, with no special tools required, and printed instructions come in every box.

The 1981-1995 Santana (so-named in Brazil, Spain, and alternatively "Santana Vista" in China) shares the Passat B2 platform and the 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder fuel-injected gasoline engine. Others in the Passat range have the 1.9-liter 4-cylinder diesel, and the 2.8-Liter and 2.9-liter V6 fuel-injected gasoline engines. The Santana's greatest achievements were in China, where 10,000 were constructed by fall of 1986 and the vehicle was popular among law enforcement and taxi fleets. In Europe, the nameplate was discontinued in 1985 everywhere except Spain.

Among the Corrado, Jetta, Golf, Santana and Passat there are at least 123 (see list below) Volkswagen models that have for some time been served and preserved by caring owners and the same K&N 33-2029 replacement engine air filter. Chances are that if you own one of these VWs, you will know about the advantages of a washable, reusable air filter. If not, may this be an introduction to the last engine air filter your classic will ever need.

Designed and engineered to increase horsepower and acceleration while providing excellent filtration, the K&N 33-2029 is a panel style, rectangular cotton gauze filter that brings a greater surface area to trap dirt and other particles, and increase the air flow to the engine. More air equates to more horsepower and torque for a crisper throttle response in whichever engine version your VW Corrado, Jetta, Golf, Santana, or Passat may have.

Because you've been maintaining your VW classic on a regular schedule, you'll know that inspecting and replacing the engine air filter is part of that routine. You may also know that with a K&N filter, your engine is protected for up to 50,000 miles (80,467 kilometers), depending on driving conditions, between servicing. So instead of replacing a stock paper filter, you can wash and reuse the K&N at 50,000mi/80,000km, depending on driving conditions and keep on driving, perhaps to surpass that Jetta turbodiesel's record of 562k-mi/904k-km.

The bottom line is, you may inspect and clean your engine air filter as often as you wish, and the process is simple, and requires no special tools. A set of printed instructions accompany each filter, and depending on your model, there are videos available online to walk you through a filter service.

And, the bottom line also includes K&N's 10-year/Million Mile Warranty, so you won't ever need to buy a new engine air filter again.

K&N makes more than 1,200 different replacement air filters for the majority of vehicles on the road. To source the 33-2029, visit K&N's online search by vehicle tool. To purchase, find an authorized K&N dealer, just about anywhere worldwide, using the K&N dealer search.

The K&N 33-2029 replaces the following part numbers: AC Delco A1226C
BMC 11201
Fram CA6545
Mann-Hummel C311521
Napa 6240
Purolator A24409
Ryco A1528
Volkswagen 859129620
Wesfil WCA9267
WIX 46240

The K&N 33-2029 will fit the following Volkswagen models: 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.9L V6
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6 F/I - 174BHP
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL - 35i model
1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4 F/I - 35i model
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.9L V6
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6 F/I - 174BHP
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL - 35i model
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4 F/I - 35i model
1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 F/I - to 8/96
1995 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.9L V6
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1995 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.9L V6
1995 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.0L L4 F/I - 115BHP
1994 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.9L V6
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1994 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.9L V6
1994 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.8L V6
1994 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.0L L4 F/I - 115BHP
1993 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.9L V6
1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.8L V6
1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.0L L4 F/I - 115BHP
1993 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1992 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.8L L4
1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.9L V6
1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.8L V6
1992 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4 F/I - 160BHP
1991 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.8L V6
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/80BHP
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II GTI 1.8L L4 F/I - Exc., 105BHP
1991 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/70/80BHP
1991 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.8L L4
1991 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 2.9L V6
1991 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4 F/I - 160BHP
1990 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/80BHP
1990 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II GTI 1.8L L4 F/I - Exc., 105BHP
1990 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/70/80BHP
1990 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.8L L4
1990 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4 F/I - 160BHP
1989 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1989 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4
1989 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1989 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4
1989 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1989 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1989 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/80BHP
1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II GTI 1.8L L4 F/I - From 9/89 129/139BHP, Exc., 105BHP
1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II 1.6L L4 DIESEL - 60/70/80BHP
1989 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.8L L4
1989 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4 F/I - 160BHP
1988 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1988 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0L L4 F/I - 35i model
1988 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.9L L4 DIESEL
1988 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L L4 F/I - 35i model
1988 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4
1988 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.6L L4 DIESEL - From 5/88
1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1988 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL - Turbo
1988 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II GTI 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112/160BHP
1988 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 1.8L L4
1988 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO 1.8L L4
1987 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1987 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA II 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1987 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL
1987 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF II GTI 1.8L L4 F/I - 107/112BHP
1986 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1986 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL - Turbo
1985 VOLKSWAGEN SANTANA 1.8L L4
1985 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL - Turbo
1984 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL - Turbo
1983 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.6L L4 DIESEL - Turbo

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

clear

EnduroCross Second Round Features Unique Venue and Familiar Podium

Colton Haaker racing at Badlands Motor Speedway

Colton Haaker on his way to a second consecutive EnduroCross win (Photo by Ian Reid)

There were several firsts for professional EnduroCross in the second round of the 2016 season. The race was the first major EnduroCross event held in South Dakota. An even bigger novelty was the fact that Badlands Motor Speedway is an outdoor venue. The series is typically staged exclusively in indoor arenas.

While the venue held some firsts for EnduroCross, the top two places on the podium looked very similar to round 1 in Georgia – identical, in fact. Colton Haaker proved that his win in Atlanta was anything but an anomaly. The win in the main race did not come easily for Haaker. The Husqvarna rider fought his way up from a mid-pack start before seizing and maintaining the race lead. “I didn’t get the best jump off the start but I stayed calm in fifth or sixth and tried to stay calm and not make dumb mistakes like I did in the heat race,” said Haaker. This second consecutive win of the season gives Haaker a 4-point series lead.

Defending series champion, Cody Webb, raced his KTM to the second spot, which is also a repeat of round 1 in Atlanta. In the later laps of the main, the battle for second was where the action was and Webb was not to be denied. The third spot on the podium was claimed by Mike Brown. Brown won the holeshot out of the race gate and piloted his Husqvarna to his first podium finish of the young season.

Cody Webb racing at Badlands Motor Speedway

Cody Webb hitting a berm under the South Dakota sky (Photo by Ian Reid)

The EnduroCross return of 5-time former champion Taddy Blazusiak was sidetracked in this second round with a hand injury. After an impressive heat-race win, Blazusiak’s thumb injury on the first lap of the main event forced him out of the race. EnduroCross fans certainly hope Blazusiak makes a quick and full recovery.

K&N is proud and excited to be a major sponsor for the EnduroCross national series, which will continue in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 10. If the first two races are any indication of the excitement to come, fans are in for a real treat. The upcoming EnduroCross schedule will include stops in six Western US states.

Remember, whether you ride a KTM, Husqvarna, or virtually anything else with wheels, K&N is the place to find high-performance filtration products for your application. Use the search by vehicle tool to find the right part for your needs.

Colton Haaker, Cody Webb, and Mike Brown share the podium

Haaker, Webb, and Brown share the podium at Badlands Motor Speedway (Photo by Ian Reid)

Remaining Schedule:

September 10, 2016 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Vivint Smart Home Arena
September 24, 2016 – Scottsdale, Arizona – WestWorld – Intl Off-Road & UTV Expo
October 1, 2016 – Denver, Colorado – National Western Events Center
October 22, 2016 – Everett, Washington – XFINITY Arena
November 5, 2016 – Nampa, Idaho – Ford Idaho Center
November 18-19, 2016 – Ontario, California – Citizens Business Bank Arena

South Dakota Results:

1. Colton Haaker, Husqvarna
2. Cody Webb, KTM
3. Mike Brown, Husqvarna
4. Ty Tremaine, KTM
5. Noah Kepple, KTM
6. Tyrstan Hart, Husqvarna
7. Cory Graffunder, KTM
8. Nick Thompson, KTM
9. Max Gerston, Beta
10. Ty Cullins, Beta
11. Geoff Aaron, Gas Gas
12. Kevin Rookstool, Suz
13. Taddy Blazusiak, KTM

clear

K&N PRODUCT SEARCH     WHERE TO BUY K&N

clear