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Jon Crowley and Team UTVGuide Finish Second in the 2013 HRC King of the Hammers UTV Race

Apr 9, 2013

Jon Crowley's King of the Hammers co-pilot/winch operator was Blake Van de Loo.

If King of the Hammers were a Jeopardy game show question surly the answer would be - what is Thor? Mjolnir is the hammer weapon of choice for superhero Thor. And, if it is indeed made of a star, as the legend holds, it would weigh as much as 300 billion elephants. Astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, took the time to cipher up an answer to that truly perplexing, albeit fictional, scientific question. Yet even the wrath of Thor and all the might of his pachyderm dense star-hammer couldn't have battled any tougher, or more successfully, than Jon Crowley and his UTVGuide.net team in the genuine 2013 King of the Hammers.

The 2013 King of the Hammers lived up to its billing as toughest one-day off-road race on the planet.

The founders of Hammerking Productions are the force behind King of the Hammers, billed as the toughest one-day off-road race on the planet. King of the Hammers takes place each year in February, on public lands in Johnson Valley, California. Over the years the race has evolved from 12 teams racing for bragging rights and a case of beer, to more than 150 teams competing before thousands of zealous fans, both live and online.

The faintly sadistic folks of Hammerking have also established a racing class known as the Ultra4 class. The defining characteristic of this class is that all cars must be capable of 4-wheel drive. Beyond that, the class is unlimited, meaning these cars come in all shapes and sizes, and are capable of speeds over 100 miles-per-hour. However, they still include gear ratios as low as 100-to-1, in order to even have a chance at negotiating the insanely sick technical rock crawling sections that have become such fan favs.

"The road to the 2013 HCR King of the Hammers UTV Race was a tough journey for me," Crowley remarked. "Although this was my 5th year racing, I have struggled most years and have questioned my sanity many times for coming back to race year after year. The first four years of the UTV race were more like a desert sprint with a few rock obstacles sprinkled in. This year rumors flew all over cyberspace that King of the Hammers organizer Dave Cole was going to step up the game. Those rumors proved to be oh so true and much more."

Crowley and Van de Loo finished only 16 seconds behind the leader at the HCR King of the Hammers Race

We had the opportunity to speak with Mitch Guthrie earlier, so it will be great to get your perspective on the battle you guys shared. How tough is it to get your mind around finishing only 16 seconds behind him?
"If I had to finish 2nd place to anyone, Mitch is the guy. It's very tough knowing though that after almost 8 hours of racing, we were only 16 seconds behind. You second guess the whole race for days afterwards, wondering how different decisions along the course would have changed the outcome, but that is racing."

Care to give a shout-out to your co-pilot/winch operator during the race?
"My co-dog for King of the Hammers was Blake Van de Loo. We had never raced together, but we worked very well together. He is super experienced in the rocks and with the Polaris RZR XP, so I don't think I could have asked for anyone better."

What in your opinion took a bigger hit in this race, your vehicle, or you body and mind?
"I was absolutely spent at the end of the race, mentally and physically. Making sure I took care of the car was paramount to finishing the race. The course was absolutely brutal and it did take its toll on the car, but the RZR XP is a great platform for this format."

What are your thoughts about returning to the King of the Hammers event next year, and how do you plan to stay busy for the rest of the season?
"I am not sure if I will return to King of the Hammers next year. I have raced every year in the UTV class and it takes a huge commitment. It is one of those races that is hard to stay away from though, so I wouldn't count me out. I do race some local short course and possibly some desert races with VORRA in Northern California and Nevada."

More K&N off-road desert racing and rock crawling news can be found in Guthrie Racing's Father and Son Team Win the 2013 King of the Hammers UTV Title.

Find K&N performance products and power gaining air intake systems for your vehicle at KNFilters.com then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Pilot Class Buggy Racer Steve Wheels Bucaro is Ready for a Stellar 2013 Race Season

Apr 5, 2013

Steve Bucaro is prepared to compete against drivers in classes sporting larger and faster buggies.

Although only in his third year of racing, Steve "Wheels" Bucaro epitomizes the phrase "passion for the sport." According to the buggy racer, lining up and testing his skills against other drivers was always a dream. But in his case this ambition came to fruition a little later in life than the norm.

A tale of any person who finally reached their dreams, and embarked upon their first race at age 32 would likely interest most readers. But Bucaro's story is even more captivating. In fact, in many's eyes his hopes of entering the world of racing was derailed on April 15, 1998, when he suffered tremendous and life altering injuries in an automobile accident.

An elderly fella failed to stop at a red light at an intersection and turned in front of Bucaro's 1992 ZX7. The results were devastating. Bucaro sustained signifiant injury, including shattered T2 and T12 vertebrae in his back, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Steve Bucaro races in both the Lucas Oil Regional Series in Southern California, and the Dirt Entertainment Dirt Series.

But Steve is obviously not one to lie down and quit. With time and determination he learned to perform his daily routine despite his disability to a point that he could continue to pursue his dream to race.

When asked if he was able to use the accident in a positive manner, Bucaro said, "Oh yeah...You wont find a more positive person in my situation anywhere.". Directing his statement toward others in similar situations, he continued, "Don't give up, and there's always a light at the end of the tunnel! I still ride my street-bike, race my pilot, drive like normal, mow my yards, etc. Nothing has nor will anything stop or slow me down. It'll all just make me go that much faster and push harder."

From the seat of a 1989 Honda Pilot, the driver has experienced his fair share of success. In fact, Bucaro earned the title of the 2011- 2012 Lucas Oil Regional Series Pilot Class Champion. With the taste of success and this title already under his belt, the driver has no intentions of letting up. As one might suspect, he has aspirations of reclaiming the championship in the weeks and months to come.

The driver will return to the Lucas Oil Regional Series in Southern California this season, but folks will also notice Steve "Wheels" Bucaro's name on the roster at Dirt Entertainment Dirt Series venues as well.

For the first season, the driver is the only one falling in the Pilot class in the Lucas Oil series, and will be lining up against the adult trophy karts and SR1 Rhinos. In fact, he has already experienced running with these classes and has performed well.

Earlier this year, Bucaro showed up at the Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California eager to run in a class sporting vehicles bigger and faster than his Pilot class buggy. Although theoretically, Bucaro should not have proved a power in this race, he had no intentions of accepting defeat.

In turn his eagerness to race and unwillingness to back down found him in a heated battle and actually maneuvering around several drivers. At the race's end he crosses the finish line in eighth place out of a field of 18 drivers.

"When asked the key to being competitive regardless of class, Bucaro answered, "Being calm and not rushing the main. We have a lot of laps, plus always having to start in the back makes me push to pass bigger, faster cars that I shouldn't be able to. Throwing down with those guys; making them wonder "What the Heck!"

Referring to his aspirations for the future, the driver said, "I want to win championships in two different series in one year. Although Bucaro obviously has the confidence and mind set to make his dream come true, he is also perfectly aware that his team plays an essential role in his success.

"Without all of their help and support, none of my racing would be possible," he explained. "They're without a doubt what allows me to continue chasing my dream!"

He is also conscious of the importance of maintenance. "It is very important," he ensured. "You can't just thrash on your car every weekend without making sure before each race it will hold up."

With proper maintenance in mind, Steve "wheels" Bucaro depends upon K&N products to meet his filtering needs. I've been a die-hard K&N user since my first car, when I was 15-years old. I have a K&N filter kit and their oil filters on every vehicle I own. I use their universal air filter and a new inline fuel filter on my buggy, he continued. "They are hands down, without a doubt, the best products you can use. I will never use any other."

Referring to his burning desire to participate in the sport of racing, Steve "Wheels" Bucaro said, "You will not find anyone with a bigger will or passion for wanting to be a racer. I get in my car with a huge smile and have even a bigger one afterwards. The first Lucas race was a blast...there was a huge crowd rooting for me. The first Dirt Series race of the season was even better!"

When asked what fans can expect from Steve "wheels" Bucaro , his answer was short and to the point. "150% all of the time and showing people I can really drive."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

GPz550 Motorcycle Racer Corey Clough Won AFM Formula Vintage Race at Buttonwillow Raceway

Apr 5, 2013

Corey Clough's Kawasaki GPz550 Motorcycle

Racing is all about the competition and pushing the limit, but sometimes the competition isn't another racer; for motorcycle racer Corey Clough, the competition is often the clock.

Motorcycle racer Corey Clough at Buttonwillow Raceway

Clough races in various divisions with the American Federation of Motorcyclists, and while the races include fierce wheel-to-wheel competition amongst the riders, Clough instead focuses on improving as a rider at each event. This was precisely the case in round one at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in central California.

"I race against faster and newer bikes, so it is usually me against the clock," Clough told K&N via email. "The faster guys make me chase them, and also make me push harder to catch them."

Clough had two highlight moments at Buttonwillow. The first happened when Clough, on a bike he admitted was a little quicker than the rest, won the Formula Vintage race. The win was the first podium of Clough's three-plus year motorcycle racing career. The second highlight came on the final lap of the weekend.

"After crossing the finish line, I looked at my lap timer, which I never do in the race or while I'm on the track, and I see a best lap of 2:10.3," Clough said. "People probably thought I won the race, and it was definitely the highlight of the weekend. I was very happy."

Corey Clough won the AFM Formula Vintage race at Buttonwillow Raceway.

Clough has three bikes already and is working on a newer, faster bike to be unveiled next year. After a stint racing in cars, Clough made the move to motorcycles in 2008. After a few track day events, he enrolled in a new racer program. 2010 marked the beginning of his racing career, and Clough has been at it ever since.

Clough looks at racing as a much safer alternative to riding on the streets. "To me racing is fun, and much safer than riding on the back roads," Clough said. "Everyone is going the same direction, the tracks have run-offs, and the camaraderie with the other racers. All the protective gear I wear makes me feel safe, and road riding with cars and trucks actually scares me at times. "I feel much safer out on the track."

Still, racing isn't without risks, and Clough knows that. During the final race of the weekend, 12-year-old Kenny Anderson lost his life following an accident. Anderson was well regarded in the American motorcycle racing community and had broken a track record earlier in the weekend. The tragedy hit Clough hard.

"This really bummed me out," Clough said. "He was an up-and-coming racer, he was fast. He loved racing. It still chokes me up."

Incidents like Anderson's are a reminder that it's not always about winning. Clough takes pride in improving as a rider with each passing race weekend, and is focused on enjoying life on the bike.

"If I don't win another race, as long as I can whittle away at lap times, make more power with the bike, and be competitive, I'll be happy," the 48-year-old said. "But there will be more trophies to come."

Round 2 of the AFM series is still over a month away. The series travels to wine country and Sonoma Raceway on May 4th. Clough plans on adding a few minor upgrades to his current bikes between now and then and has a goal of chopping three seconds off of his personal best of two minutes even.

"There is a lot of times in between now and the race," Clough said. "You know about idle hands. I don't want to do anything to the bikes, but I will do the usual checks and I might add a quick shifter. Sonoma is a tight track like Buttonwillow, so I don't have to change much."

A longtime and dedicated user of K&N Filters, Clough explained how they help him both on and off the track.

"My late brother got me into using K&N Filters, and I have been using them in all of my vehicles ever since," Clough said. "It's just common sense to run them. K&N Filters last a long, long time."

Clough has a unique way of describing K&N's performance advantage to others.

"I explain K&N Filters to people this way: 'When someone walks, they breathe through their nose, but when they jog or run, more air is needed. K&N Filters allow this all weather breathability without fiber swelling or restricting like the paper filters.' I ask them if they have ever breathed through a wet paper towel, because that's what it's like without K&N.

"Using K&N Filters is just the right thing to do. I like them, and will continue to always use them."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Modified Racer Jason Patison Wins Trophy Dash then Finishes Top 10 at Lake Havasu 95 Speedway

Apr 5, 2013

Former Lucas Oil Modified Series Champion Jason Patison

Talk about a comeback! After half a decade away from the series, Jason Patison Racing came roaring back for round one of the 2013 Lucas Oil Modified season at the Lave Havasu 95 Speedway. Lined up against a formidable 34 entries, the former 2006 Lucas Oil Modified Series Champion turned in a lap time of 15.59, qualifying in 5th position, and earning him a spot in the Bilstein Trophy Dash.

Lucas Oil/MAVTV Modified Bilstein Trophy Dash Winner Jason Patison

There, Patison ran side by side with Nick Romano for several laps before Patison finally passed on the outside on lap 4, taking home the lead and first Bilstein Trophy Dash award of the season. Patinson followed his Trophy Dash win with a solid Top 10, landing a Lucas Oil/MAVTV Modified finish in 8th place.

"We had a really fast car tonight but unfortunately we kept getting stuck on the outside during restarts and lost a few spots every time before we could get back in the bottom groove. The cards didn't fall our way tonight but we know we have a car that can run up front and as rusty as I was when we showed up this weekend, a top 10 is a great way to start the season, " said Patison after the event.

Patison's return to the series is similar to the entirety of his racing career. He stated, "I got a late start in the racing world. When I was 16, my father had just gone to work for Lucas Oil Products. He and Forest Lucas (owner of Lucas Oil Products) bought a couple mini stocks (4-cylinder racing division) and started going out to Victorville Raceway (3/8 mile dirt track) to race on Saturday nights. My dad let me drive his car one day during practice and I was pretty fast, so he let me start racing with them. In my first full year I won the track championship so I kept on racing and started working my way through the ranks."

The "late bloomer" didn't waste any time, though, earning six Rookie of the Year Awards in various series and the 1998 Victorville Track Championship.

It was also through this involvement with Lucas Oil Products that Patison became a partner with K&N. "K&N engineers and builds the highest quality filters I have ever used," stated Patison. "And since teaming up with K&N I have never used another filter and I never will. As long as I am racing I will trust K&N products for all of my filter needs."

Jason Patison would like to thank all of his sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, MAVTV American Real Network, E3 Sparkplugs, SPEEDCO, K&N Filters, Optima Batteries, Imagine This, Ramona Tire and The Water Warden.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Fourteen-Year-Old Modified Kart Racer Brooke Kawell Anticipates Success in 2013

Apr 3, 2013

Brooke Kawell has aspirations of a championship podium in her future.

At age five, Brooke Kawell got her first taste of driving, when her dad introduced her to go-karting. The youngster was automatically "bitten by the bug." Most young girls would have simply putted around the course for their allotted time and gone about their merry ways. But Brooke was a little different story; she loved it.

At age fourteen, Brooke Kawaell has already een racing for nine years.

In reality, her new-found passion should not have been a surprise. In fact, I suppose one could say a burning desire to race was a predisposed condition, as her grandfather raced sprint cars, her dad raced motocross and her uncle also competes in motocross.

"I loved it so much, I started racing," recalls Kawell. "I guess you could say it was in my blood. I am a third-generation racer." And in her blood it is. The driver has been participating in the sport now for nine years. And at age 14, she has no intentions of doing anything less than continuing her quest to earn a rightful spot on the championship podium.

Driving in the Modified Kart class, Kawell is looking forward to competing in three different series this season. She is scheduled to run in the Lucas Oil Off-Road series, the Stadium Super Truck and the Lucas Oil regional series.

With experience the young driver has done nothing but become a stronger competitor. In 2012 her efforts were rewarded when she was recognized as the first female to podium in the Modified Kart class. Although a great honor and a confidence booster, this was just a stepping stone leading Kawell one step closer to her aspirations. To this point she has not managed to earn a podium position at a national event. However, last season she was knocking on the door of her goal.

Last season, Brooke Kawell was recognized as the first female to ever podium in the Modified Kart class.

"My goals for the future... I would love to get a championship," she ensured, "I want to race a Pro-lite soon and work my way up to Pro-2; Then maybe do some Rally car racing."

Looking back she recalled, "Last year, my overall season went pretty good. Yeah, I was knocking on the doors. I had a third-place finish in the Arizona regional, and I finished in fourth and had a few fifths last season in the big LOORS series. I am still plugging away and knocking on those doors. I want that podium in the big series for sure."

Referring to 2013, she continued, "I have performed pretty good so far. I just got second out of a field of 12 in the first Lucas Oil regional race." Recalling a recent race at Firebird, she explained, "I had some not-so-good finishes. I qualified to start 14th in round-one, and started charging to the front. I was moving forward in the field when cars in sixth and seventh crashed and I was collected in on it. That put me a lap down, but I still felt strongly that I did well."

Referring to round two, Kawell explained, "I felt good and my kart was working well. I qualified 11th out of 20 and quickly worked my way into the sixth position. I was charging, but during the last lap coming into the white flag, the guy behind me just didn't think he wanted me there," she recalled with a chuckle. "He hit me a little hard, sending me flying though the air. That was the end of my day. But I feel I can do it this year."

Brooke Kawell ensured that future success will depend a great deal upon staying clean, consistent and mistake free; staying out of the back of the pack and charging hard to the front.

The driver is also quick to credit the team for her success. "My mechanic (Brooke's dad) works so hard on having my Kart race-ready, so I can race. My mom manages all of my things, from schedules, races, events, sponsorship, picking up parts and my education. My sister...She puts up with all of the traveling and time she has to be at the track. And then there are all of my sponsors who help support and believe in me. I couldn't do it without any of them."

Kawell will be quick to agree that proper maintenance is an essential piece to the puzzle of success. That in mind, she and her crew are strong advocates of keeping the internal components of their engines contaminant free.

In turn, they depend upon K&N products for their filtering needs. "I user their high-flow air filter and intake," she explained, "the Power-clean solvent and their air filter oil. K&N products are the best. My kart wouldn't run as good as it does without them. Their filters and intake system give me the extra horsepower I need to go fast.

Looking to the future, Brooke Kawell said, I feel that I get better every year, learning from the years prior. But this season is a little more improved. I feel stronger in who I am, and that I can do things as long as I believe in myself and continue to learn from past mistakes. The racing community can expect a dedicated racer, a champion and someone who will give back to their fans."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.