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K&N's Don Gatlin Wins Famoso Super Pro Championship for the 2nd Year in a Row

Oct 14, 2011

After over 400 racing passes using K&N oil and air filters, Gatlin says that his engine was in unbelievable condition, and only required a simple freshen up.

When last we caught up with Bakersfield, California driver, Don Gatlin he had just won a huge confidence boosting race in the Famoso Summit Series. After a rocky start to the 2011 season, and then claiming victory at his home track, Famoso Raceway, he once again started to believe that he indeed had a real shot at defending his 2010 Super Pro Championship. We're happy to report that Gatlin and his 2001 K&N sponsored Undercover 4-link dragster got it done.

Gatlin said that willing the 2011 Famoso Super Pro Championship was tougher than last year as the competition was even fiercer this year.

"Winning the championship was harder this year than last. We had some really tough competition and it came down to the last race of the season to get the points lead and secure the championship," Gatlin told K&N Race News. "It is very satisfying to win back-to-back championships at Famoso. We won back-to-back championships in SCEDA (Southern California Drag Racing Association) in 2009 and 2010 and due to the noise problems at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, the series was not run in 2011, and we could not defend that championship, so it was important to the team to win the Famoso Raceway championship."

The Gatlin Motorsports team made it to three finals out of the eight race series, winning two of the three final rounds. "We also had a couple of first round losses that kept us from moving into the lead until the last race of the season," adds Gatlin. "Mid-season we had a break in the action that was long enough to get our Sunset Racecraft engine freshened. After over 400 racing passes using K&N oil and air filters, the engine was in unbelievable condition, only needing a simple freshen up. I think that is a testament to the quality of filtration that K&N gives us to protect our investments."

The Gatlin Motorsports crew from left to right: Greg Tremain (fellow racer and crew), Don Gatlin, Dora Gatlin (Wife and crew chief), Christie Chambless (daughter), and the little guy is Samuel Chambless (Grandson).

Gatlin said that he also installed a heavy duty K&N filter on his motorhome halfway through the season, and that he instantly noticed an increase in fuel economy. "And now I no longer have to buy the nearly $200 throw away air filters," says Gatlin. "That was a great addition to the rig, because it saves both fuel and filter expense, while helping the performance of the motorhome. I am really happy that K&N developed the new heavy duty line of filters!"

Next up for Gatlin and his team is the 16th Annual Million Dollar Drag Race being held at Montgomery Motorsports Park on October 19th through the 23rd. Gatlin will be campaigning both his K&N backed Undercover and the K&N backed Mullis. After that he's headed to South Georgia Motorsports Park to race in the four day Super Buck race.

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.

Dutch Speedtec Racing Team Wins Supercar Challenge at Spa-Francorchamps

Oct 14, 2011

Speedtec's BMW experienced some unfortunate race luck is sits in sixth place for the championship.

The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, located in Spa, Belgium is best known for the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hour endurance race, last weekend however it was the venue for the Dutch Supercar Challenge. The Supercar Challenge features four classes, ranging from the Dodge Viper GT3, Corvette C6R and other large displacement GT cars, down to more "normal" street cars like the BMW 1. The classes are divided by a system of horsepower over weight ratio.

The Dodge Viper GT3, driven by Diederik Sijthoff, won both it's races at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Going into the weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, the K&N backed Dutch Speedtec Racing Team's Dodge Viper was only four points behind the series leader, an ex-works Corvett C5R.

"We had a good start in free practices and qualified P1, two seconds quicker than the number two car. Which is quite a big margin," Speedtec Team Manager, Robert Bleijenberg told K&N Race News. "But there was a lot of traffic, as there was a field of 65 cars."

In race one on Saturday the Speedtec Viper started on the pole, they set the fastest lap, "And after the mandatory pitstop, we had a comfortable lead and took home the victory," said Bleijenberg. "And to be honest, Sunday basically the same thing happened as we won again. So we had a good weekend, taking home all the points that were available, and we are once again leading the championship by four points."

The team Speedtec Racing Viper holds a four point lead going into the last race at the Assen circuit.

The owner of the Speedtec team is successful industrialist, Henk van Vliet, who's Etec Grondverzetmachines company supports their racing efforts. Loosely translated Grondverzetmachines, are earth moving equipment, the extra large type equipment used for highrise buildings. The team currently run two cars in the Supercar Challenge, the Dodge Viper GT3, which has been heavily upgraded to a 680 horsepower engine and a lot of very custom aerodynamics, is driven by Diederik Sijthoff. The second team car is a BMW E46, which is driven by the team owners sons, Nico and Peter van Vliet.

"With the BMW we had a good start on Friday to take fourth place in class during qualifying, using our new K&N air intake," explained Bleijenberg. In the race we were challenging for third place when the engine died on us. It seems that the crankshaft broke so we had to stop racing."

"Our season started at Hockenheim on the 10th of April and the last race will be at Assen circuit on the 23rd of October, added Bleijenberg. "So now with the Viper we are currently in first place for the championship, with our four point lead and with one weekend to go. Each weekend you can get 44 points so it's very tight." As a result of some "bad luck" the BMW currently sits in sixth place overall for the championship.

"We use the K&N air filters because they are the best in the market," Bleijenberg continues. "When Marcel (Blom) came to our workshop a few months ago we also saw a good opportunity to make our air inlets a bit better again and gain some performance through that side. We currently are looking into using K&N oil filters as well."

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.

K&N's Stephanie Herbage Earns 4 out of 7 Podiums at Perris Speedway

Oct 14, 2011

"Honestly, just being on the podium once would have made me happy. But the fact that out of seven races, I've been on the podium four times, it just gives me this great sense of accomplishment," Stephanie told K&N Race News. "Not only for me and my driving, but for my family who has put blood, sweat, and tears into this car. It gives me so much more confidence knowing that I can race with, and even beat, the vets."

Stephanie was all smiles after her third place finish and second podium back in July at Perris Auto Speedway.

The 19-year-old Moreno Valley, California teenager began racing American Factory Stock cars in 2010, less than a year ago. She immediately lit up on the competition's radar and delighted fans at her home track, Perris Auto Speedway, earning the nickname "Super-Steffie." In her last visit to Perris, Stephanie inked her second win and her fourth podium for the season. She finished her heat race in second place, which positioned her in front for the start of feature race, and she took full advantage of that by jumping out to the lead and then holding it for the entire 25-lap race. A highly competitive race that included five restarts following yellow or red flag stops.

"During the restarts, I wouldn't pay any attention to whoever was next to me. I knew what I had to do, what line I was going to take, and when that green flag dropped, it was go time," said Stephanie.

"Four different cars tried to pass her at both ends of the track, but they could only get next to her, and then she would pull away from them exiting the corner," said Marti, Stephanie's mom. "Once she was on the inside line, she held it, and wouldn't give it up. She kept her cool and her car 'Black Betty' (named after song by Ram Jam ) was taking her for an E-ticket ride. We finally had the car set up to her liking and it didn't fail her."

The K&N sponsored driver currently holds the number two spot in the points chase, a meager few points behind the leader. "This championship race is going to be just that - a race for the championship," adds Stephanie.

Dan, Stephanie's dad, plays a major role in keeping the Herbage Family Flying Circus Team rolling as car owner and chief mechanic. "In the first race of the year she was driving a car in which she'd only had two laps of racing," explained Dan. "Although she was placed in the back of the field, because we were unable to get the car to run for the heat race, she was on the pole position for the start of the main event, because they reversed the field. She was able hold the lead in that race for the full 25-laps as well."

"In her third race, where she earned her second podium, she led most of the race, but went a little wide in a turn, allowing the number 11 car to stick a fender under her and move her to the outside. He and another car took advantage of this and they got past her and she finished third. Her third podium, earned in her fourth race, was a second place finish. In that race she started on the outside of row one, and the winner got the inside line. She followed him closely, but was only able to finish right behind him. After her rookie year of finishing no higher than fourth place, the new car has now given her the confidence that she can put the car where she wants, and it will go there."

October 29th will be the last race of the 2011 season for Stephanie and she will definitely be on the track again next season, but whether she'll race Factory Stock, or move up to Street Stock, has yet to be decided.

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.

Upgrade Your Diesel Bus with a Washable K&N Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Air Filter

Oct 13, 2011

Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Diesel Air Filter

For decades, K&N has protected your cars, trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Now K&N offers the same outstanding protection and performance for vehicles with larger commercial and recreational diesel engines. After testing many materials K&N engineers developed a non-oiled hybrid air filter material that has low restriction and outstanding filtration for large diesel engines. K&N's 38-2008S Heavy Duty air filter uses this washable and reusable material. This air filter is capable of providing both excellent filtration and higher airflow than your standard disposable replacement air filter and it comes with a 3 year or 300,000 mile limited warranty. Cleaning K&N Heavy Duty Air Filters is quick and easy.

Dino Marutsos, a product manager for K&N reported that many testing styles were used in the development of the 38-2008S, with the outcome being a complete molded urethane part. "The axial seal of this filter works as its own molded in gasket," said Marutsos. This design allows for the 38-2008S filter to be used as one complete unit without the needs for glue or separate gaskets. The 38-2008S also uses a handle top to assist in the quick installation.

This filter fits a variety of vehicles including some MCI (Motor Coach Industries) Buses, Prevost Buses, diesel RVs and even some of the big Greyhound Buses you see going down the highway. The best method of determining the correct K&N heavy duty air filter for your needs is to use our air filter cross reference search. The 38-2008S is a cross reference to the disposable air filter parts listed below:

Manufacturer Part Number
Baldwin PA2839
Carquest 88623
Coach Guard T121009
Donaldson EAF5065
Donaldson P185065
Donaldson P522874
Fleetguard AF25668
Flxible 97342400210
Fram CA7113
Hastings AF2125
Luber-Finer LAF1839
MCI 9G337
Napa 6623
Nelson 70337A
Nelson 70337N
Prevost 530197
Purolator A66035
TCM 9G337
Universal Coach T121009
WIX 46623

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.

El Gato Racing's Ernie Serfas Dominates in Lucerne and Leads M.O.R.E. 1450 Championship

Oct 10, 2011

The K&N sponsored No.1491 Ranger had a 20 minutes lead over second place.

If we've learned anything about El Gato Racing's team owner, Carl Walters, it's that he's a dedicated minimalist when it comes to small-talk and interviews. His team follows that lead, opting rather to conserve their energy for knocking the stuffing out their competition. This time around it was Ernie Serfas dominating a 200 mile race in the desert of Lucerne, California in his No. 1491 Ford Ranger.

The win in Lucerne puts El Gato Racingâ€™s Ernie Serfas into a solid lead for the 2011 M.O.R.E. 1450 championship.

"This race was virtually un-remarkable and maintenance-free with Ernie in command from the start," Carl told K&N Race News. "He had 20 minutes on second place at the end. That's when Shawn (Walters) pointed out that he only had one front tire (broken axle). Good thing Ernie cruised the last lap."

Serfas was in fact able to cruise at about 80 percent while the competition faltered with breakdowns. It was only after the race that the broken axle was discovered by the El Gato crew. "Ernie recalls a particularly difficult section of the wash that probably was the culprit," says Carl.

The high-flying Serfas has been with El Gato Racing for five years.

The win puts No.1491 solidly in the lead for the M.O.R.E.1450 championship. "Show up for the final race and take home the trophy." El Gato Racing is homed in Big Bear Lake, California, and they run two trucks in the 1450 Sportsman Class, the 1491 Ranger and No. 1469 (yellow full-size Chevy with the taxi topper).

The No.1491 will be laid up and prepped for a class change to the 1400 (four-link) division for the 2012 season.

Living in the high mountains of Big Bear Lake presents its host of challenges, "We were unable to race this last weekend. Friday things went downhill fast," explained Carl. "Both race trucks were prepped and ready, but we lost both tow vehicles last minute. Living in Big Bear requires heavy duty equipment."

El Gato will continue to race in 2012, but No.1491 will be laid up and prepped for a class change to the 1400 (four-link) division. "More than likely the No.1469 truck will return under the guidance of the Ferris Brothers of the high desert.

Carl's son, Shawn Walters, the 2007 and 2008 back-to-back M.O.R.E. 1450 champion will assist in driving the No.1469 with A.J., as well as competing short course in the Lucas Oil events at Glen Helen in No.1419 (yellow four-link Ranger). "Should be a great year if the economy will allow it," adds Carl.

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.