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K&N's Redemption Racing Shakes off the Muck at the Canadian MX Nationals

Aug 16, 2011

Finding your line required the ability to decipher hieroglyphics.

It would necessitate some seriously sinister scheming to devise anymore challenging race conditions then the fourth round of the Canadian motocross series held in Morden, Manitoba. Thunderstorms rolled in Saturday night, causing torrential downpours and high winds, creating a deep, sticky, bike-gobbling, mud-a-thon of a track for Sunday's race. There was in fact so much muck, that one of Redemption Racing's casualties was a pressure washer, clearly over-worked by far too much equipment cleaning.

Thunderstorms and torrential downpours played havoc with the track in Morden, Manitoba.

Redemption Racing, the K&N sponsored Canadian motocross team, has only been in existence for a year. K&N Race News spoke with team owner, Josh Snider, to get his take on how things are progressing.

"I started Redemption Racing last year in 2010. I had been managing Team Faith from the U.S, in Canada, four years previously to making the decision to become a separate Canadian race team. This year I have a first year pro rider in the MX2 class, Eric Jeffery, and in the western ladies class I had Lauren Jung, from southern California, and I compete in the MX1 class with, Kelly Smith, joining us in MX1 for the final round of the series. Southern Ontario is where I grew up and where I call home, but I also spend a large amount of time in Alberta, where I work for the winters in the oil patch, so Lethbridge, Alberta is my second home."

The Manitoba mud two-step - spin, thrust and kick.

How many races are in your series, how far into the season are you, and how are things going overall?
"There are nine rounds in the Canadian series that go from West to East and we have completed in eight of them. I'm happy overall with how things have been going. Eric has moved himself up in the points 8 positions in the last two rounds. I'm having some good motos, but need to be more consistent. The MX1 class has a much deeper field this year which has made for closer racing. The ministry has been going excellent as well. There are always better ways to do things and better results to obtain as a team, but with every round the team has been working together and making improvements. We are all striving for the same goal and that's what makes a successful team."

After getting hosed off team owner Josh Snider and teammate Eric Jeffery are once more recognizable.

Just how brutal where the conditions at the Canadian MX Nationals and what are your feelings on how you finished considering the conditions?
"The conditions can be very brutal. We have had two mud races so far this year. The mud at Morden, Manitoba was heavy, deep and stuck like glue to the bike making it weigh a ton. Kamloops and Gopher Dunes are by far the roughest track on the series, there is no place to catch your breath, it's like riding a whoop section for the entire track. Some tracks have sprinkler systems that do a poor job and cause over watered muddy sections, yet other sections are so dry and dusty that vision is limited. I usually do well on the rougher tracks, especially in the second moto when it's the roughest. I find that I'm willing to fight longer through the conditions than some other riders. As long as I'm putting in my best effort I feel like I've done a good job regardless of the conditions."

Holding your line at the Canadian MX Nationals was a easy as walking along top of it.

You mention working on "holeshots" how's that going, and what sort of things do you do to practice starts?
"We have come close, but no holeshots yet. We have a bet going that if Eric or I get a holeshot, my dad, who has had a beard for 35-plus years will finally shave it off. So you know we're trying our hardest. We practice our starts with the same setup that we will use at the track for that particular weekend. We also practice them on the same soil type, or on a cement pad if it's a cement start, as well with a starting gate when possible, to practice our reaction time."

What's up next for Redemption Racing?
"The final round of the series in Walton, Ontario is on August, 21st. This is my home track, as I grew up thirty minutes away. It's always an exciting event because I have so many friends and family that come out to enjoy the day and support the team which makes for a good atmosphere. After the National series is over I head back to work in Alberta and eventually get prepared for Montreal Supercross in October, and then a few Arenacross series races in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the winter."

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Keith Butler and the K J Motorsports Team Hit The Road with Their Sprint Car Named Geraldine

Aug 16, 2011

Keith Butler and the K J Motorsports Team value their sponsors and fans a great deal.

Keith Butler and the K J Motorsports Team recently embarked upon a road trip with anticipation of racing in two events prior to returning home. Arriving first at Five Flag Speedway, in Pensacola, Florida, they rolled onto the track in a sprint car they refer to as "Geraldine" (meaning Spear Ruler), eager to compete against 16 other drivers in the T.B.A.R. A. event.

Keith Butler is no stranger to taking the checkered flag, and has an acute understanding of what it takes to be a strong contender on a consistent basis.

Starting at the pole in his heat race, Butler took the lead immediately upon the waving of the green flag, and never looked back. Holding a comfortable lead throughout the entire race, the driver easily took the checkered flag, and lined up fifth in the feature.

Prior to beginning the 30 lap race, Butler had confidence on his side. Speaking of his confidence level, he said, "It was very good, because my lap times were better than qualifying."

From the beginning of the feature, Keith slowly started to work himself toward the front of the pack, and by lap eight, he was in fourth place. After a caution flag, the drivers lined up for the restart and strung together until another caution flew in lap 19. With only five laps remaining, mechanical malfunctions took the driver in front of Butler out, lending to the opportunity to grab third place. Holding the position, he was the third driver to cross the finish line. Referring to his third place finish, Butler said, "It felt good, considering the car was a hand full in traffic." According to the driver, they were unaware that a couple of shocks had lost air pressure prior to the race.

From Pensacola, Keith Butler, the K J Motorsports Team, and Geraldine, headed out for Mobile, Alabama, where they would race in another T.B.A.R.A. event at the Mobile International Speedway.

Qualifying third, Butler lined up fifth in his heat and crossed the finish line in the third position. With the heat behind them, Butler and his crew did a little fine tuning here and there and rolled out on the track to compete in the feature.

Lining up eighth, Butler quickly worked his way to the third position. The second place driver experienced mechanical problems with his driveline, allowing Keith Butler and the K.J. Motorsports team to take his spot. After the third caution flag of the race, Butler finally worked his way into the lead and never looked back. In fact, by lap 20, the driver had managed to catch the tail of the field and began lapping cars. Upon crossing the finish line, Butler was clearly the victor, as he led the second place driver by in the neighborhood of one-half a lap.

As a weathered driver, Keith Butler is no stranger to taking the checkered flag, and has an acute understanding of what it takes to be a strong contender on a consistent basis. When asked the key to continued success. The driver stated, "We've got to stay on top of the race car, and do not miss little mistakes like we did at Five Flag Speedway."

According to Butler, his team plays an essential role in his success. When referring to their importance he said, "They're as important as the racecar itself. Without a good team, no racecar will be a winning car."

When asked about the importance of maintenance, he continued, "Maintenance is the key to a good, reliable car. I have used K&N products for years, and for the past three years, K&N has been one of my best sponsors. We use everything they offer for the sprint cars and the hauler. They are the best filter system I have ever used, and that's why after thirty two years of racing, I still use K&N products."

Keith Butler and the K J Motorsports Team value their sponsors and fans a great deal. With that in mind the driver said, "I would like to thank every person who has been part of making the K J Motorsports Team a driving force at any sprint car race we race in, dirt or asphalt." In conclusion he stated, "Thanks to all of my fans for watching and cheering for me."

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 Sponsored Josh Lucas Goes 4-for-4 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond Kentucky

Aug 15, 2011

Driver Josh Lucas says that Richmond Raceway fits his driving style perfectly.

If it feels good, heck, head on back and do it three more times. And that's exactly what open wheel modified racer Josh Lucas and his team did. Richmond Raceway in Richmond Kentucky, has taken a seriously liking to Josh, and the K&N sponsored driver loves the raceway and the fans right back.

Lucas Racing has been very consistent so far through 2011, but they say a few more wins would certainly help the year end tally.

"Every time we have been to this track, last year, and this year, we have won," remarked Rita Lucas, team co-owner and co-crew chief. "We went back-to-back last year and won both of them. We have been twice this year and won both of them. We are four of four at this track."

The New Haven, Kentucky racer started off his latest visit to Richmond by finishing second to his nemesis there, Russ Gabbert, "He's the driver that wins a lot at this track. We just didn't have the edge to get around him."

"When he came in we did a little adjusting to the car and we started third in the feature. The two cars in front of him were locals (Gabbert and Delane Browning) and they had fast cars," Rita added. "It took Josh about six laps to get around both of them but once he did, he was gone. This is a little track and the car responds well to it. This is the track where the fans in the stands went crazy because of Josh's wins, and they did it again Saturday night, don't know why they like Josh so much, but he gets the same reaction every time he wins there. It's a good feeling!"

Josh says winning at Richmond and having the fans support makes victory taste that much sweeter.

"The track is small and works right around the bottom," Josh says. "It fits my driving style perfect."

Josh and Lucas Racing have a perfect 4-for-4 record now at Richmond.

The three-quarter-mile "D" shaped oval is 60-feet wide with a ten-foot apron. The turns are banked 14 degrees and the starting line is at eight degrees, and the Josh Lucas number 78 car just eats it up. The last time K&N Race News spoke with Josh (Sept. 2010) he had just won for the second time at Richmond Raceway, over "the driver that wins a lot at this track" and the crowd went nuts. Josh clearly won over the fans popularity vote that evening.

"Knowing you have the support from fans makes the win that more special," Josh remarked. And how is the overall 2011 race season shaping up for Lucas Racing? "For the most part we've been very consistent week after week. There is a lot of good competition out there today; you have to be on your game come race day. We would like to get a few more wins before this year is done though."

What's up next for Lucas Racing? "We'll probably go back to Richmond a few more times, Bluegrass Speedway for the AMS race. We would also like to find a few money races before the season ends."

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.

Bertrand Motorsports' Randy Cabral Snaps 2011 Winless Streak with Seekonk Victory

Aug 12, 2011

To the victor go the spoils. Cabral is back within 50 points of the championship title.

"We won!" With those two uncomplicated words Bertrand Motorsports' team owner, Tim Bertrand astutely conveyed that the 2011 winless drought was officially behind him. As a two-time Northeastern Midget Association car owner champion, it's quite reasonable to assume the dry spell didn't sit well.

Randy Cabral, the driver of Bertrand Motorsports' No. 47 K&N sponsored car, managed to remain patient through three restarts, on his way to winning the Northeastern Midget Association's (NEMA) 25-lap feature at Seekonk Speedway's Open Wheel event. It was the first win of the season for Cabral, and made him the fourth different winner in the last four NEMA races.

The first win of the season for Bertrand Motorsports' Randy Cabral came at Seekonk Speedway, his home track.

"The way it started, I didn't think it would go this way," Cabral remarked, "We chased the car all day. It wasn't really good until the heat."

K&N Race News asked Bertrand what making it into victory lane for the first time in 2011 meant to him. "It felt awesome! We had a lot of great runs this year, but the competition has improved dramatically, and rules have created a lot of parity across the engine packages, making it an even fight. We have really focused on the handling of the race car - and that has really helped."

Seekonk Speedway, the semi-banked one-third-mile paved oval located on U.S. Route 6 in Seekonk, Massachusetts is Cabral's home track. "He was super happy to win there," Bertrand added. "It was a well earned win, coming down to the final laps."

Cabral followed up on his win at Seekonk by winning a fourth-straight 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association event at Twin State Speedway.

Despite the frustrating winless streak until the victory at Seekonk, Bertrand Motorsports' overall season can be surmised in yet another unfussy word choice offered by the team owner, "Good! Out of eight races, we have only been off the podium one time."

Things have been looking up for Cabral, the Plymouth, Massachusetts driver since his win at Seekonk. Cabral's domination of Twin State Speedway continued last Saturday night with a fourth-straight 25-lap Northeastern Midget Association victory on the tricky third-mile venue. Cabral grabbed the lead on a lap-10 restart from teammate Todd Bertrand, and went on to his second victory of the year. It was Cabral's fourth podium stance in the last five races, and he has now climbed back within 50 points of the championship title.

This Saturday, Cabral and Bertrand Motorsports will race in the Gene and Marilyn Angelillo Memorial race. "They were a huge influence in the club - President and Secretary, and both passed away in the last few years," said Bertrand. "The race would be a great honor to win."

For over 45 years, Marilyn Angelillo, had the same seat in turn three, next to the tunnel. She could be seen and heard cheering on her son and husband on a weekly basis.

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.

Brad Springer Makes a Showing in the Modified Division at Angola Motor Speedway

Aug 12, 2011

Brad Springer's modified car at Angola Speedway, at Angola, Indiana

Brad Springer's modified car at Angola Motor Speedway, at Angola, Indiana

Finishing third in their heat in the modified division at Angola Motor Speedway, in Angola, Indiana, Brad Springer lined up eighth in the feature. By the races end, Springer had managed to work himself into the fifth place spot.

Returning to the same track, and eager to compete in the 30 lap event on the following night, Brad qualified third in his heat and in turn, found himself in the fifth starting position in the feature. From the second the green flag dropped, Brad went to work and by lap twenty had muscled his way into the number two spot, but was still a straightaway behind the leader. The driver never let up, and by lap 25, they were running neck and neck. Taking the lead in the 28th, Springer went on to take the checkered flag.

Brad Springer gets checkered flag at Angola Speedway, in Angola, Indiana

Brad Springer gets checkered flag at Angola Motor Speedway, in Angola, Indiana

When asked his confidence level going into the weekend, Springer said, "Every race I go into, I have full confidence in my car and my team."

Referring to his fifth place finish on the first night he continued, "I am never completely satisfied unless I can take home a win. I ran a hard race, which was good, but the car just wasn't as good as it is capable of being."

When asked about his victory on the following night, Springer shared, "The team worked hard together to make the car as strong as it could be, and we were able to take home the win. It felt great that I could win for my team," continued the driver. "We worked on the set-up a little bit and adjusted, based on track conditions the night before, and were able to make it to the front with only a couple laps to go."

Brad Springer finds success at Angola Motor Speedway

On the following weekend, Brad Springer and his team returned to Angola to race in the Angola Twin 20 Features. Brad set a fast time for the day in the modified division which started him at the tail for the first of two twenty lap events. At the races end, Brad had managed to catch the leader but ran out of laps prior to taking the lead, and had to settle for a second place spot. Starting at the tail again at the beginning of the second twenty lap race, Brad had high hopes of a victory, but his tires eventually seemed to give out and the driver finished the feature in fifth place. Although he did not log a win, when the dust had settled, Brad was tied for the points championship at the Angola Motor Speedway.

Referring to the event, Brad said, "The Twin 20 Feature is a great race for the fans, but a little frustrating for the drivers. I set a fast time that night, and a full invert put me on the tail for the first 20 lap event. I made it up to 2nd position by the end, but just ran out of laps," he continued. "The car was good enough for the win, but not enough laps to do it." Referring to the following race, Springer explained, "By finishing second in the first 20, it put me on the tail for the second twenty lap event. Pushing the car to its limits caused the tires to wear out and we were only able to make it back up to fifth. The modified division is a tough group to race with, and 20 laps make it very hard to win from the tail of the field."

As one might suspect, Brad Springer has full intentions of continuing success and exceeding his fellow drivers in points at Angola. That said, he also has a good idea of what it will take to do so. "Consistently being fast and working hard to maintain my car on a weekly basis is the key to any points championship," he explained. "Last year, I won the USA Modified Series Championship, and consistency was the key. Making sure you pay attention to every detail."

Speaking of proper maintenance, Brad Springer said, "I start working on my race car the day after we race, and check it over completely before racing again. I use K&N oil filters on my race car, my hauler and my personal vehicle. Also, K&N air filters and breathers have been on my car for at least the last ten years of my racing career. I feel they are the best on the market for overall performance," he continued. "I have shown other drivers the benefits of using the K&N filters, and they have really seen a difference as well."

Referring to himself and his team Brad Springer explained, "Springer Racing is a small, family team that truly appreciates all of the support of their great sponsors and fans. Without them, racing wouldn't be possible. We try to go out every weekend and give a good show and a positive image, and we love what we do."

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.

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