| ||||
 | ||||
| ||||
| | ||||
In 2016, the Aston Martin Vantage GT8 led the SP8 class for much the event before an unfortunate incident ended their hopes of victory. “The GT8 performed very well at last year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours,” according to David King, President of Aston Martin Racing. “Ultimately the car crashed out in challenging conditions but it was leading its class and running like clockwork at the time so I have high expectations of a top result this time out.” First run in 1970 as a Touring Car event, the race utilizes the entire Nürburgring circuit, not just the Nordshielfe, but the Grand Prix circuit as well, making for a monstrous 15.53 mile circuit – enough to start over two hundred cars. The model chosen by Aston Martin for the 2017 N24 is the 150-unit limited edition Aston Martin Vantage GT8, which originated as a car equally at home on the road as on the track. As it carries the production 4.7L V8 engine, gearbox, and electronics, the GT8 doesn’t compete with the full-race GT3 Audis and BMWs that race in the WEC (SP9), but rather in the SP8 class for less-modified cars.
One component the production-based Aston Martin GT8 shares with the full-race WEC GTE are that both rely upon K&N air filters for their intake systems to draw in as much air as possible. Piloting the GT8 for the 2017 N24 were Aston Martin FIA World Endurance Championship drivers Darren Turner and Nicki Thiim, along with Aston Martin N24 regular Peter Cate and Markus Lungstrass, who drove alongside Darren Turner earlier this year at the Bathurst 12 Hours in the very same car. The Aston Martin team qualified second in class, after running quickly in the qualifying race. No matter to driver Darren Turner who said, “I’m happy with that. We were actually a bit quicker during the qualifying race weekend, but the ambient temperature was a lot lower then, so an 8 minute 59 second is an okay lap and we are P2 on the grid – which is where we wanted to be.”
Lead driver Darren Turner tasked with bringing home the close-to-production Vantage GT8, needed all his experience and skill in the final stint to navigate a dramatic late storm that drowned a third of the 15.53 mile N24 circuit in water, which was a real threat to erase the team’s efforts throughout the race. In the end, David King and Turner together decided that Darren should stay out and bring the car home safely first in class and 21st overall, rather than pit and risk track position. Turner said afterwards, “when you have heavy rain here, it might only fall on a third of the track. So you really want to wait until it looks like everything is going to get wet before changing tires”. Lead driver Darren Turner summed it up nicely, “It’s great to have won here at the Nordschleife. You are constantly fighting the circuit and the elements here rather than the competition. This is a hard track, in what is effectively a production car, and to survive that is testament to the build and quality of the Vantage GT8.” | |||
| | |||
| |||
| | |||
Hancock was extremely fast in Pro Stock practice and he carried that speed into the start of the main event. He jumped out to the lead early in the race. Unfortunately, an electrical gremlin took Hancock out of contention and he ended up finishing 15th. He now sits in 4th overall in the WORCS Pro Stock points standings. “The car was dialed in...I had a car that could win the race,” said Hancock. “I got out front and just started driving my race. Then bad luck struck. I had a radiator fan plug pull apart, the car overheated and it went into limp mode. It was pretty devastating to me. We have three rounds left. I know (what) I can do and I am just going to keep charging.”
“The car was running awesome, but I had issues pulling out of the corners,” said Hancock. “I needed the points, and the finish is not what I know I’m capable of. I know I can run up front, but at least we got a finish and got some points.” Hancock finished the Pro race in 11th and is now planted in the fourth position in points in that class, as well. Dihel had issues of his own in the SxS 1000 Stock race, but his end result was much more positive than his teammate. Dihel was on a mission after his DNF in the prior WORCS round. Like Hancock, Dihel got a solid start, but his race quickly turned upside down...literally.
After he righted the ship, Dihel finished 3rd, and now holds a solid 20-point lead in the SxS 1000 Stock championship race. The K&N-sponsored Pro Motorsports race team will return to action as the WORCS series heads to the first of two races at Glen Helen Raceway in Devore, California. To keep your Polaris RZR’s oil running clean, screw on the K&N KN-198 oil filter. The KN-198 is built around industry-leading filtration technology and includes a convenient 17 mm nut affixed onto the end for easy and fast removal. | |||
| | |||
| |||
| | |||
“Well, they haven't sunk in, by no means,” Dillon said. “I did know a lot of winners come from the Coke 600 for the first time. I talked about it today in an interview. It hasn't sunk in truthfully. I'm just so proud of all the effort that all these guys put in. I really feel like I have the best team and the best pit crew. I have no doubt in them.” Dillon only led for the last two laps, but due to excellent driving and a great pit crew, he reached the checkered flag for the first time in his career. Dillon, was the rookie of the year in 2008 when he raced in the K&N Pro Series. “If we get the track position, it's probably better than that truthfully,” Dillon said. ”Times in the race where we were the fastest car. Pit crew did an amazing job. I had a really good restart and an okay restart. That hurt us. But it also put us in a position where I could be smart and save fuel.” Another first was from Dillon's Crew Chief, Richard Childress, his first win since the 2000 season when the late Dale Earnhardt won his last race at Talladega. Childress and the number 3 Chevrolet were retired until Dillon had a full season of racing under his belt. “I'm so proud” Childress said. “We didn't even run the 3 for many years. I think to bring it back three years ago here at Charlotte and did our announcement, I think this is going into our fourth year with the 3. It's just unbelievable. Having my grandson just made it that much more special. I know Dale is up there smiling down because he would want this win, he'd want to see it with Austin.” The other big story of the race occurred on Lap-20 when a piece of Jeffrey Earnhardt's car hit Chase Elliott's. The debris caused flames under the hood of Elliott's car and leaked oil, which Brad Keselowski’s car skidded through and hit Elliott, sidelining both drivers the rest of the race.
Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. finished in second and third place respectively. Truex led for a race high of 233 laps, and led for the most laps the past three years at the Coca Cola 600, lost his lead after a restart. “We had a shot at it again,” Truex said. “Third year in a row we led the most laps. Felt like we had a shot to win. Two out of three we lost it on fuel mileage. That's tough to swallow. Can't say enough about my team, what they continue to do. So really proud of them.” Martin Truex Jr. took over the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standings from Kyle Larson with his third place finish, and currently sits with 491 points and 16 playoff points. Kyle Larson is in second place with 486 points and 7 playoff points. Brad Keselowski is in third place with 409 points and 12 playoff points.
The next race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be the AAA 400 Drive for Autism. | |||
| | |||
| |||
| | |||
Europe is a critical market to K&N, so much so that it operates two R&D centers there. One is located in the West of England, the other in The Netherlands (its official name, but sometimes referred to as Holland). These facilities conduct the same type of research and development as K&N’s laboratory in California. The reason is simple: proximity to cars. For models not available in the United States, each would have to be shipped to the California, measured, filters or systems developed, production models tested and evaluated, and then shipped back. With dedicated facilities in such a major market for K&N, it’s far easier and faster to acquire the vehicles locally for development and testing.
As the most populous country in Europe with over 80 million inhabitants, Germany is also one of the primary markets for K&N products in the continent. So K&N Filters Europe launched a promotional campaign with the German magazine “Auto Bild” (Auto Picture). The campaign draws a parallel between a sheet of paper and a t-shirt. The page represents an OEM or replacement paper filter, which if you place it in front of your mouth is difficult to breathe through. On the other hand, K&N's cotton filter, represented by the t-shirt, is far easier to draw air through. And more air equals more horsepower. We had a chance to ask a few questions about the campaign to Robert Hordossy, K&N's Senior Director of International Business. K&N: What made you decide to partner with Auto Bild for this marketing campaign?
K&N: Are you running the promotion with other magazines? R: Yes we advertising in many countries in Europe in many publications print and online K&N: What is the primary focus of the promotion? R: Our main business in Europe is replacement filters. However, from a branding perspective and to stay cool and innovative we continue to promote intake kits as we do sell those for select vehicles as well. K&N: In general terms, what do you expect the promotion to achieve? R: Increased brand awareness, to drive consumers to our website for more information and buy from our DTC channel. Germany is our number one market in Europe and we need to sharpen consumer awareness continuously. You can check-out the contest at http://www.autobild.de. K&N: How long will the promotion run? R:Throughout the year; three times online and periodically with consumer advertising in print magazines. K&N: And what's your expectation for the results of the promotion ? R: Brand awareness, for consumer to be educated about the features and benefits of our products, and to demonstrate that we are original filter with performance touch to the product. We drive these campaigns through automotive publications in order to hit automotive fans as these sites are mainly visited by consumers who are interested in cars. | |||
| | |||
| |||
| | |||
