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Twenty-seven years ago when Lake Charles, Louisiana resident Keith Raftery took his first pass down his local track in Louisiana at the age of 14, he could have only dreamed of the tremendous successes that were yet to come.
NHRA Drag Racer Keith Raftery
Raftery, who also races with his father, Roy, has been competing on and off for decades. In recent years, one would find him behind both the wheels of various dragsters and since 2003, several different cars for Top Sportsman competition.
"A good friend of mine, Clayton Hagan had told me about a Top Sportsman race in Baytown," he said of his first time running the class in 2003. "I had never heard of it, since at that time it was brand new to NHRA. I thought I would give it a try and won the very first NHRA Division 4 Top Sportsman event."
The trip to Houston had Raftery hooked and he continued his successes in the class since by going on to claim back-to-back NHRA Division 4 Top Sportsman Championships in both 2008 and 2009.
For 2010, Rafferty was out of the gate with a hard charge in his attempt to make it three in a row and a very good showing at his first event during the NHRA Cajun SportsNationals. He then went on to win three divisional events in Dallas, Houston and Belle Rose.
While Raftery seemed to easily sew up the Division 4 Top Sportsman championship in his K&N 2007 Bickel GTO, with a comfortable eighty-six point lead over number two, it was the quest for his first Division Top Dragster Championship that came right down to the wire.
After finishing number three in the Top Dragster class in 2009, Raftery gave it his all a 2010 championship right from the hit when he posted a victory over Dave Connolly in the Top Dragster final round at Belle Rose, for the NHRA Cajun SportsNationals.
As the season began to wind down, Raftery found himself in a position to claim his first Top Dragster championship. With no close divisional events left to compete in, he made a stout decision to haul all the way from his home in Louisiana to Las Vegas.
"I thought I was only one round away from winning the championship," said Raftery. "When we went to Vegas, I didn't even take the car, since I had already clinched the Top Sportsman title."
"So, I went to Vegas, won first round and I was like 'yes' that was it, I did it," he continued. "I was wanting to go home after that because the whole thing was just a lot of stress for me. I had never won a title in Top Dragster and it would have just meant a lot to me."
Thinking he had won the Top Dragster title after his first round win, the air was quickly knocked out of his sails when it was pointed out to him by fellow racers that he didn't actually have the tie breaker he thought he did.
He needed one more round to take the championship.
"When I found that out, my eyes just started tearing up. I mean I was emotionally done," confessed Raftery. "I told my dad that I didn't think I had enough in me to win another round. So I walked and walked. I just walked all over the whole complex and finally I felt good about it."
Raftery's decision to stay was a very good one. He not only won the second round and clinched his very first NHRA Division 4 Top Dragster Championship, but also took his 2008 Undercover K&N dragster all the way to the final round where he just missed the win by taking .006 too much of the stripe.
Now with two 2010 NHRA Division 4 titles, Raftery looks forward to 2011 and his brand new car for Top Sportsman competition by mid-season. He has also added a car to compete in NHRA Stock at select events where Top Sportsman is not offered and plans for it to fit into B/SA.
On top of all the good fortunes for Raftery in 2010 he also claimed the very first Jegs All-Star title in Top Sportsman and looks forward to returning in 2011.
"I'm already grandfathered in for the 2011 event in the car [Top Sportsman] since I won and I'm tied for second in the dragster with three races left," he pointed out. "And it would be really neat to be able to go and take both cars."
Raftery was very pleased to be able to take K&N along with him on his very first double divisional championship.
"This was our first year working with K&N," noted Raftery. "We use K&N products on both the Top Sportsman and Top Dragster cars. From K&N's oil filters on both cars to the cone air filter I use on my Top Dragster and I'm also looking forward to using their products on my new stocker, too."
K&N Air Intake Installed on 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L GDI
Dyno Chart for 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L GDI
With the newly redesigned 2.4 liter 4 cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection
(GDI) engine installed the 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Sonata is set to deliver up to 200hp and over 180 ft lbs of torque. As powerful and efficient as the 2011 to 2014 Sonata and 2013 to 2015 Kia Optima is, K&N has designed a full
air intake kit to deliver more power and throttle response from a simple bolt on system.
K&N Air Intake System for 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L GDI
For over 40 years, K&N has been dedicated to performance filtration products and providing the best in intake performance upgrades. The new 69-5301TTK Typhoon
Air Intake System is no exception to this philosophy. In fact testing of the
air intake showed a 7.75 horsepower gain at 5147 RPM's at the wheels.
The 69-5301TTK offers streamlined air flow into the GDI throttle body which replaces the restrictive stock intake tubing and air box to create a custom aftermarket system designed for increased performance and filtration.
K&N's Typhoon series intakes are designed with aluminum tubing, and oversize air filters.
They are guaranteed to increase your horsepower and turn your 2011 to 2014 Sonata or 2013 to 2015 Kia Optima into a sleek, powerful machine ready to take your driving experience to a whole new level.
The 69-5301TTK Typhoon Intake
System is available from your local K&N dealer and it is backed with our famous 1,000,000 mile limited lifetime warranty. Easy to clean and easy to install, this kit is sure to be the perfect next step in upgrading your to its full potential.
Make your move with the 69-5301TTK Typhoon Intake System and feel the difference!
Replacement Air Filter for 2011 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango
K&N has released air filter part 33-2457
for the 2011 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. This filter fits
either 5.7L or 3.6L engine giving drivers the ability to upgrade their air filter to gain
a lifetime of performance. In addition to adding performance, drivers will effectively protect their engines from harmful contaminants that can be ingested into the engine as air flows past the throttle body.
Restriction Chart for 33-2457 Air Filter
K&N engineers pay close attention to every detail of air filter design. They create filters that maximize air flow
while providing exceptional filtration. The depth and angle of the pleating
are all carefully engineered to create a quality product that seals to the
air box for many years of use. This air filter is manufactured in the
USA under strict quality controls.
Like every K&N air filter, part number 33-2457
can reduce long term costs since it is both washable and reusable. Cleaning this air filter is very simple and can be done using
a K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit, part
99-5050. Service intervals are
as long as 50,000 miles when driven primarily on paved roads and sooner when driving in extreme conditions. Drivers can
determine if this filter needs to be cleaned by inspecting it to see if dirt
exceeds the pleated wire screen mesh that encompasses the filter media.
K&N's million mile limited warranty gives drivers the assurance that this will be the last air filter
they will need for their 2011 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango.
Gaining performance for your Jeep Cherokee or Dodge Durango has never been easier with this filter's drop in design. Air filter 33-2457 will fit the following vehicles:
2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 6.4L V8
2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2016 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 6.4L V8
2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2015 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2015 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2015 DODGE DURANGO 3.6L V6
2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 6.4L V8
2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2014 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2014 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2014 DODGE DURANGO 3.6L V6
2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 6.4L V8
2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2013 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2013 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2013 DODGE DURANGO 3.6L V6
2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 6.4L V8
2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2012 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2012 DODGE DURANGO 3.6L V6
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5.7L V8
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.6L V6
2011 DODGE DURANGO 5.7L V8
2011 DODGE DURANGO 3.6L V6
The Cummings Motorsport team took an annual pilgrimage from their home in Hammond, Louisiana, to the Las Vegas for the 10th Annual NHRA Nationals. In the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Stock Eliminator final, Slate Cummings snatched the victory by a mere tire's width, or 0.0154 seconds.
Slate Cummings Stock Eliminator win at the 10th Annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals was the K&N sponsored drivers third national event victory for 2010.
"The Vegas event was a great win for a number of reasons," commented the K&N sponsored driver. "First off, the victory marked our third NHRA national event win of the season in our fifth final, which capped off a tremendous year! We came into this event as a national championship contender in both Stock and Super Stock, but we were out of national events to claim toward our year-end total. So, it was nice to be able to race without the pressure of the points chase, and at the same time, we felt like the win would give us some momentum to carry into the deciding event the next week.
The championships would be decided the following week at the divisional event at the same facility - The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"We finished the season the following weekend at the LODRS (Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series) event in Las Vegas. The result wasn't what we'd hoped for, as we lost a heads-up battle in round two of Stock Eliminator, falling just short of the national championship."
"In retrospect, we had a fantastic season, regardless," added Cummings. "I finished second in NHRA national points in Stock, and ninth in Super Stock. Our team driver, Jody Simoneaux, won the Division 4 Stock Championship, and my father, Larry, won the IHRA Division 4 Super Stock title."
"We look forward to more of the same for 2011. Moser Engineering is back on board as our major sponsor once again, and we'll have new graphics for next season. We also thank K&N for their continuing support for Cummings Motorsports, a.k.a. The Bayou Boyz."
"We plan on running an ambitious schedule of NHRA events in pursuit of the Lucas Oil Championship," says Cummings. "Between my brother Britt, father Larry, Jody and myself, we will field six cars in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, and Top Dragster. We're looking forward to another great year in 2011."
The cars appointments are minimalist and flawless.
Like a mysterious black night blanketing an azure sea of rolling silver tipped waves, mystified gazers were lured in for closer assessment. Seriously. The 2005 Nissan 2.5L Altima that Tracee Hiler created for the 2010 SEMA show was like poetry for your eyes.
Hiler's Nissan Altima has 22 inch Helos and with the fully adjustable suspension it's able to lay the cross member to the ground.
For those familiar with Hiler's vehicular exploits this latest creation comes as no surprise. While most toddlers are still trying to get the hang of their toddler-walkers, Hiler was already attempting routine maintenance on mom and pop's car.
"I have been into cars since before I could walk," said Hiler. "My parents told me the story that when I was about six months old, I was in my little walker with a wrench in my hand, and I was trying to put it on the lug-nuts of our car. It probably doesn't help when you have a father and grandfather that totally passionate about cars too - so it was completely expected that I would be as well.
The custom paint work is stunning from any angle.
Regarding the work done to the 2005 Nissan Altima SEMA show car Hiler says that it rides on a fully adjustable suspension (air-bags), the cross member is capable of laying on the ground, while the car rolls on four 22 inch Helos.
"I have full custom paint work done, rear suicide doors, full black leather and black suede interior, full custom audio/video system, which includes Fusion components and two 12 inch Subwoofers," adds Hiler.
The car garners attention wherever it parks.
"Also, there's an Alpine DVD/CD deck and a 10.5" monitor in the dash, cross drilled slotted and vented rotors, upper and lower billet grilles from TRex Grilles, and a full cold-air intake system from K&N Engineering."
Hiler says K&N has been the go-to choice for as far back as can be remembered. "Being into the car scene, K&N is everywhere, and that's because it's such a great product. I have had many K&N cold-air intakes on other vehicles over the years. I love the intake system on my Nissan, not only does it sound and look good, its added horsepower."
Over the years Hiler has managed to remain automotively well rounded by refusing to be limited by any one particular style.
"I can appreciate all sorts of cars from the hotrod scene, mini truck scene, import scene, and low-rider scene," explained Hiler. "I have friends that are into each one of those categories. I do have a full-time job that I enjoy, but aside from that, my major hobby is cars."
"I live in Arizona and I would have to say that it is a perfect state to live in for car shows, along with all other things that involve being outdoors. I would like to thank Steven Burkett with Show Cars Inc., if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have gotten in touch with the majority of my current sponsors, such as K&N, which in return made it possible for me to bring my car to SEMA. I had a blast and hope to go to many more in the future!"
