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Shea Holbrook wins trophy in the #67 Acura Integra
Not yet 20 years old, Shea Holbrook from Groveland, Florida, a K&N sponsored racer, has already soundly confirmed that she is without question the real deal - a champion both on and off the track. And, according to all indications, we haven't seen anything yet. Shea has motorsports superstar written all over her.
Shea Holbrook from Groveland, Florida, discovered her passion for driving when she was 16
Last month, on Homestead Miami-Speedway, racing in the Formula Automotive Racing Association (FARA) 3-Hour endurance race, Shea placed first in class and third overall. Then in the 6-hour race she collected second in class. Shea got it done driving a car she hadn't raced since January. Due to last minute changes she was forced to dust off her faithful number 67 Acura Integra. With only a few days to prepare the car, her crew pulled off some miraculous wrenching readying the car. Shea didn't let their efforts go to waste.
Shea is equally as proficient off the track, recognizing early on that what she learns off the track equals growth and maturity on it. Last year Shea Racing partnered with the Frito Lay Corp., and together they raised $12,500 for the Susan G. Komen "For the Cure" charity. Future plans include raising money for MDA (Muscular Dystrophy), which affects her own family. She also volunteers for several other women and children charities.
Shea first discovered her passion for driving when she was 16, it was during a "Richard Petty Experience." Her talents where immediately recognized by the motorsport community as she roared through high performance driving events all throughout Florida. She went on to obtain her SCCA license and since then has been road racing competitively all over the nation with many organizations, from sprint races to 25-hour enduros.
Shea is also an accomplished national competitive water skier holding numerous state, regional and national titles. She is currently attending college and moving forward to become a pro driver.
Fittingly enough her mantra is "Fear is a state of mind, will is an action taken." Shea lives this quote and believes through commitment and determination anything is possible.
"My life couldn't be better. The past year and a half has been amazing on and off the racetrack," exclaims Shea. "I'm now a sophomore in college studying Public Relations, and I've have taken a big interest in broadcasting, and my racing career continues to grow."
She already has her own show on Z-Max Radio called ‘Racing with Shea,' on the air Wednesdays at 9:00 A.M. Not long ago at the Indy Car Championship in Homestead, Florida, she managed to wrangle a willing Helio Castroneves into an impromptu interview.
"Off track, through much guidance, I've learned that what you do off track makes what you can do on the track better. My world is revolving around the racing industry. My ultimate goal is to become a pro driver and I'm building a foundation for myself to help get there," says a confidently determined Shea.
"Also, over the past year I've joined Lyn St. James ‘Women in the Winners Circle' Foundation. Lyn has been incredibly helpful, she has given young female drivers like myself, the knowledge and opportunity to succeed within the racing industry. She provides us with the tools needed for success. Lyn's program is fantastic for young female drivers."
"On track, I couldn't have asked for a better year in racing. With tons of help I was fortunate enough to set my first track record, win a 3-hour endurance race, and win the SCCA CFR H1 Championship. Over the past three and a half years of racing I've been incredibly appreciative to meet the legends in racing that have shaped my career. And all my support has been so crucial this year. I want to praise and give unbelievable thanks to my family, K&N, Wine Country Motorsports, Lyn St. James, and all the racing organizations I've been involved with."
"K&N has supported my racing career from the day I became serious about having a pro career. Our car performs 110% with K&N's air filters, intakes, and oil filters. Everyone I've worked with at K&N has been incredibly helpful, focused, and not to mention they ship supplies at the speed of lightening. I'm honored to have a partner like K&N and will continue to make every effort to develop our relationship to full potential."
"I have to believe that 2010 will be a year to remember for my racing career. I'll be entering the world of pro racing. I'd rather keep quiet about exact plans for next year, but I will say that we have a sweet spot for Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the new changes to World Challenge. Just as importantly though is to continually keep nurturing my relationships will my established partners and to keep creating new partners along the way.
One of the most entertaining things you can do on two wheels is run a four-stroke around a dirt or motocross track. Kawasaki's answer to a day of fun is the KLX140 or KLX140L, which can satisfy a wide variety of riders in the off-road arena. Both motorcycles are designed to be friendly for beginners and novices.
K&N replacement air filter, part number KA-1408 is ideal for use in dirty and dusty off road conditions for your 2008-2016 Kawasaki KLX140 and 2008-2016 Kawasaki KLX 140L
K&N air filter, part number KA-1408 can help increase the performance of your 2008 to 2016 Kawasaki KLX140 or your 2008 to 2016 Kawasaki KLX140L.
K&N's high flow replacement round air filter is washable and reusable, pre-oiled and ready to ride.
The KA-1408 is designed to fit into the stock air filter assembly without needing any air box modifications. It was made to fit in one direction, simply put the bump seal on the
K&N motorcycle air filter as shown in the included installation instructions. Hardware is also supplied for a secure fit.
K&N high-flow replacement air filters are performance designed to provide increased airflow over traditional paper filters. Even with the increase in air flow, the filter provides excellent filtration for long engine life.
K&N’s KA-1408 is warranted against defective workmanship for one year after the date of purchase with no mileage limitation. With proper care, this filter can last many seasons.
Brooke Kawell is only 11-years-old but has wrapped up a great racing season in her J1Trophy Kart. The honor roll student had five podium finishes and took a 4th place championship in the SXS Stadium Series.
Brooke Kawell took 4th place in the SXS Stadium Series
California girl likes to drive fast and collect trophies, her goal is to drive at Baja
She was also named Top Female Driver of the Year in her class. “I started racing
when I was 5-years-old,” said Kawell. “I like being on the dirt, I like going fast and I like getting trophies.”
Young California racer is moving up to the Modified Trophy Kart Division in 2010
11-year-old racer stays on top of her honor roll status on the road between races
Kawell was not able to compete in the entire 2009 Lucas Oil Off Road Series, but made it to the last two events. “I didn’t have the best of luck in Arizona but I did in the Primm, Nevada race,” she said. “There were 30 competitors in my class but I quickly made it up to 5th place for the first day.”
The off-road racing LeDuc family, her dad and her mom help her with her career. “I beat Kyle LeDuc in Karts and I beat my dad,” she said. “In 2010 I’ll race Trophy Kart Trucks in the 8 to 12 year-old division.”
The Oak Hills, California girl's goal is to race in Baja. “Brooke's dad is a championship Baja motorcycle racer,” said Stefanie Kawell, Brooke’s mom. “I’m really proud of Brooke, it’s hard to race and make straight A’s, but she does it. Now she’s moving up and I’m ecstatic because the Trophy
Kart Trucks have roll bars.”
The Kawell family and the LeDuc family use K&N filters. “K&N has the best set up,” said Kawell. “K&N is dependable, economical and keeps our engines free of dirt and debris.”
Kawell is looking forward to the 2010 race season in her new Modified Trophy Kart.
Ten Time Top Fuel AMA Motorcycle Drag Bike Champion Larry “Spiderman” McBride made it into the 2010 Guinness Book of Records. The U.S. drag racer went 245.36 mph for the official fastest quarter-mile on two wheels. McBride finished the 2009 campaign with four victories on the AMA Dragbike tour. "My highpoint took place at Atlanta Dragway in March," said McBride. "I lowered the AMA Dragbike elapsed-time record to 5.793."
Ten Time AMA Top Fuel Motorcycle Champion Larry Spiderman McBride
McBride is the first AMA Dragbike professional racer to reach ten championships. McBride’s nickname came from a track announcer at Indy who called him Spiderman because of the way he looked when he rode his motorcycle on the track. “I’m tall and in the 80s fuel bikes were short, so I guess I looked like Spiderman,” he said. “The name just stuck after that.”
Motorcycles are McBride’s passion. His motorcycle machine shop in Newport News, Virginia occupies his time when he’s not breaking world records. “From the time I was a kid I knew I wanted to race motorcycles,” he said. “When I was 9-years-old I used to take my older brother's motorcycle after he would go to bed. We lived in a small town at the time and the cops would just bring me home. I’ve been racing for about 31 years.”
Larry McBride’s Top Fuel Motorcycle Specs are:
Chassis
1994 Race Visions
Wheelbase: 100 inch axle center to center
Weight: 1030 lbs
Fuel Usage: 4 gallons per run
Fuel Capacity: 6 gallon capacity
Carbon fiber body and body panels
Rear Tire Size: 14” x 31.5”
Performance Machine Brakes – 11” diameter rotors front and rear
Ohlins Forks
Engine
1511cc Puma/Kawasaki
1000 horsepower estimated
70mm stroke, 83 mm bore
59: 1 compression
BME Rods Bill Miller Engineering
Vance and Hines Cylinder Head
Puma crankshaft and case assembly
Dailey Engineering 3 stage dry sump oil system
Steve McBride engineered drive system
Belt Drives Ltd.
1 Gallon oil capacity
Supercharger:
Auto rotor
2.4 compression ratio
Transmission:
B&J Planetary Transmissions
2 speeds -1.43:1 under drive –4.50:1 overall gear ratio
Cycle Specialist’s Multiple Stage Clutch
“We also use K&N filters,” said McBride. “I’ve used K&N as long as I’ve been running motorcycles and I wouldn’t use anything else. K&N is dependable and cost effective. I use it on my personal vehicles and I am a life-long customer.”
McBride is hoping to unveil a new bike in the 2010 season. “It’s based on an inline 4 cylinder Suzuki with the same basic engine design as a Hayabusa,” he said. “It will have a 14 inch wide tire on the back and its 17 feet .5 inches from the tip of the front wheel to the tip of the wheelie bars. It features a stronger bottom end and a state of the art chassis built by Steve Phillips and Ben Phaup. We think the new bike will leave the starting line better.”
The ten-time class champion will be back in full swing with the 2010 AMA Dragbike Schedule. It kicks off March 5-7 with the B&B Promotions Bikeweek Nationals at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Valdosta, Georgia. He will also continue his work with motorcycle rides which benefit children with cancer.
“I broke the world record in 1999 and no one came close to it until 2005,” said McBride. “We’ve been blessed.”
Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience runs from Dec. 30, 2009 until Jan. 31, 2010 at
Louhosareena
On Aaltonen Motorsport's website this question is posed regarding winter driving "Have you ever dreamed of being able to keep your car under full control while looking through the side window to see where you are going?"
Aaltonen Motorsport's' Arctic Driving Experience
One would have to believe that is one downright handy skill to have grooved should your side window unexpectedly became perpendicular to the road. Understanding the dynamics of a full-on automotive ice slide is the focus of this unique driver training opportunity, although a totally revamped perspective of all your driving abilities is the overall benefit.
Retired professional racer Tino Aaltonen is the head instructor for the Arctic Driving Experience. Tino is the third generation of racing drivers in the Aaltonen family. The Aaltonen Motorsport training courses are based on the unique training methods created by Tino's father, Rauno Aaltonen, Rauno is a motorsports legend (see Finnish K&N Importer Aaltonen Motorsport - Created by Three Generations of Racing).
Drivers from around the world travel to Finland to participate in
the unique snow and ice driving school.
Rauno Aaltonen began his coaching career while he was still professionally competing in rallies and races. A group of prominent German racers, respecting Rauno's often
completely original driving techniques, asked whether he would provide them with training and coaching. This was in the early ‘70's, during the period that Finnish rally drivers ruled the rally world.
The Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience was introduced in 1991
The popularity and success of that program grew exponentially each year. In 1991 Tino introduced the first winter weather specific driver training course called the Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience. The annual event is held in eastern Finland, at the breathtaking Tahkovuori winter sport resort. The course used during the training is on an actual frozen lake in the middle of untouched, pristine Finnish nature. The Arctic Driving Experience is known for the extensive practical training, the theory portion of the training is very comprehensive, although as brief as possible.
Aaltonen's philosophy has long been that driving is something you learn by doing - not by studying.
"Our participants come from all over the world, they are truly an international group. Most guests do not have the chance to really ever experience the limits of their car, nor their own limits and reactions. The Aaltonen Arctic Driving
Experience improves their abilities on both the race track and in tricky situations on normal roads," says Tino.
"We coach in groups, with the emphasis of the training set on individualism. The course participants are divided into very small groups, which are based on their individual skill levels and target goals. Therefore, we are very close to delivering a one-on-one coaching experience. All drivers have areas where their skills are less developed than others. Even top drivers have weak areas. Because of our many years of experience, we can quickly diagnose those areas and address them. It is all about the
maximum learning experience in a minimum of time."
The training begins with basic car control maneuvers and advances towards more difficult performance driving tasks. In order to maximize car control at the very limits of high speeds, the MINI Coopers are equipped with ice rally tires. At the end of the training, participants get the opportunity to pit their newly acquired race skills against the clock on the closed course, to discover who truly is the champion of the ice track learning experience.
The cars used for the training have several specific modifications to ensure the ultimate performance during the challenging winter conditions. "Not many people understand the problems air filters encounter. The filter has to work equally well in the searing heat and dust, as well as in the arctic cold, both in dry and very, very wet circumstances," explains Tino.
"We found out back in the 50's about unexpected problems during the winter with the paper filters. The snow melted on the warm paper filter and the humidity reduced the airflow through the filter. Wet paper can be airtight. We did a lot of development with filters, because you need full-power to win a race."
"With K&N Filters on all our training cars there's no need for further testing or experimentation. They are already tested and we know they will be totally reliable, both for ideal power, endurance and fuel consumption. This saves us time so we can stay focused on our work coaching our students,"
summarizes Tino.
The Aaltonen Arctic Driving Experience runs from Dec. 30, 2009 until Jan. 31, 2010 at
Louhosareena in Nilsiä, Finland. The course then continues on frozen Tahko Lake until the end of March.
