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The 10th Annual Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Was the Best One Yet

17 nov 2017

Photo of the K&N Title Sponsor Car - Jane Thurmond's 1964 Chevrolet Corvette

K&N's title sponsor entry, the 1964 Chevrolet Corvette owned and driven by Jane Thurmond

Every year, the SEMA Show just keeps getting bigger and better from the excitement and anticipation of The Battle of the Builders to The Gran Tourismo Awards to SEMA Ignited. This year, BFGoodrich held an outdoor premier of the second installment of Dust 2 Glory by acclaimed Hollywood Director, Filmmaker, and Documentarian Dana Brown. Show-goers were even treated to a Jay Leno sighting in the main Concourse along with impromptu concerts by country singer/songwriter James Otto.

Photo Inside SEMA with racers Jane Thurmond and Mary Pozzi along side Robert Byrd of Racing Byrds

SEMA fun with K&N team driver Jane Thurmond, SCCA champ Mary Pozzi, and Robert Byrd of Racing Byrds

Located in Central Hall, the K&N Engineering booth was a hotbed of activity throughout SEMA week. Team drivers and sponsored racers were on hand to meet and greet show attendees and share product information when it came to those eager to improve their car’s performance. In fact, our team driver’s rallied their fans that ultimately made it out to Las Vegas Motor Speedway the weekend immediately following SEMA for the 10th running of OPTIMA’s Ultimate Street Car Invitational. OUSCI is a competition featuring five scored segments that culminates in awarding the OUSCI champion. This year the format included the addition of class champions to make the invitational a wee bit more rewarding as well as competitive.

Photo of Mike Maier behind the wheel pushing "New Blue" to the limit on the autocross trac

Mike Maier pushing his 2017 Mustang dubbed "New Blue" to the limit on the autocross track at OUSCI

K&N team driver Mike Maier started his year off with an incredible victory in the GT Class in "New Blue", his 2017 Ford Mustang GT at the season opener for USCA at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2017. There he earned his invite to OUSCI. Mike came in second in GT Class at Pikes Peak International Raceway for the fourth installment of the OPTIMA Series. He secured two first positions in the Powerstop Brakes Speed Stop Challenge and Detroit Speed and Engineering Autocross but fell short in the much contended Lingenfelter Design & Engineering segment of the two-day event. Mike’s final qualifying event was the famed Road America where he came away with a well deserved 1st place in GT Class with a solid 15th overall in a field of 115 competitors.

Photo of Mike Maier on the road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

K&N's Mike Maier on the road course in his 2017 Mustang "New Blue" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

This year marked the 10th Anniversary of OUSCI and the invitational boasted a very diverse field of just over 100 competitors, divided into 6 classes. Mike once again proved to be formidable, a force to be reckoned with finishing in a tie for 2nd place in the GT Class. The head to head Detroit Speed & Engineering Autocross saw competition separating the top fifteen drivers by tenths of a second across the field. A mid-day setback required Maier to do an engine swap after his morning autocross run sessions. Through sheer will and determination, the team had "New Blue" running and ready that same afternoon for the Lucas Oil/MAV TV Road Rally ending in a car meet and tailgate party at the Shelby Museum. The competition at the invitational was so tight separating 1st through 10th position across the field in the Powerstop Brakes Speed Stop Challenge by mere tenths. On Sunday, the driver's would hit the road course for the Falken Tires Hot Lap Challenge. Over 100 racers would do their best to lay down their fastest lap time to see if they could indeed be crowned the winner. Once again, we saw incredibly close competition. Mike Maier would go on to earn a 3rd place finish in the GT Class.

Photo of Mike Maier congratulating Cliff Elliott at Pikes Peak International Raceway

Maier congratulating fellow competitor Cliff Elliott at Pikes Peak International Raceway

Maier introduced his K&N-equipped MMI project car “New Blue” to the competition at the 2016 OUSCI with K&N brand ambassador and wife Brianne behind the wheel for the event. "New Blue" is the test bed for all of MMI's new suspension and chassis products for the Ford Mustang S550. MMI or Mike Maier Inc. is a California-based performance suspension manufacturer dedicated to Mustang performance. 2017 has been the first full year that “New Blue” has been in competition.

Photo of Way back in the day when Mike Maier raced sprint cars for K&N

Way back in the day, OUSCI racer Mike Maier raced sprint cars for K&N

Maier is a consistent and talented performance driver. Perhaps his many years of experience as a racer in sprint cars have set the foundation that affords him the ability to literally hop into any car and be a frontrunner in any class.

Photo of Mike & Brianne Maier talking business and race strategy at Goodguys Pleasanton

Husband and wife team, Mike and Brianne Maier talk business and strategy at Goodguys Pleasanton

As for the future of “New Blue”, it’s business as usual for the 2018 race season and K&N Engineering is excited to announce that the husband and wife team of Mike and Brianne Maier will once again be part of the team.

Another K&N team driver who continues to up her game year after year is Jane Thurmond, owner and driver of the K&N-equipped USCA title sponsor 1964 Chevrolet Corvette, affectionately known as Scarlett. Thurmond has experienced a couple of setbacks this race season, but has come back more determined to gain ground lost earlier in the season. A new 600hp LS3 motor has allowed her to pick up valuable time on the road course, getting her lap time at Las Vegas Motor Speedway just below 1.59, almost 5 seconds down from her last OUSCI. Additionally, the 560+ lb. ft. torque has proven to put down some beastly power on the autocross and speed stop courses. That coupled with the addition of some serious braking power provided by Baer Brakes, Jane has been able to keep a close watch on her competition in the GTV Class. In fact, she has done more than enough, slayed enough of her competition, to be inducted into #teamarchenemies. A former “boys club” of highly competent racers, fittingly named by USCA Race Director and FM3 Performance Marketing President and CEO, Jimi Day.

Photo of Thurmond staging during autocross

Thurmond staging during autocross. Even grid in Vegas is Rock 'n Roll!

As a K&N representative, she continues to reach a surprisingly unexpected demographic - women over forty! Her outgoing personality makes her a welcome face at Goodguys events, OPTIMA Alley at SEMA, and of course OUSCI. Her talent behind the wheel reminds her fans and followers that amazing things are possible at any age!

Photo of Jane with Trish Byrd/Racing Byrds after winning NMCAWest Hotchkis Cup Fastest Lady

Jane with Trish Byrd after receiving award for Fastest Lady at NMCA West Hotchkis Cup

Jane came in 11th in the GTV Class at OUSCI in a field of 34 competitors. Finishing in her timed segments within tenths of the fastest drivers. She finished 50th overall which was a little tough but gives her incentive to work even harder in development for a strong comeback next season.

During the off-season, Thurmond will spend her winter as an instructor at the Bridgestone Winter Drive School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, under the tutelage of School Director, Mark Cox, best known for training Tanner Foust, Travis Pastrana, and Ken Block. Her intent is to come back stronger and faster with a vengeance to see just how far she can go in her Little Red Corvette. She’s even set her eyes on Rally Cross for a potential change of pace.

Photo of cars staged for the Lucas Oil Mav TV Road Ralley

Heading out to the Vegas Strip for the Saturday Lucas Oil MAV TV Road Rally

K&N Engineering would like to Congratulate all of the drivers who made it to the big show, the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. It is no small feat and we applaud their commitment and talent.

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Oh What Wondrous Trucks We Saw At the 2017 SEMA Show – Part 1

16 nov 2017

The 2017 SEMA Show was just chock-a-block with modified trucks. There is any number of explanations why trucks seem to have taken over the annual show. These include the truck that as trucks still maintain a full frame, they’re easier to modify, trucks make a big impact when parked inside a booth, or that more than car buyers, new truck buyers spend more on aftermarket components. Or maybe it’s all of the above. Regardless, we saw an amazing range of modified trucks that are just too many to share in just one story. Here’s part one. Look for part two shortly.

Finish Line Speed Shop GMC BC-30 Dually

For the third year Finish Line Speed Shop brought to SEMA a custom vehicle for a charitable cause

Finish Line Speed Shop brough their GMC dually to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of each build, let’s take a minute to cover something really important. We’ve written before about Finish Line Speed Shop, most recently about their Dodge Dart build for disabled veterans. For the 2017 SEMA Show, Finish Line Speed Shop and “#ProjectGivingBack” decided to build out a classic GMC C-30 dually. The sale of the truck, renamed BC-30 (for Burnout Cancer), at an upcoming Mecum auction will be directed to cancer research. Proceeds will go to the world-renowned Fred Hutch Center in Seattle. Cancer has hit us or someone close to all of us at some point or another. Owner and founder Lyon McClenahan was not quite eight-years-old when his dad passed away due to complications from brain cancer. His father Tom was just 34 years old. Lyon and his wife Jennifer have heartbreaking stories about friends lost to cancer and currently fighting the terrible disease, as we all probably do. K&N supports this program and asks you to do the same. Just jump in and follow #projectgivingback for more info.

Fuller Moto 1940 Ford Truck

The 1940 Ford sits on a Morrison chassis with IFS and a solid rear axle with quick change center

Fuller Moto turned a 1940 Ford barn find into this immaculate street machine powered by a 302 V8

Starting with a 1940 Ford barn find out of Georgia, Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto has more than saved the girl, he and his team have given it life beyond what Henry Ford could have ever expected. Under the truck is a custom-made Art Morrison chassis that features tubular independent front suspension. Out back, an Art Morrison four-bar kit makes certain the solid rear axle with Tiger magnesium quick change behaves properly. The old Ford has also been updated with Wilwood disk brakes and Flaming River rack and pinion steering. Ridetech supplied the air-ride suspension which is fully adjustable, allowing the frame to be dropped to the ground. The wheels are mounted on aluminum lightweight Sprint Car Wide-5 hubs with period correct bias-ply looking tires that are actually Coker Firestone radials. The motor is a 302ci Ford with a K&N filter feeding a Holley 650 CFM carb atop an Edelbrock manifold and finned aluminum valve covers. The exhaust is 2.5” Magnaflow Hot Rod Exhaust Kit.

Phat Phabz 2017 Ford F-350

Jake built a custom frame to accomodate the air bags and the multi-link rear suspension

Jake McKiddie of Phat Phabz built this rig for the owner of a 1959 Cadillac to tow from show to show

This 2017 Ford F-350 from Jake McKiddie’s Phat Phabz was commissioned by Dave Shulman of Orlando, Florida. Dave contacted Jake about building a dually that could serve as a hauler to move his 1959 Cadillac from show to show across the country, and Dave wanted to look cool doing it. Jake took on the job. The stock 6.7L Ford Powerstroke diesel engine has been upgraded with a PPEI tune, AirDog Fuel System, and a K&N air intake system. The chassis rides on a custom frame built in Jake’s shop that’s bagged at all four corners, with a custom parallel four-link setup on the dually rear axle. Stopping this beast are Wilwood six-piston calipers front and rear clamping onto 16-inch rotors.

And More Trucks...

Lifted suspension or dropped on airbags, every elevation of truck was on display at SEMA

There are trucks built for go and those built for show. And then a few are built for both.

There were literally too many trucks to count at this year's SEMA Show

Don't go far, we'll have more coverage of trucks and more from the 2017 SEMA Show shortly

[Video] A Day with Courtney Day at the 2017 SEMA Show

16 nov 2017

Model Courtney Day with P51 Mustang and Ford Mustang

Courtney has modeled for the K&N calendar twice, including this one featuring a pair of Mustangs

The annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show is packed with some of the best vehicles in the country. Along with these vehicles are some of the most beautiful models signing autographs and bringing people into the various booths. This year, K&N brought their own model to the show and she spent a day showing us around the massive show.

Courtney Day has been a model and spokeswoman for some top brands in the automotive industry including Modified Magazine, Falken, Super Street magazine, and of course K&N. You may remember Courtney from the K&N calendar. This year, however, K&N invited Courtney to Las Vegas for the 2017 SEMA show and a camera followed her around to see what kind of trouble she could get into.

We talked to Courtney a little about her modeling career, her past experience with SEMA, and what we can expect from her in 2018.

K&N: Hey Courtney, so tell us a little about some of the companies you have modelled for in the past.

Courtney: I have worked with a lot of companies over the years including K&N, Falken Tires, Vaughn Gittin Jr Motorsports, Mustang RTR, BOSCH, EA Games/Need for Speed, and Driving Line Magazine

K&N: What is your experience with K&N?

Courtney Day and Olivia Korte with two Chevrolet C10 trucks at Caterpillar

Courtney was also featured along with Olivia Korte and a pair of good looking C10s

CD: I've used K&N products on my cars for a long time, both my project cars and daily drivers. K&N engine and cabin filters are a must, and are always the first mod on all my cars. I've had the pleasure of turning my passion into a work relationship with K&N and have also been honored to be included in, and grace the cover of the K&N calendar.

K&N: How many years have you attended the SEMA show?

CD: Umm... this is my 16th year at SEMA (shhhh). It's crazy to think how much the show has grown over the years, from being confined within the walls of the Las Vegas Convention Center to now overflowing into the parking lots and all open spaces of the convention center and adjoining properties. The bar is raised each year and the builds and experiences continue to blow my mind.

K&N: What was it like hosting your own “show” for K&N this year?

CD: It was a ton of fun! Working directly with the K&N team is always a good time. Interviewing car owners and motorsport personalities alike, and hearing how integral K&N products are to making their cars perform better, in all driving scenarios (daily driving, off road, drifting, on track) just reinforced my love for the brand. Plus, riding along with Vaughn Gittin Jr in his Mustang RTR and Ultimate Fun-Haver F-150 was pretty ridiculous!

K&N: What advice do you have for someone attending the show for the first time?

CD: Plan ahead - have a list of companies you want to visit, cars you want to see, and know what halls they are in. That way you maximize your time and don't feel like you're backtracking. It's a huge show and takes days to see the whole thing. And of course, wear comfortable shoes, your feet will thank you.

Courtney Day head shot in hangar with P51 Mustang and Ford Mustang

Keep up with Courtney Day and all that she has going on by on Instagram @miss_courtney_day

K&N: What was the coolest thing you saw at the show?

CD: Chris Forsberg's Datsun 510 wagon dubbed WagonFors. I love the fact that he combined modern build engineering, tons of custom work, with a unique vintage chassis. It's also sweet that his wife Michelle collaborated on the build and will be using it to get groceries!

K&N: What do you have planned for 2018 and beyond?

CD: I'm looking forward to next year being on the road with Falken Tire again. You can find me at Formula Drift and other events across the country. Follow me on Instagram @miss_courtney_day to see what I'm up to and where I'll head next. And who knows what car builds and projects my future holds, my 240SX has been feeling neglected in the garage...stay tuned.

Classic to Late-Model Corvettes Reinvented and on Display at SEMA 2017

15 nov 2017

With over 60 years of continuous production, you would imagine a fair number of Corvettes from various eras would end up on display at the 2017 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here are some of our favorite Vettes, ranging from one that would be eligible for Social Security soon to another that wouldn't be old enough to drive.

The car features a switch that allows exhaust to be routed to open side pipes

Another Roadster Shop creation powered by a 640 HP Chevrolet Performance LT4 Small Block

The Roadster Shop never disappoints with the cars they bring to SEMA. Based on the Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis, this Corvette features independent suspension on all four corners controlled by coilovers and NASCAR style anti-roll bars. Steering is by power rack and pinion. Power comes from a supercharger 640 horsepower Chevrolet Performance LT4 crate engine. A clever, custom-fabricated exhaust system utilizes a full-length crossover system with muffler with the alternative of opening up the side pipes through a solenoid for a real full-throated sound. Wheels are honest-to-goodness and we’re still trying to figure out how they achieved the smooth-sided tires with only Firestone white letters applied.

The Split Ray required a completely unique DOT approved windshield

Not always noticable at first, but the Split Ray is over 6" wider than what came from the factory

One Corvette that was a continuous show stopper was the Split Ray, a 1966 Corvette that was cut in half and widened by over 6 inches. Built by Scott Roth of The Auto Shoppe in Vermont, his team cut and widened the car, custom-built a frame, hand-formed aluminum bumpers, installed custom, DOT-approved wide windshield, dropped in an LS9 with a custom blower cover from EVOD Industries. Along with a set of billet valve covers, they combine to give it the look of an updated Fuelie. EVOD also supplied the wheels, which appear to be knockoffs, but actually, hide a five bolt mounting. The interior certainly is inspired by a newer era, with many C7 components. The Split Ray was selected as one of 12 Top Builder finalists at the 2017 SEMA Show.

Constructed on a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis with four wheel independent suspension

This gorgeous blue over black Roadster Shop mid year was on many attendees' best of show lists

Another build from the talented team at Roadster Shop, this time it is a 1963 Pro Touring Corvette in a stunning blue over black color scheme. The tired body was removed and set aside, and the chassis replaced by a four-wheel independent suspension Fast Track chassis from the Roadster Shop. Then, the RS boys turned to Wegner Motorsports for power, ordering an LS3 with an Edelbrock supercharger drawing through a K&N Filter that easily develops 750 horsepower. Backing it up is a 4L80E automatic. Forgeline wheels size 19" and 20" bolt up to Baer Brakes. The body received a new front fiberglass clip as well as rear roof section and valance. The interior was handled by long-time RS collaborator Avante Guard Interior who did a masterful job in covering just about every square inch of the interior in black leather.

Here are a few more Corvettes that caught our eyes in our meanderings around the grounds of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

A popular trend among owners of older Corvettes is a thorough mechanical upgrade

How about a tasty '62 Roadster with an upgraded LS powerplant

No matter how much power an engine can create there's always more available with a K&N Filte

Big power under the hood and no paint chips on the nose. What more could you ask for?

Derek Kraus Wins K&N Pro Series West Sunoco Rookie of the Year

15 nov 2017

Derek Kraus of Bill McAnally Racing won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West rookie of the year

Bill McAnally Racing driver Derek Kraus won the K&N Pro Series West 2017 Rookie of the Year.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West rookie driver Derek Kraus saved his best race for last.

He won the K&N Pro Series West season finale at Kern County Raceway Park in California. It was the first win of his K&N Pro Series West career and it helped him lock up the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award.

Kraus took the lead from Dillon Bassett on lap 106 of the West Coast Hall of Fame Championship 150 presented by NAPA Auto Parts and led to the checkered flag.

With Eric Holmes, a former NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion, as his spotter, Kraus was able to maneuver his way to the front of the field. Holmes told Kraus repeatedly to save his tires throughout the race. I paid off during the last 50 laps of the race.

“I think my car had better long-run speed and that’s what really helped us to win the race at the end of the night,” Kraus said.

Kraus posted three runner-up finishes in his rookie season before breaking through in the season finale. The car in the Kern County race was the one his team used in the first four races of the season. It posted some good finishes but didn’t notch its first win until the final race.

"It had a bunch of great finishes in the first four races,” Kraus said. “It didn’t finish out of the top four. It was fun.”

Kraus had nine top-five finishes in his rookie campaign, a number matched by fellow K&N Pro Series West rookie Will Rodgers. Kraus won the rookie of the year award by seven points over Rodgers.

“It means a lot. It was a really tight battle between me and Will the whole season,” Kraus said. “They kept us on our toes the whole time. There was no time for breaks or relaxing. He was within five points the whole year, I’m pretty sure. That’s what made it fun the whole year.”

Kraus said he gained a ton of experience in his rookie season in the K&N Pro Series West. One of the biggest benefits was traveling to different race tracks, especially Sonoma Raceway in California, the only road course on the schedule.

“The hardest was getting adjusted to the new tracks,” Kraus said. “Every track we went to was brand new for me. That’s what I like about it too. The hardest part was getting adjusted to every new track that we went to. It was really fun learning all these different tracks, Kern County, they got a really nice place out there in Bakersfield. Tucson, Arizona, I really liked their track how you can spread out a bunch. Iowa I really enjoyed and Sonoma as well.

Kraus finished second at Sonoma, behind NASCAR Monster Cup Energy Series driver and champion Kevin Harvick.

“We were really good at Sonoma,” Kraus said. “That was my first time ever on a road course. That was probably the most fun I’ve had. It was a fun year for sure.”

Kraus said when he tested with Bill McAnally Racing before the season started, he knew he would have good cars. The testing gave Kraus a ton of confidence heading into his rookie season.

“We knew that it was going to be a really good piece that we were in,” Kraus said. “I knew we had to take advantage of it. Every race we went to we were really good. That helps a lot. They are a really good team. Everyone works together really well and a lot of teamwork.”

Derek Kraus' win at Kern County secured his spot as the 2017 Sunoco Rookie of the Year

In addition to having solid cars, his teammates, Todd Gilliland and Chris Eggleston, at Bill McAnally Racing proved to be valuable assets. Gilliland won his second K&N Pro Series West championship in a row. Eggleston won the K&N Pro Series West championship in 2015.

“With Todd and Chris being my teammates, that’s really good,” Kraus said. “They can help me with anything on the track and off the track. It was a really great year having them beside me the whole year.”

Having K&N as a sponsor and supporter of the series gave Kraus opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise.

“They put on two great series, the East and the West,” Kraus said. “It helps younger drivers like me perform and show what we can do at the shorter tracks. It’s where we grew up racing. It gives us younger drivers an opportunity and that’s what I really like about it. We can showcase our talent.”

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