Latest News

NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick will enter the Sonoma K&N Pro Series West race in June

He can repeat that feat in June.

Harvick, a driver for Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series, will enter the K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma Raceway.

“(I’m) going to be the old guy that shows up,” Harvick, said on his Sirius XM Radio show, “Happy Hours”. “I have fun when I go do those events. You’d love to win and you want to go out and do that obviously to be competitive, but it’s really, it’s just a series that gave me several breaks and several opportunities to showcase what I did as a kid.”

Harvick won the K&N Pro Series West championship in 1998. He won five races that year, the last coming at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. He also won races at Auto Club Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The last time he raced in the K&N Pro Series was in 2007 at Iowa Speedway. He won that race, which included a field of drivers from the K&N Pro Series West and East.

Kevin Harvick won the K&N Pro Series West championship in 1998

Harvick won seven K&N Pro Series West races in his career. He last raced full time in the K&N Pro Series in 1998. He is one of four NASCAR drivers to win a championship in the three national touring series, the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series.

He holds the NASCAR Cup Series record for wins at Phoenix International Raceway with eight. He has won 46 Xfinity Series races, the third most of any driver.

After six races, Harvick is 10th in the Monster Energy Cup Series standings. He is 114 points behind Kyle Larson, the Cup Series leader. In his 17-year career in the Cup Series, he has started 580 races. He has 286 top-10 finishes and 19 poles in his Cup Series career.

Arizona Bike Week is one of the nation's largest motorcycle gatherings

Of course, a major element of any big rally is the rolling art that is on display at the event. Scintillating builds and outrageous customs were everywhere on the sprawling WestWorld property. Exotic paint jobs, gleaming chrome, fat rubber, and overbuilt engines were the rule of the week.

As is always the case, K&N was clearly the most popular choice for protection and performance among the builders displaying their creations at Bike Week. Many of the high-dollar and high-style customs were sporting K&Ns.

However, the link between K&N and performance motorcycles goes beyond the show bikes. K&N filters were featured on the event’s flat track race bikes, on the stunt and performance machines, as well as being a ubiquitous presence on the bikes in the packed parking lots.

Here is visual tour of some of the customs and working bikes at the 2017 Arizona Bike Week.

This turbocharged and stretched bagger wears a K&N pod filter (Photo: Tim Kessel)

This Harley wears an intricate paint job and a K&N intake (Photo: Tim Kessel)

Classic cool oozes from this black, K&N filtered beauty (Photo: Tim Kessel)

Another classic build that trusts its protection to K&N (Photo: Tim Kessel)

A bagger adorned in fashionable red with a tasteful K&N accesory (Photo: Tim Kessel)

Long, low, and lean - another K&N-protected beauty (Photo: Tim Kessel)

A Harley dirt tracker that gets power and protection from K&N (Photo: Tim Kessel)

Here is a clean, cream, K&N-wearing bagger (Photo: Tim Kessel)

The K&N 69-4535TP air intake kit is designed for 2016-17 Chevrolet Camaros

Horsepower was the theme on the early generation Camaros. A high performance V8 engine powered the vehicle had an output range of 200 to 375-horsepower. A racing version known as the COPO achieved 427.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency imposed new fuel economy and emission regulations at about the time the second generation Camaro was being introduced in 1970. This forced car manufacturers to tune down output. As a result, these Camaros offered a maximum 375-horsepower with 415-lb-ft of torque. But by 1975, a V8 assigned to work the Camaro was producing just 155. The big block engine that generated the higher horsepower achieved by the first generation models was dropped after 1972 and replaced with an inline-six and later a V6. Camaro enthusiasts had to settle for engine power of less than 100 horsepower.

The late 1970s and early 1980s was the period of most disappointment for Camaro drivers because the car was generating its lowest horsepower numbers. The base model was only reaching 88-horsepower with a 4-cylinder engine that featured a carburetor or 92-horsepower with an EFI engine. One could get a V6 or a V8 alternative engine when buying a new Camaro, but they were only delivering 245-horsepower and 345-lb-ft of torque. These were top number for the third generation models, which were modified to feature throttle body injection and tuned port injection.

The fourth-generation Camaros experienced somewhat of a boost in output due to less concern with oil embargoes. It may not have been a lot compared to the first generation models, but it certainly was better than what was achieved by the third generation cars. There was a 3.4-liter V6 engine that offered 160-horsepower, which served as the base powertrain for the beginning of this generation. However, output increased to a respectable 200-horsepower when a 38-liter V6 replaced the 3.4-liter engine. The 1998 Camaro SS was finally able to achieve 305-horsepower with 335-lb-ft of torque.

Muscle car enthusiasts were probably heartbroken when Chevrolet discontinued the Camaro after the end of the fourth-generation in 2002.

Muscle car fans had to wait eight long years, until 2010, before the Camaro was back in its fifth generation incarnation. By this time, Chevrolet, as well as the other American carmakers, had made some technological leaps producing V8s and V6s with decent horsepower as well as decent fuel economy and emission ratings. For example, by the time the new Camaro was introduced, there was a V6 to power it that produced 323-horsepower. The Camaro SS was able to achieve 426-horsepowr with a V8. The ZL1 Camaro had an engine that mustered 580-horsepower.

Now we are into the sixth generation of this legendary car and output is eclipsing the kind of output reached by the cars that introduced muscle and performance to the American lexicon.

The K&N 69-4535TP air intake offers an estimated boost of 21.33 horsepower on 2016-2017 Camaros

The intake includes a free-flowing mandrel-bent aluminum tube and a K&N RC-5107 washable and reusable universal clamp-on round tapered air filter. The intake is designed to replace the restrictive factory air filter and air intake housing. The intake dramatically reduces airflow restriction because it offers a smoother and straighter route for the airflow as it pushes on to the engine. As a result, the engine gulps in a larger amount of air than the factory air intake allowed. That translates to more power and acceleration throughout the rpm range.

The air filter features a multilayered cotton gauze media that is specially treated with a special grade of oil that makes the cotton strands very sticky. Moreover, as the air filter media catches more and more contaminants, it does not clog up, as is the case with paper and foam air filters. Instead, the particles soak up some of the air filter oil and become almost part of the filter media, catching more particles and continuing the process. The air filter will last for up to 100,000 miles before it needs to be serviced, depending on driving conditions.

K&N offers a specially formulated air filter cleaning kit that cleanses and recharges the air filter so that it can be used over and over again for the life of the car. K&N is so sure of the quality of the filter it backs it with a 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty that promises that the filter will perform for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without requiring replacement.

The air intake kit can be installed using common hand tools and existing factory-mounting points in about 90 minutes.

The K&N 69-4535TP air intake kit is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2017 CHEVROLET CAMARO 3.6L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 CHEVROLET CAMARO 3.6L V6 Fuel Injection - All Models

Whether your truck is for the street or off-road, K&N replacement air filters can help it breathe

All of the dirt and dust that your engine ingests, can rob power and potentially damage the internals of your motor. The OEM filter in cars work well, but OEM’s are often limited to folded paper air filters due to pricing and engineering constraints. These filters are good at capturing particles before they get into the engine, but they don’t do much more than that.

The secret to K&N air filters are the multiple layers of oiled cotton media to trap particles

Even when a K&N filter gets dirty, it can still flow air and keep harmful contaminants out

An added benefit of these aftermarket K&N filters is they are washable and reusable. Instead of replacing your filter every time it gets dirty, you can just wash it out and add oil to it again. This not only saves you money, but it helps keep paper filters out of our already clogged landfills. Imagine, less landfills means more land for us to go out and enjoy!

Shea Holbrook's race team and will field Hondas in the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge

Shea Racing will be fielding four Honda entries this season, Shea and Jason Fichter will compete in their Accords in the Touring Car category. The team will also campaign a pair of brand-new Honda Civic Si race cars in the TCA category.

Shea’s performance on track and her management and marketing skills off track have both brought new sponsorships to the organization as well as secured greater commitments from her continuing sponsors.

For example, just last month the team conducted a two-day test session with suspension partners KONI Shock Absorbers and Eibach Springs at Sebring International Raceway.

The team has also brought aboard a new sponsor, HeelToe Automotive, an online Acura and Honda performance parts specialist that also happens to be a knowledgeable K&N dealer.

On-track success plays a big part in sponsors' attraction to the team as well. In the seven years Shea Racing has competed in the series, the team has earned 11 wins, 27 podiums, seven pole positions and 11 fast laps in the touring car classes.

We were able to track down and chat with the always-in-motion Shea about her plans and thoughts about the upcoming racing season.

Sponsor Koni Shocks along with Eibach Springs supported Shea over two days of testing at Sebring

Shea Holbrook: Well, in all honestly, we were running a little warmer than we wanted last season. As in engine temperature. It’s primarily a tuning aspect so for this season we’ve worked on tuning and timing with regards to RPM. We run K&N’s air intake in the V6 Honda Accords which offers an immediate plug and play power advantage. But back to RPM, which is critical for our power band, using what’s a proven power advantage (air intake), and our guys’ mean tuning skills, we should be set for the season.

K&N: Which cars do you expect to be your strongest competition in PWC Touring this year?

SH: I could get into some trouble with this one! Last season, it was obvious we had a couple advantages though many disadvantages. This season we’re trying to narrow up on any disadvantages to aid in stellar competition. So, in short (which I never am!) the BMW and Audi are probably going to be the toughest competition.

K&N: You and some other teams build your cars from a bare shell in your own shop. Other teams compete with cars that are developed and built by the OEM manufacturer. How does that impact your efforts?

SH: I think the hardest component we’ll see will be garage built vs. manufacturer built in Touring Car. Motorsport is evolving toward manufacturer turn-key programs, which is awesome. It’s easier for the series with regards to the balance of performance and we pull in manufacturer support in a big way. Although, many customer/team businesses thrive on having the ability to work technical partnerships with say K&N Air Filters to build and fund their programs. I believe PWC is the best place to have the ability to race both programs at a high level in the most competitive environment.

K&N: Every driver has a favorite track, what’s yours?

SH: I always look forward to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. That place and I have so much good mojo. It’s difficult to be fast there, you’re hanging it all out there for those fast laps. It’s a balls-to-the wall kind of place that demands a lot of respect. Some of us refer to it as a ‘pre lawyer’ track.

K&N: You've basically doubled the size of your team for 2017. Tell us about the TCA Civics.

SH: We're pleased to be the first team rolling out the 10th generation Civic Si to compete in in the Pirelli World Challenge TCA category. We had 25 hours of durability testing in the Civic Si and the opportunity to battle against other manufacturers who will run against it in TCA last December at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Honda Racing/HPD and Eibach Springs.

This season in PWC will be a challlenge for Shea Racing with two cars in Touring and two cars in TCA

K&N: For 2017 you’re continuing with the Honda Accord and many of the same sponsors who supported you in 2016. Does that help coming into a new season?

SH: What I love about the Honda Accord is she makes you work for your results and when you achieve your desired performance the result and reward is just that much greater. With our new alignment with Honda Racing HPD and partners like BUBBA Burger, Lucas Oil, KONI Shock Absorbers, K&N Filters, and so many more we should have one heck of a season ahead of us.

K&N is proud to be a part of Shea Holbrook's racing efforts for the 2017 season. This will be a series you won't want to miss, so be sure to check back for updates as Shea and her team take on the rest of the pack in Pirelli World Challenge.