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Speedway Entertainment Brings Affordable Racing and K&N to the Masses

May 14, 2009

Rich Tobias, of Speedway Entertainment, has made it his goal to offer affordable racing technology that really gets results. Tobias created the Slingshots racing division in an effort to show that affordable racing is competitive and exciting. Racing has been in the Tobias family since the mid 1950's. Rich Tobias' Uncle Lawrence was the original Toby Tobias, and then his father Dick Tobias took on the nickname and made it nationally known. "When Tobias Speed Equipment began building race cars in the Lebanon, Pennsylvania shop, it was apparent that this was what I wanted to do, both as a fabricator and a driver," says Rich.

Slingshots are a 39 horsepower vehicle powered by a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine capable of speeds near 100 MPH.

Speedway Entertainment is currently the home to the fastest growing class of race cars in the United States today. It has been ten years since the launch of the "Slingshot by Tobias" class and counts have grown to over 400 cars being raced in 17 states. "The SpeedSTR's were created to give another stepping stone for Slingshot drivers and in our 2008 Inaugural Season, we were able to demonstrate that affordable racing does have a place on the local racing scene," says Rich. The Slingshots are a 39 horsepower vehicle powered by a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine capable of speeds near 100 MPH. They are designed to look like the dirt track modifieds that are popular in the northeast. The SpeedSTR's are powered by a Dodge Neon engine and have 250 horsepower propelling the 1,100 pound open wheel cars around the speedways. "The flip wing on the SpeedSTR gives some added stability but both classes rely on chassis setups and driver talent, says Rich. "Slingshots and SpeedSTR's are both spec classes and can be raced on asphalt and dirt surfaces with minimum changes."

Currently, the Slingshots have no age boundaries with drivers from ages 6 to 81 strapping into them from coast to coast.

"Knowing that K&N Air Filters are installed on the Slingshots and SpeedSTR's gives me the satisfaction that all engine components will be protected to the fullest extent, says Rich. Performance is of the utmost importance with the lower horsepower race cars where every advantage can make the difference between winning and losing. "The fuel injection system used on the SpeedSTR's can be finicky and with four stacks needing protection, K&N has shown that their design and performance have exceeded our expectations.

Currently, Speedway Entertainment is looking to expand their SpeedSTR horizons. "Ray Evernham Motorsports, Canada based RevStar, and Doug Herbert Performance are all becoming more involved, getting the word out about the affordability of the SpeedSTR and the fact that it is becoming an excellent alternative to big car spending while getting the same results for a race team," says Rich. The Briggs & Stratton National Championship Tour for the Slingshots has grown to include speedways in Florida and Minnesota. RevStar is now making them available to Canadian racers with a tour scheduled for 2010.

Speedway Entertainment started out as a company building full caged indoor karts. With the advent of micro-sprints and the success of go-karting, Rich Tobias developed the Slingshot in 1999 to give drivers of all ages a chance to not only be race fans, but race drivers. Currently, the Slingshots have no age boundaries with drivers from ages 6 to 81 strapping into them from coast to coast. The SpeedSTR's found a new surface to race on with the advent of the Ice Racing League in Montreal. Studded tires are a must as the SpeedSTR's circle 3/8th mile ice tracks in full competition with temperatures dropping as low as 15 below zero.

Both classes are still growing and both the SpeedSTR's and Slingshots do not leave the Speedway Entertainment shops without anything but K&N Air Filters serving as protection for all racing surfaces. "With K&N Air Filters we know it's a product we can trust at a good price for our Affordable Racing Technology," says Rich. "K&N Air Filters are dependable, reliable and can withstand the constant abuse that dirt track racing exerts on an engine. They are very easy to change and in this business, time means everything, so with the simple twist of a screwdriver you are ready to compete. Design means a lot in racing and the streamlined design of K&N filters make a perfect fit for all of our race team needs."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Car Series Feature at Madera Speedway in California

May 13, 2009

Michael Lewis won the USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Car Series feature race at Madera Speedway in Madera, California. The Laguna Beach, California resident drove the No. 60 Western Speed Ford Focus car.

Michael Lewis won his first USAC Ford Focus Feature win at Madera Speedway in Madera, California

Lewis started the race on the front row and quickly took the lead after the first lap. He stayed in the front the entire 25 lap feature and won by ten car lengths. This was his first USAC Ford Focus feature win.

Michael Lewis in his No. 60 Western Speed Ford Focus Midget during qualifying at Madera Speedway in California.

Western Speed Racer Michael Lewis with the Trophy Girls celebrating his first USAC win at Madera Speedway

“Kevin and Kent Gerhardt worked hard all night to get the car ready so I could be competitive for the feature,” said Lewis. “We were off somewhat with our qualifying effort so I knew I had to work hard during the race. I was able to get a good start as well as good results during the feature. It means a lot to me to get a win for the Gerhardt family at their home track.”

Because of Lewis’ feature win, both Western Speed Ford Focus midgets are now ranked in the top 3 in points of the USAC California Pavement Ford Focus Car Series. Lewis is in 6th position and teammate Cody Gerhardt is in 2nd position.

“When they show up, everyone knows the team is ready to do business,” said K&N Sports Marketing Manager Tony Yorkman. “K&N is happy to be a part of it and looks forward to the rest of the season with two sprinters and two midgets running with Toyota power and K&N air filters and oil filters.”

Lewis and Gerhardt will race next May 30th at All American Speedway in Roseville, California.

"We want to thank K&N for their support and outstanding products," said Lewis. "The K&N filter is a very important component to help protect our engine, increase the airflow, and offer the extra filtration we needed to help us win by 10 car lengths."

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Rally America Series Resumes at Oregon Trail Rally in the Pacific Northwest

May 13, 2009

The Rally America Series continues this weekend at the Oregon Trail Rally in the Pacific Northwest. Rally driver Andrew Comrie-Picard (ACP) and the NOS Energy Mitsubishi with K&N products will continue the campaign for the Rally America title.

Racer Andrew Comrie Picard is leading the Rally America Series

“We’ve had a strong start to the season,” said Andrew Comrie Picard. “We’re going to be pushing hard to stay up front this weekend.”

Racing for the Rally America Title begins at Portland International Raceway before heading to Mount Hood in Oregon

As he heads into round four of the series, ACP tops the standings with a three-point lead over Rockstar Energy driver Tanner Foust and Subaru Rally Team USA driver Travis Pastrana, who are both tied for second place.

Rally car racing is considered the extreme sport of automobile racing. It is an all season motorsport where drivers and their co-drivers take modified road cars to the limit as they achieve high speeds over courses that cover hundreds of miles of gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads.

During the three day event, teams will take on over 100 miles of competitive stages on a course that is mixed with hard-packed forest conditions and wide-open farming roads. The region's hilly terrain means plenty of elevation changes throughout the contest.

Team ACP Rally uses K&N products. “I’ve used K&N since I began Rally racing more than a decade ago,” said Comrie-Picard. “We do the most extreme things we can do in a car and K&N is the perfect formula for our turbo charged motors. There is no compromise with K&N which products our engines from road debris.”

Racing begins Friday at the Portland International Raceway and then heads to the Mount Hood area for Saturday and Sunday stages.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Fifth Grade Girl Lives to Drag Race at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio

May 12, 2009

Sonsee Trubach is only 11-years-old but plays to win in the very competitive game of junior drag racing.

Junior Drag racer Sonsee Trubach at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio

“I started racing because my dad races,” she said. “I asked him if I could race too and he showed me cars for kids. I asked if I could have a junior dragster and he said okay.” That was three years ago, now the Norwalk, Ohio girl has a racing resume featuring IHRA and NHRA events.

Fifth grade girl his IHRA and NHRA wins on her racing resume with her Junior Dragster

“Last year I attended the Eastern Conference Finals for Summit Equipment Motorsports Park in Bristol, Tennessee,” said Trubach. “I placed in the top ten out of 298 kids in the 10-year-old bracket race. In the IHRA I went to the team finals and placed 8th out of 189 competitors. They were 15, 16, 17 and 18 years old.”

Trubach also took second place in the Ironman series in her intermediate division. She has more than 100 races to her credit. “I just started the 2009 season and am 3rd overall in points,” said Trubach. “It’s important get my head in the game and think of the best ways to win.”

The Trubach family also depends on K&N products. “K&N protects our engines and gives us additional filtration and power on the track,” said John Trubach, Sonsee’s father. “My daughter’s goal is to be a top fuel dragster and we hope she gets there. It’s all about the tree.”

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Off-Road Competitors Venture Out of Rockcrawling Zone for Hill Climb Race

May 12, 2009

The Colorado Hill Climb Association (CHCA) has a new rock racer class. It is perfect for competitors who take their rigs to crawl and race on rocks. Rockcrawling brothers Brad and Roger Lovell tried it out because they said it was a heck of a ride at the Canyon City, Colorado event.

Hill climb rookie Brad Lovell scrambles to the top of the mountain in his Ford Ranger with K&N products, photo by Jud Leslie

CHCA finish line for Hill Climb competitor Brad Lovell, photo by Jud Leslie

“Our overbuilt tanks were surprisingly competitive with the dedicated hill climb cars,” said Brad Lovell. “It was our first hill climb and we had no idea what to expect. When we arrived we saw everything from Rally cars to methanol burning open wheel monsters. We saw plastic wheels, aluminum chassis and 800 horsepower go-kart sized racers and our Ford Ranger stuck out like a sore thumb.”

Hairpin turns are part of new rock racer class in the CHCA Colorado Hill Climb Association, photo by Jud Leslie

Loose gravel and drop offs are only part of the ride in a hill climb competition, photo by Jud Leslie

The Rock Racer class went first on day one and Brad Lovell was first out. “My plan was to be cautious on the first run and go for broke on the second,” said Lovell. “I slowed for the turns that caused me trouble and kept my hands steady on the wheel.”

Lovell learned fast that it is important in a hill climb to be smooth with the steering wheel. “I flung the No. 232 Torchmate Ranger with K&N products all over the road,” he said. “I was concerned about the loose gravel and drop offs as we scrambled to the top.”

The second run was much better for the brothers because they started to figure out the hairpin turns. Lovell set the low time for his class of 3.39. “I felt pretty good about that,” he said. “I pushed harder in the final run and lost it in a hairpin.”

Race day consisted of two timed runs, and the best time became the official time. “What a ride,” he said. “Our fastest time was 3.38 and we took the lead in the class. I did not want to be dethroned and I stayed in the throttle and pushed turns that made the hair on the back of my neck rise.”

Lovell hit 94 mph, stepped on the brakes and slid around the first turn. “I could feel my tires grab and I could feel the lateral G-forces develop,” he said. “As I reached the top, I knew I had a good time and a good run.” Rival JT Taylor bettered Lovell’s time by 6/10ths of a second.

“It was so dusty and dirty on the mountain and there was loose gravel everywhere,” said Lovell. “We never have to worry about our K&N air filters. K&N Keeps the debris out of our engines and prevents our sensors from clogging up.”

Next up for Brad and Roger Lovell will be the 2nd Annual ROC Race on Memorial Day Weekend.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.