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Ryan Robinson of Ryan’s Performance Machines (RPM) said one of the fastest and most powerful SUV’s on the planet is RPM’s 2006 Trailblazer SS Street/Strip.
2006 Trailblazer SS is one of the fastest SUVs on the drag strip at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee
“We tested it at Memphis Motorsports Park in Memphis, Tennessee,” said Robinson. “Our Trailblazer SS, all 4650lbs worth, holds the track record at 10.21 @132 mph ¼ mile while rubbing against 800 RWHP.”
The Garner, North Carolina resident has built race cars and street cars for 15 years. “We work to get the most power, at the safest level with the best drivability possible,” he said. “We also own three race cars and go wherever we can make money. I tune the cars and my partner drives the cars.”
RPM modified 2006 Trailblazer SS
Robinson puts K&N products on all of RPMs street cars. “We have a chassis dyno and
when we test with K&N it proves K&N makes the best products on the market,” he said. “K&N air filters are reusable and traps the track debris and protects our engines. The K&N air intake systems
give us additional horsepower and work great.”
Some modifications on the 2006 Trailblazer SS include:
427 LSX block with 9/16 studs
Weisco coated and gas ported pistons
Howard rods
Callies Magnum crank
Stand alone fuel system for the nitrous K&N Crankcase Vent Filter
B&M Pro Bandit Shifter
Neal Chance converter
DJM upper controls arm
Aeromotive A-1000 pump
17X5 Bogart D-12 fronts with z rated tires
17X10 Bogart D-10 rears with 390/40/17 M&H drag radials
Robinson is finishing a 2008 Z06 Corvette for one of his customers. “I put a K&N air intake system on the vet,” he said. “K&N works with our performance needs.”
1954 Suburban at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California, photo by David Fetherston
Grand National Roadster Show Trophy for 1954 Chevrolet Suburban's Truck Division Win
Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made prototype production model
Steve Jones with K&N Vice President of Research and Development Steve Williams and K&N Corporate Race Accounts Manager Bob Harris at K&N Headquarters in Riverside, California
K&N custom built air intake system on Steve Jones' 1954 Chevrolet Suburban
Steve Jones modeled the interior of his 1954 Suburban with racing-style bucket seats
For nearly 60 years, the Grand National Roadster Show has displayed some of the biggest stars in the hot rod world. The Los Angeles County Fairgrounds in Pomona, California is the venue for the event.
The event has hot rods, roadster, custom cars and motorcycles spread out through all the display buildings available at the Pomona Fairgrounds along with spaces in between the buildings.
Steve Jones brought his own show truck to Pomona, named the 454 Express. It is a 1954 Suburban which was awarded Best-in-Show "Truck Division" in 2009 at the Grand National Roadster Show.
"The race track and my love of cars has kept me centered my entire life," said Jones. "My full
sized custom utility wagon started with a V6 350 cubic inch motor and evolved to
the show car it is today."
The 454 Express is modified with:
Chip Foose Wheels, 5-spoke billet, custom made, prototype, production model.
Wilwood, 4 Wheel Disc brakes
Custom built K&N air intake system
454 cubic inch Big Block Chevrolet V8 Engine
TH400 3 speed Automatic Transmission
1954 Chevrolet 3100 Series Truck Chassis, Chevrolet Suburban body, 1st and only built
Ford 9" differential with 3.70: 1 gear ratio
Engine belt: 1 piece serpentine pulley system by Zoops
Modern truck with power rack and pinion steering and independent suspension
Body: rolled rear tail pan with license plate frame
Front custom made bumper and French headlight with molded hood
The full custom utility wagon was built by Dan Coy of Coy's Customs in Longmont, Colorado. It also features
shaved doors, custom color design, upholstery and state of the art electronics. "It has racing bucket seats," said Jones. "I wanted it to look different than a traditional hot rod interior."
Jones had the car towed to K&N headquarters in Riverside, California. "K&N makes the best filters on the market," he said. "Anyone can use K&N, from the mom and pops to the big boys of racing. It looks good, has excellent filtration and protects engines."
Jones work has been spotlighted on the television show "Overhaulin" and at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. "I have owned and operated a metal refinishing business for nearly 20 years," he said. "I have been blessed to build business relationships and friendships with some of the most famous car and motorcycle builders in the world."
He has plans to showcase the 454 Express at the Good Guys Del Mar Hot Rod and Custom Car Nationals Show this spring.
Northern Michigan was the perfect winter venue for the Rally American Season opener. Driver Andrew Comrie-Picard (ACP) had a strong start to the season at the Sno Drift Rally with a podium finish.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX driven by Andrew Comrie-Picard at Sno Drift Rally in Northern Michigan, photo courtesy of Rally America
ACP and co-driver Marc Goldfarb pulled into third place. They had to beat handling problems with their NOS Energy Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. A braking problem with the team’s competition vehicle emerged early in the contest and cost them some time. They were able to take the Mitsubishi to the finish with a crew of technicians.
Andrew Comrie Picard will next race at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki in Quebec, Canada
In the only true winter rally in the Rally America Series, conditions are slick and drivers face a challenge of finding traction at high speeds on the ice and snow.
“In winter rallies there is a constant balance of deciding how hard to push and how to take as few risks as possible,” said Comrie-Picard. “It was a classic snow rally. Fortunately we stayed in and didn’t make any big mistakes.”
Comrie-Picard and the NOS Energy Mitsubishi shared the podium with Travis Pastrana, the winner in his factory Subaru WRX STi, along with second-place winner Tanner Foust in his Hyundai Tiburon. “We work in tough conditions with a motor built right to the edge of the envelope,” said Comrie-Picard. “K&N keeps contaminants out and has been our choice for a decade.”
ACP Rally’s next competition will be at the Rallye Perce-Neige Maniwaki in Quebec, Canada. ACP Rally won the event in 2007 and came in second place there in 2008.
Team Fun Center Suzuki hit great weather in San Francisco, California during the AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series.
Team Fun Center Suzuki Rider Mike Lapaglia had mechanical issues at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, photo by TonyScavo.com
AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series Team riders drive 2009 Suzuki RMX 250s with K&N products, photo by TonyScavo.com
Team riders Cole Seely, Brady Sheren and Michael Lapaglia rode their 2009 Suzuki RMX 250s with K&N air (YA-2506XD) and oil (KN-207) filters at AT&T Park.
Team Fun Center Suzuki Riders Brady Sheren, Cole Seely and Michael Lapaglia will race next at Anaheim Stadium in California, photo by TonyScavo.com
Fun Center Suzuki Team Rider Brady Sheren made his first trip to the main at the AMA Supercross West Coast Lites Series in the Bay Area, photo by TonyScavo.com
In timed practice Seely came in at 22nd and Sheren 24th. Lapaglia suffered a mechanical issue and was only able to make one lap during the second session. That put
him in 40th place.
In heat one Seely got a great start coming around the first turn. He battled the entire six lap race against 2008 defending East Coast Supercross Champion Trey Canard. Seely was edged out of third place at the finish by Canard.
“Cole showed veteran form with the pressure that Trey applied during the heat,” said Team Manager Gregg Lynk. “Our team riders have been working really hard and it shows.”
Sheren and Lapaglia were in heat two. Lapaglia lost power because of a bad ignition system and he was only able to make it half-a-lap. Sheren managed to work his way up to eighth which gave him a trip to his first main event of the season. He went on to finish 18th.
In the main, Seely had another great start in third. He rode the pace of the front runners and stayed in the top five during the first eight laps. On lap nine, he struggled and went on to finish 11th.
Fun Center Suzuki Team will next race at Anaheim Stadium in California. It will be televised on SPEED-TV.
Jessica Maine - Professional Motorcycle Stunt Rider
Professional Motorcycle Stunt Rider Jessica Maine is a self professed motorhead. Early on, she was interested in engines and horsepower. Driving around in her Nissan Maxima, she would pretend it was a rally car until she destroyed its transmission. She went on to blow the motor of a 98 Cobra Mustang. Then, after seeing a bike pass her car on the freeway up on one wheel, Jessica knew that a motorcycle was going to be her next driving adventure. She became one of only a handful of professional female stunt riders, but stopped competing in order to do exhibition and event work, even becoming the spokesperson for Von Dutch Kustom Cycles.
Jessica Maine performing a wheelie for the crowd
Maine has found much success and she is thrilled to be sponsored by K&N. "I remember the first aftermarket part that I bought for my Maxima was a K&N filter and I rigged it myself to make it like a Cold Air induction system. I thought I was the coolest chick driving in my 4 door sedan! Now to actually be supported by K&N blows my mind."
Jessica owns several bikes, all of which are outfitted with K&N filters. Her 2004 Yamaha YZF R6 is her prized possession. "I learned how to wheelie and did my first track days on her," says Maine. "I only use K&N filters on my bikes, and even my trucks and I can really tell the difference. I swap out my stock air filters and immediately feel the increase in horsepower."
When asked about what the future holds, Maine says she has some exciting projects in the works, including making a documentary about the stunt riding lifestyle from a woman's point of view, and some TV appearances. "It's definitely cool being on television, but nothing beats having little kids ask me for an autograph. I was the first female to scrap the bar, park a bike on the 12 bar, and the first to use a hand brake, but there's always something else to accomplish. K&N makes great products and my association with them adds validity to my name and to my sport. K&N keeps me up on one wheel!"
