Latest News

ATV Overall Dakar Class Winner took K&N Air Filters Through the Sahara Desert

Driver Josef Machacek is a European racer from the Czech Republic who likes long distance races under very difficult conditions.

Josef Machacek on podium at 2007 Dakar Rally
Josef Machacek on podium at 2007 Dakar Rally
Josef Machacek
Josef Machacek
He began his career as a motocross driver in 1974. By 1983 he added a Six Day race win from England to his resume. Machacek was always on the lookout for bigger and more extreme challenges.
Dakar ATV Class winner used K&N Products during the race
Dakar ATV Class winner used K&N Products during the race

The Dakar Rally fit the bill for this extreme racer. It is the toughest motor race in the world and covers 5000 miles of grueling terrain over 16 days. The heart of the race is in the middle of the shifting sands of the Sahara Desert where temperatures can reach 130 degrees every day.

K&N Engineering sponsored ATV overall class winner Machacek in the 2007 Rally Lisboa-Dakar. “He used K&N Air Filters (RU-2780) during the entire race on his Yamaha,” said Robert Hordossy of K&N Filters in Europe. "Our products worked well during the extreme conditions of the Dakar."

Follow Josef Machacek's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. 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.

World of Outlaws Donny Schatz to Race at Eldora Speedway

Defending World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz and his ParkerStore Team will return to the high banks of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio this weekend for two nights of racing.

Donny Schatz uses K&N Engineering Products Donny Schatz uses K&N Engineering Products
K&N on Schatz's No.15 Sprint Car
K&N on Schatz's No 15 Spint Car
“I’m really looking forward to racing some more as our schedule picks up over the next few weeks,” said Schatz. “But I’m more excited that we’re headed to Eldora. It’s one of those places where we haven’t been real stellar in the past, but last year we had real good finishes. We were just one spot short of first place both times. I think we may finally have things figured out there, but it’s been quite a challenge for us to get to that point.”
Defending World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz
Defending World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz
Schatz and ParkerStore Team headed to Eldora Speedway
Schatz and ParkerStore Team headed to Eldora Speedway

Even though Schatz admits to having a tough time at the track, he’s been a consistent top ten finisher at Eldora Speedway since 1996. That consistency carried over to the 2007 campaign, where he finished in the top six 11 times in 12 starts. He has three victories and nine top three finishes and is 12 points behind leader Joey Saldana.

Schatz and the ParkerStore Team use K&N Engineering products. “The K&N Airbox works flawlessly for us at each race,” he said. “We are able to attain maximum horsepower. K&N builds a superior product.”

Saturday’s race at the track will be the first televised World of Outlaws race of 2007. SPEED TV and ESPN2 will carry the programming. “It provides great exposure for our sponsors,” said Schatz. “The television schedule includes races at some of the most exciting tracks in the country. It should help attract new fans and help the sport.”

Cold weather slowed the team down last weekend and forced the cancellation of last Saturday's race at Pevely, MO. "If you look at Eldora's races in April over the past ten years, we haven't always been able to race both nights," said Schatz. "We've had snow and rain stop shows in the past. We're hoping the weather warms up so we can work in the track enough to have a surface that offers plenty of passing and action in order to put on a good show."

Follow Donny Schatz's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. 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.

Formula Drift in Back to Back Weekends at Long Beach, California

Long Beach, California was the first stop in the Formula Drift Pro Championship Series for top drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. The seven round series is in its fourth season and with almost $500,000 in prize money at stake. It is one of the biggest seasons to date.

Vaugh Gittin Jr. at Formula Drift Opening Ceremony 2007 Vaugh Gittin Jr. at Formula Drift Opening Ceremony 2007
Called “Round 1: No Room for Mistakes,” more than 10,000 spectators packed the downtown stands on April 7th to see 31 drivers take their cars through the Grand Prix track’s tight turns. In drifting, the cars slide sideways at top speeds and the winners are selected on the basis of technical style.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Long Beach 2006 Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Long Beach 2006
Established on the streets of Japan, Drifting is a world wide competitive sport that challenges each racer’s driving ability and control. Formula Drift provides a venue for professionals in North America to pit their skills against the world’s top drifters.

Mitsuru Haruguchi of Japan was awarded top driver of the day at Long Beach, and Gittin finished 4th. Gittin is sponsored by K&N Engineering and has used K&N Air and Oil Filters for ten years. “K&N is the right product for me,” said Gittin. “The technology works.”

Gittin is also preparing for the 33rd Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13th and 14th. Gittin, along with Ryan Tuerck and Chris Forsberg, all K&N sponsored drifters will compete at Long Beach for Team Drift Alliance.

Follow Vaughn Gittin's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. 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.

John Deere and Bombardier ATV Users Have Premium Oil Filter Choice with New K&N Release

The John Deere Trail Buck and the Bombardier Traxter Max are designed with strength and power. The ATV's are tough enough to clear brush or just ride along the fence line. They are reliable and can haul heavy loads.

Oil Filter for John Deere Trail Buck 500, EX 500, EXT 500, Bombardier Traxter 500 and Max 500
Oil Filter for John Deere Trail Buck 500, EX 500, EXT 500, Bombardier Traxter 500 and Max 500
K&N Engineering, Inc. has released a Powersports Oil Filter (KN-557) for the John Deere and Bombardier ATV's. This powersports oil filter is designed to be used and then replaced. Designed to protect motors from harmful contaminants and debris, motors stay clean with our thick wall construction.

All K&N powersports "spin-on" oil filters have a 17 mm nut on top of a heavy duty metal can for easy removal. K&N Powersports oil filters use resin impregnated cellulose filter media. This allows for higher flow rates while providing outstanding filtration.

Applications are as follows:

2005 JOHN DEERE TRAIL BUCK 500 500
2005 JOHN DEERE BUCK EXT 500
2005 JOHN DEERE BUCK EX 500
2005 JOHN DEERE BUCK 500
2005 BOMBARDIER TRAXTER MAX 500 5 SPEED AUTO-SHIFT 500
2005 BOMBARDIER TRAXTER 500 5 SPEED AUTO-SHIFT 500

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 Gerhardt Classic is About Fast Laps for K&N Sponsored Racer

The first race of the USAC Western Sprint Car Series will take place at Madera Speedway in Madera, California April 14th. The Gerhardt Classic is a USAC Midget and Sprint car combination show. It is one of the biggest race events in the west for open wheel drivers and fans.

K&N Sponsored Wingless Sprint Car Racer Ryan Kaplan
K&N Sponsored Wingless Sprint Car Racer Ryan Kaplan
Ryan Kaplan tested his new wingless pavement sprint car for this series at Madera last week.

20-year-old Ryan Kaplan
20-year-old Ryan Kaplan
His goal was to be consistent, smooth and fast. “When we got to the track, we pushed out for our first set of practice laps and my first set in a pavement sprint car,” he said. “I used the session to get the feel of the car.”

The K&N Engineering sponsored racer did well in his second set of practice laps. “I worked up to speed and pushed the car a little harder each lap,” said Kaplan. “The V8 360 cubic inch engine can put out 780 horsepower.”

During the third and last practice set there was a problem with the throttle. “My crew chief found the problem and plans to change the springs before Madera,” said Kaplan. “I noticed great horsepower when I cornered because of our K&N Air Box. Our K&N Oil Filter also did really well. It helps keep debris out of the engine. I’m grateful to K&N for supplying us with the best Air and Oil Filters in the business.”

Kaplan tested well overall and said he is looking forward to the Gerhardt Classic, the first USAC event in Kaplan's 12 pavement only race schedule.

Follow Ryan Kaplan's progress throughout the racing season at the K&N news site. 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.