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Brad Baker has reason to smile with an exciting new race team for 2017

In this candid Q&A, the K&N-sponsored racer gives us some great insights into what the new flat track series will look like for both racers and fans. Baker also gives us a look back at his 2016 racing season and his exciting racing team news for 2017.

K&N: What are a few highlights of your 2016 flat track season?

Marquez got the upper hand in the 2016 Superprestigio, but Baker will fight again in 2017

The next national, I found myself watching from the sidelines after an engine failure when I was leading the main event in Austin, Texas. That would stay repetitive for the rest of the season. I would have one or two good races then have an engine failure while leading or in the top 3. However, even with the bad luck of engine failures, I still managed a few podiums and a second consecutive Summer X Games bronze medal. I also finished the AMA Pro season and my last race with the Harley Davidson Motor Company by winning the Santa Rosa Mile by 13 seconds.

Baker doing laps with the racing legend Valentino Rossi

BB: Yes, I ended the season with an amazing 5 week trip to Europe. I spent most of my time training with my good friend, Ferran Cardus. Ferran is the Spanish Dirt Track champion and will be competing at the American Flat Track season opener in Daytona in March aboard my 450 Hondas. One highlight of the trip was getting the honor and pleasure to ride with legend Valentino Rossi at his beautiful Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy. Vale and I have made plans for him to come ride with me in April between the Argentina and Austin GP.

Baker will move from Harley to Indian in 2017

K&N: What are your feelings on the changes to Pro Flat Track that are coming next season?

BB: I have a really good feeling about the changes that have been made by AMA Pro (American Flat Track). I think the changes will benefit the sport which benefits riders and teams as well as the fans. For the fans, the flat track class structure has been confusing to understand for quite a few years. Unlike motocross and road racing, where classes have been separated by engine CC and bike size, flat track has been separated by a rider’s skill level riding the same bike. This is still a factor in other motorsports but it's much easier for a fan to distinguish the classes by the sound and look of a bike. Obviously, the more skilled riders compete on the bigger and higher horsepower machines. I'm positive the racing will still be close and fun to watch even on the smaller and more technical courses. For the riders and teams, the sport is now more marketable, which means more OEM brand involvement and outside sponsorship opportunities. Flat track has a lot positive momentum in growth behind it right now and I believe these changes in 2017 will add to that.

Baker looks to get back to the center of the podium in Barcelona

BB: I have had a great relationship with K&N for many years now. They are longtime supporters of the sport I love and it means a lot that they have believed in me for so long. I trust K&N because they have the best air and oil filters on the market when you are looking for performance and protection. I trust them whether it's in my race bikes or my pickup truck!

K&N: What are your thoughts on your upcoming 2017 season and what are your goals?

BB: I am really excited about the 2017 season! I am riding for Indian Motorcycle with an all new team behind me. The current Grand National Champion, Bryan Smith, will be my teammate and the man behind his success, Ricky Howerton, will be our Team Manager. With the already proven capability of the Indian Scout FTR 750 mixed with my talent and knowledge of my team, I think we are going to have a solid first year together. The goal is to win races, stay consistent on my bad days, and recover the #1 plate at the end of the year!

We would like to congratulate Brad Baker on a positive 2016 and we look forward to what is ahead in 2017.

These panel filters are fed through a hood scoop tightly sealed by a rubber gasket

For example, we know of a builder who fabricated a hood-mounted intake with panel filters inserted into the underside of the hood (along with a fabricated fitting to direct the intake air to the inlet). With this arrangement, when the hood is open, all anyone sees is the engine. Furthermore, there’s no need to run an intake pipe across the engine bay to a large conical filter (or two), reducing the amount of clutter under the hood. So if your next build is looking for a super clean look under the hood, consider a panel filter as a means to reduce the underhood components.

A panel filter can also be utilized in a custom air box, whether on a race car or a show car. Mounted remotely near the fresh air source, a panel filter-equipped air box can flow sufficient fresh intake air while keeping the intake sound common to a conical filter to a minimum.

Panel filters allow for a wide variety of placement options around the engine bay

One panel we recommend for many of these and other applications is the K&N 33-5018. At an overall length of just shy of a foot (11.063 inches) and height of almost four inches (3.813 inches) it’s size allows a great deal of flexibility. Need more airflow? Use two K&N 33-5018 filters. Let your creativity be your guide. If this filter doesn't fit your needs, use the panel filter search by dimension tool.

K&N panel air filters are constructed of several layers of oiled cotton filter media, which offers less resistance to intake air than traditional paper filters. The multi-layered cotton material also filters out microparticles that could damage the engine. However, prior to any filter entering production, each design is evaluated in K&N’s own filtration testing lab. Testing adheres to ISO 5011 standards, ensuring that your K&N filter provides high airflow while maintaining engine protection.

Panel filter K&N part number 33-5018 is a great starting point for an installation

The options for installing a panel are constrained only by the imagination of the builder

Ben Davis has created a CB750 custom like no other

His “Xerxes” is a 1979 CB750 that Davis has morphed into an amalgamated custom that somehow works perfectly. The bike is the namesake of the powerful and vengeful Persian king of the late BC era who is central to much of that period’s world history (although now probably better known to most as a major character in the movie 300). Like the historical figure, Davis’ Xerxes looks ready to invade and conquer distant lands.

The artwork on the triple-clamp was done by Davis' friend at DC comics

Up front is probably the build’s most unique and polarizing feature. The hand-made fairing is reminiscent of an ancient warrior’s helmet and face shield. While completely unconventional, the fairing starts the aggressive, warlike motif in no uncertain terms.

The hand-made fairing is a focal point of Xerxes

The suspension trickery doesn’t stop with the modern sport-bike forks. Davis crafted a very clean and sano mono-shock rear setup that is fabricated in a style much like the early Yamaha YZ rear end that really started the single shock era. The wonderfully minimalist framework accentuates the raw nature of the Xerxes build.

The aesthetic armor on this motorized warrior is the gloss black and deep candy red paintjob. That candy red finish took eight coats to get the depth that Davis wanted.

There is serious firepower in that inline-four

K&N is honored to be able to sponsor a custom builders’ competition that recognizes innovative projects like Ben Davis’ Xerxes. To protect your ride in the real world, find the perfect K&N filter in our online application search tool.

Xerxes captured the top spot in the Mod Retro class in DC

The F-450 looks great in front of a rugged rock background

Here at K&N we like to approach the calendar with the most eye-catching vehicles in mind. In past calendar shoots, K&N has featured a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville, 599 and 498 Italia Ferraris, a 1951 Ford Shoebox, and even a 1932 Ford Roadster pickup, just to name a few. When we saw the custom Ford F-450 that US Specialty Vehicles had to offer, we knew this was a definite candidate.

US Specialty Vehicles is located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and produces custom vehicles of the utmost quality. Their vehicles integrate traditional SUV aesthetics with proprietary designs and technological innovations creating truly exceptional products for their customers. USSV’s claim to fame is “creating awe-inspiring vehicles for those who want to stand out from the crowd. A perfect meeting of heavy-duty, rugged exterior and lush, luxurious interior.”

The interior of the USSV Rhino GX is leather wrapped with dark wood and silver accents

Some of the interior features include designer premium leather seats, power front windows, locks and power telescoping side mirrors. It comes with a Securilock passive anti-theft system to keep the thieves at bay and even 2nd row independent 8-way power seats! One of our favorites is the leather wrapped dash and steering, along with the doors that accompany storage and accent lights. The interior is leather wrapped with dark wood and silver accents. It also consists of a suede headliner, carpet with custom front and middle row USSV floor mats and coated stainless entry steps w/ USSV brand emblems reminding you of where this quality comes from. The navigation system is an App-Tronics Smart Nav 5 Navigation System which also features a backup camera with ultrasonic parking radar.

Hundreds of hours went into customizing this F450 to make it the ultimate in luxury and performance

The F-450 was shot and used in the 2017 K&N Calendar featuring Ashley Wilke and Karol Priscilla

We mentioned the power, safety, and technical knick knacks, but what about luxury? This F-450 has it too. It comes with premium leather luxury power seats with heat control and foot rests, to keep you kicked back and comfortable while enjoying the beautiful view outside the custom applied sunroof USSV has fabricated. Or if that’s not your style put the partition up if want watch some football on the 40” TV while chatting with the driver on the intercom system. What doesn’t this SUV have?

The entire length of the USSV Rhino GX is 225” without the spare tire.

When we were approached to have this vehicle in the K&N calendar, our excitement could hardly be contained. US Specialty Vehicles claims “the USSV Rhino GX is simply the SUV above all SUVs”. And after seeing and shooting it in person, we agree wholeheartedly. To order your 2017 K&N Calendar and see more of the USSV Rhino GX, visit our calendar page. You can choose from a standard wall calendar or our huge shop calendar that is essentially just 12 full size posters with dates at the bottom. But whichever one you choose, you will fully enjoy the vehicles within.

Calm and focused helps Carl Renezeder to perform his best when out in his Pro2 or Pro4

Carl Renezeder showing the fans his flight skills at Utah Motorsports Complex

Carl Renezeder Racing for San Bernardino Strong at Glen Helen Raceway

Carl Renezeder celebrating another win on top of the podium

Carl is also looking forward to the off season to spend some extra time with his family and enjoy the little down time. So keep your eye on Carl and his team to come out focused and prepared for the 2017 season, and looking to start out strong and continue that all the way through the season.

Carl Renezeder sliding into turn 1 at Wild West Motorsports Park in Sparks, Nevada

Carl Renezeder roosting his competition during a 2016 LOORS race