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K&N sponsored driver Bradley Morris races in all four Pro classes in the same weekend
Arizona turned out to be a weekend of non-stop racing for Bradley Morris and the BME Motorsports team. Bradley was going to be competing in all four pro classes at the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. It is the final rounds of the 2017 season and Bradley wanted to make history and be the first person to do this. This would consist of racing his Pro 4 and Pro 2 like usual but adding the two classes of Prolite and Pro Buggy. He wouldn’t race in the points race in these two classes, allowing him to focus on his main classes where he is battling for Pro 2 Rookie of the Year. He would be racing these additional two classes in the final races which are the Challenge Cups and they are non-point races.
Bradley Morris practicing in his K&N sponsored Prolite for the Challenge Cup
The weekend started with practice where Bradley drove all the vehicles to get practice and additional seat time. All of the classes go one after another, so Bradley had to drive one truck and then hop out and rush over to the next truck to get buckled in. The officials would hold all the trucks in the class till Bradley was safely in the truck, and at the moment he was good they would start to head out on to the track for the next practice. There were three sessions of practice for every class with only a small break in between, creating an extremely exhausting day of driving and adjusting the trucks for the team.
Flying through the air in front of the huge crowd while leading the Pro4 race
In the final points race in the Pro 4, Bradley would start in the middle of the field. Bradley got a clean start and would start battling his way towards the front. He was able to get to the front and take the lead around the fourth lap, and after a caution, he would have Kyle LeDuc right behind him. Bradley was able to stay in front of Kyle but also put a gap between them when Bradley would get a flat from some previous contact with someone hitting him in the rear bedside, gouging the tire. Bradley was able to go to the hot pit and get it fixed but lost the lead and a lap. He was able to get back out on track just to get another flat when landing sideways off of the large jump and knocking the tire off of the wheel.
Bradley Morris racing his Pro2 to a strong finish, awarding him with 2017 Rookie of the Year in Pro2
The Pro 2 race was action packed with Bradley starting towards the rear. This race was very important because Bradley was battling Jerett Brooks for Rookie of the Year, and Jerett was ahead by five points. The race started with the two of them battling for several laps until Bradley was able to break away and start working his way forward. Bradley would start to battle with Jeremy McGrath for most of the race, but Bradley kept moving forward, passing Jeremy and then putting a large gap between the two of them. Bradley was in fourth place and knew he had to do his best to try and catch third and stay as far ahead of Jerett as he could. With the laps getting close to the end, Bradley was able to catch up to third place but ran out of laps before he could make a pass. Fourth place finish was good enough to pass Jerett in the points by one point, earning himself the “2017 Pro 2 Rookie of the Year” award and fifth place in the points.
K&N backed driver Bradley Morris racing hard during the 2017 Prolite Challenge Cup
The last races of the year are the Challenge Cups, and there is one for Pro Buggy’s, Prolites, and a Pro2 vs Pro4. Bradley raced in all three races using his old Prolite and his old Pro Buggy that the new owner allowed him to drive. The first race was the Prolites that had almost twenty trucks in the race. Bradley qualified around the middle, giving him a great shot to get to the front. There was a large prize fund for these races, making everyone charge harder than they really should be. In the beginning of the race, Bradley would battle trying to get to the front when a truck behind him slammed into the side of him entering the turn taking him out and popping his rear tire. The team got it fixed and got him back out on the track allowing him to continue but a lap down. This wasn’t the way he wanted to start the day.
Leading the race Bradley Morris suffers a flat tire while sliding through the turn
Next was the Pro Buggy, and this race went even worse than the Prolite for Bradley and the BME team. The race started and Bradley had a great start coming from the rear. He was able to pass several people and get almost to the lead with some cars tangling on the first lap. The officials stopped the race and wanted a complete restart since they didn’t get a full lap in. On this restart, Bradley was not that lucky, and going into turn one Bradley was on the inside when the car on the outside over rotated in front of him coming down and clipping Bradley’s front suspension damaging it to end the race for Bradley.
Bradley Morris battling his way through the Pro2 traffic while leading the Pro4 in the Challenge Cup
For the final race of the Pro 2 vs Pro 4, Bradley had a hard decision to make. After qualifying and the inversion, Bradley would be on the pole for both the Pro 2 and Pro 4. The team debated back and forth about what truck he should drive. The final decision was for him to race the Pro 4 because if a caution came out after four laps the advantage that the Pro 2’s had would be gone. With the start of the race, Bradley would lead the Pro 4 trucks and try to close the gap between them and the Pro 2s. Bradley would hold the lead and battle with Kyle LeDuc and RJ Anderson up to the fifth lap when the caution came out because of the Pro 2s, so it was a great decision to drive the Pro 4. With the green flag waving, they were all bunched up and now in traffic with the Pro 2s who didn’t want to get passed. The Pro 2s were not giving up and started slamming into the faster Pro 4s when they came through. Bradley would end up getting hit in turn two and up on two wheels while two other Pro 2s were on two wheels. Then in the next turn, those trucks would drive hard into the turn on the inside knowing they couldn’t stop and would use the trucks as a cushion, and unfortunately Bradley was the one they plowed into, breaking his suspension and ending his day.
All of Bradley Morris's K&N Filters sponsored trucks ready to do battle in Arizona
Bradley said, “Being able to race all four Pro classes on the same weekend was challenging, it was mentally and physically exhausting. Before each time out on the track I had to remind myself which car I was in and what driving style was needed for that vehicle. It is always fun to do something that hasn’t been done before and if it has it is very uncommon. I was able to race in all Challenge Cups in the same day before when I first started getting into Pro 4 with Curt LeDuc a few years back, but now being able to do all four classes in a weekend is another accomplishment. I want to thank my team for working so hard to make it possible for me to race all four, I know it wasn’t easy for them.”
Not the way the Bradley and the team wanted the weekend to go, but also a good weekend with Bradley being very fast and able to show people the front is where he is comfortable. So watch for the 2018 season to be fast and consistently battling for the lead.
The Redondo Beach PD has some exciting new technology in the Sand's built Honda
When American Honda donated two Africa Twin adventure motorcycles to the Redondo Beach Police Department (RBPD), they likely had little idea just how amazing the bikes would become. In stock form, the Africa Twin is an ultra-competent and exciting ADV mount. When passed through the creative hands of K&N partner Roland Sands, the big Honda becomes something amazing.
K&N caught up with Sands, RBPD Chief Keith Kauffman, and one of the Africa Twins at the Long Beach, California, stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. The excitement surrounding the Honda build was evident in the collected RBPD officers, and Sands was understandably satisfied with the modifications he and his build partners had completed.
The addition of ADV bikes to a police department’s stable makes perfect sense when you think about it. The long suspension, low weight, and elevated rider perspective make for a versatile law enforcement tool that transcends the traditional, street-only motorcycles that are usually purposed for departmental duty.
(L to R) Roland Sands, Chief Kauffman, Cameron Brewer, and an RBPD officer with the Africa Twin
So what’s so special about the Sands-built, Redondo Beach Africa Twin? Let’s take a look.
Suspension and Wheels:
The RBPD Africa Twin rolls on rugged spoked alloy rims. It is shod with DOT-legal knobby Dunlop tires, so clearly beach pursuits and rescues are within the modified Honda's capabilities.
A fully-adjustable Ohlins front and rear suspension controls the ride through the rigors of the bike’s specialized public protection mission.
Engine:
Redondo Beach Police Chief Kauffman shows off the Africa Twin's built-in body armor
The RBPD Africa Twin’s 998cc parallel twin powerplant breathes through a K&N HA-9916 filter for the performance the duty requires and the protection the Honda will need in its critical role. All of the filters for both of the Hondas have been donated by K&N.
Yoshimura donated a full exhaust system to complete the intake/exhaust modification. An ALTRider full skid plate and crash bars will keep the engine cases protected.
Duty-specific Modifications:
Of course, the RBPD Africa Twin is equipped with weaponry and firepower requisite to its mission, including a locking rear mount for an assault rifle. However, one of the most intriguing elements of the build is the ballistic armor that unfolds from the soft side cases.
With a rifle mount, full knobbies, and a premium suspension, the PBPD Honda is ready for duty
Chief Kauffman unfolded the armor for K&N and reported that the bullet-proof plates in the armor sheets can withstand a .44 Magnum slug. This armor will help keep Redondo Beach’s finest protected in a live shooter situation.
Mounted in the bike's instrument cluster and on the handlebars are police radar, all light and siren controls, and a detachable Axon Flex camera.
“The camera has a DVR-like function,” said Kauffman. “When it is activated, it will replay back in time to capture prior events. It is easily moved from the motorcycle to the officer.”
The Roland Sands Redondo Beach Honda Africa Twins are clearly the coolest police motorcycles in the nation. These vital law enforcement tools were completed entirely with donations including the labor.
K&N is proud to have been part of this important and exciting mission.
Kauffman shows more of the Africa Twin's concealed ballistic armor
The generous partners in the RBPD Africa Twin project
Jason Tiedeken of Innov8 Racing Inc. set out to build what he calls the “Baddest Crew Cab Ford Prerunner.” Check out his rig and see if you think he’s accomplished his goal.
The project started with a 1990 Ford F-350 with a work truck body. Jason has built a few trucks on his own but when he decided on the scope of the project he recognized that he needed to bring in some collaborators. His good friend Ryan Kibbe of Kibbetech Offroad contributed his fabrication skills to the project.
The first step was to strip away most of the body, and not just the work bed but also front fenders and hood. Then the rear of the frame was cut off and replaced with a Kibbetech design. The front suspension is comprised largely of Blitzkrieg components with King 3.5” coilovers with three-tube bypass. To the new rear frame, a Kibbetech triangulated four-link suspension was added along with a roll cage, all fabricated from 4130. Compression loads are handled by the same King triple bypass coilovers as on the front, all four tuned by KDM Shock Technologies. Roll control is provided by Sway-a-way bars with Kibbetech billet arms.
Next came the drivetrain. And here’s where it swerves off the path of your typical build. Jason decided on a 6.0L LQ9 – yes, a GM engine in a Ford truck. And a high-compression, high-performance version originally developed for Cadillac SUVs. Jason left the internals stock as they were already pretty beefy and the engine produces 345 horsepower and 380 lb·ft of torque.
Instead, Jason concentrated on how to make the engine more powerful through external upgrades. A Holley EFI system with a fabricated high ram was installed and fed through a K&N filter. Fuel is delivered from a 70 gallon Harmon Racing fuel cell. Exhaust gases are routed out through a Kibbetech fabricated system utilizing Magnaflow mufflers. Everything’s kept cool by radiator, oil, and transmission coolers by CBR Performance Products.
Keeping the truck up off the ground are a set of 17” x 7” Innov8 Racing forged aluminum wheels, wrapped by BFGoodrich 39x13.5x17 Baja T/A tires. Stopping the rig is a set or Jamar Performance brakes with six-piston calipers.
Power is transmitted through a GM 4L60 four-speed automatic fitted with Winters shifter to a Camburg Racing fabricated nine-inch rear end with four-inch axle tubes. The ring and pinion is from Yukon Gear and it’s a ground-grabbing 5.36:1.
With the mechanicals all sorted, it’s time to take on the interior. The stock dash was swapped out for a Fiberwerx unit fitted with a Holley Digital dash (one on each side). Also fitted to the dash is a PCI Race Radio intercom system incorporating a Kenwood radio, a Lowrance HD7 satellite GPS system, and to keep everyone comfortable, a Red Dot heating-air conditioning system.
Driver and front seat passenger are seated in Beard race buckets, with a Beard back row. The seats are finished in black and grey suede. Steering is via an Ididit tilting steering column fitted with a Momo steering wheel. Braking is through a Jamar master cylinder, pedal, and handbrake.
With all of this mounted to the chassis, the body now needs to reflect the capabilities of the truck. Fenders with six-inch flares and the hood are all from Autofab Fiberglass.
With the vehicle assembled it was shipped over to Maaco to be sprayed in white. Once the paint was ready a vinyl wrap designed by Innov8 Racing and Alex Flemming was applied. As it’s no longer really an F-350, it’s been renamed the F-500 and then the KTF500. While Jason’s had a chance to try out the truck locally, he has another destination in mind.
According to Jason, the truck is built for go and not show, so he’s already been burning up the dunes at Pismo and Glamis. Where Jason would like to head next is Baja. “I’m in love in Mexico, and I’m definitely planning on some Mexico runs,” he added.
Just the thing for a tailgating party for you and 11 of your best friends - with room for coolers
The Specialty Equipment Market Association puts on its annual trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center and limits attendance to only those directly involved in the automotive aftermarket. As such, most of the modified vehicles on display are there to feature a particular sponsor’s product (and often more than one). It’s usually very clear as the product is prominently featured on the vehicle, it carries large stickers on its sides, and it’s in or near the sponsor’s booth. Then there is a small percentage of vehicles that don’t play by those rules. Their existence isn’t questioned by asking “why?” but rather “why the heck not” (or words to that effect). So here we give you, with all due respect and admiration, the oddities of the 2017 SEMA Show.
Looks like Lightning McQueen is getting away from the circle track stuff. Hey, where's Mater?
A very slick four-passenger UTV built by Cody Hill, who also had a matching 2017 Ford Super Duty
The Laid Back Jambulance drew plenty of attention over the course of the show
It looks a bit like the driver stopped too fast and the fifth wheel horse trailer swallowed the bed
While it's easy to inspect the drivetrain, it's tough to get a look at the interior
Now if we could only get all the cars K&N sponsors to promote our filters so visibily
Isn't this pretty much the school bus we all sketched in our high school notebooks come to life?
From Jay Leno's garage, a 757ci Radial Airplane Engine 1939 Plymouth Pickup
A V8-powered Prius. Somewhere in a Toyota office a product planner is banging his head on his desk
How about a 1972 crew-cab C50 Chevy pickup built by Rtech Fabrications of Hayden, Idaho
Do you think ICE knows there's a Ute from Australia here on U.S. soil?
If there were an award for the ugliest car at the show, there's a good choice we're looking at it
An Acura NSX GT3 race car in its bare carbon fiber, before any sponsor decals have been applied
Who as a kid didn't want their own fire truck? Sometimes wishes come true
If you knew nothing about the American automobile industry, and your very first exposure was the SEMA Show, you’d be rightly justified to believe that the first generation Chevrolet Camaro was built for more years and in greater numbers than is actually the case. And while the brief three model year run is a bit over-represented at the show, it’s rooted in the esteem in which the car was held. It was both a successful road racer and drag racer in the days before tube frame chassis over replica bodies. So while there was representation from other generations of the venerable muscle cars, our coverage reflects the mix of model years displayed on the show floor.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS “Double Take”
Popping up through the hood is a carbureted supercharger with dual K&N filters in the scoop
Looking like a Hot Wheel come to life this 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is one of several stunning vehicles from Randy Weaver and his crew from Weaver Customs in West Jordan, Utah. Owned by Michelle and Brian Klein, the stunning blue creation captured a much-desired display spot right by the doors to the North Hall. Under and through the hood is a stroked Chevrolet small-block fitted with an 8-71 supercharger. The engine is fed through a pair of carburetors and if you were to peak into the scoop you’d find a pair of K&N air filters scrubbing the air entering the dual carbs. Backing up the motor is a stout Tremec TKO 600 six-speed manual transmission. The “Double Take” Camaro rides on a custom frame with IFS and a four-link rear suspension locating the FAB 9 rear axle with a 4.30:1 final drive. Exterior mods include narrowed and tucked bumpers and a one-off grille.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro “Big Red”
Rising, Phoenix-like from the ashes, the legendary Big Red Camaro is displayed in speed record trim
The Big Red 1969 Camaro has literally risen from the ashes. During an on-track shakedown run a fuel line worked loose and the car burnt about as far as possible and still call it a car. If you love 1969 Camaros, don’t look for the before pictures. The good news is, the car was recoverable and in a relatively short period rebuilt and on display at the 2017 SEMA Show. For top speed runs, Big Red is powered by a Larry Mollicone-built 598 CI Big Block and fitted with a ProCharger F3 blower drawing through two enormous K&N filters (each about the size of a Costco Quaker Oatmeal canister). Boost and a mix of methanol and water injection system deliver between 1600 and 2000 horsepower. An extensive roll cage structures ties the chassis together as well as protects the driver. The fuel cell is in the trunk with the small methanol canister under the hood. And in the reconstruction, the fire system was upgraded from a manual to an automatic system.
1969 Chevrolet Camaro “Axis”
Constructed on a Fast Track chassis by the Roadster Shop, this 1969 is powered by a 640 HP LT4
While still a 1969 Camaro, this version has a very different vibe than the previous two Camaros. Phil Gerber and Jeremy Gerber of The Roadster Shop of Mundelein, Illinois, constructed this '69 as a modern race-inspired Camaro that’s had its floor cutaway and an RS Fast Track chassis installed. Powered by 640 horsepower 6.2L LT4 V8 and backed by a T56 transmission, drive is passed to the solid rear axle that has been outfitted with a multilink suspension and Baer brakes all around. The Axis features all the hand-built components we’ve come to expect from a Roadster Shop build: front spoiler and side skirts, custom lower rear diffuser-valance combination, unique wheels, fully fabricated underhood sheet metal and interior. A vintage-looking Sparco steering wheel, Sparco seats, and AutoMeter Spek dials complete the cockpit. The Axis was a Top 12 selection for SEMA Battle of the Builders and the winner of the GM People’s Choice Design Award.
1971 Chevrolet Camaro “Split Second”
This 1970 from the Roadster Shop represents Gen II Camaros. K&N filters feature their own intake
The name “Split Second” is derived from the unique dual or split fuel injection system and the split bumper design of this generation of Camaro. In ordinary driving circumstances, the engine is fed from a fuel cell containing 91 octane pump fuel. As boost from the twin turbochargers increases, the computer starts to feed 108 octane race gas from a second fuel cell into the 427 small block from Nelson Racing Engines. The result is a daily driver with around 900 horsepower that automatically segues into a 1600 horsepower beast. New inlets were added to the front to feed the K&N filters. The front clip and unibody floor of the Camaro and were discarded and replaced by a Fast Track hand-fabricated, fully-boxed 10 gauge steel frame rails that run the full length of the car, providing both a lowered ride height and a solid basis from which the suspension can work. At the front end is mounted an RS Fast Track Front Suspension with C6 Corvette spindle and hub assemblies. A 1.25-inch splined sway bar with C6 end links has also been fitted, while special Penske “RS Edition” performance coilovers control the ups and downs of the front suspension. Brembo provided the brake, HRE the wheels, and Avant Garde the interior.
And now for more Camaros:
All NHRA Pro Stock racers are required to use the specially-developed K&N carbon fiber intake
Hellion launched a bolt-on twin turbo kit for Gen 6 Camaros at the show, complete with K&N filters
This Camaro receives our awards for both largest tubs and wheels with the most positive offset
Optima hosted a Third Generation Camaro in its booth promoting its Ultimate Street Car Search
