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Shea Holbrook's race team and will field Hondas in the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge

Shea Racing will be fielding four Honda entries this season, Shea and Jason Fichter will compete in their Accords in the Touring Car category. The team will also campaign a pair of brand-new Honda Civic Si race cars in the TCA category.

Shea’s performance on track and her management and marketing skills off track have both brought new sponsorships to the organization as well as secured greater commitments from her continuing sponsors.

For example, just last month the team conducted a two-day test session with suspension partners KONI Shock Absorbers and Eibach Springs at Sebring International Raceway.

The team has also brought aboard a new sponsor, HeelToe Automotive, an online Acura and Honda performance parts specialist that also happens to be a knowledgeable K&N dealer.

On-track success plays a big part in sponsors' attraction to the team as well. In the seven years Shea Racing has competed in the series, the team has earned 11 wins, 27 podiums, seven pole positions and 11 fast laps in the touring car classes.

We were able to track down and chat with the always-in-motion Shea about her plans and thoughts about the upcoming racing season.

Sponsor Koni Shocks along with Eibach Springs supported Shea over two days of testing at Sebring

Shea Holbrook: Well, in all honestly, we were running a little warmer than we wanted last season. As in engine temperature. It’s primarily a tuning aspect so for this season we’ve worked on tuning and timing with regards to RPM. We run K&N’s air intake in the V6 Honda Accords which offers an immediate plug and play power advantage. But back to RPM, which is critical for our power band, using what’s a proven power advantage (air intake), and our guys’ mean tuning skills, we should be set for the season.

K&N: Which cars do you expect to be your strongest competition in PWC Touring this year?

SH: I could get into some trouble with this one! Last season, it was obvious we had a couple advantages though many disadvantages. This season we’re trying to narrow up on any disadvantages to aid in stellar competition. So, in short (which I never am!) the BMW and Audi are probably going to be the toughest competition.

K&N: You and some other teams build your cars from a bare shell in your own shop. Other teams compete with cars that are developed and built by the OEM manufacturer. How does that impact your efforts?

SH: I think the hardest component we’ll see will be garage built vs. manufacturer built in Touring Car. Motorsport is evolving toward manufacturer turn-key programs, which is awesome. It’s easier for the series with regards to the balance of performance and we pull in manufacturer support in a big way. Although, many customer/team businesses thrive on having the ability to work technical partnerships with say K&N Air Filters to build and fund their programs. I believe PWC is the best place to have the ability to race both programs at a high level in the most competitive environment.

K&N: Every driver has a favorite track, what’s yours?

SH: I always look forward to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. That place and I have so much good mojo. It’s difficult to be fast there, you’re hanging it all out there for those fast laps. It’s a balls-to-the wall kind of place that demands a lot of respect. Some of us refer to it as a ‘pre lawyer’ track.

K&N: You've basically doubled the size of your team for 2017. Tell us about the TCA Civics.

SH: We're pleased to be the first team rolling out the 10th generation Civic Si to compete in in the Pirelli World Challenge TCA category. We had 25 hours of durability testing in the Civic Si and the opportunity to battle against other manufacturers who will run against it in TCA last December at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Honda Racing/HPD and Eibach Springs.

This season in PWC will be a challlenge for Shea Racing with two cars in Touring and two cars in TCA

K&N: For 2017 you’re continuing with the Honda Accord and many of the same sponsors who supported you in 2016. Does that help coming into a new season?

SH: What I love about the Honda Accord is she makes you work for your results and when you achieve your desired performance the result and reward is just that much greater. With our new alignment with Honda Racing HPD and partners like BUBBA Burger, Lucas Oil, KONI Shock Absorbers, K&N Filters, and so many more we should have one heck of a season ahead of us.

K&N is proud to be a part of Shea Holbrook's racing efforts for the 2017 season. This will be a series you won't want to miss, so be sure to check back for updates as Shea and her team take on the rest of the pack in Pirelli World Challenge.

Tim Martin was named 2016 SEMA Person of the Year

Tim Martin is running for Chairman of the SEMA Board of Directors in the 2017 election. Tim is a Vice President at K&N, and has been a member of the K&N team for nearly 20 years. His goal is to serve SEMA members in shaping programs to benefit the industry. SEMA has tremendous resources that helps companies prepare for changes and threats in the future. SEMA’s mission is to help its members succeed, and the future requires experienced leadership.

Follow Tim's campaign at Facebook.com/TimForSEMA

Tim has served on the SEMA Board of Directors for seven years, and as a volunteer in SEMA programs for many more. He was recently honored to receive the 2016 SEMA Person of the Year award for contributions as a SEMA volunteer. He has been an effective member of the Board, and understands SEMA programs well. Understanding the potential of SEMA to help our industry and the automotive lifestyle, Tim is well suited to serve as the Board Chairman.

Tim has been involved in many SEMA and professional programs, including the following:

• 2016 SEMA Person of the Year award recipient
• SEMA Board of Directors (2 terms)
• SEMA Data Co-op Board of Directors
• SEMA Youth Engagement Task Force
• SEMA CBLC Review Task Force
• SEMA Board Nominating Committee
• SEMA Garage Task Force and participant in initial SEMA Garage program planning meetings
• SEMA Business Technology Committee (BTC)
• SEMA Business Development Working Group
• SEMA NextGen Working GroupSEMA Health Care Task Force
• SEMA Fuel Economy Task Force
• Speaker and participant at SEMA Town Hall Events
• Speaker at several SEMA Show educational seminars
• Speaker at SEMA Manufacturers’ Rep Network (MRN) annual meeting
• Speaker at Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) conference
• Speaker at AAIA/SEMA Aftermarket eForum conference
• Speaker at AAIA National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) conference
• Member of SEMA PAC Presidents Club, SEMA PAC Redline Club
• Participant at SEMA Washington Legislative Events
• Presenter at SEMA Board Orientation
• Member of SEMA delegation to the SCORE Baja 1000
• Participant in many other SEMA projects and events
• Multiple meetings with members of U.S. Congress, staff, and local government leaders
• Member, Dean’s Advisory Council, University of California Riverside School of Business
• Member, Business Council, Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce

Tim Martin is running for Chairman of the SEMA Board of Directors in 2017

Tim is a Vice President at K&N Engineering, and joined the company as a consultant in 1997. He has served many roles at K&N over the past 20 years. His responsibilities have included leadership in sales, customer service, marketing, manufacturing, purchasing, distribution, and information technology. He previously worked as a consultant, and as an engineer for the U.S. Navy for 10 years. He has experience in project management, financial reporting processes, product development, product testing, product information standards, software development, strategy, organizational development, and legal issues.

Tim’s education includes 2 bachelor’s degrees in engineering from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree in management from the University of Southern California. He enjoys off-roading and other motorsports, and is married with 4 children.

Tim's goals are to help improve SEMA programs that grow and protect our industry. He plans to focus on the following areas:

• Support the SEMA Show and PRI Show as industry-leading events
• Grow legislative programs to protect customization and recreation
• Develop and support youth-engagement programs to grow awareness
• Create new career development and networking opportunities
• Improve member services and promote healthy industry collaboration

The election ballots will be emailed to the primary contact for each SEMA member company in May.

For more information about SEMA go to www.SEMA.org

Follow Tim's campaign at Facebook.com/TimForSEMA

Mike Lookner pays homage to the A/FX drag cars of the '60s with an updated street version

At right about the same time, just about the same thing was going on in drag racing. Despite a joint agreement signed by the Big Three automakers in 1957 not to actively support racing, they did so clandestinely.

By the early 1960s, special lightweight, high performance models were “available” to the public in order for the carmakers to win in NHRA’s popular Super Stock category. Having had enough of the automakers’ shenanigans, in 1962 the NHRA created the Factory Experimental class, the most well-known being the top-level A/FX.

One of the original A/FX Funny Cars: Dyno Don's altered wheelbase 1965 Comet Cyclone

There are many who look back at the years between the forming of the Factory Experimental class and the appearance of the first flip-top Funny Car was a golden age of door-slammer drag racing. Count Mike Lookner among them.

Thankfully for Mike, his brother Andrew runs Extreme Machine Unlimited, in their home state of Massachusetts. Together the two conspired to build a 1965 Comet Cyclone influenced by the AF/X cars of the early 1960s, but not be limited by 1960s technology. In essence, they reinterpreted the concept of the AF/X to a streetable car of the 21st century.

Mike's Comet was fitted with mini-tubs to accomodate 12" wide rear wheels and tires

Peter Newell of Competition Specialties sprayed the body in Candy Brandywine that looks like it’s three feet deep, with the bumpers painted in metallic Argent giving them the appearance of the unpolished aluminum bumpers on early A/FX cars.

The interior was kept stock looking except for a few safety features plus a full set of gauges

Underneath subframe connectors were added by DMC Racing to strengthen the chassis in preparation of the powerful big block motor. A Ford 9-inch rear axle with 4:10 gears was fitted to accommodate the larger 15x12-inch rear wheels that will reside in the mini-tubs. The multi-leaf rear spring was replaced by a mono-leaf, which now acts more as a locating device.

The rear suspension loads are now carried by QA1 adjustable coilovers. Up front, a Total Control Products dual-adjustable coilover conversion was installed. Brakes are a conservative 11” front disc and rear drum set-up. The Radir wheels selected nicely reflect the five spokes on “Dyno Don” Nicholson’s 1965 AF/X Comet Cyclone.

The Ford FE big block was built by Mike's brother Andrew and produces 650 horsepower

The bottom end features a Scat crank and Eagle rods all forged from ultra-high strength 4340 alloy steel, 11.25:1 JE aluminum pistons, and an aggressive solid lifter camshaft from Cam Motion.

Intake air is drawn through the factory hood scoops and into a pair of K&N E-3280 filters into matching Edelbrock AVS 650 CFM carbs, Edelbrock RPM aluminum intake, and into a set of Edelbrock RPM aluminum heads, topped with valve covers featuring K&N 62-1220 breathers.

The process took two-and-a-half years to complete, but even just from viewing the photographs, the results are both stunning and a fitting tribute to that insane era of drag racing.

Craig Raudman (2) and Austin Reed (14) side-by-side at Kern Raceway (Photo by Amanda Perryman)

Reed, CEO of Advanced Memory, a company that manufactures high reliability computer memory for critical applications like the military, has operated Dave Reed Racing and entered cars in various race series around the West Coast since 1993, including NASCAR Craftsman Trucks, K&N NASCAR Pro Series West, Legends, Mini Outlaws, and even local Late Model.

Promising young driver Ricky Schlick, who had raced for Reed in 2016, has had the opportunity to move to another team to compete in a full-season of the SRL for 2017, so Reed was faced with a choice. Continue to run different drivers for a few events each or concentrate on a single driver and work toward not one, but two championships. He chose the more difficult but potentially more rewarding route.

Craig Raudman will be the full-time driver of the #2 car (Photo by Roger Seymour Photography)

There’s also a long-term relationship between Reed and Raudman that dates back to 1994, which is clearly to their benefit. Raudman is also well-known as an ace crew chief on short track cars, which can do nothing but improve the team’s ability to set-up the car quickly.

Raudman may be best known for his victory in the short-lived LA Street Race that was part of the NASCAR Featherlite Tour Series at the time, beating out both series regulars as well as some big name drivers attracted by the prestige of the event and large purse on offer. The event ran for just three years and Raudman nearly won the first two as well.

The chassis that Craig Raudman drove to fourth, under construction (Photo by Craig Raudman)

Reed is pulling out all the stops toward his double championship quest. He’s fielding two new Straight Rail chassis cars from Victory Circle, in Bakersfield. Not only does Reed’s team benefit from having their chassis builder intimately familiar with all the tracks in the series, but with Bakersfield so central geographically to the tracks, if there’s crash damage to the frame that needs to be repaired in the jig, it’s a fast turnaround. Reed is also having a third car built by Bond Suss Racing in Charlotte.

For filters, Reed has been a loyal partner with K&N for 15 years.

“We have been fortunate to be able to tour their facilities several times and it is truly is an amazing facility,“ Reed said. “ K&N has the best quality out there not to mention the people behind the products.”

The K&N logo proudly displayed on the rear of one of Dave Reed's cars (Photo by Dave Reed)

The Number 14 car will be driven by a rotating roster of drivers, including Reed’s son Austin, Eric Norris - stunt coordinator on the Hawaii 5-0 television series and son of martial arts legend Chuck - and one or two drivers yet to be named. Reed hinted at one being an East Coast hot shoe while another is a former Southwest Tour Champion. Most intriguing is the driver who might fill in for Raudman at The Bullring: a “household name” in racing, according to Reed.

At the first race of the season at Irwindale, Raudman ran in the Top 5 in all practices, finished an impressive fourth in a race won by Bobby Hodges, with 2016 champ Derek Thorn second. Raudman started seventh and steadily worked his way up to fourth over the course of the race. All in a brand-new race car fresh off the trailer. Most definitely a good omen for the start of a very ambitious season.

Thunderbike's newest builds are as extreme and innovative as any in the industry

“We´re creating all the parts you need for your bike,” said Thunderbike’s Martin Mix. “[We produce] wheels, forks, frames, swingarms, suspension kits, and almost everything else.”

Thunderbike was founded in the mid 1980s as a Suzuki dealership in the small German town of Hamminkeln. At that time, the company was a force on the German racing scene. They also built popular custom sport-bikes.

All of Thunderbike's Powerfilters, like the "Open Mind," feature K&N filters

Thunderbike Customs has won several of the biggest European custom builders’ competitions. They have also had success at the AMD World Championships as well as American builder competitions.

The company’s build portfolio is as extensive as any in the industry. Thunderbike produces customs that are based on the full Harley platform, as well as builds that feature their own custom frames. The builds are not limited to the American V-twin engine. Metric bikes are also represented in both Tunderbike builds and products.

Thunderbike Customs also builds beautiful traditional baggers

“All of our round kits called Powerfilter are using K&N filters,” Martin said. “K&N is a high-quality brand that everybody knows and trusts. It fits very well to our own quality standards.”

The company ships worldwide and is now truly a global force in the custom motorcycle industry. K&N is proud to be part of the Thunderbike Customs success story. We will highlight some of the company’s spectacular builds in upcoming feature articles.