Speed Week is back at Bonneville Speedway in the Bonneville Salt Flats near
Wendover, Utah and land speed records are waiting to be broken. Each year the
venue is marked with a broad black line down its center by the Utah State
Highway Department.
Two tracks are usually prepared; a 10 mile long straightaway for speed trials
and an oval or circular track for distance runs, which is typically between 10
to 12 miles depending on the salt surface conditions. Eight riders from the
Falkner Livingston Team (FL) are on the Speed Week agenda.
Paul and Becca Livingston
Jason McVicar of the FL Racing Team wants to dominate the Salt Flats by
breaking the top record of 259 mph on the long distance course. He is part of
the prestigious 200 mph club member at Bonneville, El Mirage and Maxton. McVicar
is also one of only five people to set 6 records on one bike at Bonneville’s
Speed Week in its 56 year racing history.
“There is a strategy to the long course,” said FL Assistant Team Manager Becca
Livingston. “On the course riders have to figure out how to peak their speed
during the third, fourth and fifth miles, which are the timed. It means they
have to go two miles before they reach maximum speeds.”
Marks and cones indicate the end of the track and the position of timing
equipment on the measured mile. The event is organized by The Southern
California Timing Association and Bonneville Nationals Inc.
“We are mounting tires, and checking everything,” said Livingston. “The data
acquisition on our bikes is a key element on our tuning for the salts.
Conditions are so variable it can be 70 degrees in the morning and 110 a few
hours later.”
Falkner Livingston is running motorcycles in the 1650cc, 1350cc, 750cc and
650cc. Paul Livingston set the new 750 APS-F Record at El Mirage in May 2006 and
a new 1650 P/P Record at El Mirage in July 2006. “We use K&N Engineering Oil and
Air Filters on all our motorcycles,” said Livingston. “Salt gets everywhere;
it’s similar to table salt, really fine granules. “Salt storms invade our
motorcycles, but with K&N no salt whatsoever gets into our engines.”
FL Racing Team Readies for Bonneville
There are reportedly a record number of entrants of motorcycles and cars
for 2006. “It gets bigger every year,” said Livingston. “I booked this trip on
January 5th and could only get two rooms on only three nights for 20 people for
one week. We are bringing our sleeping bags this year. We start on Saturday and
are off the salt by 3pm on Friday. We’ll be tired and dirty but it is going to
be another adventure.”
Follow the Falkner Livingston Team'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.
The venue is a circular dirt track and center field is decorated with haystacks.
The crowd is loud but their cheers are drowned out by the roar of engines. The
racers glance through helmets nose to nose at each other through dust clouds in
the growing world of lawnmower racing.
Enthusiasts run the gamut from amateurs to organized racing teams. There is the
U.S. Lawnmower Racing Association (USLMRA) and one time events that crop up
across the country. There is also the 24-hour LeMans of Lawnmower Racing in
Europe.
Lawnmower Racer David Lewis with Checkered Flag
David Lewis is in the BP class which features modified twin cylinder engines
that can reach speeds up to 50 + mph. He is ranked 15th out of 67 nationwide.
There is a points system in place, from 100 points just for registering for a
race to 300 points for 1st place.
The Aurora, Illinois resident has been racing lawnmowers since 2001,
participating on the USLMRA Racing Circuit. He competes for bragging rights and
trophies decorated with tiny lawnmowers. “I was watching television with my dad
and we happened to see a lawnmower race on ESPN2,” said Lewis. “I knew we could
do it and my dad’s good friends brought over an old Sears lawnmower for us to
work on. After a bit of trying things out and making sure we followed the rules
we took 2nd place at our first race. That was it, we were hooked.”
Depending on the class, the top speed on the track can be from 23 mph to 50+
mph. The outside tire width is limited to 38 inches and the frame must be 4
inches off the ground at its lowest point. “I started out with a 1985 Sears
Lawnmower, moved to a 2004 Murray Wide Body and now I’m racing a 1995 MTD,” said
Lewis. “These machines constitute the main racing tractors we use.”
“It’s a lot of fun and not very expensive to get into,” said Lewis. “My first
only cost $250, but my current racers are more expensive. It’s still cheaper
than other forms of racing.” As hobbies go, it’s what you put into it. Entry
level modifications can cost about $600.
Lewis races with K&N Engineering products. “I believe my K&N Filter gives me an
edge when I race,” he said. “Ever since I changed from the stock “flat” style
air filter to the K&N I’ve felt a change in the torque curve. It feels as though
it’s breathing easier. I would not go back to the stock filter even if someone
paid me.”
There is no prize money, but lawnmower racing is a serious business. You haven’t
lived until you’ve seen a lawn mower burn rubber; because these racers will
never mow another lawn again.
Follow David'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.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee still has the compact size of the Grand
Cherokee, but adds power, off-road capability with on-road ride and handling and
comfort features for convenience. For the seven-passenger Jeep Commander,
three four-wheel-drive systems are ready for whatever adventure is around the
corner.
High Flow Air Intake for Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander
K&N Engineering has designed a 77-Series High-Flow Performance Kit (77-1549KP)
for the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L V8 and the 2006 to 2010 Jeep Commander 5.7L V8.
Designed to improve airflow to the engine, testing on K&N's dynamometer
with this 77-Series (77-1549KP) showed a
12.93 horsepower gain @ 5046 RPM. The mandrel-bent, free flowing, one-piece
polished aluminum tube is positioned high in the engine compartment, away from
splashed up water.
K&N's High Flow Replacement Filter (RF-1048)
provides optimal air flow and is backed by K&N's Famous Million Mile Warranty.
A steel heatshield, finished in black powdercoat isolates the filter from
ambient underhood heat to supply the engine with cooler denser air. The 77
Series intake tube (77-1549KP) is coupled to the OE components with reinforced silicone hose
to absorb engine vibrations. Stainless-steel clamps secure parts to one
another and black powdercoated steel brackets add additional support.
Installation is simple and can be done without drilling or cutting. Each 77 series air intake kit comes complete with all necessary hardware, including die-cast aluminum sensor
adapters.
There are 115,000 registered motorhomes and 500,000 registered caravans
registered in the UK. Sales are hitting record highs on a year to year basis and
the industry is one of the biggest growing markets in Europe. Organizers are
expecting 15,000 people at the Motorhome Show next weekend near Worcestershire.
K&N's Mobile Show Unit in the United Kingdom
The K&N Engineering Mobile Show Unit will be at the Three Counties
Showground in Great Malvern on August 11, 12 and 13. K&N Staff will be on hand
to answer questions consumers may have about K&N Filters as part of the Western
Motorhome Show. The K&N Unit will be also be stocked with products.
“The benefits of a K&N Filter in this sector are almost identical to the normal
car replacement filter market,” said Ian Burdis of K&N Filters (Europe) LTD.
“There is an increase in power and torque for the motorhome user.”
Visitors at K&N's Mobile Show Unit
K&N Filters are available for almost any petrol, diesel and LPG motorhome
from a Bedford Rascal up to the largest American RV. It is the last filter your
motorhome will ever need.
“K&N Filters go up to 50,000 miles before cleaning is required,” said Burdis.
“Our filter is also cost effective in comparison to buying a new paper filter at
every service. K&N Filters are also environmentally friendly by reducing the
number of paper elements that are disposed of in land fill sites.”
Kawasaki has entered the four-stroke game with the 2006 KX450F lights class
competitor and the KX450F which is in the ring of open class four-stroke
motorcrossers. Both machines are purpose-built to gives racers the motor,
transmission and suspension they need to win.
High Flow MX XStream-Top Air Filter for Kawasaki KX450F and KX250F
K&N Engineering has released a High-Flow MX XStream-Top Replacement Air Filter (KA-2506XD)
that fits the 2006 to 2015 Kawasaki KX450F 450 and 2006 to 2016 Kawasaki KX250F 250. The K&N (KA-2506XD)
Air Filter, like all K&N Air Filters is a work horse. It is pleated and offers a
substantial amount of surface area over your typical foam filter, providing
longer service intervals and lots of fresh air to keep it breathing strong.
After spending almost an entire season developing and testing, K&N designed this
MX XStream-Top Air Filter (KA-2506XD)
in two pieces for easy installation and removal. It comes out of the box pre-oiled and with the top
off. "You can easily install the base into the airbox and follow up with the
installation of the top for a snug, precise fit in the bike," said K&N
Engineering Powersports Brand Manager John Jump. "K&N provides a 1 oz. tube of
grease to ensure the perfect seal at the top and bottom of the airbox. A
machined aluminum spacer allows you to tighten the filter into place, keeping
the filter snug without damaging the filter media."
The K&N (KA-2506XD)
is built with an epoxy coated aluminum wire mesh, incorporated into a back-fire
screen which protects the filter element, while delivering optimum air-flow.
All of K&N's Off-Road Replacement Air Filters are washable and reusable. The
pleated cotton in the K&N MX XStream Series Filters offer up to 2-3 times
more surface area than foam. Service
intervals will vary, depending on riding conditions. With the increase in
airflow, fuel mixture adjustment may be needed for optimum performance.
The filter (KA-2506XD)
is also covered by our K&N Racing and Off Road Limited Warranty. All K&N MX XStream Air Filters sold for racing and off-road use are warranted against
defective material or workmanship for one year from date of purchase with no
mileage limitation. This includes K&N Air Filters sold for Off-Road, ATV and
and/or dual-purpose use.
