Arie ventured into the weekend’s race at CalSpeed running a track configuration he has not seen before. After an uneventful practice and qualifying session, Arie entered the heat race with enthusiasm. With the kart handling better than in qualifying Arie began the heat race sixth on the grid. The handling of the kart was not as good as initialing thought and therefore Arie would line up seventh for the main. Drastic measures needed to occur in order to get the kart handling under control. With assistance from CRG, Arie’s tuner quickly went to work on the K1 RaceGear/CRG USA/Motul/Seckence Surf Company sponsored chassis. After some major set up changes, Arie’s attitude was either I am going to win this thing or finish last. The main started with Arie not getting the start he wanted and getting stuck behind slower karts. After a few frustrating laps and several failed attempts to pass, Arie made his move. The resulting attempted pass made for heavy contact as the other driver turned into Arie has they headed for the apex of the hairpin corner. After catching some air Arie limped back to the pits with some minor damage that resulted in his first DNF in a very long time. Arie is determined to learn from this and will be back even stronger and faster for the next race as he ventures out to the Apex kart center in early June before heading back to CalSpeed in the hot July weather.

To learn more about Arie visit his Facebook at facebook.com/ArieZimmermannRacing

Michel Jourdain Jr. is no stranger to racing. He has raced Indy Car, NASCAR Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck and various rally and sport car series. At the age of 19 years, 6 months and 12 days old, Michel became the youngest driver to start a Champ Car race. He has 152 starts in CART and Champ Car, 3 Indy Racing League starts (1996 INDY 500 Finished 13th & Las Vegas 2nd), and winning Montreal and Milwaukee in 2003 with Team Rahal.

 Jourdain, No. 17, will be racing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with Office Depot Mexico as his primary sponsor and Grupo Indi and Grupo Multi as associate sponsors. Michel’s safety equipment will be supplied by K1 RaceGear.

 “K1 RaceGear was very excited to be given the opportunity to supply Michel with the custom gear needed to compete in the Indy 500,” said Thomas Walden from K1. “We wish him nothing but the best of luck!” 

Saturday May 4, 2013, Cody Gerhardt and Tim Skoglund raced in memory of Billy Vukovich III.  The Vukovich Classic is an annual event for Fresno’s own Billy III, who was killed in a Sprint Car crash in 1990. Billy III was an enormously talented young driver who also raced in the Indy 500 and was “Rookie of the Year” in 1988.

The Winged Sprints and Supermodifieds were scheduled for fifty laps in the main event. Lance Tatro started on the pole in his 360 Supermodified, Cody Gerhardt #40 on outside pole, teammate Tim Skoglund #60 starting in third. Cody got the jump at the start and Vanderpool followed in his 410 Supermodified and taking the lead on second lap, Tim Skoglund making his way back to third and passing teammate Cody Gerhardt on lap nine.

Tim finished the fifty lap main in second position, and Cody had a great wheel to wheel battle between him and Lance Tatro for third place. With five laps to go Lance completed his pass for third, and Cody finishing in fourth place.

The Winged Sprints and Supermodifieds put on a great show, with lots of great wheel to wheel racing!

Cody Gerhardt is now heading east to compete in the Xtreme Speed Challenge a combined show featuring both Must See Racing Winged Sprints and Supermodifieds. May 19^th Cody will race at Winchester Speedway, then May 22^nd they will move to Anderson Speedway. 

Western Speed Racing would like to thank all their sponsors for making this possible!

Lucas Oil, K&N, K1RaceGear, University Market & Fresno Van Rental, Spy, Dennis Body Shop, Dave Steel Performance, Johnny’s Muffler, Eibach, Performance Trailers.

Thank you,

Kevin Gerhardt 559-905-2129

Western Speed Racing

Photo credit:  LisaSwanberg.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/6/13 - After many weekend of rain outs, Tyler Anderson and the Anderson Racing team finally got some great weather to get the 2013 season underway. Pioliting the Anderson Racing Enterprises, K1 Race Gear, Shark Racing Engines, Kustom Sprint Car Supplies, Pacific Performance Coatings, King Racing Products, XXX Chassis, #24 360 Sprint Car. The night would start out pretty rough for the team, after firing the car off for track packing, Tyler and the team noticed a bad sound in the motor. Not taking any chances the team would skip Hot-Laps to try to figure what exactly was wrong with the motor. The team scrabble to find the problem. They notice that one of the rocker arms was lose and went to tighten it back up and the bolt was broke. The team replace the broken bolt, but ran out of time and also missed Qualifying. Tyler would have to start at the tail of the Heat-Race in the 9th position. He would end up finishing in 6th when the checkered flew. "The car was really good, without having any laps for the 2013 season, the car rolled off the trailer pretty fast."-Anderson stated. Anderson would also have to start at the tail end of the field for the main event because of missing qualifying. Tyler would start in the 17th position. He would rally his way through the field going where ever the cars ahead weren't. Running the top, middle, bottom groves, Tyler would have and outstanding run and bring the car home in the 4th position. He also picked up the Hard Charger award for passing the most cars out of everyone on the track."It was a great run, for not having hardly any laps in the car, the car was extremely fast and very constant. I need to say thanks to my dad for having an awesome set-up and XXX chassis for building fast race cars and Shark Racing Engines for giving us a very stout motor. Also need to say thanks to all my other sponsor who support me, without them this deal would never happen, and also to my family for always having my back and giving me great support." Check out Tyler's website at wwww.tyleranderson24.com, Facebook and Twitter, for more updates through the season.

Website: www.tyleranderson24.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tyler-Anderson-Racing/182505838473017

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndersonRacin24

K1 RaceGear sponsored driver Blake Terry gives us an idea of what it’s like to take the wheel of an Open Wheeled Modified. Blake started racing karts at age 5 and has been involved in racing ever since. From a Crew Member for Jenson Ford and Crew Chief for David Smith and Chris Ferguson, Blake decided to purchase an Open Wheel Modified in 2012. It wasn’t long after that when Blake got to feel what it was like to grab his first victory.

K1 RaceGear’s Thomas Walden interview with Blake Terry:

Thomas: Tell us a little about an Open Wheel Modified.
Blake: The Open Wheel Modified has been around since the 50’s. It started out as old production cars; they stripped the interior and ran every Saturday night at the local fair grounds.  Now,  it’s formed into one of the most popular classes in dirt track racing. The major rules include: must have a stock GM style front clip off a 70’s model Chevelle, Monte Carlo, or Camaro. Our Engines are “run what you brung” with the exception of a steel block and wet sump oil system. My current engine is a 410 cubic inch, 650 Horsepower small block Chevrolet built by Vic Hill Race Engines. The rest of our car is a purpose built tube chassis.

Thomas: What made you decided to purchase an Open Wheel Modified? 
Blake: They are a handful to drive. With so much horsepower and such a small tire, the driver has to stay 110% focused the whole time. The best drivers come from the Open Wheel Modified ranks.

Thomas: Any plans to purchase another type of race car?
Blake: If our budget allows, I would like to move up to a Dirt Late Model.

Thomas: What is your favorite type of racing and why?
Blake: Any type of dirt racing. There’s no politics. It’s just true, blue collar, hardcore racing that’s inexpensive.

Thomas: Who is your favorite race car driver and why?
Blake: Dale Earnhardt. He was a hardcore racer that made a name for himself.

Thomas: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Blake: My goal is to be touring. Driving a late model or a modified, but as long as I am racing something … I’ll be happy!

Thomas: What inspires you to do what you do?
Blake: The thrill of the speed, trying to control something out of control, and the challenge of trying to do better every week.

Thomas: Are there any sponsors you wish to thank?
Blake: K1 Racegear, B. Terry Vintage Auto, K&N Filters, Johnson City Heating & Air, FK Rod Ends, Safety Kleen, Collins Sign, Envy Suspension, TNT Race Cars, Vic Hill Race Engines, and Hy-Tec Specialty Coatings

Make sure to follow Blake Terry on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for exciting race updates!!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BTerryMotorsports
Twitter: @blake_terry89
Instagram: @blake_terry89

Best of luck to Blake and his racing team this season!!

-K1 RaceGear Team