AMSOIL has signed on as one of the Sponsors of TWISTEX (Tactical Weather Instrumented Sampling in Tornadoes EXperiment), a project aimed at collecting storm data in field experiments. In a series of tests designed to better understand tornadoes and increase warning lead time, TWISTEX utilizes weather instruments and cameras to measure cause and effects of tornado activity.

Leading the way is Principal Investigator Tim Samaras, who is a speaker/lecturer for National Geographic in his field. In this mission he is joined by a team of scientists and students as they travel throughout the Midwest tracking the areas where tornado activity is most likely to occur. No small operation by any means, Samaras and team will have their expedition covered by the hit Discovery Channel TV show ‘Storm Chasers’. Their vehicle is also a feature display at the SEMA show, generating even more buzz for this exciting venture.

As this project gets underway over 30,000 miles will be covered in the span of 3 months. Rather than stop in the middle of a chase for vehicle maintenance, they liked the idea that AMSOIL can provide 25,000 miles of protection in one single oil change. In this field, plans switch with the wind direction and can be changed at a moment’s notice. Mechanical failures in the vehicles that get them to their destinations are not an option, which is how AMSOIL came to be the only lubricant they rely on. In the world of a storm chaser, every second counts and AMSOIL ensures not one second is lost on account of engine performance or excessive maintenance.

Tomorrow the TWISTEX team is heading to Kansas for a major encounter with Mother Nature. We’ll keep you posted.

It’s not every day you see a twin turbo on a 7th generation V6 Honda Accord. In fact, it’s extremely rare in the tuner scene, but Suneil “Sunny” Suravarapu set out to create a unique ride unlike any other and he’s succeeded. AMSOIL has featured his 2004 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6 speed in several ads, and the car has been featured in Performance Auto & Sound Magazine–a true testament to the fact that Sunny is no amateur when it comes to his rides. Knowing what it takes to turn heads is the key to success in this market segment, and Sunny has discovered his niche.Sunny’s passion for the tuner industry began in 1999 when he set out to modify 2 different generations of Honda Preludes. Starting out modestly, he began by modifying the wheels, intake, exhaust and body kit. When he sold those he decided his next project would be the Honda Accord, which would be a daily driver with the same type of mods. After netting his first sponsorship, he continued to work towards achieving his vision with performance, handling, interior and exterior modifications.

In 2006 he was invited to the SEMA Show to be the booth display vehicle for Depo Headlights, and soon after was given a full sponsorship on two GT-25 turbos from Garrett. That was the moment that turned an already impressive Honda Accord into a legend. Being the first known owner of a twin-turbo’d Accord, Sunny continued to tweak and modify every aspect of the car until it became the star it is today. There’s nothing on this car that isn’t custom, and in typical enthusiast fashion Sunny has no plans to stop changing and tweaking the details. He uses AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 and Octane Boost to keep the engine capable of handling all the power the turbos provide, and AMSOIL P.i. to maintain a clean and efficient fuel system.

Named ‘KWKEMRT’, a reference to the Simpsons and homage to his Indian roots, this Accord is indeed unlike any other. In the tuner world, standing out is paramount and this ride lacks nothing in that regard. You can catch Sunny and his Accord at most major car shows in Southern California, including Hot Import Nights and Spo-Com, turning heads and getting people talking.

St. Louis seems to be a winning zone for Team AMSOIL on the AMA Supercross Series. Last year, rookie Blake Wharton picked up his first pro win for the GEICO Powersports/Honda team. This past weekend another rookie, Justin Barcia, picked up his second pro win in the Gateway City. Lites teammate Brett Metcalfe finished third. Barcia’s late season push, propelled him to second overall in the final East Coast Lites standings.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQWMy9vBgyo

Not to be outdone, Kevin Windham picked up his second straight podium, finishing second to Ryan Dungey. K-Dub now sits fourth overall with three races left.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OclquSjKFb4

Trey Canard and Metcalfe will resume the West Coast Lites Series in Seattle this weekend. Canard, who has been racing the 450 class for Team Honda, will try to reel in Jake Weimer over the next two races for the championship. Weimer holds a slim 14-point lead over Canard.

Across the nation, 16 competitors are gearing up for what some consider the ultimate title as a Diesel truck owner: winner of the AMSOIL Diesel Power Challenge. One team is even flying in from Down Under! Diesel Power Magazine selects the competitors from a pool of hundreds of entrants vying for the opportunity to be crowned the champion, but only one can come out on top. Preparing these trucks for the challenge is a feat unto itself, with some past competitors being plagued with problems that took them out of the competition before they even started.

This year brings 2009 champion Robert Evans back to defend his title, along with 5 trucks from each of the diesel greats: Team Ford, Team GM and Team Dodge. Each of these competitors has something to prove, and they will do so by attempting to dominate in the following tests of endurance.

Separating the Dyno Queens, From the Dyno King
Day one will have all competitors testing on a chassis dyno to benchmark each trucks’ starting potential in torque. The end of the day will tell who has the edge in torque power, earning whoever ends up on top an intimidating presence for the start of the competition.

Track Day
Day two will take the trucks to the dragstrip to see what they are capable of in the speed category. Each one will be hooked up to a 10,000 pound trailer to haul down the eight-mile. (Top Right) To wrap up day two, an all-new 2010 braking test will keep everyone on their A-game.

Convoy
Day three begins at dawn, with each truck fueling up and heading out on a 150-mile road trip across Kentucky to gauge their durability and fuel economy.

Tug-Of-War
Finally, all trucks still standing will hook up a 30,000-pound sled and attempt to haul it further than anyone else in the competition. At the end of this final challenge, all scores are added up and the winner will be determined by the driver with the most points.

Sponsorships work well when the sponsor supports the teams efforts and the team either wins or gets recognized for their accomplishments. So, we here at AMSOIL will lend our support to the efforts of the Sudden Impact Racing and the driver of the AMSOIL Shock Therapy monster truck Jon Zimmer.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQCeN2J69QE

As we’ve stated before, Zimmer was the 2009 Monster Jam Rising Star recipient. Now Zimmer, who competed in his firs Monster Jam World Finals two weeks ago in Las Vegas, cracked the top 20 of the final 2010 Monster Jame Power Rankings. For a guy who took part in his first World Finals in front of 80,000 people, that’s one a great accomplishment.

You can watch the MJ World Finals on CBS this Sunday at Noon EST. You can catch Zimmer and AMSOIL Shock Therapy this Saturday in Elko, Minn.

AMSOIL is pleased to announce the event that signals the beginning of a summer filled with NSRA Street Rod National car shows in various cities. Slated to hit the nation from April through October 2010, Oklahoma City kicks off the new season, April 9-11. These events always promise a weekend full of sights, sounds, and entertainment for the whole family. In addition to up close and personal looks at some of the most amazing restored vintage street rods in the country, some special categories are in place to round out the experience. Coined ‘Streets of Rods’ and each equally important in the growth of this industry, the following indicates both new (*) and returning specialized groups.

Tri-Five Drive*
Showcasing 1955-1957 Chevrolet automobiles

BeBOP Boulevard*
Buick, Pontiac and Oldsmobile parking only

Low Lid Lane*
All cars with a chopped top are invited to park here and display their trimmed down bodywork.

29 & Below
Featuring street rods owned and registered by participants 29 years of age and younger. This group represents the next generation of street rodders, and each member plays a large part in keeping the street rod traditions alive.

Pavement Pounders
For the street rod enthusiast that put their rod on the road for more than just car shows. These cars get many miles on the streets and highways of America, and prove they are more than just show vehicles.

Of course, no NSRA Nationals event would be complete without the SuperPrize event, swap meet, Women’s World, exhibits and vendors of all kinds to appeal to any and all spectators. If you are in the Oklahoma City area, make plans now to attend the event that kicks of the first of many throughout the summer. AMSOIL will keep you updated on upcoming events in other cities, so be sure to check back here to see when the NSRA Nationals hit a town near you.

Where:
State Fair Park, Oklahoma City OK.

Friday, April 9 8:30-5:00 P.M.
Saturday, April 10 8:00-5:00 P.M.
Sunday, April 11 8:30-3:00 P.M.

Admission:
Adults $14.00
Children (6-12) $5
5 & under Free

While we were watching the AMA Pro Road Racing in Daytona earlier this month, the American Superbike race was one of the closest races I have ever witnessed first hand. Five riders finished the race less than .8 seconds apart.

Well, the close racing continued at Auto Club Speedway in California this past weekend. Team AMSOIL rider Larry Pegram won Saturday’s race, but the top four were only .7 seconds apart when they waved the checkered flag. On Saturday, three riders finished within .6 seconds of the win. Left out of that group was Pegram, who crashed while leading on lap nine. He was still able to finish 10 laps and pick up three championship points. He now sits third overall after just two weeknds of racing.

By the way, AMSOIL is the Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and presenting sponsor of the Daytona Sportbike class. The next race is scheduled for Road Atlanta, April 16-18. Go if you can, it might be the closest race you’ll see all year.

Congratulations goes out to Jon Zimmer and Sudden Impact Racing for grabbing the Monster Jam “Big Air Award” at this year’s Monster Jam World Finals Awards Banquet.

Zimmer flew well above the limits of gravity at the Houston Monster Jame in mid-February (pictured) in the AMSOIL Shock Therapy truck. That jump made a lot of people take noticed and for the second year in a row, Zimmer was accepting an award at the event (2009 Rising Star Award).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQCeN2J69QE

Zimmer did very well in his first World Finals. He clocked in the fourth fastest time in qualifying before loosing to eventual winner Dennis Anderson and Grave Digger in the second round.

“I did everything I could, but I didn’t have lane choice, and he ended up pulling away from me out of the turn,” said Zimmer. “I’m just proud for AMSOIL, team SIR, and my crew–without them, I never would have been here in the first place.”

In Freestyle, Zimmer lost his front steering during a series of spins, before rolling the truck over on a set of triple-stacked cars.

The AMSOIL Shock Therapy Truck is scheduled to be in Elko, Minn. April 10.

After a very successful run in the Pro Light class, Team AMSOIL off road racer Chad Hord is moving up to the faster Pro 2wd class.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC7bPT1IoVA

Hord will join AMSOIL/BFG Tires driver Mike Oberg in one of the premier class of the Traxxas Off Road Championship presented by AMSOIL. (Scott Douglas will still be driving the Pro 4x4 in TORC). Here’s a look at the new truck from one of Hord’s early season test sessions.

TORC has also added a new event to their 2010 schedule. TORC will race at Chicagoland Speedway August 25-26 in conjunction with the weekend of racing for the NASCAR Camping World Truck race and the IZOD IndyCar Series.

The 2010 TORC series kicks off May 1-2 in Tucson, Ariz.

Many of your favorite AMSOIL teams will be working towards championships this weekend, including monster trucks, dirt bikes and road racing.

A quick happy birthday goes out from all of us at AMSOIL to Geico Powersports supercross rider Justin Barcia. Barcia just turned 18 on Thursday and is doing what most new legal voters are doing on a Saturday night, trying to win the AMA Monster Energy Supercross in Jacksonville.

Barcia now sits third overall in the SX Lites East Coast Series, just 25 points behind defending champion Christophe Pourcel.

(Check out Barcia’s teammate, Blake Wharton, on Racer X Video).

Team AMSOIL road racer Larry Pegram finished on the podium in Daytona earlier this month and now he has his sights set on winning in California. Pegram will join the rest of the AMA Pro Racing teams at Auto Club Speedway Friday through Saturday. AMSOIL is the Exclusive Official Oil of AMA Pro Road Racing and the presenting sponsor of the Daytona Sport Bike class.

Finally, if you happen to be in Las Vegas this weekend, stop by Sam Boyd Stadium for the Monster Jam World Finals. AMSOIL Shock Therapy driver Jon Zimmer has quickly established himself as one of the top drivers in the world and is competing in his first Monster Jam event. Only 24 trucks are invited and the Monster Jam 2009 Rising Star Zimmer is looking for the biggest win of his career. The World Finals start tonight and finish up tomorrow.

AMSOIL gets to celebrate another successful snocross season. The AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series wrapped up in Lake Gevena, Wis. and Team AMSOIL riders once again stole the show.

Ross Martin won both pro races and almost two titles. He already had the AMSOIL Pro Open championship wrapped up in Hayward, but just missed the pro stock title, finishing second overall.

His protege, Mike Bauer, clinched the Semi-Pro Super Stock #1 championship on Saturday. He was looking for a title in Semi-Pro Super Stock #2 on Sunday, but a crash knocked him out of the race and contention. He still finished second overall.

Robbie Malinoski finished fifth overall in Pro Open and fourth overall in Pro Super Stock. Scheuring Speed Sports teammate Andrew Johnstad finished eighth overall and took home ISOC’s Most Improved Rider award.

Overall, it was a great year of snocross racing. Nine events stretched from New Hampshire to Utah and was covered on Versus for the first time. More than 123,000 people watch the live stream this past weekend with another 25,000 people showing up in Lake Geneva for the final event.

All of us at AMSOIL are very excited with the direction of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series and we can’t wait for round one of the 2010-2011 season at the AMSOIL Duluth National.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

ACSS YEAR END AWARDS
Event of the Year: Utah
Pro Rookie of the Year: Tim Tremblay
Fan Favorite: Levi LaVallee
Freestyle Athlete of the Year: Matt “Tinger” Tingstad
True Grit Award: Levi LaVallee
ISOC Employees of the Year: Jake Haugh & Todd Johnson
Most Improved Racer: Andrew Johnstad
Pro Stock Privateer: Paul Bauerly
Pro Open Privateer: Paul Bauerly
Team of the Year: Warnet Racing

One year ago, Team AMSOIL/Judnick Motorsports rider Ross Martin was just beginning a grueling rehabilitation schedule after breaking his hip during practice at Winter X. Now, the former champion is back on top of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series with just weekend left on the schedule.

The ACSS wraps up this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wis. with racing starting today. The pro’s will hit the track tomorrow and Martin will be looking to take over the points lead in Pro Super Stock. Martin, who has been stellar this season, has already locked up the AMSOIL Pro Open championship, but will look to keep his perfect podium streak in tact on Sunday. Martin needs to overcome 23 points in Pro Super Stock for his second double championship of his career.

Judnick Motorsports has had a stellar season. Along with Martin, young Mike Bauer has pushed his semi-pro ride into contention in both stock classes. Bauer has a sizable lead in Semi-Pro Super Stock #1 and should wrap up that championship this evening. On Sunday, Bauer will try to close the five point gap between him and Logan Christian.

Lake Geneva is always a great weekend of racing and temperatures are very nice this time of year. So come on out and cheer on Team AMSOIL.

Some great news has been passed along to the AMSOIL Race Department these past couple of days, including news on the AMSOIL Shock Therapy Monster Truck.

AMSOIL Shock Therapy took center stage last week as the Pontiac Silverdome near Detroit announced its intentions of reopening and hosting a monster truck show in 2010. (Read Full Story).

And finally, don’t forget about the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series finale this weekend in Lake Geneva, Wis. Only an hour from Madison, Milwaukee and Chicago, the ACSS champions will be crowned starting on Friday and wrapping up on Sunday. Team AMSOIL/Judnick Motorsports rider Ross Martin has already wrapped up the AMSOIL Pro Open championship and has his sights set on the Pro Super Stock title as well.

AMSOIL Dealer Tim Werder, “Roadkill” to his friends, has racked up a first on the first new U.S. manufactured full-size motorcycle in 60 years.

Werder, 42, Shawangunk, N.Y., has more than 100,000 “butt” miles on his Polaris-made 1999 Victory V92C motorcycle.

While it’s the world’s highest mileage for the cruisers since the first Victory V92C production model rolled off the assembly line on July 4, 1998, Werder is an old hand on a bike. He’s been riding since he was 16, even traveling more than 10,000 miles by motorcycle on his honeymoon with his wife Christine. He uses AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (AMV) in the summertime and in the winter switches to AMSOIL SAE 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil (AMF).

The love of motorcycles has always been a theme in Werder’s life. He’s put more than 100,000 miles on other bikes through the years and faced more than his share of dangers along the way. Five accidents, one that caused him life-threatening injuries, have not deterred him, nor has a 190-mile-a-day round trip commute to his state government job in New York City.

His bike, known as “Traveler,” is powered by a 1507 cc air/oil cooled V-twin engine and has a five-speed transmission. The Victory bikes are manufactured in Osceola, Wis., with final assembly in Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Werder rides “Traveler” year round, even in the cold of the Northeast winter.

He owns another Victory, number 219 from the first year of production, and has on order a 2003 Victory Vegas with a new 1507 cc Freedom engine. He expects an early spring delivery date.

He uses AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil (AMV) in the summertime and in the winter switches to AMSOIL SAE 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil (AMF). He also has installed an AMSOIL SMF-103 Oil Filter.

“I recommend this combination to my Victory customers as well,” Werder said. “I’m extremely pleased with the results I achieve from the AMSOIL products, and I’ve specifically had oil analyses performed to maintain awareness of fluid performance.”

His earned the nickname “Roadkill” because “I’ve hit five deer, all while motorcycling, never in a car,” Werder said. In one of those acddents, Werder nearly lost his leg. His wife and two sons share his love of motorcycles and work with him in his AMSOIL business.

He is former national vice president for the Victory Motorcycle Club and former corporate ride coordinator for the Victory Riders Association. He organized group rides for association members during the group’s first year. Werder joined the Marine Corps in 1986 and went to basic training on Parris Island. There he may have logged another first — as oldest recruit.

Drill instructors repeatedly made him yell out his age. “Sir, I’m 26, Sir!” Werder recalled of his time there. He became a logistics/embarkation specialist staff sergeant with Aerial Refueling Squadron VMGR- 452, Newburgh, NY. That unit was reactivated on Feb. 8, 2003 and sent to the Middle East. They haven’t seen active duty since the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran rider has logged nearly 500,000 miles on motorcycles. “My 26 years of riding has brought me to a butt-total of over 479,000 miles, including three 100,000 plus-mile motorcycles with a variety of trailer and sidecar-towing duties, and even though I live in the Northeast, I normally ride through the seasons, expecting my bikes to accept what I dish out. AMSOIL gives me the confidence to do so,” Werder said. “I anticipate the 500,000-mile mark this summer, and always recommend AMSOIL to fellow riders, regardless of the make of bike they ride.”

He caters to motorcycle riders in his AMSOIL business, especially Victory riders, he said, but he may expand that business when he retires from his full-time job. “I consider myself a voice for many motorcyclists, and am a long-time member of the American Motorcyclist Association, Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation and ABATE,” he said. He also maintains an online publication “The Victory Digest.”

As Roadkill says, “Ride on.”

Sometimes a week can make all the difference in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series.

GEICO Powersports/AMSOIL/Honda riders Trey Canard and Brett Metcalfe turned bad luck in Indianapolis into podium finishes Saturday night in Atlanta in front of a jam-packed house at the Georgia Dome.

Canard, racing in the series’ top division for Honda for just the second time, took advantage of a strong start and other competitors’ mistakes to finish second. Metcalfe, who crashed in practice in Indy before rallying for a fifth place finish, remained patient during a wild Supercross Lites East race and finished in third.

“It was a good week,” said Canard, who was involved in three accidents last weekend in Indy. “I feel like I made some good improvements and it paid off. Right now I’m just kind of speechless with the whole thing.”

Team AMSOIL rider Kevin Windham ran into trouble in the main event after starting the day on such a high note. Windham was the No. 1 qualifier and won his heat race. But on the third lap, Windham veered off-track and fell off his bike. He fell to last place but would rally to finish 14th on the day.

In the Lites race, Metcalfe and teammate Justin Barcia were key players in a wild race where they used polar opposite strategies. Barcia was an aggressor and Metcalfe took a more patient strategy.

Both started in the top five, but Barcia rushed to the front and challenged for the lead. Unfortunately he made an error heading into one of the tracks sharp corners and fell off his bike. With just three laps left, he ran out of time to atone for his misstep.

Metcalfe took advantage of Barcia and others’ mistakes and moved up the standings and into third.

“This race reminded me of another race that was just as strange,” Metcalfe said. “That race was about being patient, so I knew tonight to be very patient.

Barcia (bar-sha) was undaunted despite seeing victory slip through his fingers. 

“I had the bike to win tonight that’s for sure,” said Barcia, who finished 17th. “The team made a great adjustment right before the race that really helped my ride. I made a rookie mistake, but I learned so much tonight. I’m going to work extra hard this week and be ready to go.”

The Montster Energy AMA Supercross Series next heads to the world center of speed, Daytona International Speedway on March 6. AMSOILis the Official Oil of Daytona Bike Week, which started this past weekend.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010

AMSOIL is gearing up for what is always an exciting part of summer: the AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour. The excitement will kick off on May 15 in Greer, SC at Southern Rods & Parts Headquarters and now is your chance to join. Since 1996 the Street Rodder Road Tour has been led by Road Tour Director Jerry Dixie in a custom-built street rod. Over the course of the summer they embark on 8 different week-long tours that take them across the country to various events, car shows, and even some spectacular private car collections along the way. Every trip yields a lifetime of memories and experiences unlikely to be forgotten.

This year the tour will be led by a ’27 Roadster Pickup built by Zane Cullen and crew at Cotati Speed Shop of Santa Rosa, California. Following Dixie will be a dedicated following of Street Rod enthusiasts behind the wheels of their own ‘Rods. Check out the Road Tour schedule below, and carve out some time in your summer to hit the road with yours. Registration forms can be requested by e-mailing info@amsoil.com or calling 715-399-6557. Now is your chance to join some of the coolest street rods and drivers in America as they hit the open road.

The Cruise to Ocean City Tour
May 15 -May 23
Southern Rods Greer, NC
To
Cruisin’ Ocean City, Maryland

The Woody’s Hot Rodz Tour
May 28 – June 6
NSRA Mid-America Nationals – Springfield, Missouri
To
NSRA East Coast Nationals – York, Pennsylvania

The Vintage Air Tour
June 19 -27
San Antonio, Texas – Vintage Air
To
NSRA Rocky Mountain Nationals – Pueblo, Colorado

The Factory Five Racing Tour
July 11 -18
Wareham, Massachusetts – Factory Five Racing
To
Syracuse Nationals – Syracuse, New York

The Intercity Lines Tour
July 30 – August 8
Los Angeles – Street Rodder Magazine offices
To
NSRA Street Rod Nationals – Louisville, Kentucky

The Dynamat Tour
August 8 -16
NSRA Street Rod Nationals – Louisville, Kentucky
To
Bonneville Speed Week – Wendover, Utah

The Canadian Classic Cars
September 10 – 19
NSRA Nationals North – Kalamazoo, Michigan
To
NSRA Northeast Nationals – Burlington, Vermont

The Sherm’s Plating Tour
Oct 9 – 17
Sacramento, CA -Sherm’s Plating
To
The NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion – Bakersfield, CA