E3 Spark Plugs News

Taddy Blazusiak takes the Denver EnduroCross. Photo by Drew Ruiz.

E3 Spark Plugs racing fans were treated to a hotly contested race with the Denver round of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by Lucas Oil. Taddy Blazusiak scored the win, but Geoff Aaron and Mike Brown made him earn it.

Blazusiak started the day fast and furious, setting the top time at during the Hot Laps, followed closely by Aaron and Colton Haaker. He led the first part of the main event at the final start, but not for long Aaron and Brown both got aggressive right out of the chute and quickly relegated Blazusiak to third place. But Blazusiak blasted past both of them on one of the difficult rock sections.

Brown thought he got his chance at the win when Blazusiak crashed in the Matrix, a tough section of closely spaced logs. Brown led for more than full lap before crashing in the Matrix himself. Blazusiak shot past him to the finish line and Aaron followed closely for second place. Brown quickly got back on track after his Matrix crash and managed to cross the finish line third. He had to battle it out with Beta’s Cody Webb, though. Webb had kept pace with Brown for several laps before falling back to fourth. GEICO Honda’s Kyle Redmond crossed next, followed by Monster Kawasaki’s Justin Soule, who had been slowed by a derailed chain. Kevin Rookstook, Colton Haaker, Bobby Prochnau, Kyle Calderini and Gary Sutherlin, respectively, rounded out the finish.

The night’s other winners included Kurt Nichol, who won the Vet class; Eric Rhoten in the Amateur class; and Joey Hamilton, winner of the TrialsCross. Taylor Robert continues his run as the points leader for the E3 Spark Plugs EnduroX Jr. Championship, followed by Ryan Sandoval, Jacob Argubright, Keith Sweeten and Ricky Russell.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates all the latest EnduroCross winners. Next stop: the Idaho Center in Boise October 22. In the meantime, here’s a vicarious look at EnduroCross racing via Argubright’s helmet cam.

Perhaps it’s because the view from behind his desk just can’t beat the flinging mud and screaming fans he’s accustomed to that Kurt Nicoll decided to boot up for Round 5 of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs this Saturday, Oct. 30 at Denver’s National Western Complex. Dubbed “the toughest racing on two wheels,” EnduroCross combines elements of off-road racing with supercross-style settings featuring rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, water holes and obstacles such as giant tires.

Motocross veteran Kurt Nicoll will race the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.

Nicoll, former KTM racing manager and current COO of Godfrey Entertainment (producers of films, TV series and documentaries primarily focusing on action and motorsports), is looking to qualify for the Vet class main event and will go head-to-head against a tough field of fellow EnduroCross vets from the Colorado area. Just shy of his 46th birthday, Nicoll is coming off Pro class win at the Nitro Circus Halloween Grand Prix in Utah, a combination motocross, supermoto, off-road, EnduroCross event and says he’s ready for the next challenge.

“[I] feel I’m better prepared than a few years ago. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be any good,” he says with a laugh. Nicoll also is a top Motocross GP contender and AMA Supermoto championship winner.

The GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs promises a hotly contested battle between current series points leader Taddy Blazusiak of KTM and Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich, the defending series champion. The day’s activities start with a free-to-the-public meet-and-greet with the racers and a pro practice and Hot Lap qualifying session.

“Opening the pro pits and afternoon practice session gives those curious fans a chance to see GEICO EnduroCross at no cost,” says mike Kartsting, VP of Events for producer Source Interlink Media.”Should they decide to stay for the night show, we’ve got tickets available at several different price points starting at 13 bucks for kids age three to 12.”

Saturday’s race is the last before the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships Nov. 20 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Visit the EnduroCross website to purchase tickets. Meanwhile, get your own ride running like a race winner with E3 motorcycle spark plugs.

It’s a question that, much like a spark plug fires up an engine, sparks a sometimes heated debate: Who’s better at off-road motorcycle racing – the GNCC and OMA series guys from the East Coast, or the West Coast WORCS and AMA Hare & Hound guys? This Friday night, top GNCC racer Chris Bach will fuel the already fiery debate when he boots up for his EX debut. The Indiana native currently ranked fifth in the GNCC’s premier XC1 class will race the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs on his home turf at the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ Pepsi Coliseum.

Top-ranked GNCC racer Chris Bach makes his EX debut at Round 3 of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs August 27. Photo courtesy of www.ChrisBachOnline.com.

Bach hit the off-road racing scene hard and fast in 2009, landing the GNCC’s XC1 series “Amateur Rider of the Year.” Thus far this year, he has claimed three GNCC XC1 class podium finishes and another three top-five finishes in nine races this season. He’s fully aware that Indy’s EnduroCross course is a tough one – no matter which coast a rider calls home. And he’s ready to bring his A-game this weekend.

” EnduroCross is totally unique,” Bach says. “I don’t think you can say an East Coast guy will be good, or a West Coast guy will be good, or a trials guy will be good. It has evolved into its own sport and style of racing, so much so that I think within the next few years someone is going to be an EnduroCross specialist. That’s it. All they do is EX.”

Watch for Bach riding a GNCC-tuned KTM bike this Friday night (Aug. 27) at Round 3 of the GEICO AMA EX series. Starting time is 7:30 p.m. And if you want to boost your own A-game, pick up a set of E3 motorcycle spark plugs, E3 car spark plugs or E3 truck spark plugs. All feature our patented DiamondFire technology that promises a stronger, cleaner burn for superior performance. See you at the races!

Racing the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs is tough enough. Now, the toughest guys on wheels must face a new competitor with a strong track record and something to prove. Kerrie Swartz is the latest of just a handful of female riders with enough talent and gumption to make an EnduroCross attempt over the years, and will do just that this Saturday in the Amateur Open class at Guthrie OK’s Lazy E Arena. But the petite 33-year-old mom and ICU nurse ain’t no novelty rider. She’s also a US ISDE (International Six Days Enduro) team member set to rep the states in the 85th annual competition in Morelia, Mexico Nov. 1-6.

US ISDE and EnduroCross competitor Kerrie Swartz. Photo by Lauren Durbin Photography.

“As a female in a male dominated sport, it is even more prestigious due to the fact that we are given no special treatment and are required to ride the same course, follow the same time schedule, and perform our own maintenance just as the men,” Swartz said of her ISDE invitation in a letter to fans on her website. “Women are finally getting recognition as not only racers, but serious racers.”

The “serious” in Swartz’s racing no doubt will be in full-on mode at Saturday’s event.

“I think I’ll be alright, just try to ride clean,” Swartz told reporters. “My husband’s raced EnduroCross, so I’m familiar with it. I do a lot with log crossings and that, but that Matrix has me a bit worried. And the rocks in the corners – man, I wish I could just ‘Taddy Blazusiak’ that!”

Racing is, indeed, a family affair. Husband Allan and son Alex race as well.

“We eat, sleep and breathe dirt bikes,” says Swartz. “We’re all seriously addicted.”

“Given the rough and rugged nature of GEICO EnduroCross we don’t usually get women competitors. In fact, it’s quite rare,” adds Mike Karsting VP of Events for Source Interlink Media, which produces the GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs. “However, when we do have a woman sign up she’s usually pretty darn good.”

We at E3 Spark Plugs give serious props to Swartz and all women who have what it takes to make their racing goals realities despite the gender barrier. We’re looking forward to seeing Swartz in action Saturday. For rules and race information, visit www. EnduroCross.com. For TV airing dates and times, visit www.motorsportshour.com. And to boost your own ride, make sure you get a set of E3 motorcycle spark plugs.

Hey all you E3 Spark Plugs racing fans, it’s party time! This Friday night (August 13) is the traditional racer get-together held each year just prior to the GEICO AMA EnduroCross, presented by E3 Spark Plugs, at Guthrie’s Lazy E Arena in Oklahoma. This year’s party revs up at nearby Pole Position Raceway in Oklahoma City, an indoor kart racing track.

Come with E3 Spark Plugs and top motocross racers at Pole Position in Oklahoma City Friday night.

Ever dreamed of going head-to-head against the world’s top off-road motorcycle racers? Now is your chance. Of course, you and your worthy opponents will be in electric go-karts on smooth, bumper-lined tracks rather than on motorcycles traversing an obstacle course of rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, waterholes and giant tires. But the competitive spirit remains alive in this family-friendly fun place frequented by the likes of Chad Reed, Jeremy McGrath, Travis Pastrana and NASCAR champion Kurt Busch.

“Everyone had a great time when we opened the 2010 GEICO EnduroCross season at Pole Position Raceway in Vegas. Our Oklahoma City event at Pole Position Raceway should prove to be just as fun,” said Lance Bryson, Director of Sales and Marketing, GEICO EnduroCross. “Everything’s casual and friendly – until the GEICO EnduroCross racers get behind the wheel, then all heck breaks loose.”

If you’re in Oklahoma for Saturday’s race come out Friday night and race go-karts with the world’s top off-road motorcycle racers, sit in on some bench racing sessions and grab a few autographs. It all happens from 6-8 p.m. at Pole Position Raceway, Oklahoma’s coolest motorsports enthusiasts’ hangout. And if you want to boost your own motorcycling performance, be sure to get E3 motorcycle spark plugs, designed specifically for motorcycle engines. We’ll see you at the races!