E3 Spark Plugs News

The GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs is giving racing fans a chance to meet the superstars of EX before they hit the tracks for the 2010 series championship rounds. Pro pits open at noon on Saturday, Nov. 20th. Riders will greet fans and sign autographs before booting up for the 3 p.m. pro practice and Hot Lap qualifying session. It’s all free to the public until the finals round begins later that evening at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena, with tickets starting at $37.

Among the riders looking forward to meeting fans are current GEICO EnduroCross series points leader, KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak; defending series champion, Monster Energy/Kawasaki’s Ricky Dietrich; and 10-time AMA National Trial champion, KTM’s Geoff Aaron, who landed his first EnduroCross win in round five.

Reps from the American Motorcyclist Association will pay a visit to the EX finals Saturday evening. In town for the annual AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, they’ll hand out four coveted AMA No. 1 plates to winners in the Expert Pro, TrialCross, Amateur Open and Vet classes.

“The AMA’s very excited with the EnduroCross series and what their team has done to promote the sport of off-road motorcycle racing,” said AMA’s Director of Racing, Joe Bromley. “The crossover aspect with EnduroCross is especially interesting. In addition to the great international off-road racers like Taddy Blazusiak, you have Mike Brown from motocross, Geoff Aaron from trials and guys like Destry Abbott who compete on the AMA’s Hare & Hound, National Enduro, along with racers from the GNCC series. And, with all the AMA championships on the line, we’re definitely looking forward to being in attendance this Saturday at the Orleans.”

Got your tickets yet? They’re available at the venue. Doors open at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Can’t make it? Be sure to check the E3 Spark Plugs blog for race results and watch the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour on Versus.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates all the racers whose hard-driving ambition and skill got them to the series finals. Best of luck to you all.

With the 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs finals still a week away, 21-year-old Colton Haaker (Lucas Oil/Kawasaki) has clinched his second consecutive win for the E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship title. It’s a sweet victory after a tough season. Haaker racked up 65 points thus far in the series and currently holds 8th place in the overall pro class standings. That’s well shy of where he’d like to be, but given his young age and substantially less seat time than veteran competitors in the EnduroCross field, it ain’t bad.

Colton Haaker is the 2010 E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Champion.

“Hey, it’s cool to still be young and doing as well as I’ve been doing in EnduroCross,” Haaker said. “This year has for sure been harder and things haven’t gone as well as they have in the past.”

Haaker left the nest just over a year ago, leaving his family home for his own Murietta, CA digs, and feels that much of his trouble this year (He finished 4th in the standings last year) can be attributed to the transition. Indeed, it’s an exciting but tough time for any young man. But despite the challenges, Haaker’s passion, persistence and pure talent took him to the top spot as the GEICO EnduroCross circuit’s best young rider this year.

“I learned a lot more about the sport this year and really want to do well in Vegas to close out the season,” he says.

Rounding out the E3 Spark Plugs EnduroCross Pro Junior Championship (open to pro class riders ages 16 to 21) this year are 19-year-old Jacob Argubright from Northridge, CA in 2nd place and 18-year-old Keith Sweeten of Oregon City, OR in 3rd place. E3 Spark Plugs, maker of the patented DiamondFire engineered performance spark plugs, congratulates each of these young racers on a job well done and a promising future on the tracks.

Got your tickets yet? The GEICO AMA EnduroCross finals are set for November 20 at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30.

Round 14 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by GEICO Powersports and sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs offered up plenty of action from crushing rolls to dizzying spinouts to a bit of a fire show in the Pro 4 Unlimited. As dust and smoke flew, fans cheered as Adrian Cenni landed his first win since Round 10. But Rick Huseman’s fans cheered just as loud. His third-place finish in the #36 Traxxas/Monster Energy Toyota scored him more than enough points to secure his first Lucas Oil Off-Road championship.

A shot from Round 14 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by GEICO Powersports and sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs.

The Pro 4 Unlimited revved up with Jerry Daugherty in the #23 Magnaflow/Racin’ Dirty Chevrolet and Kyle LeDuc in the #99 Rockstar/Makita Ford in front. By the end of lap one, Daugherty still held the lead, but soon gave it up when he rolled into the hot pits with an unknown issue. Next, Mike Johnson provided a bit of a fire show when his truck caught flames. A stuntman by trade, Johnson made a quick escape and drivers stopped while emergency crews cleared the track. By then, it was Huseman in the lead, followed by Carl Renezeder, Cenni, John Harrah and Kyle LeDuc. Harrah and Leduc battled it out trying to get ahead, with Harrah spilling Leduc nearing turn three, shredding LeDuc’s left rear tire. Harrah got a bit of comeuppance when he rolled his own truck just two turns later. Trouble hit Huseman when he split his rear driveshaft, forcing him to finish the race with only front wheel drive and significantly less speed.

In the day’s most gut-wrenching turn of events, defending champ Renezeder passed the white flag, only to see his truck slow down and begin puffing out smoke and steam in turn eight of the final lap with the finish line in sight – a cruel twist for the reigning champion. The race finished with Cenni crossing the finish line first, followed by Travis Coyne, Huseman, Harrah and Josh Merrell, who struggled nearly the entire race with only rear wheel drive.

E3 Spark Plugs congratulates Cenni, Huseman and all the other winners of the day. Visit the Lucas Oil Off-Road website for full results of the day’s races and to purchase your tickets for Round 15 December 11 and the season-ending Lucas Oil Challenge Cup December 12 at Firebird Raceway in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, AZ. Meanwhile, get your truck in racing shape with E3 truck spark plugs – the best high performance spark plugs on the market.

Ready to get pumped up? If you’re planning to attend the championship rounds of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Presented by E3 Spark Plugs, you’re in luck. It was just announced that longtime AMA MX Nationals announcer and ThorMX’s Thor TV host Rocket Rob Buydos has joined EnduroCross’ announcing team for the finals event November 20 at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena.

Longtime AMA MX Nationals announcer and Thor TV host "Rocket" Rob Buydos will announce the final rounds of the 2010 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Presented by E3 Spark Plugs. Image courtesy of EnduroCross.

A solid rider in his own right, Buydos is known for his high-energy announcing that gets fans in a frenzy and for his rapport with the racers on the tracks.

“I mean come on – Vegas is fantastic alone,” said Buydos in his typical fired-up persona. “Add to that sick talent, world class obstacles, true drama and the certain carnage THAT IS EnduroCross – and I love it!”

There’s no doubting Buydos’ passion for racing. Joining GEICO EnduroCross track announcer Laurette Nicoll, Buydos brings an exhaustive knowledge of motorcycle racing and an unsurpassed penchant for live event announcing.

“Buydos puts the Vegas GEICO EnduroCross finals over the edge,” says Mike Karsting VP of Events for Source Interlink Media. “We’re pumped to have him on board and look forward to what he brings to the table for our fans attending the live event at the Orleans on Nov. 20th.”

Hit up EnduroCross.com for your tickets to GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by E3 Spark Plugs finals. If you can’t make it to the tracks, catch event on Versus TV December 19 at 6pm Eastern and again December 23 at 5pm Eastern. And check the E3 Spark Plugs blog for a results wrap-up. Meanwhile, if you want to get your ride race-ready, pick up a set of E3 motorcycle spark plugs with E3′s patented DiamondFire technology for a stronger, cleaner ride.

Round 13 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series presented by Geico Powersports and co-sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs was a thrill-a-minute for fans, racers and one very special kid. In the midst of all the hard-fought competition on the tracks, 15-year-old Baydon Yundt enjoyed the experience of a lifetime thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants the wishes of kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Yundt’s wish was to meet X-Games champ and Metal Mulisha founder Brian Deegan. Not only did he get to meet Deegan, who raced in the Pro Lite Unlimited, but Deegan agreed to give Yount a ride-along on Friday. And it was Yundt who waved the green flag in both of the weekend’s Pro Lite Unlimited Races while his family enjoyed the view from the Lucas Oil VIP area and went back home to Monkton, Ontario, Canada with a bountiful booty of Metal Mulisha gear. E3 Spark Plugs gives props to Deegan and best wishes to Yundt and his family.

The full day of races proved a great one for racing. Blue skies, sunshine and a light breeze made it a comfortable one for all and the racers were on top of their game. The Pro 4 Unlimited provided particularly exciting, opening with a Jumbo Tron video production of “Deegan vs. Deegan.” The race began with Kyle LeDuc, Mike Johnson, defending points champion Carl Renezeder and Adrian Cenni leading, respectively. But that lineup got significantly shuffled by lap three with Johnson hitting the leading edge of the outside K rail and dropping to last place in turn one and Renezeder falling to last with a half spin in turn four. Cenni rolled his truck in turn four, prompting a full course yellow, but quickly re-fired his truck and got back onto the tracks. Shortly after, LeDuc’s rear suspension broke as he landed off a jump out of turn one, sidelining him for the rest of the day. When the smoke and dust cleared, it was Rick Huseman who crossed the finish line first, bumping him up to a total of 631 points and a 77-point lead for the season championship.

The Pro Lite Unlimited provided some on-track fireworks as well with a panel-crushing train of contact involving Marty Hart, Matt Loiodice, Jimmy Stephensen, Corey Sisler and Chris Brandt followed by a rollover in turn four by Loiodice. The last lap of the race was a battle between hart and Brian Deegan, but it was Deegan who was ahead at turn six when racers were forced in line while track officials cleared Aaron Daugherty’s rollover. The race ended under yellow with Deegan taking the win. Hart finished second, but closed the margin to points leader Brandt from 17 points to nine points with Deegan 30 points out and Loiodice 10 behind.

Visit LucasOilOffRoad.com for full results and check the E3 Spark Plugs blog for a recap of Round 14 coming soon.

If tomorrow’s start of the Napa /Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series World Finals at Firebird Raceway has you has you jonesing for a fast ride on the water, E3 Spark Plugs offers a few tips on finding and buying a great sport boat.

E3 performance spark plugs give your marine engine a cleaner, stronger burn.

First, decide exactly how you plan to use your boat and choose the type accordingly. Want to power down the coast at breakneck speeds and throw your boat in to hard turns for thrills? You’ll want to choose a smaller sport boat with a strong engine. Want to cruise in comfort with your family and friends aboard? Opt for a larger, full-featured model with more substantial seating, grab handles and lots of dry storage for coolers, life jackets and extra towels. If you’ll tow skiers, consider a boat with a large in-floor locker.

Once you’ve narrowed your choice to a few sport boat models, E3 Spark Plugs recommends doing some through research. Contact owner groups and associations, marine insurance brokers, marine surveyors and local boat yards for a heads up on known construction or performance problems with particular models. Check with the manufacturer to see if there have been any recalls or reliability issues with boat models and standard accessories.

Everyone loves the feel of a new boat that still has the equivalent of that “new car” smell and a shine that you could serve a four-course meal on. But if your budget is limited, you stand to get a bigger, better boat for your money by choosing pre-owned. You’ll just have to do a little homework and perhaps some undercover investigating. For instance, a clean boat with a fresh wax job, shampooed upholstery and a sparkling engine can be a sign that the boat’s previous owners kept it well maintained. But a new coat of paint on the boat or engine could be designed to hide signs that the vessel has been sunk or damaged.

When inspecting a pre-owned sport boat, look closely for faint waterlines on the carpet or upholstery. Unplug wires to check for corrosion. A small amount of corrosion is expected if the boat has been taken into salt water, but excessive corrosion can be a telltale sign that the boat sank. Look and feel for patches or raised sections of fiberglass that indicate significant repair work. And be wary of a new or newly painted engine, which could indicate that the boat is older than the owner is letting on or that it has taken a dive under water. Most importantly, write down the serial numbers and call the manufacturer’s consumer affairs division for a quick check.

Ask the seller questions about the boat and its history, and request copies of the maintenance history, receipts and hull and engine warranties – especially if those warranties are transferrable. If the owner or seller is less than forthcoming, it may be a red flag.

Be inquisitive. Ask the owner questions about the boat and its history. Does he know the previous owners or still have their phone numbers? Do they have a copy of the maintenance history? Copies of receipts? Does the boat still have a hull warranty from the manufacturer? What about an engine warranty? Are those warranties transferable? Using a broker to find the perfect sport boat for you likely will cost about 10 % of the sales cost, but could be well worth it – especially if there are problems after the sale. Also, never take delivery of a new boat at night. Insist that it be delivered in the daytime when the sun is out and a proper check can be made before you sign on the dotted line. And – new or used – be sure to outfit your new sport boat engine with E3 performance spark plugs.

CBS Sports and Lucas Oil Motorsports just announced a TV coverage package for racing fans who just can’t make it to the tracks to see the races in person. Lucas Oil and E3 Spark Plugs racing fans will see 11 hours or more of CBS Sports Spectacular programming – including extensive coverage of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (2011 schedule just announced!)

CBS generously granted Lucas Oil Motorsports a bank of fan-friendly television time slots so fans of all ages can catch the on-track action and follow the 2011 points chase from beginning to end. No worries about missing a race if you’re one of our younger racing fans with a school-day bedtime or a working fan with an early start to your work day. CBS promises conveniently scheduled coverage of the races from the thrilling series season openers to the hotly contested championship deciders.

Still to go for the 2011 season of Lucas Oil Motorsports on CBS is coverage of the E3 Spark Plugs co-sponsored Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series rounds 13 and 14 November 6 and 7 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This is a new additional show that CBS added to its coverage plans and does not replace any of the Lucas Oil Off-Road programming already scheduled for speed, MavTV or Versus.

To make sure you don’t miss a single race broadcast, check the Lucas Oil Off-Road Series TV schedule and stop in at the E3 Spark Plugs blog for race results and highlights.

Two rounds and the championship battle for the 2010 Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series co-sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs remain, but many already are gearing up for next year’s racing schedule. Rounds 13 and 14 of this year’s season take place November 6 and 7 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and the season-ender championship race event happens December 11 and 12 for the season titles in all classes plus the Rockstar Energy/Lucas Oil Challenge Cup.

A shot from the 2010 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series at Speedworld Off Road Park Sunday, September 26, 2010.

With the 2010 season coming to an end, officials announced the 2011 schedule, which closely mirrors 2010′s thus-far successful run. The 2010 lineup featured favored familiar venues and brought record crowds. The 15-round battle for the 2011 season championship begins and ends at the Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona. Other stops between the March 12 start and the December 11 championship round include Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, CA; Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, AZ; and Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT.

“We have had the opportunity to establish some fantastic partnerships while building these unique, purpose built tracks,” says Series Director Tony Vanillo. “While we are making our 2011 plans now, it’s a great feeling to know that we are preparing to return to these tracks for the second and third year. This stability is fantastic for the sport.”

E3 Spark Plugs is proud to remain a co-sponsor of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series throughout 2011, along with MAVTV, Geico Powersports, Rockstar Energy Drink and others.

Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series – 2011 Schedule

• Round 1 – March 12 – Firebird International Raceway – Chandler, AZ.
• Round 2 – March 13 – Firebird International Raceway – Chandler, AZ.
• Round 3 – April 16 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ.
• Round 4 – April 17 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ.
• Round 5 – May 21 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA.
• Round 6 – May 22 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA.
• Round 7 – June 25 – Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah
• Round 8 – June 26 – Miller Motorsports Park – Tooele, Utah
• Round 9 – August 6 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA.
• Round 10 – August 7 – Glen Helen Raceway – San Bernardino, CA.
• Round 11 – Sept. 24 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ.
• Round 12 – Sept. 25 – Speedworld Off Road Park – Surprise, AZ.
• Round 13 – Nov. 5 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV.
• Round 14 – Nov. 6 – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, NV.
• Round 15 – Dec. 10 – Firebird International Raceway – Chandler, AZ.
• Lucas Oil Challenge Cup – Dec. 11 – Firebird International Raceway -Chandler, AZ.

If you’re a Lucas Oil/E3 spark plugs racing fan, be sure to check back for race results and highlights throughout the rest of the 2010 season and the thrill-promising 2011 season.

The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is down to its final 2010 event, including the E3 Spark Plugs 75. Each event of the 9-race series features 75 laps of green flag racing and doesn’t count yellow caution flag laps. It also features some of the most talented drivers on the scene today and boasts its own national television package.

Topping fans’ predictions for the series champ are Jim Mardis and Tim Morse. Currently, Mardi s has just 8-point lead on Morse. But Morse, proprietor of Morse Performance Exhaust Systems, has an extra impetus to win. Earlier this month, someone broke into his Burbank, CA shop’s security fence and stoke his race car and trailer. It was a devastating blow, but fellow racers have come out of the woodworks offering help. Among them is longtime friend and sometimes competitor Andrew Phipps, who quickly offered Morse the use of his open wheel modified, his car hauler and his crew. As for the car – we’re talking about the very same one that took Phipps to the 2009 Lucas Oil-Rockstar Modified Series championship.

Another offer came from fellow racer Jeff Murphy. He offered Morse the use of the #76 modified usually driven by his teenage son and racer Broc Murphy, who is recovering from a 150-foot fall from a ledge onto a boulder during a family hunting trip. There may be no honor among thieves, but there definitely is honor, friendship and camaraderie among racers.

Another competitor a betting man can’t rule out is Chris Gerchman, who claimed the checkered flag at the series’ Denny’s 75 at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway in Blythe, CA earlier this month. The win was his fifth for the season and made him the third driver in the series’ history to reach victory lane five times in one season.

Saturday’s race takes place at the Havasu 95 Speedway in Havasu City, Arizona. E3 Spark Plugs will give away its $100 E3 Spark Plugs Hard Charger Award. If you can’t attend the race, be sure to check for TV coverage of the race in your area and visit the E3 Spark Plugs blog for championship news. Want a hard charge out of your favorite ride? Pick up a set of E3 performance spark plugs for your car, truck or motorcycle.

E3 Spark Plugs is stoked to be a sponsor of the 4th Annual Lucas Oil Go-Kart Shootout set for November 5-7 at the Possum Kingdom Super Speedway in Belton, South Carolina. A $10,000 prize is up for grabs in the Lucas Oil Pro Class – the feature event of the weekend. But 20 other classes promise big payouts as well. All total, winning racers will take home more than $40,000 when the smoke clears.

Presented by Earl Pearson, Jr., the Lucas Oil Go Kart Shootout debuted in 2007 and has grown by leaps and bounds in the number of participants and the amount of winnings. This year, the Lucas Oil Pro Class alone offers a guaranteed purse of $18,760. Race organizers also are offering several bonuses, including the E3 Spark Plugs Fast Time Award – $100 cash to the driver who sets the fastest qualifying time in the Lucas Oil Pro Class. The Lucas Oil Pro Class winner gets an extra $500 if his car is running with a CAPPS Racing Engine, plus another $10,000 if he goes on to win the Thanksgiving Thunder Pro Class November 25-27 at the Georgia Karting Komplex in Carnesville.

Not signed up yet? There’s still time to enter. Visit www.earlpearsonjr.net for information on classes, payouts, rules and entry fees. And for a competitive edge, be sure to install E3 performance spark plugs in your racecar.

Sponsoring along with Lucas Oil and E3 Spark Plugs are ASI Racewear, Competition Karting, Capps Racing Engines, H&H Painting and Drywall, Firestone, Hoosier, Avis Electric Company, Scott Lynn Designs, Radical Racing, Ultramax, Zoom Parts for Karts, Georgia Karting Komplex, Xtreme Graphics, Red Buck racing and Bobby Labonte Racing. Want to sponsor an event? Contact Wayne Castleberry at info@earlpearsonjr.net or 904-210-6649.