Ultimate Road Trip Well On Its Way with Help from AMSOIL

For most people, the idea of picking up and leaving on a road trip that spans North, Central and South America seems an unlikely dream. For Karen Catchpole and Eric Mohl, (a writer and photographer, respectively) it is their reality and they are living it out right now on the Trans-Americas Journey.

Embarking on such an endeavor takes a tremendous amount of time and effort getting necessary preparations in place. A vehicle that can handle such a feat is also required. AMSOIL is a proud sponsor of their trip, providing them with high-performance lubricants, filters, transmission fluid, an oil by-pass filtration system and an Injen air intake system. For a road trip that will cover over 100,000+ miles, it only makes sense to have the best everything in their new Silverado truck. That is why AMSOIL stepped up to help them achieve this goal, to make sure they have the protection and performance they need by providing them with lubricants that make it happen. One benefit sure to be appreciated is not having to stop every 3,000 miles to change their fluids, wasting time that could be better utilized taking in the experience they have worked so hard to create.

The trip started in 2006, and is leading them on a 3 year, 100,000+ mile cross-country and cross-continental journey through all 23 countries in the Western Hemisphere. Along the way, they are sharing their experiences through articles in various publications. Best of all for Catchpole and Mohl, they’re living the experience of a lifetime, stopping in little corners of the world that most will never see. From well-known places such as New Orleans, LA to little-known places like the Top of the World Highway in Poker Creek, AK, they are truly gaining an experience unlike any other. This is just the North American/Canadian leg of the tour so really, they’ve only just begun. After their adventures up north, their journey will next take them down to Central and South America.

AMSOIL is keeping up with them and their progress... and we'll keep you posted.

Shake, Battle and Roll

The December Four Wheeler magazine is now on the news stands with its annual in depth coverage of the Top Truck Challenge, the true meaning of shock and awe. With ample quantities of photos, Ken Brubaker’s coverage is vividly detailed. It makes you wish you were there.

There were nine trucks and seven events, with near thirty pages of story, including descriptions of each competition, the nitty gritty on each competitor in each event and an assortment of live action finish line quotes. “Oh man, what a rush,” said Brandon Lammers after the Frame Twister. For the same event, Clayton Kraatz said, “I’ve been waiting 16 years to do that. That was awesome. That was worth the whole entire trip.”

The first day's events included The Tow Test, The Frame Twister, and The Mud Pit, a ride that John Griffin noted you can’t get at Disneyland.

Day two featured The Obstacle Course, The Hill Climb and The Mini Rubicon. If you know the Four Wheeler staff, they ain’t kiddin’ around with these obstacle courses and tests. The goal in The Hill Climb, for example, is not to see how fast you can make it, but whether you can make it at all... though yes, there are extra points for fast. But it’s one tough hill and only three trucks made it all the way before either breaking or flipping over.

The Mini Rubicon was also a bit more frightful this year. You’d think a four wheeling enthusiast would not have too much trouble with a 125 foot strip of rocks, but these psycho course builders stay up nights thinking of ways to make it impossible, and for most they succeeded. Only two, Kraatz’s Warthog and Naeger’s Buggy, completed this third event of day two.

The Tank Trap consumes all of day three out there in Hollister, California’s hill country. This is an obstacle course that brings competitors to their knees.

As a sponsor of the event again this year, AMSOIL enjoys seeing equipment put to the ultimate tests. This is how AMSOIL formulates its own premium synthetic lubricants. The company is serious about extreme performance. It’s fun to watch four wheeling to the max like this. And fun to read about six months later. When you read the mag staff’s “favorite moments” you can tell they’re having the times of their lives out there.

The coverage ends with an application to be considered for next year’s event. If you like the idea of putting it all out there, of seeing what you and your equipment are made of, maybe you should take the next step. Readers will vote, and maybe we’ll see you next year... at the 2009 TTC.

AMSOIL Dealer Wins Memorable Experience at NASCAR Bank of America 500 Race

This summer at the AMSOIL 35th Anniversary Convention, Dealers were given an opportunity to enter a drawing sponsored by WIX Filters for tickets to the NASCAR Bank of America 500 Race. As guests of AMSOIL and WIX, the winner received two tickets plus exciting perks such as pit clearance, a walk-through of the NASCAR garages, and all access passes at the races. Held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, the main event happened on Saturday, October 11th.

AMSOIL Dealer Charlie Koch from Lowden, IA won the drawing and with son Tim in tow experienced the weekend of a lifetime, a trip they won’t soon forget.

Charlie had never been to a NASCAR race before, and Tim had never attended a night race though he is a serious racing enthusiast. “It was a great, great experience…even for a person who hasn’t been previously associated with NASCAR. The WIX folks went above and beyond the call of duty to entertain us on both Friday and Saturday night races… Saturday nights’ race was certainly the highlight,” Said Charlie, who recently achieved Direct Jobber level with his AMSOIL Dealership. “I’ve been a livestock person all my life, and got associated with gear heads once I got involved with AMSOIL in 2004.”

This weekend’s NASCAR event was certainly a big one. Jessica Simpson performed a one-hour concert before the race, with many other celebrities in attendance. Jeff Burton (Chevy #31) ended up taking the win at Saturday’s race, followed by Kasey Kahne (Dodge #9). Rounding out the top 5 was Kurt Busch (Dodge #2), Kyle Busch (Camry #18), and Jamie McMurray (Ford #26), respectively.

Congratulations to Charlie Koch for his exciting win to attend the NASCAR Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup Race!

PHOTOS

Top Left... Charlie Koch and son Tim.

Right: Charlie with Keith Wilson, Executive VP and GM, WIX Filter Corporation in the WIX Suite

Hottest Tuner of All Time?

“Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
~ John W. Gardner

The 10th anniversary edition of Import Tuner magazine features one super-jammin’ Integra with the headline, “Why This Integra Is The Best Tuned Car EVER.” It’s certainly got the look, and the feel, and the power. And it’s lubricated with AMSOIL.... which means this gold Integra is golden inside and out.

The feature story, which begins on page 70, highlights why Chris Rios’ turbocharged Acura Integra DC2 is a perfect pick to represent the past ten years of the Import Tuner scene. According to Ric Faderoga the Acura Integra is to tuners as Muhammed Ali is to boxing. Besides being reliable, sporty and affordable, it’s “filled with an infinite amount of tuning potential.”

Rios, who grew up watching his dad and uncle building cars in Boston, bought this ’94 Integra DC2 the minute it came into production. “It was love at first sight.”

The car is featured on the cover of this month’s Import Tuner (Congrats, Chris!) with full details within about the features that make this ride special. Attention to detail is what puts top tuners in the driver’s seat... and gets them on the covers of top mags. AMSOIL synthetic lubricants are certainly a contributing variable not to be overlooked when you have an investment like this one to protect.

Or as Perry Paxton so aptly put it, "Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come."

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

Sacramento Gears Up To Welcome 7th Annual NSRA Golden State Nationals

Another spectacular show headed by the NSRA is coming to Sacramento, CA for the 7th Annual Golden State Nationals event. Those in sunny California during the weekend of October 3, 4 and 5th should make it to this exciting event held at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. Nearly the entire venue will be utilized, including the buildings to house manufacturer and dealer displays. An event no true vintage automotive enthusiast should miss, there is fun for the entire family with a model car contest, Tether Car demonstrations, NSRA safety inspections, and the National Street Rod Association Super Prize program. As always, for the ladies there is the Women’s World area with arts and crafts.

As a special feature exclusive to the Sacramento Golden State Nationals, there will be an appearance by the Munster Koach. Featured in the popular TV show The Munsters, it was built in 1964 by George Barris Kustoms and has since been restored by Advanced Restorations of Sacramento. Come see a piece of Hollywood history not to be missed. Get up close and personal with some of the most beautifully restored vintage automobiles ever to gather in one place.

What: Golden State Nationals
Where: Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento
When: October 3, 4, 5
Hours: Friday 8:30-5:00 PM
Saturday 8:30-5:00 PM

Sunday 8:30-2:00 PM
Cost: Adult: $14
Child 6-12: $5
Under 6: Free

AMSOIL is an official product sponsor of the NSRA.