Twin Turbo IS-F @ Miami International Auto Show

Lexus has on display a bright orange twin turbo IS-F at the Miami International Auto Show till next Sunday, the handiwork of Brian Fox, Fox Marketing.

Definitely, the car is a hit for Lexus, attracting plenty of attention to the brand, and the model line.

It's an impeccable build, and even that which you can’t see is superb, including AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil and drivetrain fluids.

Fox explained why he likes this car. "I love the power; it's a fast car. You're talking 625 horsepower. And I also like that I don't have to change my oil all the time."

Amongst the other Lexus vehicles on display it stands out as cream of the crop, front and center.

First Photos from Hot Rod Drag Week

Mahatma Gandhi once said that there's more to life than simply increasing speed. But going fast sure is fun, and there have been a lot of drivers having a heart-pounding good time here.

Tonight is the culmination of the 2009 Hot Rod Drag Week which began in Muncie and has returned today after touring tracks in Michigan and Ohio. As you can see here the weather is simply gorgeous at Muncie Dragway.

More than 109 cars have made the trek and a big turnout of locals to watch things wind up and wind out. Our man on the scene noted that one guy running AMSOIL has 1700 horsepower and is having a lot of fun in the process.

Next week we'll do the wrap.

AMSOIL + Tuners = High Profile Performance

AMSOIL is always on the lookout for sweet tuners, and owners of said tuners are always on the lookout for the best products. This is where our paths cross, and performance is taken to a new level for these impassioned tuner builders. Below are two hot rides currently in the national spotlight with feature coverage, and of course AMSOIL is under the hood.

The cover story for the July issue of DSport Magazine features a JDM Nissan Silvia S13, built by Mike Sullivan of Mishimoto Automotive. Originally meant to be a show car for SEMA, Mike decided to kick it up and use it to compete in drift and time-attack events as well. This led to a time constraint since it needed to be complete in time for SEMA, but through determination and sheer drive Mike pulled it all off. Enlisting the help of Kenny Strickler of Turbochargers.com, his crew stripped the car down to a bare shell and prepared it for the paint job. Meanwhile, work was being put into the cage, chassis and selection of aerodynamic packages and tires. An SR20DET engine was removed and upgraded for power increases, and hydraulic lifters were replaced to enable the use of higher-lift, solid-lifter camshafts. A few more tweaks later the completed project turned up at SEMA with Mishimoto’s trademark orange and black paint, ready for its close-up.

Next up is Tony Nguyen and his 93’ Mazda RX-7, featured in the July issue of Super Street. Nguyen is already a rising star in the tuner industry, and this latest feature is testament to his talent. The RX-7 is hailed as Mazda’s most legendary ride due to the design, engine format, lightweight chassis and all-around sports-car feel. Decked out in BASF Tungsten Pearl Silver Paint usually found on a Lexus, this Mazda is a head-turner. Running a 13B-REW motor, Nguyen has squeezed 345 horses out of a standard 276 horsepower engine by installing an A’PEXi AVC-R Turbo-boost controller, fuel pump and GReddy intercooler and pipes. Interior modifications include A’PEXi gauges that light up the seats, and a center console filled with switches and embedded gauges. Built exclusively for weekend street racing, the RX-7 is the manifestation of Nguyen's vision to leave a cloud of dust for everyone else to catch up to.

The five page spread in Super Street is resplendent with sponsor logos, but the shot above give you a glimpse of the start point. Tony sent us a very strong endorsement note to go with this story. Nice!

I have recently been running AMSOIL products on all my cars and I must say that this is the BEST product I have ever used hands down! I have used other competitors' products in my car, from synthetic oil to octane boosters and I must say there is no other product on the market that can compare to the quality of AMSOIL synthetic oils. I will continue to use AMSOIL products for the life of all my vehicles. Whether it is for normal day to day use or high performance race and drag applications AMSOIL is my #1 choice.

Thank you,
Tony Nguyen

2009 Diesel Power Challenge Ready to Rumble

AMSOIL is gearing up for another sponsored event in Bowling Green, Kentucky, May 10-12, in partnership with Diesel Power Magazine. The 2009 Diesel Power Challenge pits competitors against one another to find out who has the ultimate street-legal diesel powered vehicle. In a series of events geared towards bringing out the muscle in each of these trucks, diesel fuel must be the primary fuel source during all events. However, modifications, turbochargers, and additives such as nitrous oxide and propane are not only allowed but encouraged.

Over the course of three days the following events will determine whose build has what it takes, but only one will emerge title holder of the Ultimate Diesel-Powered truck.

Day 1
Registration, inspection, and photo shoot for inclusion in an upcoming issue of Diesel Power Magazine.

Day 2
Drag Racing: Each competitor will be given an hour on a speedway to make as many quarter-mile passes in their trucks as possible. The driver who completes the fastest quarter-mile pass will be determined as the winner.

10,000-lb 1/8-mile Trailer Tow: Competitors will attempt to tow a 10,000 pound trailer for a 1/8-mile acceleration run. Each driver is only given one shot, and the truck that completes this in the quickest elapsed time will win this event.

Chassis Dyno: The highest torque output numbers, determined by the operator, will determine the best in this category.

Day 3
100-Mile Fuel Economy Drive: A test in road-worthiness and best fuel economy, this event proves it’s not only about strength and power. After all trucks have been topped off in fuel, a Diesel Power official will lead the group on a 100-mile loop to gauge the fuel economy in each. After 100 miles, the official will top off the fuel again and determine which truck used the most gallons. The truck with the least amount of used fuel will win this event.

Sled Pull: The final leg of the competition is a test in both strength and endurance. Each competitor will attempt to pull a sled for the longest distance, and the top three pullers will then compete for first, second and third place in a pull-off.

After all events have been completed, judges will tally up the scores from each event to determine which truck and driver is worthy of being crowned winner at the trophy ceremony. In addition to being covered in an upcoming issue of Diesel Power Magazine, you can look for the Diesel Power Challenge DVD later this fall. Watch this space next week for results and photos from this years’ Diesel Power Challenge competition.

FILE PHOTO ABOVE IS FROM 2007 EVENT IN SALT LAKE CITY

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The Dyno Results Are In!

The February issue of Mopar Muscle magazine has a nice feature story summarizing the dyno results of the 2007 AMSOIL/Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge. If you have been following along, then you know that eight engine builders were competing to see who could get the most power from a finite budget in a specific engine. This is a competition designed to show grass roots engine builders how to maximize their efforts when they do not have unlimited bank accounts. It's real people doing really cool things to squeeze more more or one more foot pound of torque from their machines.

The winners were announced in Orlando last week. But it is just as much fun when you see who did what and how they did it. After glancing at page 18, check out the whole story beginning on page 30.

PRI Show Has It All

Canopies, trailers, racing suits, merchandise, licensing, associations, pistons, cams, gears, engine components, dynos, shocks, engines, wheels, transmissions, bodies, frames, graphics, filters, intakes, cylinder heads, gaskets, brakes, fuels – if it has to do with racing, it’s here in Orlando at the PRI Show, including many of the racers themselves.

The show not only covers every component for racers, it covers every kind and style of racing from go-karts to NASCAR and everything in between.

Boyd and Jo Coddington were impressed by the scope of the racing industry, having their first racing adventures at Bonneville this summer. Yesterday afternoon they presented their story of the Salt Fever Bonneville build and in the evening were the featured speakers at a special AMSOIL Dealer meeting. For all who attended it was a memorable evening with two really influential and generous people. Much like A.J. Amatuzio and AMSOIL re-defined the standards for quality in the oil industry, so Boyd Coddington re-defined the hot rod scene with his creative, passionate approach and love of cars.

If you’re a racing enthusiast, be sure to follow the AMSOIL racing teams on our racing blog or visit the racing section of our site, which is jam packed with racing news, photo galleries, video racing footage, and more. If you are a racer using AMSOIL lubricants and filters, send us your photos and tell us your story. Perhaps we’ll be able to add you to the testimonials section of our site.

Boyd and Jo at entrance of the sunlit Orlando Convention.

AMSOIL Presence at PRI

One of the biggest events in racing is the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Orlando. Held each year in the early part of December, the PRI Show is "the place" to see what's new in the racing and performance market. Power, speed, accesories and lots of industry buzz -- this show has it all. The convention hall has more than a million square feet of show floor. The PRI Show bills itself as the largest racing trade show in the world.

Here are just a few of the AMSOIL related events and presentations taking place.

Boyd's Bonneville Car Headed Toward Orlando

The AMSOIL/Coddington Roadster will be on display at the PRI Show next week. Word has it that the car has been loaded into a trailer and is already heading east. On Thursday, Boyd is slated to make a ninety minute presentation on the building of the Bonneville racer and their atempt at a land speed record. The seminar will feature Boyd and Jo Coddington and Harvey St. Mary, their engine builder.

2007 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Challenge Winner To Be Announced At 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 6, Mopar Muscle magazine will be announcing the 2007 Winner, and presenting the details for the ’08 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Challenge in the Press Conference area in the rear corner of the main floor.

Paul Sykora's Smokin' Coupe Again On Display

The ’37 Ford Coupe that won a 2007 Hot Wheels Design Award for car with Attitude at last month's SEMA Show in Las Vegas will be ogled throughout the show as it caresses eyeballs in the American Racing Booth. Hailing from Orlando, Sykora undoubtedly enjoys being in his own back yard. It's one beautiful machine and Sykora knows what's needed on the inside to protect this 2300 horse powerhouse.

For sure, this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as excitement goes. There will be a lot to see and a lot to share. And maybe we'll see you there.