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Matt Lovell’s #7244 all dressed and ready for the big event in Las Vegas, Nevada

Coming off back-to-back wins at the SNORE Rage at the River this past December, AIRAID-sponsored Matt Lovell and his team had high hopes coming into the Mint 400. After taking a break from the Parker 425 to focus his efforts on building a new race truck as well, as prepping the #7244 mid-size trophy truck, Matt and his team were ready to tackle whatever the Mint was able to throw in their path. Unfortunately, some unforeseen obstacles dashed the team’s hopes for a win, but Matt and his team gave it their best effort on one of the most brutal courses in recent memory.

Matt Lovell attacks the course in his AIRAID-equipped truck at the Mint 400

The Mint 400 has a long history dating all the way back to the 1960s. Originally organized by the Mint Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, the Mint has had its ups and downs throughout the decades. Today it’s more popular than ever before thanks to its resurrection in 2008. Virtually every known desert racer has entered the Mint 400, and a lucky few have even managed to win it. Unfortunately for many more, the legendarily brutal course has claimed more than its fair share of entries. Simply finishing the Mint is an accomplishment, let along making it to the podium. This year’s Mint 400 had a record number of entries, and Matt Lovell’s #7244 truck was lucky enough to draw first off the line for the 7200 class. This meant plenty of clean air and a chance to stay at the front of the pack.

Matt Lovell assembled a team of nearly 25 people consisting of friends and family members, all of them volunteering their time to help get #7244 to the finish line. After participating in the parade down Las Vegas boulevard with fiancé Jesse in the passenger seat, Lovell and the team took part in tech and contingency. Basically a giant party on Fremont Street in downtown Vegas, contingency for the Mint is the stuff of legend. As expected, Matt Lovell’s entry passed through tech with flying colors and also spent some time at several sponsor booths, including LazerStar Lights, Raceline wheels, King Shocks, and Falken tire. After a quick photo shoot with SnM Media, the team relocated to Primm, Nevada, which was the starting point for the Mint 400 this year.

Race day came early for the team as they made final preparations to the truck, organized spares and gear, and divided the team into three groups that would staff the main pit, plus two remote pits. The Mint is a loop race, so Lovell would have to make three laps on the 130-mile course. A loop race also means a full day of dodging slower vehicles and staying out of the way of the faster trophy trucks and Class 1 cars. Lovell lined up in the front of the 7200 class along with navigator Rob Nelson, all strapped in a ready to go. The green flag dropped and the duo was on their way, gunning to stay in front of the pack and make good time through the first lap.

The 2016 Mint 400 proved to be one of the toughest ever, and the desert took its toll on the competitors

The course for the Mint turned out to be more brutal than ever before. Already challenging on its own, the course was further chewed up with other classes that had run that morning, plus several additional classes that started in front of the 7200 class. All these vehicles took their toll on the course, making deep ruts, cavernous whoops, and kicking rocks and boulders into the two-track course through the Nevada desert. Lovell reported that the course was the worst that he’s seen in 7 years of racing. About 15 miles from the start, they experienced their first flat, caused by hitting a rock at high speed. Lovell and Nelson had the tire changed in under 8 minutes, but then managed to get stuck while getting back on the course. They spent another 30 minutes digging out but finally managed to get the #7244 on solid ground. Unfortunately for the team, this was just the start of the problems. Upon reaching the first remote pit to put a fresh spare on the truck, the pit crew noticed that the rear axle was leaking. The course was so rough that the axle had taken a hard hit to the fabricated ¼” steel Ford 9” housing right where an additional ¼” skid plate had been in place to help prevent damage. The skid plate had been torn away and a crack had developed in the housing, causing a serious leak. The pit crew sealed up the housing as best they could with silicone and topped off the housing, and Lovell roared out of the pit. Unfortunately, all of these delays had allowed the rest of the 7200 class to get by, but Matt was determined to reel them back in. He made good time to the second remote pit, where the crew once again sealed up the housing and topped it off with fluid. The course continued to be rough and was only getting worse, with Lovell estimating that he passed nearly 100 broken vehicles between the first remote pit and main, which is the starting point for lap 2. A second flat slowed them down again, but they rallied and made it to the main pit, where the truck was fueled, the rear axle housing was inspected and sealed again, the LazerStar lights were checked because nightfall was less than an hour away. Though a win was not in the cards at this point, Lovell and his determined crew were dead set on getting #7244 to the finish line.

Unfortunately, that was not in the cards either. The damaged rear axle housing took a second big hit somewhere between main pit and the first remote pit on lap 2, which caused the loss of all the differential fluid, which in turn caused the rear axle gears to fail. Most teams would have thrown in the towel at this point, but not Lovell. The Mint is a no-chase race, meaning that team members were not allowed to deliver spare parts to the damaged truck. Lovell located a friendly Best in the Desert official that was willing to bring him a spare 3rd member, which was located at the main pit. The crew met the BITD official and handed off the parts, which he then delivered to Matt (special thanks to the BITD crew). Lovell already had the rear axle apart and was waiting on the spares when the official arrived, but unfortunately during reassembly it was discovered that the damage to the axle housing was more extensive than initially though and some studs that held the 3rd member in place had sheared. There was simply no way to keep fluid in the damaged housing, which meant that the new gears would only last a short time before failing. With course closing times looming, the team had no choice but to accept that a finish was not in the cards this year. The Mint would be the first DNF that the #7244 team experienced in three years.

Not one to dwell on the past, Lovell is looking forward to Vegas to Reno, which is the next race on his schedule. Lovell has run AIRAID air filters exclusively on his race truck for several years and trusts no other filter to withstand the harsh conditions of desert racing. He uses a SynthaFlow oiled cone filter on the engine with a pre-filter and multiple breather filters for other critical drivetrain components. He reports that he rarely has to change engine filters during a race, and that the intake plenum on the engine is always spotless after a race, even one as long as Vegas to Reno (about 650 miles). He also uses AIRAID Helmet Air System filters to ensure he and his navigator breathe clean air regardless of course conditions. To find out more information about Matt Lovell and his team, visit www.mattlovellracing.com or follow him on social media, facebook.com/mattlovellracing, or on Instagram #mattlovellracing.

Brian Hobaugh and his 2003 AIRAID equipped Corvette Z06 placed first in several race segments throughout the weekend

Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Race Series has become a popular and quickly growing event where street legal vehicles compete against each other to prove they are the “Ultimate Street Car.” In 2008 the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational was started, inviting high quality, award winning SEMA builds to prove their vehicle was truly a “street car.” What was once a race for only SEMA builds has now turned into a ten event series across the country. All genres of vehicles from muscle cars to modern muscle and imports to exotics are eligible to register for an Optima event. Though winning a single event earns bragging points, the real race does not start until November, when the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational takes place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Winning the autocross and speed stop secured Hobaugh’s first place overall standing in the GTS Class

Proving you have the Ultimate Street Car is more than just racing. There are five segments that help earn points towards your accumulative overall score. These segments include an autocross, a speed stop, a design challenge, a road rally, and finally a hot lap challenge. Though some competitors may favor one segment over another, the Ultimate Street Car must adapt and surpass its competition in all five segments. By obtaining the top points in each segment, drivers car hope to secure a podium finish at the end of the weekend. This is exactly what AIRAID drivers Brian Hobaugh and Ken Thwaits did at the Optima Search for the Ultimate Street Car Thunderhill Raceway event.

With one race down, AIRAID driver Ken Thwaits is on a mission to claim the Ultimate Street Car title

Brian Hobaugh’s AIRAID air intake equipped 2003 Chevy Corvette Z06 found its way to the podium at Thunderhill Raceway, finishing first in the GTS class. After scoring first on the autocross and hot lap segment of the race, Hobaugh secured his overall first place win while also receiving his invite to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) in November. The Z06 competed at the 2015 OUSCI, but Hobaugh was still shaking down his newly built Corvette at the time. Whatever Hobaugh did to the Z06 during the winter months seems to be working, and it showed at Thunderhill.

The 2014 Z28 has seen a first place finish in the GT Class before, but securing a win early on means Thwaits can focus on seat time before the final race

Ken Thwaits of Showtime Motorsports and his 2014 Camaro Z28 was the second AIRAID sponsored vehicle to win its class. The Z28 also had the opportunity to compete at OUSCI last November, though driver Cody Mason was behind the wheel at that time. Thwaits fought through some mechanic problems throughout the weekend not knowing if his standings in each segment would be enough to earn him first in the GT Class. By the end of Sunday, Thwaits was crowned winner, securing his spot alongside Hobaugh to compete again at the 2016 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational.

With nine Optima events left before OUSCI, the AIRAID sponsored Z06 and Z28 will continue to follow the Optima Series throughout the remainder of the year

As the Optima Race Series continues to travel across the country, more AIRAID sponsored drivers will be found competing at these events. Though a Corvette has won OUSCI three years in a row, Ken Thwaits’ Z28 will be a tough contender at this year’s invitational. The questions is will it be enough to beat Danny Popp, three time champion, or the RS Motors crew, who have consistently come in a close second with their Mitsubishi Evos? Or will Brian Hobaugh and his 2003 Z06 take the lead to become this year’s 2016 Ultimate Street Car? Hobaugh has already seen victory back in 2013, winning OUSCI in his 1965 Corvette. Can he reclaim the title over Danny Popp or will it be someone new that takes home the title of the “Ultimate Street Car?”

To learn more about the air intake setups on these vehicles or to find vehicle specific air intake and performance air filter upgrades for your vehicle use the AIRAID Find Products Search. AIRAID performance parts can be purchased through an authorized AIRAID dealer. Find an AIRAID dealer with the AIRAID Dealer Search.

The AIRAID premium filter for the Wildcat Trail 700 features four layers of cotton gauze plus a synthetic layer in the filter media. It is reinforced with an inner wire mesh screen and includes a formed aluminum lid.

The UTV market has exploded in recent years with bigger and more powerful machines being released almost every month, but the bigger sizes don't help on tight trails. Arctic Cat has addressed the needs of those wanting to run Class 1 trails with the compact Wildcat Trail. The Trail is the perfect solution for winding through tight wooded trails and canyons, but the smaller engine can make it difficult to keep up with the more powerful side-x-sides in wide open spaces. AIRAID can help with a new washable and reusable premium air filter (part number 800-030) that allows the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Wildcat Trail's 700cc engine to breathe easier while maintaining effective filtration in the most demanding off-road environments. In addition to more free-flowing air, the new filter can go longer between cleanings, which means more ride time with less maintenance.

The AIRAID filter for the 2014-2016 Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail 700 drops right into the factory airbox with no modifications needed. Installation takes just a few minutes.

The new AIRAID Wildcat Trail 700 air filter is a direct replacement for the factory filter element and installs right in the factory air box. The AIRAID filter is constructed with a durable polyurethane casing that will not warp or crack over time. The filter utilizes the company's SynthaFlow oiled filter media. The filter material includes four layers of cotton gauze plus a synthetic layer for superior filtration even in dirty off-road environments. The filter is further reinforced with a durable wire mesh inner screen so that it won't warp or deflect when tightened down. The AIRAID filter also includes a specially formed aluminum lid to maintain an effective top seal.

The AIRAID premium filter for the Wildcat Trail is washable and reusable, so it's the last filter you'll ever have to buy for your Wildcat. The filter is also backed by AIRAID's exclusive "No Hassle" warranty. The AIRAID Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail filter drops right into the factory air box with no modifications needed. For extended service intervals, AIRAID also recommends using the optional Pre-Filter, which is available separately.

Periodic servicing with AIRAID's 790-550 Tune-Up Kit will ensure that the 800-030 air filter lasts for the life of your side-x-side.

Features and benefits for the AIRAID 800-030 Wildcat Trail Filter include:

• Stock replacement filter for better performance
• Great filtration with low restriction
• Washable and reusable
• Simple install takes only a few minutes

Applications for the Arctic Cat Wildcat Trail 700 include:

2016 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT SPORT XT 700
2016 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT SPORT LTD 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT TRAIL XT 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT TRAIL LTD 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT TRAIL 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT SPORT XT 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT SPORT LTD 700
2015 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT SPORT 700
2014 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT TRAIL XT 700
2014 ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT TRAIL 700

For more information on filters for a specific Side-x-Side or other powersports application, simply use the AIRAID Product Search Tool. For more information on AIRAID Drop-In air filters for all vehicles, visit our Drop-In Air Filter page. For more information about cleaning and servicing an AIRAID filter, including cleaning and servicing products, visit our AIRAID Filter Tune-Up page.

The AIRAID sponsored Camaro, driven by Ken Thwaits, will be competing in Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Race Series throughout 2016

What does it take to be the Ultimate Street Car? Over the past two years AIRAID sponsored driver Ken Thwaits has reconnected with his racing past to prove he has the “Ultimate Street Car.” Racing go-karts in his teens lead to the start of a professional racing career for Thwaits in 1979. He continued to race on the pro circuit for six years, until becoming the Mazda Pro Series national champion in 1984. Though Thwaits never stopped racing, his professional race career went on hold while he focused on his entrepreneurial occupation, resulting in ownership of several successful business in aviation, real estate and automotive markets.

The AIRAID sponsored Camaro, driven by Ken Thwaits, will be competing in Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Race Series throughout 2016

This year will mark Thwaits’ third year participating in Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Race Series. Over the past three years the series has become increasingly competitive as Mitsubishi Evos, Subarus and Corvettes dominate the podium. Thwaits has competed with several different cars in the Optima Series over the past three years, racing a white 2014 Z28, a 2014 modified 1LE Camaro, a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX RS and more recently the black 2014 modified Camaro Z28. As an avid collector of Chevy Camaros, it is not surprising when Ken Thwaits opens his car hauler to unload another Camaro come race day, though last year’s Mitsubishi Evo reveal was a surprise to many fellow racers.

Ken Thwaits’ 2014 Z28 is equipped with a complete AIRAID air intake setup, helping increase airflow for better performance

As the 2016 Optima Series approached, AIRAID driver Ken Thwaits spent the prior week at Putnam Park in Greencastle, Indiana testing the ’14 Z28. Though the end goal in the Optima Series is to prove you are the Ultimate Street Car, you must first win one of the ten qualifying events, earning an invite to compete at the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada this November. If you can score an invite early on in the Optima Series, the rest of the season can be used as practice. For many, going to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational (OUSCI) is just a dream, but for Ken Thwaits this is his life.

Thwaits arrived early at Thunderhill Raceway, unloading the Showtime Motorsports Z28 and prepping it for tech. Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series has five different segments, all contributing in points towards your final score at the end of the weekend. Thwaits’ 2014 Z28 was a big contender in the GT class throughout the 2015 season, winning the Optima Auto Club Speedway event last October. It was no surprise when Thwaits chose the AIRAID equipped Z28 as the vehicle to represent him in the season opening event at Thunderhill Raceway.

Thwaits has overcome several obstacles while racing throughout the past year. After wrecking and then blowing a motor during the 2015 season, Thwaits went into 2016 with a fully tested and dialed-in Z28, but this did not stop the AIRAID sponsored Camaro from giving Thwaits problems at Thunderhill. After resolving some minor mechanical issues during day one on the autocross, Thwaits noticed the clutch slipping during the Speed Stop Challenge. The clutch progressively got worse throughout the evening costing him first place in the Speed Stop. Thwaits, the Showtime Motorsports team and several of Thwaits’ fellow competitors tore the car apart and replaced the clutch saving him from a possible forfeit. The Z28 was up and running Sunday morning, ready to hit the Hot Lap Challenge and narrow the gap between first place in the GT class.

Through all the trials and tribulations came great success as Thwaits and the 2014 Camaro Z28 took first in the GT Class in Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series at Thunderhill Raceway. The win secured Thwaits’ invitation to compete at this year’s OUSCI immediately following SEMA. Though Thwaits has secured his invite, he will continue to race at several other Optima events across the country this season. Thwaits knows that one win does not guarantee him success at the invitational in November. We will continue to see the Z28 compete in the Optima Series, allowing Thwaits to keep a close eye on his competition as more drivers earn their invite into the final event.

Use the AIRAID Find Products Search to find vehicle specific air intake and performance air filter upgrades for popular cars & trucks. AIRAID performance parts can be purchased on the AIRAID website or through an authorized AIRAID Dealer.

A week before Thunderhill, Thwaits tested the Z28 at Putnam Park, working out the bugs and dialing the car before heading West

Minor setbacks did not stop Thwaits from completing each segment of the Optima race, earning him enough points to place first in the GT Class

Thwaits was one of the first competitors to secure his invite to OUSCI after winning Optima’s GT Class at Thunderhill Raceway

The AIRAID MIT for the 2015 2.3L EcoBoost Mustang is a simple intake upgrade that takes just a few minutes to install. Note the larger diameter of the tube at the turbo inlet and the special coupler that necks do to the stock turbo inlet size. This enables the MIT to support larger aftermarket turbos.

The 2015 Mustang was a huge hit when it was introduced and furthered Ford’s influence in the late-model muscle car wars. There was plenty of excitement about the 5.0L V-8, but a big part of the buzz surrounding the latest generation Mustang’s release was the availability of the new 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. Taking a page from the sport compact market, Ford took a small and lightweight four-cylinder engine and then added a turbo, enabling it to keep up with much larger displacement engines while delivering more palatable fuel economy numbers. The EcoBoost engine has proven to be a popular engine choice for blue oval pony car fans, as it has a lot of potential to produce serious power. Enthusiasts are already making impressive passes down the dragstrip with EcoBoost-powered Mustangs, and there’s a healthy demand for performance upgrades of all kinds for the new engine. AIRAID has answered the call from EcoBoost fans with a new Modular Intake Tube (MIT) for the 2015 2.3L EcoBoost Mustang.

AIRAID was one of the first manufacturers to get a 2015 EcoBoost-powered Mustang. It was going down the dragstrip shortly thereafter as we tested new intake products.

The 450-930 AIRAD MIT tube is a simple upgrade that addresses a major shortcoming of the factory intake system on the 2.3L. The factory intake tube has a long run from the stock intake box on the driver side fender well to the turbo inlet, which is down low on the passenger side of the engine. The tube also uses a narrow diameter with baffles in it that are designed to reduce engine noise, which comes at the cost of airflow. The long run of the tube further introduces turbulence, all of which impacts the turbo’s ability to draw in air efficiently. The AIRAID MIT tube replaces the restrictive factory tube with a larger diameter tube that is specially designed to increase airflow to the engine. This enables the engine to breathe easier and run more efficiently, which in turn improves throttle response and engine power. The tube also features a larger opening at the turbo inlet with a specially formed coupler that necks down to the appropriate size for the factory turbo. This design also makes the tube compatible with larger aftermarket turbochargers. This enables the AIRAID MIT tube to be compatible with future power upgrades by simply swapping the coupler for a larger one when a bigger turbo is installed.

The AIRAID MIT tube is constructed of high density polyethylene for strength and resistance to heat transfer. The MIT includes new couplers and clamps that attach directly to the factory intake box and turbo inlet, making for a clean installation that takes just a few minutes.

The installed look of the 450-930 MIT is subtle and nearly factory, with only the AIRAID badge indicating that the vehicle has been upgraded/ Users can choose to keep or delete the factory sound tube with the AIRAID MIT.

The 450-930 MIT intake upgrade for the EcoBoost Mustang makes a great stand-alone upgrade or can be combined with a high-flow drop-in replacement filter in the factory airbox to enable even more free-flowing air to the engine. With its compatibility with other power upgrades, the AIRAID MIT is a great investment for making additional power regardless of the performance modifications planned. In addition to the MIT, AIRAID offers full MXP Cold Air Intake systems (part numbers 450-326, 451-326, 452-326, 453-326) and Racing Intake Systems (part number 450-330) for the 2015 EcoBoost Mustang.

Features and Benefits of the 450-930 MIT for the 2015 2.3L EcoBoost Mustang include:

• Engineered to boost horsepower and torque
• Low restriction, free-flowing intake tube
• Roto-molded, high density polyethylene intake tube
• Stainless steel clamps and silicone couplers/hump hoses included
• Larger diameter tube at the turbo inlet makes the tube compatible with large turbos
• No Hassle Lifetime Warranty

For more information regarding Cold Air Intake systems for a specific year model vehicles, simply use the Product Search Tool. For more information about AIRAID Modular Intake Tubes, visit the Modular Intake Tube page. For more information about AIRAID Cold Air Intakes and MIT tubes for all Mustangs, visit the Mustang Cold Air Intake Page. For information about available drop-in replacement filters, visit the Drop-In Replacement Air Filter Page. To locate your nearest AIRAID dealer, simply use our Dealer Search Tool.