Wanderscheid Podiums in Opener and Win a Free Ride

AMSOIL oval ice racer PJ Wanderscheid started the new season off with an impressive opener in Shakopee, Minnesota.

The three-time AMSOIL World Champion grabbed the hole shot at the WSA Pro Ice race last weekend. From there he battled back and forth with eventual winner Dustin Wahl. Wanderscheid finished second in the first big oval ice race of the year.

Wanderscheid is looking to become the first man to win four AMSOIL Eagle River World Championships. The event will be held January 14-17 at the AMSOIL Eagle River Derby Track in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

You can also be a winner with the AMSOIL World Championship. Polaris and the AMSOIL Derby Track are giving away a VIP Package to this years event, including participation in the annual Derby Celebrity Ride on a new 2010 Polaris Rush on Friday, January 15. Click here for full details.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

Greaves Goes the Distance, Sets World Record

AMSOIL continues to help professional racers win and set world records. This time, it comes in the form of a 301-feet jump in a 3,800 pound off road truck driven by AMSOIL sponsored Johnny Greaves.

On Friday, December 18, Greaves and his crew headed out to Jeremy McGrath’s ranch near San Diego with the goal of flyng his Toyota two-wheel drive over a 180-foot gap and past 300 feet in the air.

After several attempts, Greaves was happy to finally accomplish the feat.

We needed to be at 105.5 miles per hour (at the top of the ramp)and that’s exactly what I hit it at and we got exactly 301 feet. It’s pretty cool when you can work with a group of guys that can tell you “this is the ramp we need and this is the speed we need” and it’s done.

Greaves is a top Pro 4×4 racer in the Traxxas TORC Series Presented by AMSOIL. The 2010 season is scheduled to start April 17-18 in Tucson, Arizona.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

Source: Amsoil Racing Blog

AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid

Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid (BF4)
AMSOIL now offers Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid. AMSOIL Brake Fluids provide superior high-temperature performance in auto/light truck, high-performance, racing and powersports applications.

See Pricing Information or Place an Order

Package sizes include:

12-oz. Bottle
12-oz. (case of 12)

Not available in Canada

Boiling Points
As the brake system heats up, brake fluids with low boiling points begin to vaporize. The brake pedal must travel further to apply the same amount of force on the brakes, causing a spongy feeling. If enough of the brake fluid vaporizes, brake system failure may occur. Brake fluid boiling points are measured on two separate scales:

• Dry equilibrium reflux boiling point (ERBP) – the boiling point of new, freshly-opened, unused fluid.
• Wet ERBP – the boiling point of a brake fluid after it has absorbed three percent water.

The minimum dry ERBP for DOT 4 brake fluid is 230°C (446°F), while the minimum wet ERBP is 155°C (311°F). Their higher boiling points make DOT 4 fluids appropriate for high-performance cars and motorcycles and for vehicles used for towing or in mountainous regions.

AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid is formulated with the best zinc-based anti-corrosion additives and pH stabilizers. It is designed for high-temperature stability, yet flows easily at low temperatures. AMSOIL Series 600 Racing Brake Fluid’s superior additive package provides good lubrication throughout the system and can raise boiling points to more than 232°C (450°F). It keeps water in suspension, slowing its effects on the brake system. AMSOIL Brake Fluids have high boiling temperatures, ensuring maximum life and reliable braking power, even in extreme conditions. AMSOIL Series 500 High- Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid has a dry ERBP of 274°C (525°F) and wet ERBP of 156°C (313°F). AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid has a dry ERBP of 304°C (580°F) and wet ERBP of 210°C (410°F).

Compressibility
When a fluid is non-compressible it means it won’t compress into a smaller volume when pressure is applied. In a brake system, fluid pressure is multiplied by the master cylinder and can reach more than 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) in the lines. Like any other hydraulic fluid, brake fluid must be non-compressible at the expected pressures to transmit force from one end of the system to the other while simultaneously lubricating the pistons and rubber parts as they move through their bores. If the fluid were to compress, all braking power would be lost. AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid remains non-compressible, even at the highest pressures generated in automotive brake systems. AMSOIL Brake Fluid provides superior stopping ability under the most demanding conditions.

Brake Fluid Maintenance
Brake fluids fail either because they boil or because they cease to provide adequate lubrication and corrosion protection. Both reasons for failure are the result of contamination, usually by water or petroleum products.

DOT 3 and DOT 4 polyglycol ether-based brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means they absorb water easily and hold it in suspension, similar to antifreeze. In most climates, moisture seeps into the brake system continuously through the various seals and microscopic pores of the flexible brake lines. This seepage can accelerate as a vehicle ages and there’s almost no limit to how much water the fluid can absorb. By the time brake fluid has been in the system for three years, it can easily reach its wet boiling point. Because this happens gradually, most drivers won’t discover the reduced braking ability until it’s too late.

Many owner’s manuals recommend changing brake fluid every 24 months to remove moisture. Approximately half of all cars and light trucks in the U.S. over 10 years old have never had the brake fluid changed. In addition, powersports applications such as motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs require routine brake fluid changes as well.

See Pricing Information or Place an Order

AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series on Famous Mile

“Gentlemen, start your engines!” Those are the four most important words in racing and they are about to be heard at the Milwaukee Mile National. There is plenty of snow and the race is a go. After finishing the first event on the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series tour in Duluth, Minnesota, drivers and crew prepare for the second stop at the Milwaukee Mile National.

Full throttle bar-to-bar snocross racing action will run December 18-19 at the Milwaukee Mile Race Track in West Allis, Wisconsin. Professional and amateur racers from the ACSS tour will compete all weekend. The world’s top professional snocross riders such as Team AMSOIL stars Robbie Malinoski and Ross Martin will heat up the snow.

The Milwaukee Mile National is sure to be as action packed and exciting from flag-to-flag. Pro feature races both Friday and Saturday nights including freestyle shows by the Monster Energy Sledneck Invasion Tour.

You can also watch it via pay-per-view at ACSS On-Line Racing.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

Source: Amsoil Racing Blog

Team AMSOIL Starts Strong at AMSOIL Duluth National

AMSOIL/Scheuring Speed Sports rider Robbie Malinsoki has never raced a Polaris. He’s raced all of the other major brands of snowmobiles, but never a Polaris.

AMSOIL/Judnick Motorsports rider Ross Martin had questions on how he would hold up after breaking his hip at the Winter X Games last January.

For both riders, the start of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series in Duluth, Minnesota. this past weekend helped answer a lot of questions and concerns.

Malinoski proved that signing with Scheuring in the off season was the right move. The former 2-time champion finished strong in all of his heat races at the AMSOIL Duluth National, including a win in Sunday’s Pro Open heat. He even grabbed the hole shot in the Pro Open final and battled with the leaders on way to a fourth place finish in some terrible conditions. It wasn’t a perfect weekend for Malinoski. In Saturday’s Pro Stock final, he made a brilliant move on Brett Bender for third, but the sleeve to his jacket got caught on Bender’s sled, putting the number four sled on it’s side. From there, a little bit of gas hit the brake pads and a fire started, meaning Malinoski’s day was done.

“We were in the mix on Saturday night, and despite the bad luck, we know we have a couple of bulldogs on these sleds,” said team owner Steve Scheuring. “We proved again on Sunday that we are a front running team. We can’t wait to get to Milwaukee this weekend and get a win.”

For Martin, there is no doubt that the 2008 Pro Rider of the Year is back on track. Despite a couple of glitches in Pro Stock qualifying, Martin won the LCQ and, from the back row, moved his AMSOIL/Polaris up into fifth on the final flag. On Sunday, it was vintage Martin. He went with a pair of seconds to get into the final. From there, Marin used a good start and a hand full of throttle to push past the field into second. He was gaining on eventual winner Tucker Hibbert, but time ran out and Martin finished second.

Meanwhile, his younger teammate, Mike Bauer started the weekend off with a win in Semi-Pro Super Stock 1 on Saturday and followed that up with a third place in the Super Stock 2 class.

“We know we need a good start this weekend, and I think we got it,” said team owner Scott Judnick. “Ross proved he is healthy and Mike really showed he is ready to battle in the Semi-Pro class.”

The AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series heads to the famed Milwaukee Mile this weekend. You will be able to watch the event via pay per view. The AMSOIL Duluth National will air on Versus on January 3, 2010.

Until then, we’ll see you at the races.

Watch Local Coverage

Source: Amsoil Racing Blog

2010 AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge Announced
 
Since its inception in 1972 AMSOIL has been known as the leader in synthetic lubricant technology. As such, we are always on the lookout for opportunities to prove to the masses that we deserve such a title. That’s one reason AMSOIL has officially joined Popular Hot Rodding Magazine’s annual ‘Engine Masters Challenge’ for the 2010 competition as title sponsor. (The other is getting alongside some of the most talented engine builders in North America to see what they are capable of.) This year’s theme is ‘Taking It to the Streets’ and AMSOIL is poised to do just that. The 2010 AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge (EMC) Presented by Popular Hot Rodding is gearing up to announce some exciting new changes in this year’s event, and the final groundwork is being laid out at this week’s PRI show in Orlando.

Similar to the Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge that AMSOIL also sponsors, the EMC pits over 30 competitors against one another to see who can build the most powerful engine. In a series of tests designed to measure torque, power, and performance only one will come out on top as the leader in engine building innovation. AMSOIL will be installed in each and every engine to ensure that any mechanical breakdowns will not be due to the lubricants that keep the engine humming. While past events have had stiff competition with as many as 28 of 29 engines completing without failure, this challenge is no easy feat and anything can happen. The stakes are a little higher this year with AMSOIL offering the winning team $3,000 cash along with $2,000 in AMSOIL products. More details will be forthcoming here in the AMSOIL Events Blog, as well as the February issue of Popular Hot Rodding Magazine on news stands December 22nd.

Source: Amsoil Events Blog

PRI Abuzz with AMSOIL News
 
As it turns out, the PRI Show management has taken great pains to keep cameras off the show floor this year. This is not an uncommon practice at major trade shows. Their aim, in part, is to help deter companies from stealing ideas from their competition. Nevertheless our intrepid man on the scene did capture a few AMSOIL logos along with the latest scuttlebutt. Word from several sources is that AMSOIL is creating quite a bit o’ buzz in Orlando this week.

Terry Rinker and his powerboat racing crew were again located in one of the AMSOIL booths in a great location. The canary yellow boat really draws people like flies to molasses, though it could be Terry’s charm. AMSOIL is proud to be associated with this veteran champion.

There seemed to be plenty of Off Road Racing chatter as well here this week as The Off Road Championship (TORC) Series enters its second year. Take a close look at this vehicle here because these 800-horse off road trucks don’t stay shiny like this very long in the bump and grind world of off-road short track racing.

In other news, AMSOIL Racing Manager Jeremy Meyer met with staff from Circle Track magazine to launch the AMSOIL Great American CIRCLE TRACK Tour. Senior tech Editor Bob Bolles will be criss-crossing the United States to interact with racing teams, drivers and fans to promote grass roots racing, discuss current trends in racing technology and build sponsor awareness among the hard-core racing community. You can read the details in the months ahead at the AMSOIL Racing Blog.

And there’s more to come!

Source: Amsoil Events Blog

Race Safro’s Star Keeps Rising
 
Back in November we mentioned Race Safro of RT Rods, the 16 year old who was headed to SEMA to unveil a custom-built Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod. After many hours of dedicated work and enthusiasm for the job, he successfully completed the build in time and showed how great his talent truly is. When it came time to hand the keys off to the proud new owner, SEMA attendees and the media definitely took notice. From a write-up in the New York Times to numerous mentions throughout SEMA-related press, Race is getting some pretty good exposure in the early phases of his career.

Race is high school student with amazing ability and is the primary force responsible for the impressive end results. As the owner of his own business, RT Rods, he was recently given full permission from the owner of a ’66 Pontiac Lemans to incorporate his talent into the restoration of this classic car. His father Jeff runs a custom upholstery business and occasionally assists Race in his builds, but it is Race himself who creates the vision and takes it from start to finish.

AMSOIL looks forward to supporting him in future endeavors and watching his ascent to the top in the world of custom car building.

Source: Amsoil Events Blog

FAQ: About Synthetics

by Ed Newman, AMSOIL Director of Advertising
This article appeared in National Oil & Lube News, December 2009

If you spend any amount of time on the internet you will sooner or later come across a page called FAQ, which is shorthand for Frequently Asked Questions. The purpose of the FAQ page is to relieve tech support people from having to answer the same questions over and over again, and to make it easy for customers to find answers on their own.

Here are some of the typical questions we’ve received over the years. If you still have more specific questions, I will be happy to answer anything you submit. My email address is listed at the end of this column.

Q: What is the difference between synthetic motor oil and conventional petroleum oil?
A: Synthetic lubricants are composed of select base stocks and special purpose additives chemically assembled with planned, predictable properties. Whereas petroleum oils are pumped from the earth and refined, synthetics are custom-designed in the laboratory, with each phase of their molecular construction programmed to produce, in effect, the ideal lubricant.

Q: What are some of the common misconceptions about synthetic motor oil?
A: It is interesting how some of these myths hang around for so many years. Some of the most common were that synthetics are not compatible with seals (properly formulated synthetics actually extend seal life), that synthetics are too thin to stay in the engine, and that synthetics cause cars to use more oil. Of course there are misconceptions going the other direction, too. Some people think synthetic oil is a super oil that will last forever. It is true that synthetic oils are more impervious to oxidation, but the additives in synthetic formulations do get used up over time. A motor oil’s formulation includes the performance of both the base stock and additive package.

Q: If a car is factory fill conventional petroleum, will switching to synthetic void the warranty?
A:  No, it will not. Vehicle manufacturers recommend using motor oils that meet certain viscosity grades and American Petroleum Institute service requirements. Whether the motor oil is petroleum-based or synthetic will not affect warranty coverage. The manufacturer is required to cover all equipment failures it would normally cover as long as the oil was not the cause of the failure.

Q: Is there any truth to the notion that cars should be running petroleum oil during the break in period before switching to synthetic?
A: A premium synthetic motor oil can be used during break-in without any trouble. In fact, dozens of vehicle models come factory-filled with synthetic oil now. Rebuilt engines may still require break in oils that don’t prevent wear as well and will allow rings to seat, but not factory supplied engines.

Since a majority of new vehicles come filled with petroleum oil, it only makes good sense to change to synthetic at the first scheduled oil change interval. New engine components generate high levels of wear metals and can contain contaminants from assembly. By allowing the engine to operate with the petroleum oil until the first oil/filter change interval, the wear metals and contaminants are removed prior to installing the premium product.

Q: Will switching from petroleum to synthetic result in a plugged oil filter when the sludge is cleaned out by the synthetic?
A: This is a common fear, however, switching from petroleum oil to premium synthetics in routinely maintained vehicles will not cause clogged oil filters or passageways, regardless of mileage. Sludge, which is caused by poor quality oil and neglected maintenance practices, would have to be present in significant amounts to plug oil filters and passageways. If there is an excessive amount of sludge present in an engine, it is just a matter of time before oil filters and passageways clog, regardless of the oil you choose.

Q: Will switching to synthetics cause my engine to leak oil?
A: In mechanically sound engines, there’s no risk of synthetic motor oil leaking. In fact, premium synthetic oils are fully compatible with modern seal materials, keeping them pliable to prevent leakage. New engines are built to much tighter tolerances now than they were in the 70’s and 80’s when that notion was promulgated, and is not true anymore.

Q: Is there a recommended procedure for switching to synthetic motor oils?
A: As long as the vehicle has been properly maintained and the vehicle is mechanically sound, there are no special requirements. Some oil manufacturers, however, may indicate specific drain intervals that should be followed for vehicles that have over 100,000 miles and are first time users of their products.

Q: If someone switches to synthetic can they switch back to conventional oil?
A: Yes, they can, but why would anyone want to?

AMSOIL Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid

Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid (BF3)

AMSOIL now offers Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid. AMSOIL Brake Fluids provide superior high-temperature performance in auto/light truck, high-performance, racing and powersports applications.

See Pricing Information or Place an Order

Package sizes include:

12-oz. Bottle
12-oz. (case of 12)
 
 

Boiling Points
As the brake system heats up, brake fluids with low boiling points begin to vaporize. The brake pedal must travel further to apply the same amount of force on the brakes, causing a spongy feeling. If enough of the brake fluid vaporizes, brake system failure may occur. Brake fluid boiling points are measured on two separate scales:

• Dry equilibrium reflux boiling point (ERBP) – the boiling point of new, freshly-opened, unused fluid.
• Wet ERBP – the boiling point of a brake fluid after it has absorbed three percent water.

The minimum dry ERBP for DOT 3 brake fluid is no less than 205°C (401°F), and the minimum wet ERBP is 140°C (284°F). That might not seem very high, but in most brake systems the fluid in the caliper won’t reach that temperature unless the brakes are abused. It only takes four percent water contamination to bring a DOT 3 fluid’s boiling point down to the federal limit.

AMSOIL Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid is formulated with the best zinc-based anti-corrosion additives and pH stabilizers. It is designed for high-temperature stability, yet flows easily at low temperatures. AMSOIL Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid’s superior additive package provides good lubrication throughout the system and can raise boiling points to more than 232°C (450°F). It keeps water in suspension, slowing its effects on the brake system. AMSOIL Brake Fluids have high boiling temperatures, ensuring maximum life and reliable braking power, even in extreme conditions. AMSOIL Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid has a dry ERBP of 274°C (525°F) and wet ERBP of 156°C (313°F). AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid has a dry ERBP of 304°C (580°F) and wet ERBP of 210°C (410°F).

Compressibility
When a fluid is non-compressible it means it won’t compress into a smaller volume when pressure is applied. In a brake system, fluid pressure is multiplied by the master cylinder and can reach more than 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) in the lines. Like any other hydraulic fluid, brake fluid must be non-compressible at the expected pressures to transmit force from one end of the system to the other while simultaneously lubricating the pistons and rubber parts as they move through their bores. If the fluid were to compress, all braking power would be lost. AMSOIL Series 500 High-Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid remains non-compressible, even at the highest pressures generated in automotive brake systems. AMSOIL Brake Fluid provides superior stopping ability under the most demanding conditions.

Brake Fluid Maintenance
Brake fluids fail either because they boil or because they cease to provide adequate lubrication and corrosion protection. Both reasons for failure are the result of contamination, usually by water or petroleum products.

DOT 3 and DOT 4 polyglycol ether-based brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means they absorb water easily and hold it in suspension, similar to antifreeze. In most climates, moisture seeps into the brake system continuously through the various seals and microscopic pores of the flexible brake lines. This seepage can accelerate as a vehicle ages and there’s almost no limit to how much water the fluid can absorb. By the time brake fluid has been in the system for three years, it can easily reach its wet boiling point. Because this happens gradually, most drivers won’t discover the reduced braking ability until it’s too late.

Many owner’s manuals recommend changing brake fluid every 24 months to remove moisture. Approximately half of all cars and light trucks in the U.S. over 10 years old have never had the brake fluid changed. In addition, powersports applications such as motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs require routine brake fluid changes as well.

See Pricing Information or Place an Order