Benton and his father are long time gear-heads and have been restoring and racing cars for years.  This has been Benton’s brain child and it began with a Riggins tubular chassis for superior handling and weight savings as well as fiberglass Derhaag C5 body work. Benton Bryan reached out to Katech Performance in order to power this race car. Katech Engineering came up with an engine package that provides high horsepower as well as durability for endurance racing. They started with a C5-R block, which was used in the Le Mans 24 hour  C5-R Corvettes, and is intended for endurance racing engines. The primary difference between this block and the Gen 4 production blocks is the 356-T6 aluminum used to increase stiffness. A Callies crankshaft and Compstar connecting rods were used to ensure a strong bottom end. A GM Stage-3 camshaft was employed to make excellent power and maintain stable valvetrain. Katech used LS7 cylinder heads that flow upwards of 370 cfm. In order to supply the maximum amount of air and fuel to the heads a GM single plane manifold is fed by a Kinsler throttle body with Katech billet fuel rails. This combination produced a staggering 661 hp and 561 ft-lbs and has already set a GT car track record at the Paul Ricard track in Southern France.

The Le Mans Prototype Class cars are the fastest closed-wheel racing cars used in circuit racing today. They are considered a class above production-based grand touring cars which compete alongside them in sports car racing. Their cost and technology makes them comparable to Formula One cars, including reaching a higher top speed than Formula One. The ALMS just completed a test at the 17 turn, 3.7 mile Sebring International Raceway held on February 8 – 9, 2012 in Sebring, Florida. The main goal of the test was to get the drivers acclimated to the cars, test their set-ups and make necessary adjustments. Katech Motorsports is proud to be the exlusive engine provider for the LMPC class, and we are now building new parts for the teams. These new parts include; oiling system upgrades, billet engine front covers and high performance throttle-bodies. We have started manufacturing these parts in order to make them readily available to the teams at a reasonable cost.

Eager to get the 2012 racing season started, the Dempsey/Silicon Tech Racing team was on hand for the annual American Le Mans Series winter test. This was the first outing for the #25 Oreca FLM09 car and it performed flawlessly. The two-day test would provide plenty of opportunity for the drivers Duncan Ende, Dane Cameron and Ryan Lewis to acquaint themselves with the LMPC machinery, along with their new team. A collaboration between Dempsey Racing, owned by actor and driver Patrick Dempsey and Silicon Tech Racing. The team was able to put down some great lap times once the drivers were able to get used to the systems. The car’s pace would prove strong from the moment it hit the track, and it topped the LMPC class after the two day test. As the two day test progressed the #25 car cranked out the fastest lap of 1:53, which was over a second faster than the competition. “We had a very strong, and very productive, two-day test in Sebring,” said Ende. “The LMPC class this year looks to be very competitive, with a lot of very strong teams and drivers, so it was important for us to get a strong start. Dane and Ryan have raced in LMPC in the past, so they were able to help me get acclimated to the car and really shorten our learning curve. I couldn’t be happier with how things went for us at the test.”

Throughout the testing PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports was able to shake down their #52 car and turn some great lap times. The #52 is driven by Rudy Junco, Butch Leitzinger and Ken Dobson, even though they were not able to snag the best lap time, they ran consistently throughout the test and tuned their car for the Sebring 12 hour race. “The competition in LMPC has increased considerably this year, there’s no doubt about that,” Dobson said. “I’m not that concerned though. Looking up and down the field, I believe that we have the strongest driver lineup in the paddock, we’ve all won with PR1/Mathiasen last year, so I’m feeling very confident that we’ll be able to compete for wins again this year.”

Team Core Autosport was also at the Sebring winter test, dialing their #05 driven by Jon Bennett, Colin Braun and David Martiniez. They were also fielding the #06 driven by Antonio, Matt and Lucas Downs. The drivers stated, “The purpose of this test, especially for me, was to get some laps in the LMPC car, which I’d not driven before the test. I must say the car was quite good out of the box, which I would expect from the team that won the championship last year. The car has amazing horsepower; – It feels like a big, live, huge race car, – different than anything I’ve ever driven. At Sebring, there’s plenty of room to really open it up.  From where I’ve been, working to get to this level is a huge learning curve and I’m taking it step by step.  I’m just working on gaining confidence and bringing down my times. This test was a great experience and I thank CORE Autosport for hosting me and my brothers.”

Muscle Milk/Pickett Racing completed a successful and productive ALMS Winter Test. The Muscle Milk team then continued with the shakedown of its car by giving Lucas Luhr, Klaus Graf and Simon Pagenhaud each a turn behind the wheel, in order for them to get comfortable in their new surroundings. Gauch stated, “Today was our first ALMS open test with the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing LMPC car, we’ve been testing all off-season already and we felt like we had it somewhat sorted out. It was nice because we got here and pulled the car right off the truck and the setup was very, very good, very close.” The teams will return to Sebring later in February for another test before the race week in March. The 2012 ALMS season begins with the 60th Anniversary Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 17^th.

This beast of an engine was recently finished for a Katech customer who wanted a fully built, race capable power plant. We started out with a C5-R block for a solid foundation and we added a Sonny Bryant crankshaft, Carrillo connecting rods and custom-built Mahle 13:1 pistons for a bulletproof bottom end. A 4.125” bore matched with a 3.575” stroke turns this engine into a 382 cubic inch high rpm monster. It has a custom grind solid roller camshaft by Comp Cams with Jesel .937” solid lifters, Trend one-piece pushrods. To cope with the immense lateral g-forces of a high downforce racer, a custom 6-stage dry-sump system was designed.

The top end of this engine is equally impressive and helps make 680 HP @ 7400 rpm and 560 ft/lbs @ 5600 rpm. It has Katech C5-R heads, which were CNC ported in house and is also equipped with Del-West titanium valves and Comp Cams valve springs. The intake setup on this engine is extraordinary and allows this engine to breathe deep. Each cylinder has its’ own Harrop throttle body with an individual carbon fiber runner. This configuration allows Katech engineers to finely tune the power curve. In order to precisely control this engine, a Motec M-880 EFI system was used.

This year marked the 50^th running of the 24 hours of Daytona and it attracted the largest crowd in history of the event, with various attendance estimates ranging from 60,000-80,000. The 44 car Grand Touring (GT) field that included 9 manufacturers also toppled the GT entry record. The fans filled the entire infield and watched as the cars logged a grueling 2,700 miles.

The Daytona 24 is known as one of the most demanding and challenging races in the motorsports community. Chevrolet Racing sponsored Camaro GT.R’s had an outstanding performance. Even with the Camaros’ much larger frontal area, they ran in front of the Ferraris, Fords, Audis, Vipers and Mazdas throughout the entirety of the race.

In the (GT) class the Katech Motorsports prepared LS3 engines performed flawlessly and propelled the #57 Stevenson Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro GT.R to a 4^th in class finish, making them the top finisher for Chevrolet and placing 14^th overall in the race. Driver of the #57, John Edwards stated “we cut our fuel close, didn’t have to splash at the end, but in the end we still couldn’t get around or catch up to any of the top three Porsches.” The #88 Autohaus Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro GT.R made a hard charge at the end to pass the Mazda and grab the 9^th finishing position in the GT class and 20^th overall. It was a great start to the season for Chevrolet Racing.

The 24 hours of Daytona is a very different race because of its’ long duration, which makes it difficult to maintain momentum and carry the same level of intensity throughout the race. Throughout the 2012 season the Grand-Am series will hold one other Endurance event, the 6 hour race at Watkins Glen, the rest of this year’s races will be Sprint races less than 3 hours long. Porsches have dominated the GT class at Daytona for years, they are just better suited for the long straights and high banks of the race course. However, as the season continues there will be tighter tracks that will suit the Chevrolets better. The second event of the seasons is set for March 30-31, 2012 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

Stevenson Motorsports: #57-Robin Liddell, John Edwards and Robbie Bremer

Stevenson Motorsports: #75- Al Carter,  Hugh Plumb and Eric Curran

Autohaus Motorsports: #88-Jordan Taylor, Paul Edwards, Tommy Milner and  Matthew Marsh

Michael Baughman Racing: #46 – Jeff Nowicki, Mike Baughman, Ray Mason Jr and  Armand Fuaml

The long-awaited C5 Corvette LS9X and LS9R clutch kits are being assembled and will ship by early next week.  Price for the LS9X is $1899.99 and the LS9R is $1999.99.  See the links below for more information and to place your order.

Order online:
LS9X
http://store.katechengines.com/ls9x-clutch-for-corvette-c5–c5-z06-p298.aspx

LS9R
http://store.katechengines.com/ls9r-clutch-for-corvette-c5–c5-z06-p300.aspx

Where: Autobahn Country Club – South Circuit, Joliet IL

When: Mon/Tue July 30/31

Pro Drivers:

Johnny O’Connell

Andy Pilgrim

more pro drivers TBA

Who can attend?

Registration opens to Track Attack alumni today (1/24/12)

Registration opens to everyone else 1/31/12

The event is open to all skill levels. If you’ve never been to an HPDE before this is a great place to get lots of instruction. If you’re an HPDE pro you’ll also love this event for it’s loads of track time.

What is included?

Plenty of track time – last time we ran 13 20-minute sessions in two days

Track support – Katech technicians available to do minor work on your car

Instructional classes

Pro drivers to offer instruction rides

Some of the best HPDE instructors around

All food – light breakfast, catered lunch and dinners

Vendors for product demonstration/support – TBA

Unbelievable camaraderie

a few more surprises we’re working on

Basically everything except lodging and travel

What does it cost?

$899.99 for you, your car and a guest

Now for the fine print:

Space is limited. Alumni will have priority registration for the first week then it is open to all Katech customers past, present and future and all Corvette forum members. First come, first serve. Event is held rain or shine. Since commitments are made based on participation, no refunds or exchanges will be given after registration. Registration is transferable if necessary. Pro drivers subject to change without notice.

We hope to see all of our alumni as well as many fresh faces this year. So, start planning your pilgrimage. We get participants from all over the country. We will have transportation services available from Katech. If we get several participants from the same region we can also arrange enclosed transportation.

Click the link below for event homepage and registration

http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=qjcnxifab&oeidk=a07e5izr45n07c06342

Katech-powered Corvette sets track record at Paul Ricard

For a quote call 866-Katech1 or email jason@Katechengines.com

Use the coupon code Halltech1.

http://store.katechengines.com/halltech-yellow-jacket-102mm-air-intake-system-p204.aspx

Just released at the PRI show, Katech’s new carbon fiber rear decklid combines good looks with massive weight savings.
-33lb weight savings
-Comes with window installed, ready to bolt on
-3 finishes available
-Retains hinges, latch, and lift support
-Includes carbon fiber longitudinal brace
-Only requires one decklid support
-Ships truck freight

Finishes:
1 Primered top and bottom, ready for prep/paint
2 Race quality carbon – carbon exposed top, carbon exposed bottom with some blackout
3 Show quality carbon – completely exposed carbon top and bottom

Made to order. Please allow 5 weeks for delivery.

Prices:
Decklid assembly with window
Primered $2999.99
Race carbon $3299.99
Show carbon $3699.99
http://store.katechengines.com/carbon-fiber-decklid-with-lexan-window-p293.aspx
Decklid only – install your own window (for professionals and ambitious do-it-yourselfers)
Primered $2299.99
Race carbon $2599.99
Show carbon $2999.99
http://store.katechengines.com/carbon-fiber-decklid-p294.aspx

New Katech Motorsports 24 Hour shirts commemorate all of Katech’s 24 hour victories.  On the front it says “We Don’t Win Dyno Competitions, We Win 24 Hour Races”.  On the rear it has the Katech Motorsports logo and all of Katech’s 24 hour victories.  Available in black, sizes S-3XL. $12 for S-XL, $14 for 2XL/3XL.

Order online
http://store.katechengines.com/katech-motorsports-24-hour-t-shirt-p295.aspx

The deals:

1. Buy a Katech billet belt tensioner get a free Katech Performance logo t-shirt PLUS a $50 gift card.
Coupon codes:
TENSIONER1 for cars (KAT-A4425)
TENSIONER2 for trucks (KAT-A4426)

2. Buy any LS9X or LS9R clutch kit get a free Katech Performance logo t-shirt PLUS a $100 gift card. *
Coupon code: CLUTCH

3. Buy any splitter, side skirt kit, or spoiler get a free Katech Performance logo t-shirt PLUS a $50 gift card for each component you purchase.
Coupon code: AERO

There is no limit to the quantity of products added to your cart.  If you buy 10 tensioners, you get 10 free shirts and $500 in gift cards.  However, only one coupon code can be entered per transaction.  If you need to use multiple coupons you’ll need to place separate orders.

Free Katech Performance logo shirt only applies to PN# KAT-6409.

Your gift certificate will arrive via email to the address provided in your order after the order is processed.  Gift certificates are active for 6 months.

*Excludes KAT-A6187

Katech will be displaying at the PRI show in Orlando, FL December 1-3.  Be sure to stop by the ARE/Katech booth #3739 to check out Katech’s hottest new products as well as ARE’s LS7 dry sump system upgrade.

Order online:

http://store.katechengines.com/spark-plug-wire-insulators-p291.aspx 

Katech Performance spark plug wire sets feature 600 degree F boots, 40ohm/ft silicone wire, heat sleeve in your choice of four exciting colors, and heat shrink on the boot ends with Katech Performance logo at the bottom.

Order online:

 http://store.katechengines.com/katech-performance-wires-for-stock-engines-p292.aspx

 Katech Torquer LS3 engine

• CNC-ported heads
• Katech Torquer LS3 camshaft
• PSI springs
• Katech titanium retainers
• C5-R timing chain
• Trend pushrods
• Katech ported oil pump
• Katech aluminum valve covers, powdercoated bright red
• Katech coil relocation kit
• Katech spark plug wires
• Camaro oil pan
• Camaro damper
• Camaro water pump
• 58x/4x triggers
• 530hp/470ft-lbs

$9,000 plus shipping

The first few engines are being assembled now and we are taking orders.  The engine will be sold in a short block form, or if you want us to take the build further we can build a long block or complete engine.  We have developed a camshaft that has met the power goal of 600hp and will be the standard for Value 427 long block and complete engine packages.  Above you can see the dyno graph from our testing.  These figures were reached with the production intake manifold, so gains could be greater with a FAST manifold.

For more information or if you would like to place an order, please email us.  Stay tuned for more detailed information on exact pricing.

-Fits FAST LSXR 102mm intake for LS3/L76/L92/L99/LS7
-Includes two -8 fittings for fuel rail crossover, one -6 fuel feed, and one plug
-Works with Katech billet fuel rail installation kit
Order online:

http://store.katechengines.com/billet-fuel-rails-p287.aspx 

http://store.katechengines.com/katech-performance-logo-t-shirt-p286.aspx