IHRA Division 1 Summit Pro-Am Tour at Tioga Center, New York

It was fall at the Skyview Drags 1/8 mile strip in Tioga Center, New York when racer Michael Beard left North Carolina to attend the final double header on the IHRA Division 1 Pro-Am Tour. “The chill in the air helped offset the high altitude of the track,” said Beard. “I made the trip to try and reset a world record.”

Plymouth Volare at the starting line on the IHRA Division 1 Summit Pro-Am Tour
Plymouth Volare at the starting line on the IHRA Division 1 Summit Pro-Am Tour
Beard knew it would be difficult race at the track built on top of a mountain. “I had to try,” he said. “I also knew it was possible.” Beard set up his Volare fast and just missed the record. His numbers were good enough for the number one qualifier position. “That was my first one in my car,” he said. “It was a surprise and it felt good.”
Sloan Racing Engines built the 360 Magnum crate motor, bookended by a K&N air filter and K&N oil filter
Sloan Racing Engines built the 360 Magnum crate motor, bookended by a K&N air filter and K&N oil filter

Summit Pro-Am Winner's Circle for Michael Beard and his 1980 Volare
Summit Pro-Am Winner's Circle for Michael Beard and his 1980 Volare

Beard’s 1980 Plymouth Volare is powered by a Mopar 360 Magnum crate motor, tipping the scales at 3600 pounds to run in the H/CM (Crate Motor) class in stock eliminator. “We use K&N oil filters, K&N air filters and K&N valve breather covers,” said Beard. “I’m so happy to be able to get the number one qualifier position for a great sponsor like K&N Filters.”

Beard advanced to the third round of competition in the first race. He was knocked off the pole in the second event of the double-header weekend by a few thousandths of a second, but made it to the third round. Despite a near-perfect .001 reaction time, his opponent ran dead-on his dial in.

Beard finished the 2008 IHRA Drag Racing season in 6th place in the World Super Stock as well as 2nd in IHRA Division 3 Super Stock. In Stock Eliminator, Beard finished 5th in IHRA Division 1, and 24th in the world.

He plans to close out the year with a few big money bracket races in November.

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.