National Blues, Regional Desires Fuel Ahten Racing

Courtesy of John Rogers/Ahten Racing
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

After a very long weekend at the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals, Johnny Ahten and the Island Renovations / Combust Filters team is anxious to get back to racing at this weekend’s Regional race at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 

 

The Ahten Racing truck and trailer pulled into the Vegas racetrack on Thursday afternoon in preparation for the National event. By Friday morning, it had already seemed like a week.

“We were chasing an ignition gremlin and it was a thrash just to get to the line for the first qualifying session, “said Johnny Ahten. We went back to a familiar combination and we thought we had the car sorted out.  Our first and second qualifying passes proved us wrong on that one. As it turns out, we had a drivetrain issue that was preventing us from launching the car under power. By the third qualifying session on Saturday we had found the issue and laid down a decent pass. It was a long couple of days that made that full qualifying pass feel very satisfying.”

The Stump Puller’s third session 5.418/263.82 was good enough to qualify in the seventh spot. A first round match-up with Megan McKernan was slated for later on that day.

When the lights came down on round one, Johnny took a slight advantage and got the stripe first with a 5.543@261.72 over Megan McKernan's 5.627@262.28. It was not perfect, but after the mechanical challenges of the previous days, a win was welcome. This set up a Sunday morning round two with Garrett Bateman, who just happened to be the #1 qualifier.

In an epic battle that pitted the Clean Boost Oil teammates, Johnny Ahten drew first blood with the starting line advantage, but tire shake entered the skirmish.  Bateman’s 5.347@268.97 took the win over the Stump Puller’s troubled 5.629@236.30.

“I slapped the pedal after the tire shake and tried to catch him but the damage was done.” added Ahten. “That run did produce our best short time of the weekend. I got out of it downtrack so that was why our mph was down. Overall it felt great to advance, and it is fuel for us to make this weekend’s Regional race count. I have to thank Troy from the Kalitta Mac Tools team for the help along with a host of others. Racers helping racers is the one of the greatest things about our sport.”

To stay informed with the latest please visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

Ahten Returns Home to Defend Pomona Finals Crown

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Scott Bessee

Pomona, CA. – This week Johnny Ahten pulled into the gates of the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona not as just any racer, he made his entrance as the defending champion in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. At last year’s final, Ahten Racing captured their first event win when Johnny defeated Jim Whitley in the final round. A year has passed and Ahten remains determined to repeat.

“There is a strong contingent of racers here for the finals,” said Ahten. “We ran well at the Vegas National event and qualified number one. Then we qualified for the eight car field out of twenty-five entries for the Regional event. We are going to build upon our strong runs and learn from our issues. I am very happy to be home. This is the busiest three weeks of our season. I am looking forward to working on the car, visiting with friends, and racing at my favorite track,” added Ahten.

The World Finals at Pomona is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, and winning this race has special meaning to all the competitors. Johnny’s crew chief, Al Ahten and racing partner Howard Katano, have poured over the run data and are preparing the Stump Puller for its last race of the year. Bob Ahten, Kevin Colvell, Chuck Costabile, and John Rogers will make sure the job gets done. The Island Renovations / Combust Filters sponsored team is ready, willing, and able.

“I grew up at this track, and I want to win every time I race here,” added Ahten. “In order to defend our title we will have to dig deep and work as a team. This has been an exciting year filled with highs and unfulfilled accomplishments. Running our own race and taking what the track will allow earned us the trophy last year, and that is our game plan for this year.”

To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

…
Johnny Ahten was born into a family of racers. Ahten Racing began in the late sixties with Johnny’s father and Uncle hitting the local strips of Southern California. In 1998, Johnny attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. Early the next year, Johnny competed in his first full season of Top Eliminator West. He captured the Rookie of the Year title and finished 2nd place in the points. He continued to hone his driving skills the next few years until 2004 when the team moved up to Top Alcohol Dragster. Johnny qualified at his first event immediately after upgrading his license earlier in the week. Johnny's first National event win came in 2013 when he captured the NHRA Pomona World finals Top Alcohol Dragster crown. When not racing, Johnny is a Captain in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a husband, and father of two boys.

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com

Top Qualifier Ahten Goes to Vegas Final

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Las Vegas, NV. – Johnny Ahten went into the NHRA Toyota Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with quiet confidence. He was sure of the ability of his car to run well, and he was right. In Friday’s lone qualifying session Ahten and his Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster laid down a 5.306/269.03 pass that garnered the top spot. Not resting, Saturday saw Ahten go even quicker with a 5.260/265.17 blast to become the number one qualifier going into eliminations. All this was accomplished without two veteran crewmembers.

“We had some availability conflicts with two of our crewmembers, but we filled the gaps with an old friend and went number one,” said Ahten. “I want to thank Todd “Rocky” Rockwell for helping out. It was a thrash. The 5.30 run on Friday sure felt good out of the box. Saturday’s 5.26 pass was a monster. It might have even been quicker if we had all eight firing.”

Sunday eliminations saw a first round match up with Casey Grisel. It turned out to be a single as Grisel had issues getting the car to start. Ahten and the Stump Puller rocketed down the quarter-mile to a session-best 5.267/270.05. Second round brought former champ Duane Shields, who struck the tires and could only muster a 7.617/117.65 pass. Ahten had issues as well with his winning 5.430/270.81 time. It was on to the semifinals where it was first time opponent Ashley Sanford in the other lane. Sanford was out of the gate first, but immediately hazed the tires. Ahten battled tire shake and netted a 5.470/262.74 which would cost him lane choice in the finals. Waiting in the final round was blown alcohol juggernaut and CleanBoost Performance Oil teammate Joey Severance. Ahten brought his number one qualifying car to the final round, but he also brought some left over tire shake from the previous round. Severance took the win with a 5.260/271.19 to Ahten’s 5.449/254.23.

“We made our fourth final in nine races this year, which is not bad for a low budget team,” added Ahten. “We had some big time help. Our crewmember Chuck Costabile drove to Vegas just to help us out on Sunday, and it was great to have Rocky back. I really have to hand it to my dad Al Ahten, racing partner Howard Katano, and Bob Ahten for giving me a rocket ship. We will be back this weekend for Regional action at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. We are looking to continue going fast and surprising a few folks. Vegas will do that every now and again,” added Ahten.

To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

…
Johnny Ahten was born into a family of racers. Ahten Racing began in the late sixty’s with Johnny’s father and Uncle hitting the local strips of Southern California. In 1998, Johnny attended Frank Hawleys’s Drag Racing School. Early the next year Johnny competed in his first full season of Top Eliminator West. He captured the Rookie of the Year title and finished 2nd place in the points. He continued to hone his driving skills the next few years until 2004 when the team moved up to Top Alcohol Dragster. Johnny qualified at his first event immediately after upgrading his license earlier in the week. Johnny's first National event win came in 2013 when he captured the NHRA Pomona World finals Top Alcohol Dragster crown. When not racing, Johnny is a Captain in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a husband, and father of two boys.

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com

Third Final of the Year for Ahten at Seattle Regional

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Kent, WA. – Johnny Ahten’s performance statement at the LODRS Regional speaks volumes. Johnny not only had low ET of the event, but he reset the Pacific Raceways A-Fuel track record. He then parlayed his #1 qualifying performance into the final round, which was his third of the year. See a trend here? Even though Ahten fell to CleanBoost Performance Oil teammate Chris Demke in the final, the numerical threat the Island Renovations / Combust Filters Dragster displayed was more than enough to make it a memorable outing.

“I am very happy with our performance, “said Johnny Ahten. “The Stump Puller was a monster and we ran on the edge the whole time. I am so proud of my guys the way we came back from a first round loss at the Seattle National event. It’s tough to lose, but it’s not so bad when it’s to the team leading the points. This was our third final of the year and Ahten Racing is confident going into the end of the year.”

Ahten’s Seattle Regional adventure began with a test session on Friday. The plan was to run to 1000ft and shut it off. Johnny got a great start, motored down the track, and pulled the chutes early. The scoreboard flashed an expectedly slow 237 mph, but when the 5.22 ET lit up, it made people take notice. Saturday’s first qualifying effort was dashed in a cloud of smoke as the Stump Puller was flexing some muscle. In Q2, a clean start netted a 5.26@269 pass that would hold up for the #1 qualifying spot. In the last qualifying session, the cooler temperatures had the Ahten Racing team looking for glory, but it was not to be as the track was unable to hold the power.

Sunday’s first round of eliminations began with a match-up with Jeff Ashwell. Johnny blasted off the line first and rocketed to a 5.202@269.73 to defeat Ashwell’s 6.022@179.59 effort. The run ended up being low of the event and reset the track record. It was also one of the quickest A-Fuel passes of the season. Second round was a battle with fellow A-Fuel racer Garrett Bateman. Here Johnny’s 5.273@267.85 dispatched a tire-smoking Bateman and it was on to the finals. Laying in wait was Chris Demke. Crew Chief Al Ahten and team partner Howard Katano backed down the tune-up and Bob Ahten, Chuck Costabile, and Kevin Covlell got the car ready. The record setting monster was ready to attack. All was well until one second into the run, when smoke poured from the tires of the Stump Puller. Just a toe over the edge of traction was enough to hand the victory to Demke.

Johnny Ahten and the team will feed off of their Seattle Regional performance and ride the monster all the way to the finals at Pomona. Ahten Racing’ next outing will be the LODRS Regional race September 5-7 at Mission Raceway in British Colombia, Canada. To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com

Strong Woodburn Outing for Ahten

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Costabile Productions

Woodburn, Ore. – A strong 5.370/261.24 qualifying effort garnered Johnny Ahten the number two qualifying position at last weekend’s NHRA West Regional race at Woodburn Dragstrip. That was the good news. The not so good news was the first round red light. On the other hand, the 5.33/267.37 Johnny posted after a .005 foul showed the power of the Stump Puller and Ahten Racing’s tune-up.

“After the burnout I went to stage, and I had trouble holding it in the lights. I yanked on the brake handle but it just wouldn't hold," said Ahten. "In retrospect, I could have of dragged the brakes harder during the burnout. My Dad and the crew gave me a great racecar and it stinks I went red. It was on a run too. I carried the wheels for 1.8 seconds and picked them up two more times in route to that 5.33 run. The weather was crazy all weekend. The rain with thunder and lightning was really something. Joey Severance and the people at Woodburn Dragstrip really worked their tails off and gave us a great racing surface. This was my first time racing here and I was really impressed," acknowledged Ahten.

"Our first qualifying pass was a planned check-out run that netted 5.502/252.80. That put us #4 and we were ready for more. Our second qualifying pass was later in the day on a 136° track. The Island Renovations / Combust Filters dragster motored right down there to a 5.370/261.24. That launched us up to the #2 spot. In the third round of qualifying no one really stepped up so the decision was made to sit it out to save on parts. Our first round opponent was CleanBoost Oil teammate Garrett Bateman. It would have been a great race if I could have held it in the lights. Now it's on to the next race. We have a bad hot rod and I owe it all to my guys. The power of the Stump Puller will thunder again on August 1st in Seattle for the national event," concluded Ahten. Keep in touch with Ahten Racing at: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com

Strong Pomona Numbers Give Ahten Motive

Courtesy of John Rogers
Photo courtesy of Troy Case

Pomona, CA – An unexpected second round exit last weekend at the NHRA’s season opening event at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona for Johnny Ahten may have been frustrating, but the run data and lessons learned have the Island Renovations/Combust Filters Team in high spirits. Strong numbers and qualifying in the fourth slot are positive steps moving into the 2014 season.

“We have enough power to run with the blown guys,” said Johnny Ahten. “The car felt mean and nasty with a touch of violent - it’s a monster. The air was great and on several runs it put me back in the seat big time. Over the off season we replaced the padding inside the cockpit and I needed all of it. I would also like to announce that we have added Aeromotive as an associate sponsor. The opportunity to stabilize our fuel system and assist Aeromotive in promoting their line of automotive and racing fuel systems and components has us really jazzed,” added Ahten.

The power of Ahten Racing’s nitromethane injected dragster, nicknamed the “Stump Puller,” was evident in Saturday morning’s first session when Johnny ripped off a 5.291/248.52. That run was only 248.52 miles per hour because Johnny lifted at 4.85 seconds as a planned shake down pass. The 227mph at half track shows a mid to low twenty! The day’s second session a 5.336/261.57 provided reassurance and a healthy top end charge. This performance landed Johnny with a first round match-up with Derik Milanesio. In the first race back after winning the 2013 Finals at Pomona, Johnny extended his round win streak to five with a quick pedal-job 5.453/260.41 to Milanesio’s 5.741/242.15.

Going into Sunday’s second round race against Casey Grisel, crew chief Al Ahten, with tuning input from Howard Katano and Johnny were looking to go quicker. Along with crew members Bob Ahten, Kevin Colvell, and Chuck Costabile, the Stump Puller was tuned up and ready for action. As Johnny left the line against Grisel, he was anticipating the possibility of having to pedal the car. What he was not expecting was after the initial tire shake was the Stump Puller moving sideways. “It was on a run, added Johnny Ahten. “Our .924 sixty foot time was good and the G-meter on the car was the highest I have ever seen it. There was no reason for the car to react the way it did, but in racing it happens.” Grisel crossed the line for the round win with a 5.480/266.27. Johnny could only coast down the track after his sideways drifting impersonation at just over 96 miles per hour and a 8.862 time slip. Gone was the round winning streak, and with it, the opportunity to garner a bookend trophy.

The first race of the 2014 NHRA season provided Johnny and the Ahten Racing Team a glimpse into their future. They have the power to run with the competition. Gone was the mystery of how big of an impact the various rule changes would affect the tune up. Added to the arsenal was positive tuning run data and a new association with Aeromotive. The winter break is finally over and the going-rounds mindset has taken over. Ahten Racing’s next race will be Feb 28-March 2 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, AZ. To stay informed visit: www.facebook.com/JohnnyAhtenRacing

…
Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us: www.islandrenovations.net

The Combust Filters Oil By-Pass Filtration System provides 3 Micron filtration, 100% Water Removal, Soot Removal, Extended Engine Life, Pollution Prevention, and Reduced Oil Consumption. By keeping the oil free of moisture contamination and particulates larger than 3 microns, your engine oil will have reduced Oxidation, Nitration, while maintaining required oil viscosity and TBN for proper lubrication. Our system incorporates only the best technology and quality construction for ease of use and installation. Features include an easy to read pressure gauge, 2 sizes of spin-on filters (7” and 12”), a push button oil sample valve, and a custom flow fitting to ensure a continuous proper flow. No internal moving parts to wear out! Visit us at: www.combustfilters.com 

VIDEO: Strong Speed Numbers for Ahten in Famoso Testing

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo and video courtesy of Costabile Productions

 

McFarland, CA. – Johnny Ahten loaded up the new Ahten Racing truck and trailer and headed to the historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway last weekend for some testing and to put on a show for the Saturday Night Nitro event. What the Island Renovations/CleanBoost-801Racing/Fireman’s Brew team left with was even better. Two runs with trap speeds of 266+ mph proved they are moving in the right direction, and they captured some exciting video in the process.

“Since this was not a regular race, we decided to outfit the Stump Puller with a few video cameras,” said Ahten. “A few turned into four, which lead to some great video. My video guy, Chuck Costabile of Costabile Productions, was able to sync them all together and create a four camera angle video that highlighted our 5.53@266.8 run. We have made some changes to the combination and it really showed, added Ahten.

That afternoon blast down the Famoso quarter mile was with a 145° track temp. The elapsed time was not where Johnny would like it to be, but the thinking in the Ahten camp is it needed more fuel. Crew Chief Al Ahten concurred, and for the next run they fattened it up a bit. It shook the tires at the hit and Johnny shut it down. Ahten added, “For the night session we made a few adjustments and ran another 266 mile per hour run with a 5.51 elapsed time.  The plan now is for a bit more compression and we might throw some more fuel at it.  The weekend was a great success, we got down a 145 degree track, and then shook when it got cold, adjusted and got down a cold track, very happy with that. All we need are few more adjustments to get back into the .30s. We were also working the kinks out on our new race rig. I had quite a list going of things we still need or didn’t bring. It was a bit nerve-racking to turn and look for something and it was not there. By the next race we will have everything in place,” concluded Ahten.  

The Stump Puller’s next planned outing is scheduled for the Seattle Pacific Raceways’ Northwest Nationals Aug. Aug. 2-4. By then, Johnny and the crew will have the tune-up in place, the new trailer sorted out, and the desire to blast down the track even faster. For now they will have to wait, but at least they have some great in-car video to enjoy.

 

First Regional of the Year has Ahten Looking Back

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of Troy Case

Chandler, AZ.  Been there, done that. Johnny Ahten and the Ahten Racing Team are looking to go back to a familiar place. This weekend they are racing at Firebird International Raceway, but that is not the place. They want to get back to running in the 5.30’s. The Ahten Racing Team are done waiting.

“We have to get this thing back in the 30’s,” said Ahten. “We have run mid-to-low 30’s at Firebird in the past and I know we can do it again. A few years ago we even qualified number one. We have the parts, the knowledge, and the ability. Now we just have to go out and make it happen.”

The Island Renovation/801 Racing/Fireman’s Brew dragster showed promise at the season opener in Pomona. A second round appearance was a positive step. An issue with the fuel system was found to be a performance limiting factor, but Crew chief Al Ahten believes he has it cured. Assisting Al will be Howard Katano, Bob Ahten, and Kevin Colvell, with Johnny pulling extra pit duties.

“The warm weather is going to be a concern since fuel cars don’t like it warm,” added Ahten. “The track might not be as tight as Pomona was, but we will deal with it and work to avoid tire shake. Speaking of shake, I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank DJ Safety’s “Big Ben” and John for their support.”

As the Ahten Racing caravan travels to Arizona for this weekend’s West Regional race, they are preparing for the race mentally. The work ahead, the tuning decisions to be made, but mostly Johnny and the gang are thinking about the 30’s. Everyone has aspirations, goals, and wants. The pieces are in place to make it happen; now all they have to do is get them in the right order. Johnny Ahten will be looking to the past for inspiration, and he is planning on adding jigsaw puzzle master to his resume. 

…

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us at www.islandrenovations.net

We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track.  We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing.  For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com

Fireman's Brew grew out of two Los Angeles based firefighter's vision to create premium handcrafted beers that would quench their thirsts after an exhausting day on the firelines. Originally created by firefighters for firefighters, Fireman's Brew is now available at bars, restaurants and retail stores throughout Southern California, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado & Nebraska. Visit them at www.firemansbrew.com

TAN

Ahten Ready to Make Winternationals Memories

Courtesy of THR5 Communications
Photo courtesy of John Rogers

Pomona, CA. – It has been almost three months since Johnny Ahten raced down the quarter mile at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. His last run was a close encounter with the centerline that resulted in a much longer than expected off season. For 2013, Johnny and his father Al Ahten have been waiting for this moment. The Winternationals are here and it’s time to hit the loud pedal on the Island Renovations/801 Racing/Fireman’s Brew Nitromethane powered dragster.

“I can’t wait to be slammed back in the seat and feel the rush,” said Ahten.  “My dad and I have spent the time off pouring over data and preparing the car, but mostly we have been thinking about our last race. We have installed a new Top Fuel style windshield, a new roll bar cover, and a few tweaks here and there. We have also worked on our tuning strategy. We are all on the same page, and thirsty for some quick times.”

Quenching the thirst for speed will be soothing refreshment for Johnny and the Athen Racing Team. Over the winter, promotional sponsor Fireman’s Brew has provided the team with on and off duty support. The California based company has expanded their operations and now is available in Southern California, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado & Nebraska. Their Brunette, a German Doublebock, recently won the 2013 People’s Choice Best Beer at the Los Angeles Bockfest. For those attending the Pomona race, Fireman’s Brew is available close to the track at Cost Plus/World Market and Ralphs.

Smooth liquids seem to be a thing with Ahten Racing. Returning sponsor 801 Racing is providing the lubricating protection with their 70WT Performance Racing Oil. The support of 801 Racing and their fine line of products will give Johnny and his crew chief Al Ahten the confidence to push the motor without the messy consequences. Assisting the Island Renovations Team will be Howard Katano, Bob Ahten, Kevin “Shark” Colvell, Chuck Costabile, and Todd “Rocky” Rockwell. The unseen teammates lending aid in Pomona will be via the Johnny Ahten Racing Facebook page. The power of social media in today’s drag racing is alive and thriving.

When Johnny Ahten and his crew push to the line at this year’s Winternationals, one thing will be on their mind. Getting down the track quickly and creating new memories to replace the last run. The viscous circle will begin again, because as soon as the chutes come out, Johnny Ahten and his crew will be thinking of ways to make their next pass even better.

…

Island Renovations understands the complexity of Hawaii's homes and their customers’ needs. Whether you are looking to build, remodel, or replace your existing windows and doors, Island Renovations is there to provide outstanding service and products to give your home added value with the satisfaction and peace of mind from a company that puts their customers first. Visit us at www.islandrenovations.net

We believe true happiness comes from blazing down the blacktop with the pedal to the metal and our hair on fire. The whiter our knuckles get, the better. If it were up to us, cars wouldn't even have brakes, just two gas pedals. It's this never-ending need for speed that drives everything we do. We spend countless hours in the lab and lying awake at night plotting and planning how to get more speed by any means possible. After decades of research and innovation, we've developed a complete line of performance and car care products designed to ensure that your ride lives up to its potential on the street and on the track.  We know what you want. We got what you need. We are 801 Racing.  For more information on 801 racing, please visit: www.801Racing.com

Fireman's Brew grew out of two Los Angeles based firefighter's vision to create premium handcrafted beers that would quench their thirsts after an exhausting day on the firelines. Originally created by firefighters for firefighters, Fireman's Brew is now available at bars, restaurants and retail stores throughout Southern California, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado & Nebraska. Visit them at www.firemansbrew.com

TAN