Matt Vankirk takes over Behind The Wheel Podcast!!!

Matt Vankirk joins us on Episode 5 of Behind the Wheel podcast! Currently the leading FD Pro Rookie of the year, Scott sits down with Matt and talk the ups and downs of jumping from PRO2 to PRO, having to work a full time job while being a FD driver and also, will driving simulators a part of the future for the sport? All this and much more in this awesome episode!

If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Matt Vankirk

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Stitcher:

itunes google play youtube stitcher

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18
https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Behind The Wheel Podcast: – EP05 – Matt Vankirk

MATT VANKIRK is a formula drift Pro driver and is currently leading the FD Rookie of the Year race. With half a season under his belt Matt discusses what it is like to compete with the best drifters in the world. VanKirk’s entire team operate on extremely tight budgets and without the safety nets of spare parts! Heck, the engine in his pro car right now is even a junk yard 2JZ. Even with all of that VanKirk and his entire team show so much love toward each other, their fans and the sport of drifting that its hard not to immediately become a fan after having some exposure to their program.

Matt also takes time to discuss his rise through grassroots drifting in to professional competition. One of the most interesting take aways from this conversation is Matt’s input and thoughts on the use of homemade driving simulators to learn, practice and even preview tracks with specific car setups. “ Drift Simulators “ are allowing drivers to enter the scene with an in-depth understanding of driving technique which fasttracks their progress.

Could driving simulators be the future of the sport and even lead to its growth in participation?

Make sure to take a few minutes to listen in and as always you can use our timeline cheatsheet to jump around in the podcast and hear what excites you the most.

Thanks for all of your support and listening!

And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!

CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio):
0:18 | Intro / 10 question quick-fire
3:32 | Introducing Matt Vankirk
4:03 | We just met… and it felt like Family
5:03 | We do it for free… team roles
6:43 | Getting the team together
11:00 | Moving to a V8 powered car
11:40 | Police cornered us at a storage unit
12:35 | It’s getting hot in here…fire everywhere!
14:08 | Who does most of the car build work
14:39 | What is your program like to run?
16:28 | Running a Pro FD Program with a full-time job
17:41 | Typical event week
18:33 | Prepping the car
19:03 | Gambling… no spare parts!
21:20 | Go pro 1 or not
22:55 | The car is not competitive! It has a stock 2JZ junkyard bottom end
23:27 | I’m going on the record… (Scott – Konig)
25:32 | It’s not the power, it’s the torque – 2JZ talk
28:28 | A new car for next year?
29:10 | If I had to make this car better
36:26 | Reliability change to Pro 1 (of drivers)
37:52 | First exposure to cars
39:34 | First exposure to drifting
42:06 | Street drifting and the cops (arrested)
44:19 | Any FD Driver you look up too?
45:03 | Running your first Pro 1 event
46:07 | Dealt some tough matches
48:14 | Going from 225 to 275 tire
49:47 | Do you think about the “Rookie of the year” race?
50:59 | First time driving some of these tracks
51:34 | Using drift simulators to preview tracks
55:24 | Driving simulators in drifting
1:00:14 | Will simulators become a popular tool in drifting
1:01:17 | Advice for building your own simulator
1:03:26 | Are you on twitch?
1:04:43 | #neverletgo
1:07:49 | “My girlfriend drifts too!”
1:09:59 | Final thoughts: Where do you see yourself drift wise in 3-5 years?
1:12:50 | FD judging is improving the sport
1:13:54 | Where to find Matt / outro

 

FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Matt Vankirk: @mattvankirk18
https://www.instagram.com/mattvankirk18/

Matt Vankirk Website:
http://mvkracing.com/

More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

Play

Wiborg recaps TANU RD 3 at Mantorp Park!!!

TANU: Kinnekulle Ring – ROUND 3 | June 29th and 30th

The Big Lap Record!

This weekend it was time for round 3 of TANU this time at the most legendary track in Scandinavia, Mantorp Park.

The team headed up to the track early on Friday morning after working late on Thursday to get the car ready (late arrival of parts for the new silencer setup). Having found and fixed the boost/missfire issue from Rd2 the team had big hopes for the weekend. Going out in practice session 1 the car felt good and the engine was running very nicely at full boost with no issues at all. However the joy was short as on the 3rd lap at full boost in 5th gear there was a huge boom noise and the engine lost all power. Coming into the pits it was found out that it was not to bad as it was only the pressure hose from the outlet of the turbo that had simply burst under the boost pressure. A new pressure hose was fitted and the team headed out for practice 3. However during the first full throttle run on the straight the same boom and boost pressure was gone again. This time however the hose hadn´t burst but simply slid of the pipe. The problem with the spare hose was that it was slightly shorter then the original hose that was secured by double clamps at each end. However this was not possible with the shorter hose. The team tried some different solution to fix it for practice 4 but to no affect so it was simply to pack it up for the day. Meanwhile in our hometown Street Performance had already prepared and delivered a big box of all different kind of premium pressure hoses from their shop for the team to bring with us on Saturday morning.

Saturday – Race day
With new (better) hoses fitted and secured the team headed out for the warmup, Unfortunately one of the Pro cars in the heat before had a engine failure and poured out oil on the track. The Xtreme Rescue Team that TANU uses during their events did a great and quick job (as usual) to fix the track but unfortunately the delay meant only 1 warmup lap could be done. At least it was enough to see that the hoses stayed on at full boost.
Now it was time for Q1.

Coming out to Q1 not a single complete lap had been run at full attack but fearing that more issues could occur there was no gambling and a fast lap was to be put down directly. Two warmup laps where done and then the first attack lap was started. The car felt amazing and coming over the finish line the dash showed the time 1.14.49 beating the old track record of 1.14,6. A second lap was started but in the second corner however the next issue arrived as the brake fluid boiled and all brake performance was gone. It was simply the fact that at the fast Mantorp and running at the higher power the front discs was simply to small to handle the engery put in and thus boiling the brake fluid (to much weight savings). The entire team was quite shocked that the (supposedly hardest to beat) record had been broken on the first attack lap. It was now time to crush it….

The car was pitted and prepared for Q2. Knowing we only had 1 lap to put in a good time the tire pressures was adjusted accordingly. However the troubles was not over as during the warmup lap something in the front suspension broke in a right hand corner. After coming back into the pit it was found out that the wheel bearing hub had split into two. The team went to work to get the car ready for the Final and it was rolled out of the garage just 5 min before the closing of check in.
Winning the race was ofcourse of big importance so to not risk it the brakes was not used at all during the warmup lap thus having cold tires starting the attack lap (impossible to get enough heat in the front racing slicks without braking). It was a full attack lap and coming up on half lap distance the time was almost exactly the same as the record lap from Q1. During the second half of the lap the tire temp came up and the lap could be finished of almost 1 second quicker meaning a new lap record of 1.13.525 destroying the old record. The second lap was started but in the last corner before the long straight the brake fluid boiled again and the lap had to be aborted. The time up on the previous lap in the first sector? A whopping 0.8 seconds.

The team is super happy with another win and to crush the overall tintop track record. Regards to the what could of been lap, don´t worry in 5 weeks time it´s time for the biggest event of the year at TANUs time attack festival at, you guessed it Mantorp Park.

So if you want to see a new track record be sure to save the date, also the rumors says an update package is being fitted for the time attack festival. Don´t miss it!

#UltimateEVO #No1 #TANU2018

A big thank you to all the amazing people involved in this Ultimate EVO build, without you this would not be possible!!!

Frederik is running Konig Hypergrams in 18×9.5 et 25mm all around in Matte Grey. The Konig Hypergram is Flow Formed.

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Wheel & Tire Giveaway – Caleb Quanbeck

Wheel & Tire Giveaway – Caleb Quanbeck
 
Konig Wheels U.S.A. and Tire Streets have teamed up with Caleb Quanbeck to give a lucky participant a chance to win a set of Wheels and tires for FREE! Below are the rules you must follow to be eligible for this giveaway!

TO ENTER:

1. Follow @konigwheelusa and @tirestreets
2. Repost / Share the image below
3. Use hashtag #quangiveaway

Giveaway rule points:

– Giveaway eligibility closes FRIDAY JULY 27th 2018
– Open to Continental U.S. only
– Winner will be contacted via Instagram Direct Message by Caleb Quanbeck.
– The winner has 24 hours to reply to the message.  If the response is after that 24 hour period the prize is considered forfeited and another winner will be selected.  The process will be repeated until a successful winner is confirmed.
– One (1) Prize package will be awarded to selected and confirmed giveaway winner. 
– Prize consists of 4pcs Konig wheels (1 set) and 4pcs Accelera brand tires (1 set).
– Winner must choose same diameter tire and wheel.
– Winner must choose a wheel and tire that are in-stock at the time of being chosen.  No substitutions and the winner is non-transferable. 
– Winner must be considered an Adult in the state they reside.
 
Images to repost / share (download instructions below):
Quan Giveaway
[TO DOWNLOAD]
From mobile device:
Hold down finger on image and select “save image”
 
From a desktop computer:
Right click on image and select “Save Image As”
 
For more updates and more info follow:
Caleb Quanbeck: @calebquanbeck
https://www.instagram.com/calebquanbeck/
 
Have you listen to THE BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST yet? Check out Caleb Quanbeck in Episode 02!!!
Available on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube and Stitcher! SUBSCRIBE: https://konigwheels.compodcast

QUICK SHIFT: Kevin Lawrence!!!

On this episode of The BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST: QUICK SHIFT edition, we are joined by none other than Formula Drift Pro and Pro 2 driver, Kevin Lawrence!

After a successful 2017 season and being crowned PRO2 CHAMPION, Kevin Lawrence returned primarily as a rookie in the FD PRO Championship series! Kevin is running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32) and he gives us feedback on the differences in both classes. Also, drops some knowledge to the pro-am, grassroots drivers on what it takes to run a successful and competition ready program!

If you like what you hear and see, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Quick Shift Ryan Litteral

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Stitcher:

itunes google play youtube stitcher

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Kevin Lawrence: @k_lawrence352
https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/

Enjuku Racing: @enjukuracing
https://www.instagram.com/enjukuracing/

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Behind The Wheel Podcast – Quick Shift: Kevin Lawrence

In this Quick Shift Edition of the Behind The Wheel Podcast, we link up with KEVIN LAWRENCE, Formula Drift Pro, and Pro2 driver.

We find out what it’s like being the current “RB King” of Formula Drift, running both Pro and Pro2 seasons at the same time in 2 different cars (S14 and R32), making the jump from Pro2 to Pro, being a Pro1 rookie and driving new tracks.

Kevin also drops some knowledge and tips for the grassroots drivers that are working toward advancing their programs and takes us through the types of adjustments and changes that happen every round to bring the car from the trailer to a competitive state.

Make sure to follow Kevin and Enjuku Racing (information below).

Oh and if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes and Google Play! Thank you for listening!



FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Ryan Litteral: @k_lawrence352
https://www.instagram.com/k_lawrence352/

Enjuku Racing: @enjukuracing
https://www.instagram.com/enjukuracing/

More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

Play

Speed Academy’s PETER TARACH on Behind The Wheel Podcast!

On this episode of the Konig BEHIND THE WHEEL PODCAST we chat with former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, Peter Tarach!

After the closing of Modified Magazine in 2014, Peter was at a stand still. In this podcast he gives us his journey onto how he co-found Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. As well as gives us insight on being a YouTuber, the automotive industry, the marketing world and much more!

Stay tuned because this one is for sure a good one! You can head to the podcast page below and see the timecode cheatsheet to jump around!

If you like what you hear, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and of course the full video version of every episode is on YouTube! Thank you!

Behind the Wheel Podcast

You can also, subscribe or download the podcast on our website, iTunes, Google Play, Youtube & Sound Cloud:

itunes google play youtube sound cloud

Thanks for listening!

FOLLOW:
Speed Academy: @speedacademy
https://www.instagram.com/speedacademy/

Speed Academy Website:
http://speed.academy/

Speed Academy Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/spdacademy

Scott Weiss (Konig): @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Konig Wheels USA: @konigwheelsusa
https://www.instagram.com/konigwheelsusa/

Behind The Wheel Podcast: – EP04 – Peter Tarach (Speed Academy)

Peter Tarach, former editor-in-chief of Modified Magazine and current co-mastermind behind the online and YouTube automotive content source Speed Academy, lends us his time to talk about cars, the automotive industry, magazines, losing his job after the closing of Modified Magazine, car features, being a YouTuber, turning out content and so much more!

Pete was the written voice behind some of the most memorable car features over the past 15 years. In 2014 his time as Editor-In-Chief of Modified Magazine came to a halt as Source Interlink (the then owner of Modified Magazine) made a decision to close the magazine. After leaving modified magazine Pete brought his voice and love of automotive forward by co-starting Speed Academy with Dave Pratte. Tarach’s knowledge and love of the automotive industry and cars, in general, allows an extremely unique perspective. If you have the time, this is a great listen and even offers new Youtubers some extremely vital tips in growing their channel.

And please, if you like the podcast and what we’ve been doing here, please consider subscribing! We’re on iTunes, Google Play and we always put the full video interviews on our YouTube Channel (links below)! Thank you for listening!




CONTENT CHEAT MENU (podcast audio):
0:18 | Intro
0:27 | 10 Question Quick Fire
5:52 | Meet Peter Tarach
6:53 | Don’t have time…use our cheat sheet!
7:15 | Praise!
8:15 | Ran its course [leaving Modified Magazine]
9:14 | You had the fortitude
10:20 | Originally Speed Academy was going to be a blog…
12:04 | Dave Pratte
14:00 | Modified Magazine was born in Canada
14:45 | What brought you to cars?
16:00 | DSM beginnings
21:35 | Becoming a magazine editor
23:58 | Does film school help with Youtube?
24:13 | What else besides a magazine editor?
25:13 | What do you do for a living?
26:51 | The Modified days
30:01 | All about car features
36:50 | What did Modified mean to you?
40:05 | More content, NOW!
44:53 | About more than followers
46:00 | Work hard… have faith!
48:36 | Long-term plan for Speed Academy
51:25 | What does your day of work look like?
53:20 | The struggles… the planning
01:01:06 | Planning current builds
01:02:28 | How many builds
01:04:00 | Plan for the cars
01:05:59 | Cool build for the future
01:07:08 | B is for build vs. Speed Academy
01:10:27 | Do comments ever get to you?
01:12:07 | Modified comes to an end
01:14:36 | Between “jobs” / Starting Speed Academy and starting a YouTube channel
01:17:24 | Speed Academy doubts
01:18:20 | What would you do in another life?
01:19:45 | Branding vs. Production
01:21:00 | Looking for more help
01:24:54 | Shooting schedules
01:26:17 | Disagreements
01:27:00 | YouTube scene in 1-3 years
01:31:30 | Facebook / Facebook vidoes
01:34:52 | Tips for new YouTubers
01:37:40 | Final thoughts / 5 years from now
01:38:53 | Wrap up

FOLLOW:
Scott Weiss (Konig) Instagram: @scott_Konig
https://www.instagram.com/scott_konig/

Speed Academy: @speedacademy
https://www.instagram.com/speedacademy/

Speed Academy Website:
http://speed.academy/

Speed Academy Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/spdacademy
More on the Konig Behind The Wheel Podcast and to SUBSCRIBE:
https://konigwheels.compodcast

Play

Wiborg breaks record at TANU RD2!!!

TANU: Kinnekulle Ring – ROUND 2 | June 9th and 10th

Win and a track record at Kinnekulle

This weekend it was time for round 2 of the TANU series at Kinnekulle ring. The team came in to the round with one goal, to break the track record (currently held by a DTM car). The car was rolled of the trailer Saturday morning and with the new EPAS solution installed as well some replaced parts to fix the boost pressure issue that also haunted the team at round 1 it was now time to see the true potential of the Evo.

However during the Saturdays early practice heats the boost pressure issues from Knutstorp was still there and the boost pressure did not go above 1.1-1.2 bar (should be 2.0) leaving the car with 150-200hp less power. For the 5th and final heat the issue was finally found, however the joy was very short since running at full boost now caused the engine to misfire.
Returning for race day on Sunday we thought the problem with misfires was resolved after we found that the connection between the ignition coils and ignition cables was not perfect. However during the warm-up this was found not to be the case. To make matters worse the car now did not run on low boost either. So before Q1 more or less all cables and parts around the ignition system was replaced as well as the spark plugs and injectors. However the car still suffered badly from misfires as soon as the boost pressure increased. The team figured out it was bad sparks causing the misfire and with no real fix available a last shot was to decrease the spark plug gaps to improve the sparks slightly. Although not solving the issue it made it good enough to run low boost settings at 1.1-1.2 bar boost pressure.

Now being into Q2 we went out on the track and started to step up the pace, after only 2 laps on attack we got a technical flag due to sound levels being over the regulation 95dB and we had to abort Q2.

So for the final an extra silencer was fitted and we headed out again, although running on low boost the record was still within reach and on the first full attack lap a time of 49.768 was put down beating the old record with 0,15 sec and winning the round.

The team now has 3 weeks to solve the engine issues as well as implementing some other small improvements for round 3 on Mantorp Park. .

Also big thanks to everyone joining up and helping out during the weekend, without you we wouldn’t have made it this time.

Now it’s time to go brake some more records….

Frederik is running Konig Hypergrams in 18×9.5 et 25mm all around in Matte Grey. The Konig Hypergram is Flow Formed.

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Kelsey makes to TOP 8 at FDATL!!!

FORMULA DRIFT PRO 2 ATLANTA, GA – ROUND 1 | May 11th and 12th

“BREAKTHROUGH”

On Wednesday May 9, in the rolling hills of Braselton, Georgia, Kelsey’s 2018 PRO2 season of Formula Drift officially began by passing tech inspection for the new season. Held at Road Atlanta, the premiere drift venue in the country, the setting and weather were perfect for the next few days of competitive drifting and Round 1 for all the Pro2 drivers and teams. Team Drift Chick was ready to go and Kelsey was feeling good with the fixes made to the car’s steering working well.

After taking advantage of the awesome setting and scenery for some photo shoots with the new livery on the car, the crew got to work checking and making final adjustments to prepare the car for competition. Every fastener and wiring connection was checked to help make sure car reliability would not be a problem. With the Crew Chief declaring the car good to go, the team took the evening off, to rest up and be ready for Qualifying on Thursday.

Thursday kicked off with a short driver’s meeting. During this meeting, the Formula Drift judges explained the course layout as well as their expectations for the drivers. By the end of the session, the judges had clearly explained what was needed to attain a high score in the qualifying rounds.

Following the driver’s meeting, practice began. The drivers had a few hours to practice on the course while teams made needed adjustments to the cars in anticipation of qualifying runs. With the crew watching from their hot pit on the top of the hill, Kelsey put down a number of solid runs in practice with her spotter offering advice for improvement during each and every practice pass. With practice complete, it was on to qualifying. Each driver is given two passes to obtain their best qualifying score. In Kelsey first pass, she scored an 80. Pretty good overall, but the field included 30 talented drivers and Kelsey felt she could do better. On her second pass, she improved to a score of 84 which would be good enough to qualify ninth in the field of 16. Over all, the team was pleased with the first qualifying round of the season and looked forward to Tandem completion the following day.

On Friday, the crew again got to work and completed a thorough check of the car to make sure everything was ready for tandem competition later in the day. During this time, the car was also on display in the pits and Kelsey engaged with many fans stopping by to say hello.

Under the setting sun, a short tandem practice round began. After a few solid runs it was time for opening ceremonies. With a solid crowd of fans cheering them on, the drivers were introduced one by one. It was then game time.

In the round of 16, Kelsey was paired against the number 8 qualifier, Josh Robinson. Josh hails from Australia and is an awesome driver. In 2017, Kelsey competed head to head with Josh in the Orlando round, ultimately losing a close battel. Kelsey was determined to even the score. In the first pass, Josh led and Kelsey followed. Kelsey had a good follow run while Josh had some problems in the lead position. Going into Kelsey’s lead run, it appeared she had an advantage. In the second pass, Josh followed Kelsey. While Josh gave it his all, Kelsey put down a solid lead run. After a few moments to evaluate both passes, the judges awarded Kelsey the win. It was on to the Great 8!

In the Great 8 round, Kelsey was paired against Travis Reeder. Travis is a formidable driver and missed winning the 2017 season of Formula Drift Pro2 by just two points! But, Kelsey had been driving well, so an excellent battle was anticipated by all. Unfortunately for Kelsey, Travis’s car was a little quicker off the starting line and he created a gap ahead of Kelsey that gave him an advantage in his lead run. With Kelsey’s crew and spotter totally stressed, Kelsey calmly lined up for the second run. Kelsey took the lead position and put down her best lead run of the entire round. Unfortunately it was not quite enough and the win was awarded to her opponent.

Ultimately, Kelsey finished seventh in Round 1 of Formula Drift Pro2 competition, her best performance to date and a real “breakthrough”. Kelsey and the entire team were ecstatic and look forward to improving the performance of the car further in advance of Round 2. The next round will be held August 9 and 10 in St. Louis, Missouri when the team plans to build upon success.

www.driftchick.com
www.facebook.com/KelseyRowlings
https://www.instagram.com/kelseyrowlings/

Kelsey is running Konig Hypergrams in 17×9 et 25mm front and 18×9.5 et 25mm rear. The Konig Hypergram is Flow Formed.

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