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AEM's Matt Field Inks His First Formula Drift 2nd Place Podium at Texas Motor Speedway

Matt Field uses an AEM Engine Management Systems (EMS) and a Dryflow Universal air filter in his Nissan Silvia S13 with the LS-engine 240 - Photo by Mike Griffith
Matt Field uses an AEM Engine Management Systems (EMS) and a Dryflow Universal air filter in his Nissan Silvia S13 with the LS-engine 240 - Photo by Mike Griffith
"Fools" the proverb proclaims, "are destroyed by their own complacency." The same can then be said for the competitive spirit - self-satisfaction dulls it into nonexistence. Every increment of winning delivers the much needed fix competitors require to remain intrinsically motivated, yet enjoy it too much, and you've lost your edge. It's the great paradox of winning. The more a winning outcome is important to you, then the further winning must be from your consciousness and focus of concentration when it's competition time. It also means that every time you meet a goal, there's very little time to savor it before resetting to the next one.

Case in point, Matt Field, the Formula Drift racer who's literally driven to succeed told us only a couple months ago, "This year (2013) has been a huge improvement for the team and me. We went from worrying about qualifying each round, to worrying about making it into top-16." At Texas Motor Speedway during round 6 of Formula Drift series, Field took another gigantic leap forward as he managed to knock the first podium monkey of his back, and then he immediately readjusted his sights like the demanding professional that he is.

"It felt like second place," said Field about his first Formula Drift podium finish, "not quite good enough, but not too bad either. I am very excited to get the team's first podium out of the way, but we won't stop with a second. It is awesome to know that the car is capable, that the team is capable, and I am as well. We still have a long way to go, but it feels good knowing we can do it."
After getting his first podium finish in Texas Field remarked &qote;we won't stop with a second. &qote; - Photo by Mike Griffith
After getting his first podium finish in Texas Field remarked &qote;we won't stop with a second." - Photo by Mike Griffith


"In the top-32 Will Parsons in his Corolla spun in front of me in the last corner and we smashed into him, and we advanced," reflects Field on his round 6 highlights. "Then we went against Forrest Wang in his 2j powered s14, and we were able to apply pressure and advance into the great 8.There we faced Robbie Nashida, and this time we would get our redemption for Seattle, and not only smash into him, but also beat him. He had a slow up going into the first corner and this caused me to put my front bumper into his quarter- panel."

"After that we battled Patrick Mordaunt in the top-4. He was doing well all weekend, but our car was working so well that we were able to stretch on him during our lead run, and apply pressure for the entire follow run. We won that and moved into the finals!"

In the final it was Field versus Formula Drift veteran Mike Essa for all the enchiladas. "We followed first, and a small mistake at the touch and go section of the track screwed me up. I came up short on my transfer and made a mistake. That was the nail in the coffin for us. I had a fantastic lead run, but it wasn't enough." Filling the third tier of the podium was AEM's Chris Forsberg.
Field and his Reckless Drift Krew finished the 2013 FD season in 7th place overall - Photo by Mike Griffith
Field and his Reckless Drift Krew finished the 2013 Formula Drift season in 7th place overall - Photo by Mike Griffith


Field and his Reckless Drift Krew clearly found another gear in the later rounds that had competitors taking note. "We put nitrous on the car before Seattle," he explains. "What a difference. We are only using the NOS to fill the gap in the rpm band. So we spray the nitrous low, and shut it off once the big nasty Vortech supercharger comes into optimal boost. We also made some large suspension changes right before Seattle, and paired together, the combination really has seemed to work well."

"The confidence is there, but I don't want to get too ahead of myself," commented Field regarding the final round 7 contest. "Coming off a win at an invitational event in Colorado, and then the 2nd place in Formula Drift Texas, we are feeling good, but it's not a first place. That is what I am hoping for at Irwindale Speedway. Obviously it will be a huge task, but that is what we are shooting for!"

After finishing the Formula Drift season in 33rd, then in 19th in the past, Matt Field's 7th place finish overall this year represents yet another impressive surge towards the top. Yet it would be reasonable to believe he's already way over his solid top-10 finish, and that he's eyeing a spot in the top-five next season. Smart money wouldn't bet against it.

Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com.
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AEM Articles about Formula Drift

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  • Chris Forsberg Collects Third Podium Finish in a Row at Formula Drift Round 6: Showdown
  • OG Jeff Jones Steps Up his Formula Drift Series Potential with AEM Performance
  • Matt Field and His Reckless Drift Krew Leave Their Mark on 2013 Formula Drift
  • AEM’s Chris Forsberg Finishes 3rd in Round One of 2013 Formula Drift Championship
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Super Pro David Waterworth Resets for 2014 After Leading Most of the 2013 BDC Season

David Waterworth says he learned a right deal about his car and about drifting in the big leagues these last two years
David Waterworth says he learned a right deal about his car and about drifting in the big leagues these last two years
The cruelest mistress to smash to smithereens a heart is racing, and when her wickedly fickle finger of fate points your way, things too often end with a whimper instead of a bang. As the 2013 British Drift Championship drew to a close at the infamously thorny Knockhill Racing Circuit, the stakes increased, as several drivers were still in contention to take the Super Pro crown. Among those was David Waterworth.

Going into the 2013 drift season Waterworth was seen by many as the dark horse, quietly going about his business of collecting championship points and battling onto the podium, earning his first Super Pro class podium in round 1 at Lydden Hill. Everything about the AEM sponsored driver sparked fan interest and excitement. Especially his exclusive Nissan S15 sporting a Dodge Viper V10 engine under the hood that Waterworth found online surfing the internet one night. Believed to be the first engine swap of its kind, Waterworth discovered its reliability and power response to be hugely beneficial, often giving him the edge over his opponents. Waterworth in fact remained so entirely consistent through the first four rounds, that he never surrendered his points lead heading into the final round at Knockhill.
AEM's David Waterworth and his Nissan S15 with the Viper V10 engine held onto the points lead up until the final round
AEM's David Waterworth and his Nissan S15 with the Viper V10 engine held onto the points lead up until the final round


The competition in the Knockhill paddock was amplified with the addition of several new drivers from across the United Kingdom and Ireland. And the event was slated to be like none before, as several changes were thrown into the mix to shake things up. For the first time in years, the lines and clipping points were altered. A lot of drivers found it tricky to adapt their focus to the changes, which became immediately evident on track.

"This final round was at our home track and we took the qualifying a little too lightly," Waterworth admitted. "The rules of the qualification stated that under no circumstances was a wheel to be put off track, as this would be deemed a zero scored run. So with that in mind I set off and completed three absolute consistent runs, hitting all the clips with the right line and angle, but with the list of current championship drivers, and many invited drivers with many more years' experience, I missed qualifying by two points. I feel it was because my speed was down slightly for this round, and unfortunately that was it for us."

Ultimately the 2013 British Drift Championship season proved to be another crucial rung in the experience ladder for Waterworth. "This year we learned that the engine and chassis are perfect," he says. "With two seasons running the car now, we spent the first tuning the mechanical side, this season we focused on tires that are right for me and the car. So next year we will be focusing on driving, and on having the confidence that our car and team are at the top of the game, and hopefully the series."

Asked what changes, if any, he might make to his car for the 2014 season, Waterworth says. "Probably strengthening the chassis and bringing the car up to a more professional standard to hopefully attract more sponsorship, as these are so important to us in achieving what we love doing and being part of the British Drifting Championship."

"Our racing has finished with the drift car until next year now," adds Waterworth. "So we will spend our time working on this car, and hopefully there's a possibility of adding another car. So long as we can draw interest in it with sponsors help of course. It's a break away from drifting, but speed is important, and again consistency is important too, but breaking traction isn't, there are still skills to be learned, and I guess that's what life's about."

Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com.
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AEM Articles about British Drift Championship Racing

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Austria's Dragan Deljic and His Honda Civic Type R Mod-Up with AEM Performance

Dragan Deljic says he fell in love with the gauges and all things AEM when he was a kid looking at AEM project cars on the internet.
Dragan Deljic says he fell in love with the gauges and all things AEM when he was a kid looking at AEM project cars on the internet.
Souped up hot rods and lazy Southern California nights back in the 1950s and 60s - it's that unmistakable image, and time period, that placed after-market car modification on the global radar. Today, as it was then, choosing the proper ride for personal expression is still key. Modifying a Rolls-Royce for example would just be weird, while modding a Honda Civic would place you in a huge worldwide alliance. Austria's Dragan Deljic is an active member of that fraternity, and he takes things a step further by starting his mod with a Civic Type R, the highest performance version of the Honda Civic, featuring a lightened and stiffened body, specially tuned engine and upgraded brakes and chassis.
Dragan Deljic vehicle of choice is a 2004 Honda Civic Type R.
Dragan Deljic vehicle of choice is a 2004 Honda Civic Type R.


"I live in a little place called Spittal an der Drau and I work as an architect," said Deljic. His home town is located on the southern slopes of the Gurktal Alps, in the western part of the Austrian federal state of Carinthia, and it's Austria's second largest district by area.

"I show my car at tuning-events (car shows), like the Japanese car meeting in Slovenia in the city of Ljubljana, and at the tuning meeting in Austria at the city Bregenz (the capital of Vorarlberg). I'm also racing in Germany to train my skills at the Nürburgring, and in Austria at the racetrack Salzburgring.
Dragan Deljic’s modifications include an AEM Dual Chamber air intake.
Dragan Deljic’s modifications include an AEM Dual Chamber air intake.


Deljic bought his black Civic Type R in2004 and his modifications include an AEM Dual Chamber air intake and AEM gauges with DC Sports Headers, 200cpi Katalysator (catalyst) with an Apexi n1 Catback (exhaust), Skunk2 throttle body, Skunk2 intake manifold and K24 injectors.
When he’s not showing his Civic Type R, Dragan Deljic can be found at the Salzburgring race track putting his mods through the paces.
When he’s not showing his Civic Type R, Dragan Deljic can be found at the Salzburgring race track putting his mods through the paces.


"I choose AEM because ever since I was a little kid I've been an AEM fan. I saw cars and projects on the internet with AEM products and in magazines and I just loved the brand AEM. Now I'm 23 and my next project is a Honda s2000 and I will only use AEM products for it too," explains Dragan.

Deljic's next car show is Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, on August 31. "Then on 7 September I'm at Nürburgring with my German friends, for a little training and racing," he adds. "And then on 14 September I am at the racetrack Salzburgring in Austria. I only hope the weather will be fine. That's all for this year, next year in May (2014) I will be in Serbia for a Civic tuning meeting in the city of Novi Sad.

Visit the Honda Civic Cold Air Intake's to see a full list of AEM air intake systems equipped for Honda Civic models. Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com.
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AEM Articles about Honda Civic

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  • 2012 and 2013 Honda Civic Si and 2013 Acura ILX 2.4L Gain Estimated 8 Horsepower with AEM Air Intake
  • 2012 & 2013 Honda Civic Si & 2012 Acura ILX Models Get Performance with AEM's Cold Air Intake
  • 2012 Honda Civic 1.8L Models Gain Horsepower and Acceleration with AEM Cold Air Intake System
  • AEM Cold Air Intake System Increases Horsepower of 2006 to 2011 Honda Civic Si
  • 2006-2011 Honda Civic 1.8L Get 4 Horsepower with AEM's 21-686C & 21-686P Cold Air Intakes
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Bryan Kehl and His AEM Equipped Hyundai Veloster Turbo Complete the Targa Trophy Experience

With its standout appearance Bryan Kehl reasoned his Hyundai Veloster Turbo would be ideal to promote his company.
With its standout appearance Bryan Kehl reasoned his Hyundai Veloster Turbo would be ideal to promote his company.
In the classic 1981 hit comedy "The Cannonball Run," a movie about a cross country race, Burt Reynolds declares "I don't believe in insurance - there's no risk in it." San Fernando Valley, California resident Bryan Kehl has an entirely different take on that philosophy, as he owns Kehl Insurance Services LLC. Kehl recently completed a Targa Trophy Experience event, which is a car club that bills itself as an "Automotive Lifestyle Culture." The event started at the Red Bull headquarters in Santa Monica, traversed along only back roads, and ended in Las Vegas five hours later.
What impressed Kehl most was how straightforward the AEM installation procedure was and how sweet his engine purred.
What impressed Kehl most was how straightforward the AEM installation procedure was and how sweet his engine purred.


Having recently completed the modifications on his new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, Kehl and his navigator, Jesse Granat made the Targa Trophy run to promote his company and his newly formed relationship with AEM, and in the process they had a ridiculously good time. We talked with Kehl to get the low-down.

This may well be the first cross-promotion between an insurance company and aftermarket manufacturer; can you give us some insights into how it came about and what the thinking was behind it?
"I had started modding my Hyundai Veloster Turbo almost immediately after purchasing it, and with each performance, sound and aesthetic improvement, it soon became an obsession! As part of these upgrades I had always wanted an intake, but read in online Forums that the intakes for the Veloster were insanely loud. After much research, I was sold on the AEM, for its combination of performance, strong loyal following among car enthusiasts, proper fitment, and the fact it wasn't annoyingly loud like some aftermarket intakes (cough, cough, Injen). So, just before placing an order for the AEM Cold Air Intake, my good friend and employee Jesse thought it would be wise to ask AEM for a sponsorship for the upcoming Targa Trophy event. Since I was interested in advertising for my young Insurance Agency, we thought it could be an interesting cross-promotion to pair up with AEM…and the rest is history!"
The famous Wet Republic pool with a performance from Deadmaus made for a perfect post event chill session.
The famous Wet Republic pool with a performance from Deadmaus made for a perfect post event chill session.


Give us your angle on the Targa Trophy Event and is this the first time for you and Jesse Granat at the event?
"Well, Targa Trophy is a high-speed scavenger hunt of sorts. It's basically a contest that factors a combination of speed, accuracy in performing assigned tasks along the route, and of course fun. I had never participated in Targa Trophy, but Jesse had made the last run in San Diego a few months prior, and he said it was the most fun he had in years. I was interested in Targa Trophy as it is geared toward high-end exotic cars, with an interesting mix of JDM, classic, and one-off vehicles as well. Who doesn't want to drive among that crowd? I purchased my Veloster Turbo early in 2013 as an advertising car for my Insurance Agency. With its quirky, yet sporty looks, it gets attention. It is the perfect car to vinyl wrap and to advertise with."
Kehl says that he immediately felt the AEM Cold Air Intake performance increase when driving.
Kehl says that he immediately felt the AEM Cold Air Intake performance increase when driving.


Your evening at the Targa Trophy after-party, with VIP entry to Hakasan Nightclub, sounds like crazy good times, care to share any of that experience?
"The VIP to Hakkasan was pretty amazing. There was a line a mile long to get in, and a steep cover charge as usual. As part of the Targa Trophy event though, we got right in free of charge, and we were ushered into a large private lounge where we had drinks, shared stories of the fun and crazy day, and announced awards for the winning times. I heard from more than a dozen people that there were car crashes, many CHP tickets issued, and a major dust storm that hindered the route. The back roads and highways we took from Baker to Vegas were the most talked about, from hairline turns, Cliffside drop-offs, and wide open roads (where a Nissan GTR hit a top speed of 185 mph). Time flew by that night, but great music, too many drinks and great company made for a perfect end to a perfect day. Needless to say, the next day poolside at the famous Wet Republic pool (with VIP entrance as well) where Deadmaus performed live, offered the best respite from the prior manic race."

So how do you like your Hyundai Veloster Turbo with the AEM cold air intake?
"The Veloster Turbo is a fun zippy car to begin with, but with the AEM Cold Air Intake, it sounds how it should - a bit meaner, but not overly loud like some intakes on the market. I could feel a nice gain on the 'butt-dyno' as well. I am so happy with the fit and finish of the piece as well; it really complements the engine compartment nicely, and it's super easy to clean. I was most impressed with the ease of installation, and the fact that I did not need to tweak anything or add spacers, etc, to make it fit. AEM produces great sound, performance, and aesthetics!"

Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com.
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AEM Articles about Hyundai Veloster

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AEM Gears Up for the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada

The AEM booth at SEMA 2012
The AEM booth at SEMA 2012
With the leaves beginning to fall, and a cold chill running through the air, it is easy to tell that autumn is upon us. What better way to crank up the heat than by attending the annual SEMA 2013 Show in Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada? On November 5th through the 8th, thousands of the hottest custom vehicles and thousands of automotive exhibitors and manufacturers will be gathered in one place and that place is Las Vegas.

AEM Induction Systems, a leading automotive air intake system and air filter manufacturer, will be making a splash by showcasing their newest and most exciting performance products for some of the most popular vehicles on the road. By displaying a large collection of Dryflow® air filters, cold air intake systems, custom exhaust systems, intercoolers and performance strut bars, AEM has brought some of the best engineered aftermarket products to the Las Vegas Convention Center’s showroom floor.
AEM's product groups that can be found at SEMA, AEM's ETi Air Intake System, Strut Tower Bar, Dryflow Air Filters, Exhaust systems and Intercoolersp
AEM's product groups that can be found at SEMA, AEM's ETi Air Intake System, Strut Tower Bar, Dryflow Air Filters, Exhaust systems and Intercoolers


When speaking with AEM brand manager George Hsieh, he reported that AEM is very excited to participate in this year’s show and described how AEM is passionate about being connected to the aftermarket enthusiast. According to Hsieh, “AEM is dedicated to being involved with the automotive enthusiast community and staying engaged with today’s performance aftermarket.” This has become apparent as a constant stream of new products and tricked out vehicles from nearly every part of the country is making AEM’s social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter, some of the hottest on the net.

For over 50 years SEMA, (Specialty Equipment Market Association) has put on what has been described as “the greatest automotive show on earth.” Whether you are into, custom vehicles or new products exciting enough to make a gear head run in circles, the 2013 SEMA Show on November 5th through November 8th is the place to be. Do yourself a favor; leave the pumpkin latte and the wool scarf at home. Set your course for Las Vegas and make sure to come see AEM at booth 22661.

Use the AEM Product Search to find AEM performance products for your vehicle. To find an AEM dealer near you, use Search for AEM Dealer or simply visit AEMintakes.com.
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AEM Articles about SEMA

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  • Joey Seely's Bright Red Highly Modified Porsche 911 Carrera was Built for SEMA 2012
  • Big Red GMC Sierra 3500 HD Crew Cab Dually 4x4 with Removable Service Body at SEMA
  • Hydroholics LLC. Rolls Into SEMA 2012 With a Red Hot 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  • AEM Induction Attends 2012 SEMA Show with Well Received New Products Showcase
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