Lifetime Air Filter Mfr. Awards Thousand Oaks, CA Couple with Trip of a Lifetime

“It was one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve had in my lifetime,” said Dirk Levens. The 51-year-old Thousand Oaks, California resident was one of 5 winners in the K&N Engineering contest, 2006 Indy or Bust. “My wife, Joy and I had special access to amazing places. It was our first time at the Indy 500 and we explored!”

 
K&N Contest Winner Dirk Levens
K&N Contest Winner Dirk Levens
The couple won a 4-day, 3-night trip, roundtrip coach air transportation, hotel accommodations, garage access and grandstand seating at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, courtesy of K&N Engineering.

Part of the prize package was on Carb Day. “Joy and I were able to go under the tunnel and into the infield. I heard the sound of power, it wasn’t anything like I’d ever heard before,” he said. “My skin started to tingle in a cool way. I’d never been that close to that kind of sound.”

Levens said he also really enjoyed the history of Gasoline Alley. “We shopped so much and walked miles,” he said. “The other really cool astounding event was going for a ride in an Indy Lap Car. It was a Chevy Monte Carlo SS, and the professional driver got us up to speeds of 120 mph. It is an awesome track, and that is something I will never forget.”

The weather at the Indy 500 was around 87 degrees with 90 percent humidity. Levens and his wife had seats in the shade. “It was perfect, because we were comfortable despite the heat,” he said.

“My wife and I were in the grandstand on the front stretch about a thousand yards north of the start and finish,” said Levens. “The crash on Sunday happened right in front of us. We saw the debris fly in the stands directly across from us.”

Just after Tomas Scheckter crashed coming off turn four and slid into the padded end of the wall separating the track from the pits, Jacques Lazier drove over a piece of  Scheckter’s rear wing, sending it airborne over the grandstand fence and near the back of the stands. Five fans were injured, from the debris, none seriously.

The track’s safety crew was immediately on the scene. “Earlier, we were able to go on a safety tour with the guys who work the track,” said Levens. “They explained how they respond to accidents. We saw first hand how efficient they are. It was a trip to watch them at work.”

K&N Contest Winner Dirk Levens Waiting for a Hot Lap
K&N Contest Winner Dirk Levens Waiting for a Hot Lap
There was an invocation before the race. “It sticks out in my mind,” said Levens. “The pastor said, Lord, protect all the drivers, the pit crew and everyone involved with the race. It touched my heart.”

The K&N contest started on May 12, 2005 and ended December 31, 2005. Owners of managers of an Authorized K&N Service Center, (installer of K&N product) sent in photos of a sign attached to their repair facility that read, “K&N Installed Here.” Photos, along with a completed entry form were entered in a drawing. Levens, of American Muffler, Brake and Radiator, told K&N he never won anything before in his life.

K&N selected the winners in a random drawing at the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, California. “Did I say it was the trip of a lifetime,” said Levens.

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