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AMSOIL 2017 Year in Review (Part 1)

Written by Charleen

AMSOIL 2017 Year in Review (Part 1)

Jamie Jarvi|

Here at AMSOIL, 2017 delivered a whirlwind of activity from start to finish. From new and reformulated products that further solidified our status as the leader in synthetic lubricant technology, to the loss of our beloved founder Al Amatuzio, it’s been a year of highs and lows unlike any other in our history.

Let’s take a look back at where we’ve been as we enter into 2018 with big things on the horizon. Special thanks to my fellow blogger Lindsay Premo for helping track down all this information.

January:

We launched reformulated Heavy-Duty Metal Protector, protecting scores of vehicles and equipment from the effects of rust and corrosion.

February:

We revamped our diesel line of synthetic motor oils to exceed new API CK-4 requirements. Signature Series Max-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil represents the top tier of AMSOIL protection, while AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Synthetic Diesel Oil provides diesel owners with an upgrade over other synthetic and conventional oils.

We took a little trip out west to Hammertown for the King of the Hammers. Team AMSOIL racers Brad and Roger Lovell once again dominated the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge, taking first place for the second year in a row.

March:

AMSOIL 20W-50 Zero-Turn Synthetic Hydrostatic Transmission Fluid and AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Small-Engine Oil are introduced, rounding out the commercial-grade product line.

March saw the multi-year reign of Tucker Hibbert fall as Kody Kamm sailed to an overall season victory in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series. With the new rule change for the 2017-18 season that bans engine modifications, will Kamm be able to repeat? We’re getting close to finding out.

April:

AMSOIL Founder and Chairman of the Board Albert J. Amatuzio passed peacefully in Duluth, Minn., surrounded by family. The industry mourned the loss of a true visionary who launched an entire synthetic oil revolution that forever changed the automotive world. He changed the lives of countless people. Read some of their stories here.

The 2017 Spring Carlisle event took place, bringing out the masses for one of the largest car shows and swap meets in the nation. AMSOIL is the Official Oil of the Carlisle Events series, which holds several events throughout the year focused on specific auto enthusiast groups.

We launched new and reformulated brake products to better meet the needs of modern brake-system maintenance and operation. New AMSOIL DOT 3&4 Synthetic Brake Fluid, AMSOIL Dominator DOT 4 Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid and AMSOIL Brake & Parts Cleaner join the product family.

The second-annual Ultimate Callout Challenge brought out the big guns in the diesel performance industry, drawing together top diesel builders in Indianapolis for a dyno shoot-out, sled-pull and drag race. Heavyweight Lavon Miller took the title in 2017 and is likely the one to watch in 2018. You may remember him from his days of holding court in the Diesel Power Challenge.

May:

AMSOIL 15W-60 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil hit the market, giving Victory and Indian Scout owners a premium alternative to higher priced manufacturer-branded oils. This long-sought-after product hit the masses just in time for Laconia Bike Week, proudly presented by AMSOIL.

Cruisin’ Ocean City took over the Ocean City, Md., boardwalk over Memorial Day weekend with more than 3,500 registered vehicles and scores of spectators. As the Official Oil of this event, we had the honor of awarding a six-foot trophy to the 2017 Best of Show winner. Check out the full story and pics here.

June:

AMSOIL hosts the AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation event at the AMSOIL Center in Superior, Wis. Community members gathered on the AMSOIL grounds for a live demonstration and up-close look at the law enforcement vehicles and equipment that keep us safe. Founded in 2013 by Al Amatuzio due to his love for our canine friends, the Northland K-9 Foundation was established to create a fund for local law enforcement to build and expand highly skilled K-9 units. Learn more about this worthy cause here.

In June we saw the new and improved TORC: The Off-Road Championship kick off in the Midwest with a total revamp of the series. The growth of the Pro 2wd class, new racers in Pro 4×4 and the continuation of the UTV class made for a more exciting race season. 2018 is sure to be even better.

The 2017 Diesel Power Challenge commences, bringing together the nation’s top diesel builders for a head-to-head competition involving dyno testing, drag runs, a fuel economy challenge and more. 2016 champ Charlie Keeter defended his title, earning himself another giant trophy for his collection and a check for $1,500 along with a $500 shopping spree from AMSOIL.

Whew. These are only a few highlights in the first half of the year, and there’s plenty more we can cover. We will do just that in Part II of the AMSOIL Year in Review coming up next, so stay tuned.

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AMSOIL K-9 Foundation Supports Law Enforcement

Written by Charleen

AMSOIL K-9 Foundation – Al Amatuzio’s Legacy

Carli Amatuzio|

AMSOIL is involved in races and events all over the country, but one event we especially love is “Operation K-9,” which supports the AMSOIL Northland Law-Enforcement K-9 Foundation.

AMSOIL founder and lifelong dog lover Al Amatuzio started the foundation when he saw a need for consistent funding to support K-9 programs at law-enforcement agencies in and around Superior, Wis., and Duluth, Minn. Although Amatuzio had for years purchased dogs and supported K-9 programs on his own, he wanted a permanent solution. The foundation currently supports five local agencies with 12 dogs. Two more dogs will be added this year.

The foundation holds “Operation K-9” each year to help with community outreach and fund-raising. Handlers and their dogs put on a show to demonstrate the dogs’ capabilities, while providing a chance for residents to interact with the dogs up-close.

This year’s event took place the second week of June. Take a look at the images.

Dog training in Duluth

Helps police agencies pay for K-9s

K-9 officers are no ordinary animals. They’re bred specifically for their intensity and ability to perform difficult tasks while being easy to train.

As you can imagine, K-9s aren’t cheap; one dog can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 – not including training or daily care – and can originate from Hungary, the Czech Republic or Canada. Most law-enforcement agencies can’t support K-9 programs by themselves.

The AMSOIL Northland Law-Enforcement K-9 Foundation contributes up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a dog. The foundation’s goal is to one day cover the full purchase cost. Without support, the costs of K-9 programs would come right out of a police force’s ever-tightening budget. Without help, most agencies couldn’t afford to put K-9s on the street.

Critical to law enforcement

A K-9 can identify a person, explosive device, narcotic or other target 4-6 times faster than its handler due to a sense of smell 10,000 times stronger than a human’s.

Most K-9s specialize in detecting narcotics or explosives. A narcotics K-9 is often used in traffic stops. If an officer sees paraphernalia or suspicious activity in the vehicle, he or she will sweep the vehicle with the dog. Officers could never conduct as thorough an investigation on their own.

K-9s are also used to keep the community safe in ways some people might not even know. For example, K-9s can sweep the premises for explosives prior to a college graduation or similar event.

Paired with handlers from day one

Typically, when an agency wishes to purchase a dog, a handler is first chosen. Upon delivery, the K-9 is placed immediately with its handler to begin training. Dogs are taught all the skills needed for duty, such as tracking, obedience and agility. When dogs are working in the field and get the command to go, it’s like a game – they think it’s time to play and they focus on the tasks at hand. But, when they return home with their handler, they integrate into the family like a pet.

AMSOIL is proud to partner with others in our community to support and fund the AMSOIL Northland Law-Enforcement K-9 Foundation. Our support also includes the Annual 5K Run for the Dogs each fall in Duluth, Minn.

If you would like to support K-9 programs throughout the country, visit https://www.uspcak9.com or look for local events and programs in your area.

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