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KCHiLiTES
04-02-2008, 08:40 PM
Hi All,

I wanted to make a quick introduction, I'm Michael DeHaas the owner of KC HiLiTES, Inc. My family started KC HiLiTES in 1970 and I bought the company 4 years ago after having worked in the family business since 1984. After buying KC, it was my goal to take KC back to its roots of off road racing which I hope you all have noticed over the last several years. You'll find me at many of the SCORE races (thanks to all the Moss Crew for helping me at the Baja 1000 passing out stickers), BITD races and SNORE races. We've been the title sponsor of the SNORE KC HiLiTES Midnight Special for 30 years and I hope you all will make an attempt to join us this year for the 31st annual Midnight Special, I hope to race the FJ at this race so come on out. :D

Through my involvement with off road racing, I've ridden with many drivers at night in order to get a true idea of what their lighting needs are. This has led to the development of our new KC-POD which is a Carbon Fiber 70w HID light built specifically for desert racing, it is truly a purpose built light and the optics are incredible. We are working on a cheaper version as carbon fiber is stupid expensive, and the new version should be out in the fall.

I took the KC FJ out for its firts race since the Baja 1000, although I was the driver of Record, I only drove the vehicle (first time ever driving) on Lap 2. So when you look at lap times, you'll see I had the slowest lap. I rode off the line with Randy Ellis, drove the 2nd lap, Dylan Evans drove the 3rd lap, and Randy Ellis drove the last lap. We couldn't have done it all without the help of Randy Merrit of Mongo Racing who races the KC HiLiTES Ford F-150. Randy Merrit coordinated this whole thing for us so we could take the FJ racing at the Mint. We all had a great time at the Mint and I look forward to seeing you all at future races.

I will be at the Terrible's 250 but NOT racing as we did some damage to the FJ trying to catch Moss (like that was going to happen!) so we have quite a bit of repairs to get done. I will likely be riding with Randy Merrit in the 8100 Ford F-150.

If you see any of the KC vehicles at any race, please come up and say "hi" as I will likely be one of the guys working.:cool:

chupakabras
04-02-2008, 09:50 PM
nice,. and, any plans on doing any of the baja's, the 1k maybe?

straightaxle
04-02-2008, 10:48 PM
I only drove the vehicle (first time ever driving) on Lap 2. So when you look at lap times, you'll see I had the slowest lap.

It wasn't slower by much! The times were so consistent that I figured there hadn't been a driver change. Congrats on putting together a well organized operation. We are certainly stoked to be involved with KC and look forward to getting some of the PODS on the Bronco.

Broncodawg
04-03-2008, 08:28 AM
Sounds a lot like the for sale sign might be coming off the FJ.:rolleyes:;)
Congrats on a well run race, even with a sesoned vet helping coordinate.
If the Mosses had as much as a flat, it might have been your race.

fj40
04-03-2008, 10:27 AM
Thanks for keeping that great looking rig racing, welcome again.
Now, how about some free samples, hehehe.

toddz69
04-03-2008, 11:00 AM
Welcome aboard, Michael. It's great to see KC getting back into the racing support. Your company has a rich history in off road racing. I've been through Williams many times (I grew up in Prescott) but I've never been able to find your company. Maybe one of these days.... I hear lots of stories about you from my buddy, "Uncle Bob" Lewis.

Todd Z.

KCHiLiTES
04-03-2008, 12:33 PM
Todd, our factory in Williams is out by the Golf Course....stop by anytime. We have another facility in Prescott Valley which is where I live. Tell "Uncle Bob" I said Hi!

toddz69
04-03-2008, 03:13 PM
Todd, our factory in Williams is out by the Golf Course....stop by anytime. We have another facility in Prescott Valley which is where I live. Tell "Uncle Bob" I said Hi!

Thanks Michael. I still come up to Prescott quite a bit - my parents still live there and so does my girlfriend - so I might stop in PV sometime.

Todd Z.

Nick's Trix
04-07-2008, 08:05 PM
welcome aboard. great to see a off road staple come back in force.