The K&N; Performance Gold oil filter is the best for racing because:1.- The 1" nut welded to the end makes removal quick and easy.2.- Drilled safety wire holes for racing.3.- Metal leaf spring provides a positive, leak-proof seal between element and lid.4.- Thicker walls and end plate gives over 550 psi bursting strength.5.- Resin-impregnated filter media provides maximum filtering surface for contaminant removal.6.- Steel inner core provides extra structural support to prevent filter collapse.7.- Bearing-Saver Anti-Drainback Valve eliminates "dry" starts.8.- Rolled threads provide protection against stripping.9.- Leak-proof double rolled seam.10.- Internally lubricated gasket allows easy installation and removal.11.- Unaffected by racing fuels, MTBE, and E-85.12.- Low pressure drop - flows 12-16 gallons per minute.NO OTHER automotive oil filter meets these specs -- BUT -- like all other things that seem too good to be true, the K&N; Performance Gold has 2 MAJOR drawbacks:1. The same 10-20 micron filtering ability that allows those super-high flow rates also means that the oil filter is only 90% (K&N;'s numbers)efficient.2. That 90% efficiency also means that the filter allows larger dirt particles to remain in the oil, and you're stretching your luck by running the K&N; oil filters for more than 3,000 miles. That super-duper synthetic juice isn't any good when it's full of dirt, so the advantages of long-life synthetic oils are lost on the K&N;'s high flow-rate capacity.Once again, we're looking at a trade-off --If you NEED the K&N;'s RACING advantages more than you NEED the 5,000-mile filter-change intervals, then the K&N; is PERFECT for you.If you NEED to use synthetic oils and go for the longer (5,000+) change intervals, I suggest a different brand of oil filter.The BOSCH Premium Oil Filter #3410 that crosses to the K&N; #HP2010 is also made in the USA. It doesn't have the hi-flow features of a K&N;, but the BOSCH "FILTECH" filtration media advertises a 98% efficiency, and can go for 5,000 miles with API "SN", ILSAC 5, "Dexos1" - approved full synthetic oil (5W30 Pennzoil Platinum). Remember that a high-efficiency filter will CLOG SOONER, so pushing your oil filter for more than 5,000 miles is neither prudent nor thrifty. Actually, stupid is what it is !! You CANNOT repair the damage done by a clogged oil filter by replacing the filter !!For EXTENDED oil-and-filter change intervals, Mobil 1 offers an "Extended Life" oil filter that's made just for "Extended Service" synthetic oils -- but is NOT available (due to size restrictions) for all vehicles. There IS a Mobil 1 Extended Life Oil Filter available that crosses with the K&N; #HP2010, the Bosch #3410, and the Motorcraft 820S. The Mobil Extended-Life Filter is #M-210Non-racing applications of today's modern gasoline engine specifications can best be met with the use of full synthetic oils that meet the latest API "SN", ILSAC 5, and Dexo1 specs. The API "SN" designation allows for use in ALL gasoline engines, including supercharged and turbocharged gasoline engines from ALL manufacturers.If you're wondering just which is the best oil for YOUR particular vehicle, go to the Mobil-1 website and look for the "Best Oil For My Car" tab. Answer a few questions about your engine, and they'll give you the correct VISCOSITY specifications according to their manufacturers' data-base.Use whatever BRAND of oil that you want -- it's the API-ILSAC Specifications and the PROPER VISCOSITY of the oil that matters most.The old myths of "thicker oil lubricates better" and "more detergent means less oil" are long gone -- the new synthetic formulations have made it easy for anyone to have the best lubrication available.Selecting the right lubes and filters for YOUR driving requirements is an important part of vehicle ownership.Good Luck !!