Diesel News 8.27.18

Truck of the Week

Back On Track

Rudy’s Pro Mod

Almost like it never even happened…the Rudy’s Performance Parts’ Pro Mod Super Duty driven by Rawlings Barnes was back in action over the weekend at the Scheid Diesel Extravaganza. After hitting the wall mid-track at the Rocky Top Diesel Shootout back in July, the truck suffered considerable damage, but the North Carolina company was determined to get the truck back on the track as quickly as possible. This kind of turn-around time speaks to the level of dedication and professionalism of the Rudy’s race team, and it proves to the world just how serious the folks at Rudy’s are about the 2018 Outlaw Diesel Super Series’ Pro Mod points chase. During test hits made prior to rolling into Terre Haute, Indiana, Barnes would pilot the 6.4L-powered Ford to a 4.78 at 152 mph and a 4.79 at 150 mph.

Highlights

Fastest VW Racer

277 MPH

You might remember the Double Eagle diesel streamliner featured in the April, 2018 issue of Diesel World. In 2017, the V-10 Volkswagen powered ‘liner achieved an exit speed of 237 mph at Bonneville. This year, driver Davidson Adler would improve the vehicle’s exit speed by an incredible 40 mph. If the Adler Land Speed/Frank Klos, AG Autowerks, Kerma TDI team can add another 40 mph next year, they’ll be knocking on the door of the overall fastest diesel record. The streamliner is powered by a 147,000-mile 5.0L TDI V-10, pulled out of a running ’05 Touareg SUV.

Bad News at The Pump

Higher Diesel Prices Coming?

According to industry experts, the lower sulfur standards that loom for marine fuels in 2020 will have a trickle down effect at the diesel we buy at the local filling station. In a regulation agreed to by the International Maritime Organization, marine diesel will be required to contain a maximum sulfur content of 0.5 percent (vs. 3.5 percent at the present time) by January 1, 2020. Currently, ships operating in international waters are allowed to burn high sulfur diesel. However, once these vessels are required to use the lower sulfur fuel mentioned in the latter, supply and demand for ULSD will change, and likely result in increased prices at the pump.

Monday Night Diesel

Wagler Taking Over Prime Time

It’s been another year of growth for the folks at Wagler Competition Products. The week of August 21 was a particularly eventful one at Wagler, with the company earning two prime time TV plugs in hit Discovery Channel shows “Street Outlaws” and “Diesel Brothers.” First, Farmtruck and AZN’s Wagler-powered “Project X” was showcased on Street Outlaws. Then, the Wagler-powered Duramax BroDozer monster truck was featured on Diesel Brothers. Without question, Wagler is working overtime to get diesel out in front of the masses. Street Outlaws alone is one of the highest rated programs in all of cable television.

Events

The Big Show

Scheid Diesel Extravaganza 2018

Even with rain lurking in the greater western Indiana region for the majority of the weekend, the 22nd annual Scheid Diesel Extravaganza went off without a hitch. Drag racers completely filled the pits at Crossroads Dragway, Diesel Doctor’s portable dyno ran nearly nonstop, and some 200 vehicles stormed down the track with the sled in tow. Among the truck pulling classes were the crowd-favorite Super Stocks, Pro Stock trucks, and Limited Pro Stocks. In addition, the Pro Street Diesel Trucks (2.6-inch smooth bore) were run for the very first time. During the Friday night action in the dirt, Scheid’s own Kent Crowder drove the company’s triple-turbo Cummins-powered Super Stock Ram to a 321.91-foot, second place finish (with Jon Bair’s “Grin-N-Bair-It” getting the win).

Firepunk’s Winning Ways

Resume at Scheid’s

Day 2 of the Extravaganza meant the first day of action in the ODSS points chase. And (as has become the norm) the Firepunk Diesel team brought it’s a-game. Ryan Riddle would win E.T. Bracket, Kevin Frey would take 7.70 Index, and Landon Miller nabbed the W in 6.70 Index. In the Pro Mod category, the crew’s Save the Racks S10 put up a wild 4.80-second pass at 156 mph to claim the number 1 qualifier spot. The following day, the winning resumed, as Landon Miller would change trucks and proceed to dominate both the 7.70 and ET Bracket classes, Rick Fox won the 5.90 Index category, and Larson Miller capped things off with consistent 4.70’s and a win in Pro Mod. All told, team Firepunk left Terre Haute with seven (7) trophies on the weekend.

Big Sky Truck Fest

NHRDA

The National Hot Rod Diesel Association landed in Big Sky country over the weekend for the annual Big Sky Truck Fest in Action, Montana. Held at Yellowstone Dragstrip, the event would see Scott McKinstry wrap up the Super Diesel class title with his hard-charging Duramax. No stranger to the winner’s circle, McKinstry was also crowned National Champion in the Sportsman class in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In Pro Stock, Jarid Vollmer would take the top spot in the Duramax-powered ‘41 Willys known as the Batmobile. The Big Sky Truck Fest marked the eighth stop on the NHRDA’s 2018 race calendar. Next up? The World Finals in Ennis, Texas on October 12-13.