What makes DIESEL a bad word for some folks?

After listening to the President and his new direction for trucking fuel regulations it is quite clear his people do not understand how important diesel technology is for trucking. NO OTHER engine is qualified to properly pull trailers for delivery of products to stores and manufacturers.

It's the torque associated with the drivetrain and the engine longevity that makes it so attractive to those supplying many of us with product. By regulating something you don't understand or have a replacement solution is only going to hurt all products and services across the nation.

The black smoke associated with diesel has been cleaned up for the street trucks, DIESEL Motorsports has a no smoke street policy to comply with environment friendly groups. That is why DIESEL Motorsports put on events where competitive trucks can legally compete with performance diesels.

It's the old diesels from the 80s where it even smelled to be behind one that tarnished the image, those are all gone replaced with efficient diesel systems. It's up to our groups and clubs to promote diesel in a positive way.

Only the 1% of the diesel enthusiasts are portrayed as coal rollers, smoke blowing on sidewalk pedestrians and stoplight smokers to the media. I shook my head when Diesel Dan smoked a friend in the toilet on the past Jay Leno Tonight Show, funny, yes but not an image of what diesel performance is all about!

All of our classes are trailered trucks except for one class (small number) in racing and pulling, the remaining 10 classes are trailered competitive vehicles. No different than NHRA/IHRA, NASCAR or others who offer automotive sports.

Europe has actually embraced diesel as the fuel of choice for all vehicles for over 50 years. It should be the choice in the states with the open spaces between cities. The rural areas where most of our food is produced would be hurt tremendously if they could not use diesel to implement and supply the country with food. We will see prices sky rocket for everything we consume Nationwide, if they were denied the use of diesel.

Think about it . . .  diesel is our friend! What can you do to make our image better?

Where did DIESEL Motorsports start??? North? South? West? East?

Actually it started right in the heart of the United States - Indiana! The diesel sport surrounds this state with Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois as being the beginning of the diesel movement. 1st diesel event EVER was held in 2001 in Muncie Indiana named Thunder in Muncie started by a TDR group, Dave's Diesel, Eric McBride and Gene Mohney!

It started small and grew from there throughout the Midwest! Yes, the two coastlines and the south cannot lay claim to diesel as a sport. It happened right in the Midwest and is still the strongest in Indiana and Ohio. It's only natural since the farm belt is there along with one of the longest running motor sports - the Indy 500! 

DIESEL Motorsports still holds the original Thunder in Muncie every year as a two day event the third weekend in June (20/21st) in the original locations. 

Yes, there are a lot of diesel trucks all over the country and some fast ones in many different locations but the hot bed of diesels is in the Midwest. People ask me on the West Coast how come in the Midwest?

The factories for the truck's engine are in these two states, diesels are used for farming which is abundant in the two states and automotive production is huge in the two states. All the major trucking companies access through these two states along with many manufacturing plants.

The coastline trade people are amazed when I tell them there is a sled pull from June to September every night of the week in each state across the Midwest! On the weekends there are multiple pulls in each state you can attend and compete. It's a combination of tractors, gas and diesel but the sport is there to stay for many generations.

So when I hear different people lay claim to making diesel big I know where it was made big - I have seen it and talked to the pioneers which we honor every year at Thunder in Muncie in the DIESEL Motorsports "Hall of Fame"!

What's wrong with diesel drag racing???

Absolutely NOTHING! It is growing slowly considering the economy as many motorsports are struggling right now. When the economy was gangbusters the cash flow was good and when someone busted they were back on the track the next weekend, not so fast now-a-days!

It's just part of the business when money is tight it is tough for individuals to afford their favorite sport. I will say the diesel competitor has more than the other markets because they are workers, they use their trucks to make cash. A diesel enthusiasts makes good money because it costs more to buy diesel trucks even used ones.

I do see some of the older competitors selling their trucks and letting new young guys continue but that is just part of racing, happens in all drag racing. They still come and watch because diesel motorsports is a lifestyle.

Drag racing has always been a tough sport to get people in the stands but many hang out in the pit areas looking at other's trucks or they are backed up to the fence with their truck, coolers, and pop-up!

DIESEL Motorsports has seen a sharp increase in the street trucks which buys our sponsors parts. The high end trucks/dragsters take a lot of cash to maintain and it is tough for them when times get tough. It gets harder and harder to find sponsors because the sponsors also cut back when the economy is tight.

That is why DIESEL Motorsports tries to feature the high end dragsters in all of our advertising, posters, press releases, and all areas of social media. We want to give them exposure! I think there is no argument we tend to publish more diesel trucks in print and social media than anyone else in the country. We do this because we want them to get noticed and we have helped many make connections with sponsors when possible.

DIESEL Motorsports drag racing is going through normal growing pains and the pulling is still very strong throughout the country. We have run successfully both racing and pulling at the same time so fans can watch both at the same time.

Are the numbers large in the high-end diesels, not yet but it's getting there with the support of the street diesels making up the numbers.

Give it time to build and the addition of professional teams that know how to draw the corporate sponsors, it will continue as mainstream sanctioned racing is embraced.

1st Diesel Event of 2014 - What will be there?

Everyone needs to go South to warmer weather this week, so come March 7 and 8th go to Denton Texas at the North star Dragway for the year's 1st DIESEL event. It's right on Hwy 35 between Sanger and Denton Texas.

It's being held as a two day event during Spring Break so the local students will have someplace to start their break with a bunch of diesel trucks and tractors. The North Star Dragway supports both drag racing on an 1/8 mile track along with a sled pulling track.

This year we will be adding a antique tractor show along with tractor pulling on Saturday during the day - noon to 5 pm. All antique tractors must arrive before noon to start pulling and 2 pm for the tractor show. Tractors can also come on Friday before 4pm in order to obtain good parking spot.

There will be Semi pulling at this event along with any who want to enter the Show-N-Shine, they will be pulling either Friday night or Saturday night along with the trucks.

Friday will open with drag racing with a gamblers race and test-n-tune, special prizes will be given away for best reaction times for Friday night among others. Gates open at 4pm for the trucks and race teching starts immediately. Drag racing will run until 8pm then the action moves over to the pulling track.

Friday night pulling is Open Pull, this doesn't mean safety ignored but all trucks can pull once down the track. Safety equipment will be teched for overpowered trucks, Open Pull includes all diesel trucks, semis, tractors, etc. $100 for the best distance and $100 for the best crowd applause.

Saturday the gates open 10am for the antique tractors, antique tractor pulling starts at 12 noon and will run until 5pm. The antique tractor Show-N-Shine for best JD, IH and others will be at 3pm, all tractors for this show must be there by 2pm for registration.

Racing starts again 4pm for the diesel trucks with all classes for DIESEL Motorsports with cash purses. ET Bracket is paying $1000 for 1st place, it is not how fast you go but can you estimate your time consistently. See our web site for classes and rules, DIESEL Motorsports SFI teching will be done before racing.

Saturday evening show for diesel sled pulling will start at 7pm for all classes including diesel trucks, semis and diesel tractors. Teching for the classes will begin at 5pm near the weight scales.

Vendors will be displaying their wares along with title sponsor Classic RAM, they will be showing the new RAM trucks along with rebates and specials for the dealership.

If you have new or special diesel trucks that are street diesel trucks DIESEL World magazine will be attending looking for feature trucks, contact us for a appointment.

Many, many, different opportunities at this event if you live the diesel lifestyle, bring your families, truck, coolers, pop-ups and enjoy the weekend.