Interesting . . . 2015 season!

The way the season is shaping up for diesel competitions around the country I would say it will be a perfect time to get into drag racing and pulling with your diesel truck!

Why? I have never seen such high advertised purses from everyone holding an event, it's great for all involved. That means more dollars circulating in the market to buy our sponsor's products.

It's still a tough economy so I can relate to those who have a truck looking to compete. The biggest question is can I fix it if it breaks?

With these big purses the events are paying out I would say yes you can, but I do tell most people you do this for the fun of it and not to get rich. Most hobbies are that way and building a diesel truck to compete is expensive, however using your truck in the street classes to compete does not mean big repairs or dollars spent.

In the ET Class it is not how fast you go but estimated time to run the 1/4 or 1/8th mile in your truck. We have had 17 and 18 second trucks win the race because they are more accurate in estimating their exact time consistently. It's all about having fun!

Same way in the Workstock Pulling Class, if you can pull a 5,000 lb trailer then you can pull in that class. Get in the game and win some of that money that is being offered.

I always tell the competitors go and compete and take the promoter's money because I know they will buy diesel parts from our sponsors.

It's all about competing in the free market, competitors should just have to worry about can I win and can I fix it - not who is putting on the event.

DIESEL Motorsports always pays at the event with a check and we may not have the biggest purses but they are consistent at every event. Keep in mind DIESEL Motorsports puts on 6 regional events not just one and we support over 60 affiliate events all over the country. 

NADM/DIESEL Motorsports 2015 Schedule set for an exciting year!

Press Release: February 1, 2015

NADM/DIESEL Motorsports 2015 Schedule set for an exciting year!

National Association of Diesel Motorsports (shortened to DIESEL Motorsports 3 years ago) is in its 8th year of providing Sanctioned diesel sled pulling, and drag racing events across the United States.

In 2001 none of the tracks (NHRA or IHRA) or pulling associations would let diesel trucks run or compete in classes. The first sanctioned diesel event in the country was Thunder in Muncie near Muncie Indiana in June of 2001. That event is still one of the top events in the country in the original locations hosted by DIESEL Motorsports.

As many of you know diesel motor sports and NADM has grown quickly with events now all over the country. Many state, regional clubs/associations and diesel promoters are putting diesel events in many different rural towns. DIESEL Motorsports has tried to present a uniform set of rules to include all diesel trucks and classes across the US so not to favor anyone’s products or shops. With safety in mind for all classes we welcome all diesel vehicles.

For the first time DIESEL Motorsports will be featuring Clean Diesel Classes in sled pulling and a TDI/Cruze Clean Diesel Class at three events. Watch for details surrounding these new additions and as always Semi trucks are welcome for Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine and sled pulling.

Flowmaster Performance Exhaust returns as the VIP Title sponsor this year among many others who have been with us for many years. Flowmaster diesel exhaust with the Patented Pro Series muffler is the only muffler that will cut the drone out in your cab plus add performance at the wheels. We ask that when purchasing equipment for your diesels please keep them in mind, they are the reason we can put on these events.

www.Flowmastermufflers.com

O’Reilly Auto Part Stores joins as Series Sponsor for our diesel only drag racing and sled pulling. Many of you know these stores since they are in your local towns, please stop by and pickup any sponsor’s products from them. Watch for details about product rebates and event discount tickets at your local O’Reilly stores.

Check-out our new list of sponsors where many have returned with multi-year commitments along with some new names as official endorsed product sponsors.

2015 Sponsors:

Flowmaster Performance Exhaust - VIP Title Sponsor

O’Reilly Auto Parts – Series Sponsor

South Bend Clutch - Official Clutch

Industrial Injection - Official Turbo

ATI Dampers - Official Damper

CRC - Official Fuel Treatment

Firestone Ride Rite - Official Air Suspension

ARP - Official Head Stud

CP/Carrillo - Official Rod

Mahle - Official Piston

Victor Reinz - Official Gaskets

Clevite – Official Engine Bearing

AFE - Official Air Intake

Fuelab - Official Fuel Pump

Exergy Performance – Official Injector

Champion Blue Flame Oil - Official Oil

Weld Wheels - Official Wheels

Redline Diesel - Official Transmission

Covercraft - Official Seat Cover

Vulcan Performance - Official Fuel Draw Straw

Stainless Diesel.com - Official Exhaust Manifold

Mickey Thompson - Official Tire

Mothers® Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners – Show-N-Shine Sponsor

Haisley Machine - Sponsor of Thunder in Muncie

Below is the schedule and sponsor list for 2015 as of February 1! Check back we will be adding more every week!

DM  2015 Schedule

May 9 - Ozark Diesel Shootout

Ozark Raceway, Diesel Drags

Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine, Dyno

Rogersville, MO

June 19/20th - Haisley's Thunder in Muncie

Friday June 19th - Muncie Dragway (Diesel only drags)

Saturday June 20th - Gaston Lion's Club Park

Tractor Show, Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine, Dyno

Sled Pull 6pm, all classes

July 18th - East Coast Diesel Nationals

Numidia Dragway, Numidia PA

Diesel only drags, sled pulling,

Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine,

Mass Diesel Dyno

August 14/15th - Industrial Injection

Rocky Mountain Diesel Shootout

Friday night Diesel only drags

Rocky Mountain Raceway

Saturday 15th Industrial Injection 

NWDC Dyno Competition

Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine

Industrial Injection Diesel Seminars

September 26th - Buckeye Diesel Blast

MCIR Dragway, LaRue, OH

Diesel only Redline Diesel Drags, 

Firepunk Sled Pulling

Mothers® Polish Show-N-Shine

Affiliate Shows

March 12-14th, Keystone Nationals

PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA

Truck and tractor Sled Pulling

September 11/12th - Smokey Mountain Diesel Days

Friday Drags, Greenville, TN

Saturday Sled Pull, Rogersville, TN

Show-N-Shine, Dyno

October 16/17th Antrim Diesel Days

Mason Dixon Dragway, Boonesboro, MD

Diesel only Drags, Sled Pulling

Mother® Polish Show-N-Shine

November 7th, Diesels in Dark Corners

White Plains, GA

Liberty Truck/Tractor Pulls

Ozark Diesel Shootout Point Series

Diesel Drags

Rogersville, MO

July 25th

August 15

September 26

Spokane Diesel Series

Spokane Raceway, WA

June 27

July 25

August 15

September 12

MMTTPA – Sled Pulling Series

(see web site for schedule)

http://www.mmttpainc.com

Muncie Dragway Diesel Series

(see web site for schedule)

www.munciedragway.com

Liberty Truck/Tractor Sled Pulls

(see web site for schedule)

http://libertytruckandtractorpull.com

Check Web Site for Updates!

Plus over 50 local affiliate diesel events with local clubs supporting

and unifying diesel motorsports!

For more information: www.DIESELmotorsports.US

Ron Knoch – 816-734-5611

ronk@DIESELmotorsports.US

2015 is a NEW Year - start building for the future! DIESEL Motorsports

This week starts a NEW year for all of us in the diesel community. What is your goals for a better year?

DIESEL Motorsports is planning the events right now and we plan on making the existing ones even bigger than they were last year. There will be a few new ones in some new areas along with some new series races and pulls.

It's always about building the sport using our existing budget and sponsorship, if you want to see the sport grow in your area then get involved and call us. Yes, you can start smaller events in your area along with working with local diesel shops or tracks.

Keep in mind safety and insure your events, no one wants a liability and what we do seems safe it is still racing/pulling which is dangerous if not done properly.

Yes, I had more tracks and facilities come to us during the PRI Show and ask about putting on diesel events. Much more than the past years which tells me that the sport is catching on with the mainstream media.

Watch our web site for new events starting the end of January and adding to them all through the summer months.

If you like the diesel lifestyle that has been built then support it with your involvement. 

PRI Show Review - DIESEL Motorsports!

For those who did not get to come to the PRI Show, you missed a great show! A lot more people than last year but I'm sure that had to do with the 50º weather instead of 10º and snow of last year.

Diesel Motorsports booth in the main hall was packed with people coming by to hear about the sport and events, plus get decals/literature of our 20+ sponsors. The most popular was the DM decal which we brought 4,000 and they were gone by the end of the second day. Second most popular was Flowmaster which we gave out over 3,000 decals which we also ran out on the second day.

Of course the DM cinch cord backpacks were popular as the DM Girl's calendar which were gone fairly quickly. The DM Girls signed calendars and photos of themselves all three days. We were so busy the three days went by really quick and it felt like we could have gone a couple of more days!

I traveled the show while the girls man the booth, several people wanted to hear more about Diesel Motorsports and we picked up a few new sponsors. I had several drop by the booth wanting to become involved in our programs along with 16 racetracks wanting more diesel events.

Overall I heard more people say every where they went more companies had parts for the diesel market! This is quite the change from five years ago when there was about 5 companies with diesel parts.

NHRA and NASCAR celebrities were everywhere in the show, someday maybe DIESEL Motorsports celebrities will be featured at the show. There were a few diesel vehicles at the show that drew quite a bit of attention.

It's only natural since the diesel movement started in Indiana with Thunder in Muncie in 2001! This show is populating itself with diesel performance enthusiasts.

The diesel discussion panel had the chairs almost full (3 left) and we heard some healthy discussions about diesel from Karl Dedolph/Champion Oil, Rick Smith/Dave's Diesel, Todd Green/Firestone and Dmitri Millard/Drag Racer. Diesel Motorsports will soon have the discussion posted on Youtube. The crowd asked questions at the end and everyone seem to appreciate the get-together for the diesel industry.

Overall a very successful show for the diesel crowd!

We are DIESEL! Who is the real diesel man???

I hear and see a lot of people making this claim! I hear people say I make that claim! In NO WAY do I make that claim in the industry, I'm only a face who travels the industry shows who markets and promotes what the rest of the diesel competitors and fans do during the season.

Not one person makes up what has happened during the past 15 years, I have been here for about half of that time as most people who are currently in the industry. Many of the originals have grown older and are there or they have dropped out of circulation.

Working the events and shows I would have to say it's pretty arrogant  for someone to lay claim to the title, there are a lot of people who are worthy of making contributions in the beginning and even current.

DIESEL Motorsports started a "Hall of Fame" three years ago honoring some people who have made major contributions to the sport. Since Gene "Sleddy" Mohney has been there for the time it started I let him decide who the candidates should be every year. We then discuss with other industry leaders and study the backgrounds of who the people are and what they contributed.

This year that distinction goes to Scott Bentz which was one of the 1st in the industry to set records with his diesel dragster. Scott was the top competitor at every event with his rail that attracted much attention across the country. He is still involved with diesels working at Cummins Rocky Mountain in Denver. Scott is always positive in everything he did including racing his rail in front of the crowds. Scott set records with his rail that no one was reaching even in the early 2000s!

There are many people in the industry who are important for the continued growth of diesel as a sport. It only works when everyone works together and I would be the first to name many ole timers and youngens who help build the sport today.

See what you can do to make it all work with fellow diesel enthusiasts and it will grow. Keep things positive and people will notice while bashing and calling names will only demise the importance of the sport.

I even have seen several women rise to levels of importance in the diesel industry, some are very tough competitors. It's a lot of work with very little rewards in many cases and those who help often wonder why they are doing the work. You gotta have passion for the sport and for the people in the sport.

Who is the real DIESEL man or woman? It is all of us combined, make a difference and hop into the fire!

SEMA 2014 - what happened . . .

I always like to give a report of what happened at SEMA because a lot of our diesel shops and fans cannot afford the time or expense to go out there every year. It is a necessity for DIESEL Motorsports because this is where we converse with current and future sponsors.

We always hold our sponsor appreciation dinner before SEMA on Monday evening, we had 19 people there enjoying the food and company of fellow industry leaders. DIESEL Motorsports briefly presented the plans for 2015 along with a recap of 2014. Many different people talked and discussed the business of diesel motor sports.

The SEMA show opened on Tuesday morning with a healthy crowd of people, we visited the first hall and dropped off DIESEL Motorsports decals for a few sponsors to give away during the show. First stop was Fuelab which was one of the first as you went into the show, then Mahle/Victor Reinz and Flowmaster Performance Exhaust.  Some diesel manufacturers were there but not very many, however some of the mainstream performance manufacturers are now producing parts for the diesel market.

Yes, this shows me the mainstream automotive is recognizing the potential of the diesel vehicles. Not many diesel trucks were displayed at the show, you could have counted them on both hands. The SEMA show is considered more of a bling show for many but if you look there is many things to view for the performance vehicle including wheels and tires.

The manufacturers were excited about the amount of traffic coming through the show and many of our own sponsors committed that many diesel shops and distributors were in attendance and stopped to discuss parts. This too is very encouraging that the business is there to support the manufacturers producing products for our industry.

DIESEL Motorsports saw many people and sponsors during the show, we visit with them on how we can do a better job at the events and what should we be expecting of new products for our diesel market. Many had new items coming out after the first of the year. We will be covering those new items during the month of January, one of the new items out now was a Cetane Boost by CRC along with new wheels by Weld!

One of the highlights of the week was attending the 50th Anniversary Reception for Covercraft/Seat Savers (sponsor) and getting to meet everyone that works producing those great seat covers for our trucks. One of my good friends for many years retired and it was his last SEMA show as a Covercraft Regional Sales Manager, we'll miss Gary at our diesel events.

We saw Karl from Champion Oil receive a distinguished award from SEMA for selling American products to China including our own Blue Flame Diesel Oil. Congratulations Karl!

We met with many new potential sponsors along with interested manufacturers asking about the diesel marketplace. It is our way of spreading the word about DIESEL Motorsports and bringing it into mainstream automotive.

Next show is the Heartland Performance Show in Des Moines IA on November 21/22 at the Convention Center. We will be displaying some local killer diesel trucks along with passing out DIESEL Motorsports decals and literature.

So what's next for diesels . . . ???

It's the end of the year and everyone is asking about next year???

DIESEL Motorsports schedule will stay about the same with maybe one or two small changes but our bigger events will remain the same with the same dates or weekends. Tracks have already been secured, and sponsors are already in place with multi-year agreements locking in those who are serious about progressing the sport for future years.

There may be some changes in the rules for different classes in racing and pulling but those will be announced in January along with our schedule and new sponsors for 2015.

We may add or enhance a couple of diesel classes, but we are still taking suggestions. I am getting more and more request to display diesel trucks at trade shows so I will be looking for professional race and pulling teams who want to display at shows.

As we take the sport into mainstream the rules, insurance and creditability will need to be in place and enforced at events, large companies do not want unruly or liabilities from events as a problem. Overall family events with good competition from professional teams mixed with street trucks who buy the sponsor's products.

As of to date the National Association of DIESEL Motorsports is the only sanctioning body for drag racing and pulling for diesel trucks and automobiles. That means we have our own insurance, rules and diesel techs for safety. Everyone else has to use NHRA or IHRA rules, insurance and classes for an event. Of course the NHRA and IHRA does not have diesel classes so they run them under exhibition or time runs with no records.

Does it matter to diesel enthusiasts? Only if you want to be considered a professional team using the proper sanctioning body for the sport, if it's just for fun then it really doesn't matter to most.

DIESEL Motorsports just wants to do it the right way so we can say it is an official sanctioning body with real rules, safety, insurance and our own diesel techs.

It makes us sleep a little easier each night knowing everything is in place to protect us, the sponsors, the competitors and the fans who bring their families to events.

Look for some new announcements in the up coming months, we have a lot planned for the next couple of years!