Diesel enthusiasts . . . let's give back to those who support us.

First off let's go back to the diesel shops who are producing the competitor's trucks and providing top notch mechanical repairs. That's right, licensed businesses who know how to repair your diesel truck.

Because of the popularity of the diesel sport many wannabes have come out of the woodwork and caused many pain and loss of dollars with repairs gone bad. DIESEL Motorsports have received a lot of questions about where they can find a reputable diesel shop?

There have been a lot of advancements in technology for our diesel trucks during the past 5 years. The diesel shops have experienced many repairs on the different models. Some repair only one brand and others repair all brands of the OEM trucks.

Many diesel enthusiasts have acquired cheaper parts online, however if something goes wrong with it they find that returning it or have the warranty work done is very difficult. When purchasing from a bricks and mortar diesel shop they will most likely complete the warranty work and repairs.

DIESEL Motorsports is giving back to the diesel shops by having a National Database of these shops available to the public by zip code search. The web site now sports the search and it is basic right now but we are adding to it daily by listing new diesel shops along with more details outlying their services and products.

Give us 30 days and many diesel shops will be listed along with some interesting listings and information. It is our goal to have diesel shops from every state listed within six months.

Buy or repair your diesel products and services from a local shop where you can get personal service along with vast knowledge of the diesel industry.

Looking forward to this summer's activities and being able to supply more information to our diesel fans and competitors.

Are you - we insured for the sport??? DIESEL Motorsports

Had a call over the weekend from a longtime diesel competitor who found himself in a unpleasant situation with his insurance company.

He had a legitimate vandalism claim regarding his truck which is a daily user, they investigated and found where he used it on the weekend to compete at diesel events.

In order to keep from paying the claim they countered with a fraud charge because their policy named the policy holder as not using their vehicle for competition. By signing the original policy they agreed they did not use their vehicle in competition, thus the fraud charge.

Now not only are you out of the vandalism claim on your truck but now you are out attorney fees and possible fines.

As claims get more abundant for insurance companies and profits tighter for them the insurance companies are finding ways to get out of paying a lot of claims. To us it's no different than using your truck for offroading or hill climbing but since it is a paying competition the insurance companies consider it motor sports.

CHECK your policy carefully before you sign the bottom line. You could get caught in the same trap if you ever have to place a claim. Regardless if the claim is legitimate be it a wreck, vandalism, etc, the insurance company can deny any claim based on their policies statement.

A few years back DIESEL Motorsports offered through a company associated with us cheaper business liability insurance, it amazed us how many diesel shops had the wrong kind of insurance for their business. Yes, theirs was cheaper but one was designated as a gas station with no flammable products in the building, yet they rebuilt engines and had fuel and oils in the building. If the building ever had a claim the insurance company could deny any claim no matter how legitimate it was because they had fraudulently labeled their business.

As a sanctioning body we insure for all possible claims at an event, in fact we carry the same insurance as a NHRA or IHRA large event. We have too, the facility requires us to carry the proper insurance in order to rent the facility. We don't use track insurance because it only covers the track's claims leaving the sponsors possibly open for liability. We cover all aspects of liability including our sponsors, fans and competitors.

Now what this doesn't cover is the insurance for the competitors personal vehicles at the track or off of the track. Even if you trailer your competition vehicle to the track is your truck trailering covered? Better check your policy - they are getting REAL picky on what they cover!

Make sure to ask will my truck be covered since I use it for recreational competition at diesel events? In order to get the business normal companies will write an add-on policy to include the activity. Then you are covered but at least you told them up front and have it in writing.

Legitimizing DIESEL Motorsports as a motor sport . . .

To para-phrase and old saying - "We've come a long way baby" relates to our diesel industry. What started out as a cottage industry, diesel motor sports has grown to a industry contender. Yes, we have had a slight setback with the performance tuners not being available for newer model trucks but the sport is still going strong in the rural Midwest states.

UFC started out in a similar way, it became very popular, crowds grew but then when out of hand events gathered media attention it became untouchable until a company bought the group and built it for mainstream business. They insured the events, sanctioned the organization and gathered National sponsorships.

DIESEL Motorsports has done the same for the diesel industry. Big companies want safety and insurance installed in order to limit liability. A structured family lifestyle event where everyone can enjoy their diesel trucks is what attracts fans, competitors and sponsors.

DIESEL Motorsports is taking the next step by launching this month the first database of legitimate diesel shops that can work on your diesels, a search by zip code will produce a list of shops nearest you.

We have already been the first to offer endorsed product sponsorship where the products were tested by industry leaders before DIESEL Motorsports would accept their sponsorship. Every product we have listed is the best quality in the industry for our diesel enthusiast's trucks.

We have turned down many manufacturers that did not fit the product profile or their products failed during operation. It's about credibility within the industry.

Example: A manufacturer of a tuner product sets up diesel shops with a product that works most of the time, then after establishing a business of selling the units wholesales the entire inventory to a larger WD and then discounts the product price below what the dealers are selling it for and quits servicing what had been sold to the dealers.

We get complaints every week about companies who do not stand behind the products and is in it for a quick buck. DIESEL Motorsports has spent an enormous amount of time lobbying with major automotive aftermarket manufacturers to produce products for the diesel marketplace. Companies that will stand behind the products and answer their warranty phone lines.

Just look at our sponsor list and see the Mainstream companies that are respected in the automotive industry, this is how DIESEL Motorsports is taking the sport into mainstream America.

Legitimate events, legitimate diesel shops, legitimate manufacturers, legitimate services, and professional legitimate competitors makes for a solid business plan that will last for years.

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.