Turbo swap done daily for sled pulling! What is up with this???

I was told this last week by two different state clubs that pullers are now carrying two turbos in their garages so they can swap them out depending on which sled pull they are going to that evening. Which pull classes are the locals going to hold and which class is paying more so they can compete.

So NOW the sport is even more expensive by owning two different turbos and swapping them out before the shows. Plus the local guy who cannot afford two turbos has to compete on the same level.

That is why DIESEL Motorsports came up with the Hot Work Stock Class!

You can compete with a powerful setup with a street truck then drive back home once the pull is over. The ruleset by local and state clubs are a mess and we as a National group are now changing in every state so trucks can pull.

DM wants all trucks to pull but they have to be somewhat equal to each other or the competition is not fair for those who are trying to follow the rules.

Example: I had a young puller at the last pull complain he did not pass tech for 2.5 and was not satisfied with bumping up to 2.6 ( yelling, screaming, calling names etc.). I calmly asked what was the issue from the tech, he told me (tech was correct) and I then asked if he had read the rules online for free? I even offered his pulling fee back which he didn't take.

Well NO he replied, he drove 2 hours to get there without reading the rules and told me his local pull let him pass. There is the problem, his local friend let's him pull with an advantage over the other pullers.

Believe us when we try to fit everyone in for pulling but it is better to get one person upset with us than the entire class who does follow the rules. But what does everyone hear about is the guy yelling!

The rules are so messed up by other organizations who tend to favor tractors and not trucks. We are trying to accommodate all diesel trucks because we want the sport to continue with local pullers.

Please read the rules and understand when we ask to comply, I do post warnings several times before each event to read the rules for free so you can decide what class would be best to pull.

More vendors or protect our sponsors???

The diesel marketplace is actually pretty small or vertical compared to the gas hot rod performance market. Since I have worked both I know how big the other can be so the vendors and/or sponsors DIESEL Motorsports invites to the events sometimes are controlled.

I was asked at the last event why do we not have more vendors? It depends on whether I want to let our sponsor's competitors into the event. That is normally who wants to sign to come into the event since our sponsors can display for free because they sign on a yearly basis.

Now many of our sponsors rely on DIESEL Motorsports to display their products at our DM sponsor's tent usually manned by the DM girls! It is very expensive to come out to events and travel to our rural settings so many rely on us to display their products. That is part of our marketing package to be able to do this for our sponsors.

Many come to two or thee during the year depending on who they have on staff or local representatives. When a large DM show is near an established market many competitors of our sponsors call local diesel shops or businesses and ask them to sign on as a vendor. That vendor brings products into our show that is different or competes with our sponsors.

We don't mind competition when the vendor still shows our sponsor's products and their competitors, but when they show nothing but our sponsor's competitor product then it is a blatant attempt to undermine our marketing efforts.

We tend to remain loyal to our yearly and monthly sponsors who have supported us  and our sport for years. Yes we could take in others and let them fight it out but then DM loses credibility with our longtime sponsors.

DM has carefully picked top quality products and services for our sponsors so it's not like we took the highest bidder or who offers the most dollars per event.  It is an investment for a longtime relationship.

DM watches and chooses who comes into the show as a vendor and if they are legitimate then there is no problem, if they are trying to undermine our sponsor's efforts then we do step-in to control.

Stop by our sponsor tent and view the great products that our sponsors offer for the diesel market. Most are available at most WDs and storefronts for diesels.

I do think many of our sponsor's products dominate in the diesel marketplace.

DIESELS at Mainstream Hot Rod Power Tour 2017!

One of the largest custom hot rod shows of the year started in Kansas City this year, the Hot Rod Power Tour!

It has been many years since it has been here and especially the start of the tour starting at the KC Chief's Arrowhead Stadium this last weekend. Many of my photos are from early Saturday morning before over 5,000 custom rods and many more people showed up during the day.

By the time I left in the afternoon it was completely packed with people, custom rods, cars and trucks from all over the country. To me it was a have to be there showing off diesel trucks and our industry.

I have been to these before the diesel sport become popular and this is lots of fun to visit with enthusiasts from all over the country. Many had interest in the diesels who were there and asking a lot of questions about the modifications.

I passed out goody bags from our sponsors and some DIESEL Motorsports swag to some diesel enthusiasts. I took some time to walk through the vendor area where most was for the hot rod gas market but I did see a couple of diesel related vendors.

Any time I can talk and show the diesel motorsports venue to other performance enthusiasts it is a plus for our sport. Many do not even know there is a sport of diesel pickups 3/4 and 1 ton trucks racing and pulling at events.

Again it is a chance to reach the mainstream performance market showing what we find exciting and fun with our trucks. If you have a chance to go for a day at one of the stops please venture out to do so for the experience.

http://www.hotrod.com/events/power-tour/

NEW Hot Work Stock Class! Who can compete?

We have heard over the last few years from competitors they want pulling like it used to be! 

Drive to the event, make a few adjustments and pull for the night! Have some fun, meet some diesel people and then drive back home the next day!

Well, we actually listened to the enthusiasts and developed a new class that can include street trucks in their own pulling class!

Hot Work Stock!

Work Stock has gone back to true STOCK turbos and the NEW Hot Work Stock is for turbos plugging 2.60 with no hanging weights. Pure HOT street trucks who can pull down the track with no worries!

So how many of you will seize the opportunity in front of you?

Read the rules (www.Dieselmotorsports.US), build your truck for the class and come to compete! Then ask your local pulling groups to add the class to their programs and adopt our rules for safety.

Hoping to see a lot of street trucks pulling this summer!