East Coast Diesel/Truck Nationals Review! DIESEL Motorsports 2020

What a great show during these turbulent times with a great turnout by young truck enthusiasts from many states on the East Coast. It was a hot day but many enjoyed watching some fantastic trucks racing, pulling, dyno and show-n-shine. People came out to enjoy the show but brought their popups, lawn chairs and coolers to honor social distancing. Both sides of the track over a 1/4 mile long were lined with fans and families watching the trucks race and pull.

The fans looked at over 40 plus trucks in the show-n-shine with SEMA quality vehicles for them to inspect and talk to the owners. The truck owners are putting a lot of pride into these trucks. I couldn't believe the quality of fabrication and building of these trucks, it made it very hard to judge and properly picking the winners. Appreciate Greg Alberalla of WrenchWorkz for helping with the judging of the trucks, took us well over an hour to look at them all.

The dyno run by Ken's Auto had trucks lined up all day long to test their performance additions to their trucks, they want to know how much horsepower and torque was added by their builds. They had over 45 trucks and worked well past the show ending

in order to get everyone in for the day. It was over 95 degrees so the 5 guys they had crawling under those trucks that day well earned their money for running the trucks.

Racing was exciting all day long with some great trucks running in four classes: ET Bracket, 12.0 Index, Heads-up and DIESEL Truck War class. ET Bracket always has a large number of vehicles because everyone wants to test their trucks to see how fast they can go but this class you really don't have to go fast but estimate how consistent your truck can go down the 1/4 mile. 12.0 Index was very popular this year with everyone trying to get as close to 12.0 time in the 1/4 mile on every run down the track. DIESEL Motorsports added a new class that will run at most event this year, DIESEL Truck Wars! It will be 1/8th mile racing running two trucks against each other 2 out of 3 runs, then the same in the final, best 2 out of 3 runs. It makes for a fun test on can the driver consistently win at the lights and can their truck hold together for numbered runs down the track.

Pulling had some high quality trucks run the 300 feet in front of a big crowd. With extreme heat 90 degrees plus wind the track dried out quickly even though we had packed soaked it with 8,000 gallons of water. It had not rained on the mountain for a number of days and the ground soaked up the water quickly so the trucks had a hard surface to pull on for most of the day. Track improvements are already in the mix for next year along with possibly running in the evening in order to avoid the day's heat. The trucks that came are favorites every year and it's not about just the pulling but the entire event with so much to do for the fans and families. Some great distances were recorded on the pulls and the HOT Work Stock top 4 prequalified for the Keystone Nationals in early Spring 2021!

I want to thank the vendors and sponsors who came for the event along with Numidia track personnel and our great DM crew for working through such a hot day. We can not pay them enough and it has to be the love of the sport. Everyone was so thankful for us putting on the event, even though yes people get paid to come in it feels good as two owners to have people thank us for the hard work that goes in to these shows. It has been many years since people have thank Gene and I for putting on the show, we appreciate praises. Yes it took more than just us to make the show happen, insurance company, track owner, local people who help us setup the day before and many more in the community.

Appreciate the vendors who braved the heat all day in order to give the crowds things to look at and buy during down times.

Vendors
Street Diesel Performance
Reiff Diesel
Justgetdirty.com
Garofalo Enterprises
South Jersey Custom Metal Designs
WrenchWorkz








East Coast Diesel National Winners:

Drag Racing
DIESEL Truck Wars – 1/8th
Champion – Evan Moser – 5.808 – 126.87 mph
Runner up – Susan Soga – (B)

Heads-Up – 1/8th
Champion – Evan Moser – 6.065 – 97.36 mph
Runner-up – Andrew Terry – 809.25 – 63.38 mph (R)

12.0 Index ¼ mile
Champion – Joey Lamond – 12.315 – 104.62
Runner-up – Peter Brillis – 12.326 – 109.32

ET Bracket – ¼ mile
Champion – Joey Lamond – 12.0 - 12.20
Runner-up – Cameron Oswald – 15.10 – 16.066

Sled Pulling
2.5/2.6 Class
Stauffer – 326.33
Slingluff – 317.25
Slboda – 315.85
McGowan – 299.36
Zechman – 298.43
Schuman – 291.99
Rarick – 291.83
Hassler – 286.42

HOT Work Stock
Costa – 348.23
Hassler – 322.93
Harter – 322.93
Wagner – 313.20
Wenger – 310.54
Campbell – 298.88
Hawk – 298.18
Bertrum – 288.56
Walton – 278.42
Orwan – 261.33

Work Stock
Fessler – 317.17
Gelsinger – 314.20
Wenger – 313.81
Clark – 310.23
Mardock – 306.59
Stewart – 305.05
Hass – 288.35
Bertrum - 286.48
Vogel – 285.76
Miles – 279.79
Shane – 269.75

Hot Tractors
1st – Steve Beckly
2nd – Adam House
3rd – Cole Forrester
4th – Adam House
5th – Eddie Ocker

Show-N-Shine (over 40 entries)
Best of Show – Brian Wagner
Best Dodge – Brian Durf
Best Ford – Jason Fry
Best Dmax – Rio Bomba
Best Vintage/Rat Rod – Hunter Zimmerman

Dyno Numbers
1st Dodge : Justin Burke, 06 Dodge 2500. 1606 HP / 2299 TQ
1st Chevy: Ryan Klingel, 03 GMC Sierra. 625 HP / 999 TQ
1st Ford : Bobby Bertrum, 17 Ford F-350. 547 HP/ 1241 TQ

Thunder in the Bunker - 1st event since Covid Lockdown!

Thunder in the Bunker

Bunkerhill Dragway, Indiana

Friday June 26 & Saturday June 27

After a long period of inactivity with any kind of motorsports we were quite ready and excited to get back to the state where the original “diesel only” event was held back in 2001! The original show was started by Eric McBride (Diesel Hot Rod Association) and Larry “Gene” Mohney (DHRA/National Association of Diesel Motorsports) and it was known as Thunder in Muncie. For years the event was held in two different locations, Friday night at the Muncie Dragway and Saturday at the Gaston Lion’s Club Park. Eric McBride was inducted in to the DIESEL Motorsports "Hall of Fame" during the weekend for lifetime achievement.

This year DIESEL Motorsports moved the event to another location so all activities could be in one location. Bunkerhill Dragway is only about 30 miles from the original location on Highway 31 just north of Indianapolis. One of the original dragstrips in Indiana (1956) and used to be home of NHRA Division III. Currently a private owned IHRA track with lots of history behind it and DIESEL Motorsports plans to put a bunch more in front of it.

The drag strip at Bunkerhill Dragway is currently 1/8 mile but has plenty of hook left in it according to our racers who were running low 6s with their trucks. Well maintained with paved return and pit roads with plenty of greenways to park trucks, trailers and semis. Bunkerhill Dragway even had a checkered flag painted on the pavement at the Winner’s Circle.

We had plenty of space for the vendors by their new restaurant/concessions with full clubhouse and bar. What a great place to hold an event where we can do so many functions with room to spread out. Having an air conditioned clubhouse where people can get out of the heat for a relaxing lunch or drink is a great option plus we had additional food trucks/vendors outside.

Friday night was open drag racing with lots of vehicles running down the 1/8^th mile track while people watched the show from the wide-open spaces along the track. I saw many families with kids sitting around their lawn chairs enjoying the show with their families and friends. It was good to see people getting out after being shut up for so many months. A good size crowd watched a large assortment of vehicles racing along with even semis!

 

Trucks were running in the 6 and 7 second range for the 1/8^th mile which is pretty good for those heavy pickup trucks.

Saturday started out good with a delayed opening because of the early rain. Forecast did not look good but after being closed down for so many months the track and DIESEL Motorsports wanted to get the event in for the day. We got about 3 rounds of racing down the track when a round of storms just popped up on the radar and dropped over 3 inches of rain on the facility. The four days of prepping the pulling track by local Zach Howard and ZZ  Diesel was soon a large mud puddle. We had pulling trucks already there and was expecting a large crowd for it, but all was not lost. There was a benefit pull just 15 minutes away on Sunday for a little girl, they raised over $6000 for her, we announced they could go there to pull the next day for a good cause.

Yes, everything was cut short because of the rain and storms (lasted all day and night) but that is the outdoor event business. It gave us a good base to work on for next year with some improvements like Friday evening cash prizes along with dirt drags plus more activities inside the clubhouse such as local music/bands and awards.

Sunday was a rainout date, but most went home after the rain and only a few trucks showed up, not enough to open the track and more storms were coming. The track and Diesel Motorsports decided to cut our losses and come back to battle another day with Mother Nature!

It was great to get out and just see old and new people, to converse with everyone and watch the trucks compete. The concern over Covid was mildly discussed among people and people took personal responsibility by social distancing around each other on a large viewing area at the track. Many brought lawn chairs and sat with family members, the grandstands had a few people in them but apart from each other. DIESEL Motorsports provided free masks, hand sanitizer and antibiotic wipes at the DM sponsor tent!

Not what we had planned for the first event after the Covid lockdown but it sure felt good to host an event again!

Now on to the next event which is July 18^th at Numidia Dragway in Pennsylvania – the East Coast Diesel Nationals! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/544246489738481/?active_tab=discussion

Gauge your diesel - literally - DIESEL Motorsports!

People ask all of the time what is the best way to gauge my diesel truck? We are talking about going beyond what gauges are on your original truck gauges!

Mechanical or digital? Which is the best way to go?

I have actually have heard from both parties and some want both! For the die-hard racer I am told they want mechanical to show response reading accurately in faster time than digital. But they also want a digital read for data-logging purposes while running down the track.

Street truck young people want digital so they like the displays and ability to change on the run which gauges they view. While many of the young drivers grew up with digital and computers so it's a natural to be able to mix the pids on the truck to get what you want for gauges.

Many of the new trucks have much more pid information available than the older trucks. (1998 and older are mechanical for the most part). New diesel trucks have included more gauges and some have even gone digital.

Autometer is the official gauge for DIESEL Motorsports because they offer both worlds to many of our enthusiasts. Known in the industry for their gauges in performance aftermarket, Autometer is quite well versed in diesel gauges.

For the young diesel truck owner on a budget I have suggested their Dashlink II gauge module which uses their smart phone or pad for gauge display. On newer trucks it properly picks up any gauge you would want and displays it many different ways. Plus there is even a simple data logger feature to follow how your truck runs down the highway or track.

For the high-end diesel pullers or racers a digital gauge/data logger is available along with mechanical gauges for instant response. A lot of the high-end performance trucks rely on both to properly follow the output of their engine. When an engine now can run $30-55,000 for a top build believe me when I say they want to know everything during a run or pull.

For street trucks it is making sure everything is holding and keeping an eye on the road so a digital display works great along with adding some flash to the interior. Easy to install and quick to turn on to display what they want to see!

I have used a couple of the older displays for gauges and too much sun coming through the windshield burned them out but I'm sure the newer versions have made adjustments. You don't run into these issues using the mechanical versions and they do what gauges are supposed to do during performance peak times.

What ever you need for gauges I'm sure you can figure them out when it comes to hooking them up. If not you can find a local diesel shop to properly install them for you. Local shop also have a complete line of gauges available but nobody has so many different kinds as Autometer since they have been doing them forever.

For more info:

www.Autometer.com

DIESEL Gauges

Split motorsports season . . . or very short for some! DIESEL Motorsports

By Larry Mohney

As I am writing this most states are reporting not opening sport events to the public until July! If it is like the restaurant segment many of the businesses found a very low turnout after re-opening. Are people afraid to come back out for fear of getting the virus from a crowd?

In my own state (Missouri) we have opened early for motorsport events and the local dragstrip has reported a brisk business from people just wanting to get out and enjoy their sport again. People were starting to sit in the stands again but sitting in groups away from each other or in groups of people they know.

It may take a time for re-adjustment socially to get acclimated to this new environment. Whether you believe the threat or not it is there for many and our country has taken a huge hit!

Will our sport continue?

Yes, I believe people enjoy it too much and it is a social release (hobby) that makes them feel good. I encouraged all of our enthusiasts to spend their time at home with their families and work on their trucks. From the social media posts I see many took that suggestion along with reports from shops and manufacturers that orders continued to come in during the pandemic.

Now is the time to come out of the homes/garages and come to the shows with caution! Please protect yourself especially if you are in the high risk category, social distancing/no hand shaking and common sense keep us all healthy! Most of our rural enthusiasts are used to dealing with dirty conditions, animals and virus conditions so we know what to do to stay clean and healthy.

It will not keep us from enjoying the truck crowd at shows, talking to each other about what we did to our trucks! Plus watching some of the high-end vehicles race or pull down the tracks. The trucks shows resemble very much a county fair for those who enjoy their trucks and diesel vehicles.

So what can you or your customers do to their trucks during lockdown and on limited funds for many during these difficult times?

There are too many to even list but evaluate your truck for detailing and repairs that will elongate the truck’s life. Anybody would appreciate their truck lasting longer since new ones are really expensive right now.

At many of our events in the Show-N-Shine it is the detailing inside and out that makes a truck win the prizes. So many work on the outside but leave the inside or don’t even clean the engine compartment, it makes a big difference! Many different products and accessories are available for shop or home use.

Making a diesel last longer is one word – maintenance! Many put that off thinking a diesel lasts longer than other vehicles, it does if proper maintenance is done on a regular basis. Check not just fluids and filters but simple hard parts such as belts, gaskets/leaks, suspension, brake system, batteries/wiring and fuel pumps!

DIESEL Motorsports already held 3 events before the pandemic hit and we plan on 3-4 more depending on the states we can hold them for 2020! Plenty of time to prep your truck no matter at what level and come out to play. Most people bring their families, meet new people and talk about what they did to their truck this past winter.

If you don’t fell comfortable competing with your truck then you can just park it and hang out with it, it will still draw people to it. Competing is easier than most think, many times racing ET Bracket is not about going fast but estimating your time the same going down the 1/8 or ¼ mile truck. The majority of the trucks don’t even break 90 mph in ET racing. It is about the same as leaving on the on ramp for the freeway.

Pulling is about the same in the beginning workstock class, if you can pull a 5,000 lb trailer then you can pull down the track. The sled has different computer settings in conjunction with the moving weight box so it controls the distribution of weight during the pull. If you have pulled a trailer with your truck then you would find this a fun challenge.

Many street trucks try their truck on the dyno competition for highest horsepower for their OEM brand. Completely safe and run by professionals running their dynos with your truck up on the rollers. Yes, many competitions are won with lower horse power because not that many of their brand of OEM truck showed up. We have had many prizes passed out for trucks under 400 hp. The best of show for highest horsepower does range from 900-1600 hp depending on the location of the show in the country.

Many of the trucks enter the Show-N-Shine with multiple categories for a prize or the best of show! The judging is done based on overall appearance, suspension, wheels/tires, motor/performance, interior, and exhaust. There are 7 categories you can win prizes so this is an easy way to compete at truck shows even if your truck is a everyday driver.

The truck show venue is all about showing your truck and talking to people you have met at other shows or online through social media channels. They all love their trucks so you have a lot in common with everyone there. Diesel truck shops bring their trucks to show so locals can learn about their services and view the quality of the trucks.

Many shops tell me they don’t have show setups to display. You don’t need much, a foldup table from one of the box stores, tablecloth (I used a black shower curtain once), business cards, a couple of trucks, a popup from a store (10’ x10’) and yourself or a couple of friends to pass out cards. It is an easy way to display your goods, throw a few give-aways on the table or some extra parts you have at the shop. ALWAYS bring your portable toolbox in case a customer needs a quick repair to compete along with a few parts that always break.

It is an easy way to meet new customers and talk to existing friends/customers in a leisure manner while enjoying or competing in the show. I know many of you are starting to go crazy waiting to get back to normal conditions but be patient and care for the ones who may need your help.

DIESEL Motorsports will keep on putting on diesel events in the future, some things may be different for safety precautions or conditions at the park but be assured we will try our best to make it fun.

Just a few more weeks . . . relax and enjoy your time and family.

Now is the time to keep your cool . . . DIESEL Motorsports!

Now is the time to keep your cool . . .  for your truck before Summer/hot days get here and in your garage while we got the time!

That's right, I hear from many of you and shops people are taking the time to get things done to their truck and providing a proper cooling system in your truck is VERY IMPORTANT!

What good is rebuilding your truck if it will overheat which causes it to fail again. Keep it cool with a proper cooling system start to finish!

Let's start with the fan system, some applications will pick you up 100+ hp by just converting to electric fan system. By disconnecting fan clutch and going electric not only picks up horsepower but reduces heat from the engine not working as hard on a pull or grade acceleration.

Now many years ago I heard OEM and brush fans can not keep up when you increase the power of your truck for extended times. Thus the brush-less fans from SPAL, which is the OEM fan system for Corvette and Ferrari! I found these at SEMA many years ago and talked the US sales manager to help design systems for our trucks.

SPAL has many sizes and output levels with variable speed motors along with plug and play wiring harness and thermostat adjustment. Set the heat temp for when the fan kicks on and let it do it's job! Or for us racing/pulling competitors it even has a setting to turn it on full power for immediate cooling. These fans are quiet, less amp pulling and less thickness/footprint for your diesel engines.

Now let's talk about fitting them which brings in Northern Radiator which now produces the shrouds and kits for our diesel applications. Easy bolt-in to factory holes for shroud/fan kits which makes for easy install since SPAL has plug in wiring harness.

Northern Radiator is a LONG-TIME supplier of radiators and inter-coolers throughout the US and Canada for over 50 years.

NOW let's ask Northern Radiator to add 20-30% more output for cooling in their radiators and inter-coolers for our increased horsepower diesel applications. Yep, they did it with easy OEM bolt-in replacement radiators/inter-coolers for the diesel engine setups. So now your older system has a bigger, better and cooler % increase in all areas during those long trips pulling a trailer or a load.

Does it make a difference? Ask any mechanic and he will tell you if your truck has over 100k miles on it and you have increased the power of your truck then you need to have this done - PERIOD!

For more info:

Spal
Click here -

Northern Radiator info -

Radiator Info -

Inter-Cooler Info -

DMAX Edelbrock heads - replacement a step above!!! DIESEL Motorsports

Edelbrock has long held the name for quality performance parts for many decades! NOW they have decided to get into diesel performance with a part they know quite well - performance heads!

New Edelbrock Cylinder Head for GM 6.6L Duramax Diesel Engines, Edelbrock proudly introduces its first-ever high-performance cylinder head developed especially for the diesel engine market! It took them over 3 years to develop this product and heads for other engines are in development.

The all-new Edelbrock Diesel Cylinder Head (#79029 for 2001-2004 LB7 pictured) Chevrolet and GMC 2500/3500 HD trucks between 2001 and 2016 GM 6.6L Duramax V8 engines. These applications are a direct bolt-on replacement for any street or off-road application where higher levels of performance and durability are desired.

For those who want more out of their Dmax powertrain but yet remain legal for a street truck or offroad these were built for higher performance than OEM. 

Edelbrock's new Diesel Cylinder Head is compatible with all stock Duramax valvetrain components as well as valve covers, water crossover, injectors and plugs(f). Each A356 aluminum cylinder head casting is heat- and pressure-treated to reduce porosity while also increasing both strength and fatigue properties.

Specs: #79029
Intake Port Volume Combined: 230cc 
Exhaust Port Volume Combined: 117cc 
Deck Thickness: 16mm  
Valve Size: Intake - 33mm, Exhaust - 31mm 
Spring Specs: 1st Load: 105 lbs @ 1.650” Installed Height 
2nd Load: 210 lbs @ 1.250” 
Spring Solid Height (Coil Bind): 1.000” 
Max Lift Recommended: .600” (.050” Clearance) 

Intake and exhaust runners are designed to optimize flow and swirl, but engine builders and head porters will also appreciate the extra deck and port wall material for custom porting and deck strength.

Best of all, the new Edelbrock Diesel Cylinder Head is CARB legal, making them the perfect choice for a street performance upgrade to your Chevy or GMC Duramax Diesel engine.

Designed, cast, machined and assembled in the USA, Injector cups are integrated into the castings for LB7 applications.  Castings are treated to Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) process for strength and heat-treated to T7 hardness for the extreme diesel operating environment. Thick 15.5mm deck for increased cylinder pressures plus raised rocker valley adds water volume in head. 

I don't know about you but I'm excited to see a well known performance company dip into the diesel performance market. Their production expertise is well known and appreciated in the motorsports markets. When you want the best and can rely on it then buy the best for your truck.

For more info:

https://www.edelbrock.com/edelbrock-cylinder-head-79029-for-gm-2001-2004-lb7-6-6l-duramax-diesel-engines-79029.html

https://edelbrock-instructions-v1.s3.amazonaws.com/edelbrock/79029.pdf





 

#1 first upgrade for DIESELS - headstuds!

I'm not talking about what is done first, I'm talking about what should be done first if you are going to up the HP or do long-hauling with your diesel truck!

What is important is understanding the load your engine is under during operation (driving) and HEAT! Heat causes failure of engine parts such as heads, gaskets, pistons, etc. Basically heat causes engine failure.

Bolts holds everything together during extreme heat running time on your engine block. DIESEL Motorsports official studs/bolts from the beginning has been ARP (Automotive Racing Products)! This endorsed product has become not only the leader in the industry but right now is the only alternative to OEM for studs/bolts.

ARP has years of expertise in racing and in the diesel marketplace. Any garage will order ARP when repairing heads, gaskets and engine rebuilds. The great thing about ARP is that they manufacture many different bolts that secure the engine parts for performance such as rods bolts, damper bolts and much more.

What makes ARP studs/bolts better than OEM?

It's all in the build of each bolt, heat treated with various roll thread design depending on the bolt application. Each application is designed different for maximum holding strength during engine performance. ARP has had decades of experience when it comes to performance motor sports with many experienced engineers designing the bolts/studs that match the application.

Without ARP's products in our diesels we would have many more problems with blown engines, gaskets, and many other issues revolving around too much heat! ARP has bolt applications for many other parts of the engine including a lit for the dampers. Make sure to check out their kits for engine building along with specifications for the amount of horsepower.

Sure there are some competitors out there trying to compete but NONE to the level of ARP! Don't take my word for it, ask any of the diesel shop owners what they order and recommend!