Keystone Nationals Review 2022

After a 2 year hiatus because of COVID the Keystone Nationals were back to normal with some of the best pulling tractors, trucks and rails in the country for a 3 day event in Harrisburg PA. This is a great event that pulls many of the rural community in together in one spot for sled pulling indoors with the help of exhaust tube and filtration system.

Over 250 entries over a 3 day period with lots of exciting moments during the pulls every night and all day on Saturday.

Saturday was a larger crowd with starting competitors with pedal tractors pulling a smaller sled along with smaller competitors of 10 and under age group. Then it jumped to the larger arena with tractor classes that had qualifying pullouts for the Saturday night finals.

The Hot Workstock National Championship was supposed to pull at 12 noon but the track conditions needed some improvement for DOT street tires so they rescheduled for 2pm letting some larger tractors pull before them. This flattened the dirt more and made for a solid track for the street tires of the Hot Workstock trucks.

This is a street truck that has limited turbo inlet of 2.60 with street legal modifications done to the truck. We had trucks from a 6 state area surrounding the pull. Being indoors with a shortened track of 252 ft instead of 300 ft causes some setting adjustments along with the tube exhaust taking some of the power so they had to jump on the acceleration quickly.

The class actually saw 3 of the trucks with a full pull and running into the end barrier on the wall which made it an exciting class for the crowd. This caused a pull off for the 3 trucks with heavier settings on the sled. 

This class was sponsored by Diamond Advantage/Navistar and locally Hassler Diesel. The winners and competitors are listed below.

1st Runs

Lyndall Steiner - 237.62 - 8

Tanner Kels - 240.23 - 6

Seth Ulmer - 239.19 - 7

Wesley Kless - 251.24 - 4

Jacob Wagner - 11.00 - 10

John Costa - 255.30 - 3*

Ross Harter - 221.54 - 9

Shawn Bell - 240.98 - 5

Tom Hassler - 256.37 - 1*

Drew Slayback - 256.04 - 2*

* Runoff was decided by track officials since all 3 went over Full Pull of 252 ft.

Runoff Run - more weight added

Drew Slayback - 233.72 - 1

John Costa - 227.24 - 2

Tom Hassler - 223.06 - 3

The trucks provided great entertainment for the crowd and with some displays of power. They will remember this group of trucks for a long time! DIESEL Motorsports will return this class to the East Coast Diesel Nationals on June 25th!

Congratulations to the winners!

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5327116890655832&type=3

South Coast Gator Nationals 2022 Review!

 When you are handed a lemon you make lemonade!

When you are cold you go SOUTH - way south! 

 . . .  Like Palm Beach Florida in February when the rest of the northern plains and country are frozen over with sleet and snow!

For the 2nd year DIESEL Motorsports moved south for a 2 day sled pulling event along with dirt drags and a truck show at the PBIR track in Florida. I flew from 7 inches of snow with wind chill of -10 degrees to 80+ degrees and sunny in one day! 

It did not take much convincing for many of the Interstate pullers from PA/NJ area to also come south for a weekend of pulling tractors and trucks. The track is a little rougher than they are used to for pulling but they made adjustments to the sled so we all could have a fun time pulling.

The dirt drags held during the afternoon hours on Saturday was a great show from many different local competitors and their trucks. Shortly after the dirt drags the Mothers Show-N-Shine was judged with some great looking entries including one of the trucks who quickly knocked the dirt off from the dirt drags.

It was a great two nights of pulling with many new records set for Southern Florida pulling. The fans were great at cheering the pullers who made the full pulls or greater than 300 feet! Winners are listed below from all activities.

This will have to be relocated next year since the PBIR(Moroso) track has been officially sold and scheduled to be tore down for warehouse space. Many years of racing and motorsports history has taken place at this location. So sad to see this happen but as they say the show must go on. . . 

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=DIESELMotorsports.US&set=a.5252003261500529

Winners:

DIRT Drags

8,000 Street Truck

Championship – John Say

2^nd Champion – Brian Beckerbu

 

8,000 Pro Truck

Championship – Serena Alexander

 

Mothers Show-N-Shine

Best of Show – Jessica Barker – 2022 Ford Super Snake Shelby

Best Ford – Kyle Bair – 2017 F-250

Best Dodge – Tim Canary – 2019 3500

Best GM/Chevy – Charles/Ricky Carroll – 2019 2500

Best Import – David Kirkland – 2010 Toyota Tundra 

Best Rat Rod – Ashley/Austin Meehan – 1975 Dmax Fleetwood Cadillac

 

DIESEL Motorsports Sled Pulling

 

10,500 Altered Farm Tractor

1. Tommy Eppard – 316.34
2. Lawrence Hayman – 304.35
3. Sawyer Baum – 299.02
4. Rob Bell – 277.42

 

7,500 Modified Tractors

1. Don Deane – 336.05
2. Mike Schoenemann – 278.37
3. Dale Forrester – 252.36
4. Mike Schoenemann-238.07
5. Ian Erricker – 233.53

 

10,000 Pro farm Tractor

1. Doug Hayman – 330.38
2. Levi Leizear – 299.43
3. Ryan Miller – 297.13
4. Bob Shipe – 286.52

 

6,200 2WD Trucks

1. Ian Erricker – 328.15
2. Dale Forrester – 327.83
3. Mark Culbertson – 293.42
4. Chelcie Forrester – 267.82
5. Eddie Ocker – 266.66

 

8,500 Mod Turbo 

1. Scott Kiskaddon – 319.77
2. Matt Smith – 318.23
3. Matt Smith – 312.75
4. Jason Forrester – 310.52
5. Mark Miller – 302.08
6. Andy Keyes – 296.00

What we should be looking for in the next year 2022! DIESEL Motorsports plus . . .

 What should we expect for the new year starting this weekend? 

My predictions after living in this great country of ours and being self employed for most of my working life:

• The industry and markets in automotive are changing before our very eyes, as it should with technology advancements.  The younger people (18-35) better understand the electronics but are quickly learning what many of us have known all along - build a stronger drivetrain so the electronics will not break it!

• The existing administration wants all small garages, shops and businesses to diminish with more regulations being brought on them. Only our state governments can stop this based on structure of powers, quit wasting time on Congress and start with local state's government. The atmosphere is so caustic right now in DC neither party is going to help save our automotive history and sports.

• Suburbia will be in decline for automotive aftermarket and the rural areas will increase. Why do you find auto chain part stores in all of the small towns? They still have to drive to get to work, school and entertainment. Suburbia youth are not even getting driver's licenses until their 20s.

• Sometimes in 2022 there will be a glut of new vehicles in the market since the chips will catch up with production - then the prices will start dropping in order to move them. Right now people are rebuilding their older trucks because it is still cheaper than buying new and even if you can find new trucks.

• Part shortage will continue as long as our government allows outside manufacturers to short us. We ALL should seek building everything in the US again and not be held hostage on parts that were patented and designed here in the first place. The intention of outside sourcing is to drive our economy down to their level - it's always about the dollar.

• People love automotive, that will never end! They will look for new outlets to be involved, some old and some new avenues will become the norm! Fixing along the way what the bean-counters have destroyed or mismanaged! The true enthusiasts will return!

• Yes, we will be moving some events around this year because of multiple factors such as weather, track contracts and new opportunities! That is why I put tentative schedule untill the end of January, we get at least 20 requests from the PRI show to do events in new areas. We just can not get them all because of budgetary restraints but if something looks interesting and makes sense we will try it out. My local old farmers and the Almanac says a long cold, wet winter and spring so yes, I listen to experience.

• Yes, we will all be here this time next year! I will reprint this next year on this date and let's see what has happened.

What we saw at the PRI Show 2021 . . . DIESEL Motorsports!

 After being closed down because of the pandemic and under new leadership the PRI Show was back at the Indiana Convention Center December 9-11th! 

It was a return to normalcy is what I heard more often as a comment and many people were smiling! The show started out a little slow but that did not last long, Thursday and Friday were very busy with quality people coming by the booth! Friday was almost back to the old days of being packed shoulder to shoulder with many enthusiasts! Saturday was busy in the morning then fell off after 1 pm which is pretty normal and gave us time to look around the show.

The vendors/booths were down just like SEMA with no booths in the halls and side rooms but it made for getting a good spot inside the halls. Yes, there was some empty spaces inside along with feature vehicles filling spots but it looked well planned with good flow. 

Did we get a break for displaying after the pandemic since most companies are hurting a bit, no we did not! Everything cost more including space, booth accessory rental, hotels, parking, etc. It all cost more than two years ago but I guess you pay to play! Many restaurants were limited hours with limited staff so lots of empty tables but no one to service them. But, you still can not complain about the quality food in downtown Indianapolis.

Was the show a success? My opinion would be yes!

Our DIESEL Motorsports booth was packed with people, of course it helped we were giving away free swag from our sponsors along with our series information. We received many requests from tracks wanting us to host an event at their facility and many inquiries from manufacturers about our series.

Was there hiccups in setup and operation? Of course a few is always there after starting the process after being shut down but most were overlooked when you have a successful show!

Many new vendors were there with some new products and it was GOOD to see all of our friends and customers again. 

Will we be back? Of course, DIESEL Motorsports has been coming since we started 14 years ago even being down in Orlando where we held a Friday night drag race and Rep Car Rental Race.

DIESEL Motorsports is not just about diesel we love all motorsports and performance! That is why this show is important.

See you next year!

Where is motorsports going into the future???

Not just DIESEL Motorsports but motorsports in general, what is the future for racing, pulling, car/truck shows, etc?

The authorities want us to follow the rule you can not change the vehicle you buy with your own money in anyway! You own it and pay your hard earned money for it for months in payments, but is it really yours?

Americans have changed their vehicles ever since the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line for over 100 years. Races were held first thing around the country in altered vehicles as thousands showed up to watch. Many of the future changes to vehicles came from home mechanics who altered the very vehicle they bought.

Millions and billions of dollars are spent at local garages, shops, auto part stores and online stores to customize and accessorize your personal vehicle. 

So that line of revenue stream is just going to disappear? A 100 year history of motorsports, vehicles, parts and traditions they want to go away?

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I know our American enthusiasts and it is as important as the 2nd Amendment to most racers, pullers and truck show people. It is a way of life for many and it will not go away no matter how much they threaten us.

And I'm sorry, electric vehicles are not going to replace any of it but for the high-end super expensive vehicles. There are not enough chemicals for battery production to even replace 5% of the vehicles (more on that research coming)! 

And I'm sorry, we are expecting our Congress to agree and pass a bill helping motorsports? They can not even agree how to blow monies we don't have so I don't see that happening anytime soon. The government in DC is so caustic right now I don't see them agreeing on nothing unless it fills their own pockets.

So motorsports will have to be governed by state by state like most current laws to allow them to continue. It's kinda like the rest of what is important to us. Pass it state by state and the majority rules - ALWAYS!

Heading to the Performance Race Industry (PRI Show) next week to display at our booth #1835, so come by and discuss what I have stated above, yes I'm passionate about it!

Thunder in the Bunker REVIEW/Results!

 

DIESEL Motorsports held the last event of the year this past Saturday at Bunkerhill Dragway which is the oldest Dragstrip in Indiana. A cool brisk day but we did have sunshine the entire day! Over 40 vehicles raced during the day along with over 1300 enthusiasts watched as trucks and cars ran down the track. A couple of our longtime racers (since 2001) showed up in diesel cars instead of trucks to race (one BMW and one Chevy Cruze), in fact the Chevy Cruze won the ET Class.

 

 

DIESEL Motorsports wants to thank all of the competitors and enthusiasts who came out Saturday for the Thunder in the Bunker/redux from this Spring. It was a beautiful day on Saturday and a big thanks goes to the Bunkerhill crew for helping with the event along with sponsors Cornfed Diesel, Agro Eco, Diesel Mafia, Amos Diesel and Blessed Diesel Performance! 

 

A lot of familiar old competitors along with some new faces enjoyed a day of racing and conversation about our favorite subject Trucks! Winners are listed below along with a few photos - go to DM FB photos for the album of the event.

 

Winners:

Heads-Up Class

Champion - Cody Lambert

2nd - Vince Neiderhauser

ET Class

Champion - Bruce Block

2nd - Seth Blackburn

Show-N-Shine 

Best of Show Julia Camp

 

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=DIESELMotorsports.US&set=a.4827552483945611

 

 

SEMA 2021 Review - DIESEL Motorsports!

 Many of our diesel shops or enthusiasts are too busy working to take the time to come to SEMA, so I try and give a short review along with photos so they can see what they might have missed.

After being canceled last year because of Covid and coming back to a high level restriction for access I would say they had a good show! Was it as big as the shows before pandemic? No, but you have to remember this show gets a lot of foreign companies and enthusiasts that regularly come that could not come this year. 

As I told one SEMA official, you have to start somewhere and this was it for the year. Many manufacturers opted to not be there which is understandable right now with Covid still an issue and part shortages throughout the automotive world. The crowd was down quite a bit but it made it nice to be able to walk the show easily, take photos and visit with clients with time to spare.

Reminded me of the SEMA show in the 80/90s era, where quality not quantity was important to the show as far as visitors with badges. 

Was the vendors there worthy to see and visit, yes they were for my part looking for truck performance and accessories. And yes, I still am a motor enthusiasts both gas and diesel so I look at them all.

There were many display vehicles which made for nice viewing along with some great vendor booths. Many vendors had video or social media outlets at their booths along with visiting industry leaders.

I actually had time to visit with longtime friends and business associates since we had not seen each other for over two years. It is always good to network and visit with people in the industry about the one thing we all love - motorsports! 

Since we have a booth at the PRI show (#1835), I was actually coming to SEMA to measure what to expect from the enthusiasts and industry manufacturers. 

Both were very positive about the future and wanted to keep the sport alive for many generations. That is exactly what I wanted to hear from both groups. 

Problems they need to fix for 2022, BETTER PARKING, easier registration (many of my guys got nixed) and always more water lol! Had a fun week and back to normal setting for SEMA! (masks were required but many chose not to wear them).