What is stronger in DIESEL Motorsports - pulling or drag racing???

It all depends on what part of the country you are in geographically! The popularity of it changes from region to region but it all surrounds diesel performance. Obviously because of the population the East and Midwest has the largest concentration of diesel pickups and in that area sled pulling dominates not only events but also in number of trucks competing.

It's only natural since this area is the bread basket of farming and diesel trucks and machinery are used for their work. Plus pulling has been part of the county fairs for over 100 years starting with horses, to tractors and now to trucks!

Drag racing is still popular but it doesn't draw the crowd that pulling does in the Midwest and East. Many fast trucks/diesels are built in the Midwest because of the technology researched by the diesel shops in this area. Many new items have been developed for advanced performance and horsepower by the local shops.

Out West is mostly drag racing with the trucks because that and off-roading is what the West has always done! It's where the CA racing scene was hot in the 50-70s but with increased population the tracks are having a hard time staying open.

The South is mostly drag racing but pulling is found in pockets in the South, there are a lot of fast trucks in the South. The numbers are smaller for diesel performance trucks but they still are growing the sport in this area.

The NE area of the country has grown yearly for diesel performance in pulling and racing because of the diesel shops. They have advanced by leaps and bounds producing some high HP trucks for both racing and pulling.

The Southwest remains about the same, a lot of trucks in that area but there are less people and less need for performance diesels.

Overall the sport is growing in more areas than others plus the use of diesel for transportation is up 5% for both trucks and domestic vehicles. This is attributed to more access to diesel fuel at the pumps and the interest by the public for longevity for their vehicles.

Trucks, trucks and more trucks . . . gas & diesel . . . because that is what's selling!

I just got back from the Performance Warehouse Association conference and the WDs were looking to buy products that are for trucks! ALL trucks!

That's because they follow what the masses are buying and what will sell at the retail level. Trucks are used for work, pleasure and families, a multipurpose vehicle. With trucks being designed as a four door and most ride as smooth as cars anymore, plus they will still haul or tow large loads at anytime.

They do cost more but most people look at resale values and trucks always retain their values better than domestic cars. Diesel trucks really retain their value in the market place. 

The buyers were looking for products that enhance the trucks but they have to be legal for the market. Mostly because the attorneys have warned them to only sell what the government considers legal for use on trucks because another WD in OH was penalized by the EPA for selling illegal products just last month.

Is it worth the risk, can they do that to a free marketplace? Yes they can and consider the penalties you will have to incur for selling the products.

It's a crazy environment we live in today and even though we may not agree with the majority sometimes -  it is the law which they will enforce. 

I'm writing this to tell what I witnessed at the conference as a warning and as a positive to shop owners. It was good to see the WDs wanting to buy products from manufacturers for trucks both gas and diesel. It's supply and demand so the days of truck accessories, performance and maintenance is back as it was in the 80s and 90s.

Should be a perfect time for many shops to capitalize on what the public wants and demands to purchase for their vehicles.

Sled Pulling rules - past - present - future . . .

DIESEL Motorsports gets asked every year are we going to change our ruleset for pulling. Past years DIESEL Motorsports pulling rules were determined by a group of rural regular pullers and partner Larry (Gene) Mohney based on what should be legal and allow the most diesel trucks to run.

A fair ruleset so everyone in the country could go county to county, state to state to run in everyone's pulls and the rules were the same as not to favor a local group.

What a grand idea and thought to grow the sport of pulling!

It worked for a few years while everyone was cordial and friendly, a family of diesel truck pullers.

It didn't work long though since businesses with pulling trucks competed in the group and wanted to win every time. More power, more wins and more advantages with technology, then the rules started to change at the local pulls again to favor the local trucks. Then entire state groups started to change influenced by those who had the most powerful trucks along with selling the parts to make those trucks.

Turbo rules, weights, etc started to change for the more powerful trucks. This should be a natural progression for technology and advanced performance - right? Yes the trucks that were once considered Modified ran 1000 hp and now the 2.6 trucks easily run over 1000 hp.

2.8 class disappeared and now less 3.0 trucks so the trend starts of less trucks competing. The local rural pulling enthusiast can no longer compete unless you are quite well off - trucks from $50 - 100,000 are the norm for the better pulling trucks.

Let's introduce the 2.5 trucks to include the locals so they can still pull! Now during the past two years i now see 2.5 trucks trailered to the events and are getting close to 1000 hp.

Higher price turbos, injectors, engines, etc and now the modified class trucks are not even trucks and resemble funny car frames with fiberglass bodies reaching near $250,000 each.

Meanwhile the local person cannot afford to keep up with a sport that once dotted all of the fairgrounds with pulls and the fun of competing with other diesel friend's trucks.

DIESEL Motorsports stayed the same for years on local levels and had to change at Regional events until last year where we changed then to accommodate the Midwest trucks. DIESEL Motorsports does not sell parts or favors one brand over the other so more people can compete.

Now other organization's rules are being set by the people who are selling the parts! More higher price parts sold, higher end pulling trucks but less people who are pulling because of costs.

Is this progress?

Now the rules are in question again for the future which basically knocks out the lower truck puller completely. Sure they can drop down as the 2.8 trucks did, or the 2.6 trucks did to 2.5 but how many do we lose in the process.

Sure every one wants to win and take home the big checks but if there are less trucks then the fairgrounds look for other pulling options such as tractors, semis and alcohol mods.

So DIESEL Motorsports is still trying to keep the ruleset on a fair playing field for local trucks and professional trucks in the near future. We want the sport to grow with more people with diesel trucks getting into the sport. What do you think should be the direction? More horsepower and less trucks or fair ruleset with more trucks?

We will see where this takes us for the future for the sport of diesel truck pulling. . . 

Mid-Season review - DIESEL Motorsports!

I usually publish a marketing review of the sport by mid-year but we were so late in getting the season started because of the heavy Spring rains. Once the Summer got going I think everything picked up for diesel performance business and events.

What I am hearing from the shops, manufacturers and businesses they are quite busy right now with diesel performance and maintenance work for the trucks. A lot of the business has to do with making the motors stronger with internal parts and running the maintenance that will keep the diesel trucks running for their work.

Diesel fuel has finally come down so being affordable is easy and in some locations it is cheaper than gas. This allows a little relief from the rising cost of goods across the board for family members. The cost of keeping the competition diesels going in the upper classes have grown and many shops who used to fix the breaks in a week or two may be done for the season. This causes less higher end trucks at the events but the number of the lower to mid level classes have grown at the events.

So more people are buying and using diesel vehicles in their life and using them on the weekends for either a hobby or pleasure. That aligns with the past summer's report from a research group hired by the government, they reported diesel fuel use to increase by 28% by the year 2021 and the use of domestic and light hd vehicles will increase by 23% by 2021!

It is no longer the dirty fuel, the new cleaner diesels have helped our image and even brought more people to the events to find out what diesels can do in performance sports. They realize the trucks used in our classes are not street vehicles since 95% are trailered into the events. The diesel trucks hauling them into the events are burning clean diesel, because they are street vehicles.

If the economy was a bit stronger I think we would see more improvement in activity with the diesel marketplace but I think we are holding our own compared to other motor sports around the country.

Who's on top for diesel performance?

I recently saw a list of the top ten diesel performance leaders for speed and times in drag racing. The top three have not been on the track for at least two years or longer and the others have made these top runs maybe once!

I did see some regulars who run constantly down the track and deserve to be on the list but I did not see some who does deserve to be on there with registered backed up fast runs.

So if the top 3 or 4 have not been on the track for over 2 years does that mean the diesel performance technology has not progressed in over two years? Or that no one has built anything of being worth being mentioned?

If you look at NHRA top runners their speeds progress yearly along with changing vehicles.

What this tells me is the sport still has a long way to go for becoming a mainstream sport, it's all about numbers. It takes huge amount of dollars to build a performance diesel for drag racing and keeping it going. But if the number of people watching these vehicles run does not go up in numbers their dollars will never materialize from sponsors.

I think some of these people are innovative builders who want to excel in diesel performance but their knowledge of attracting major businesses is missing. I talk to a few people at every show and they want to know what it takes to get big name sponsors?

It's about the numbers, exposure and presenting their plea in a business plan that is credible.

So who's on top?  The racers showing up at every event and making multiple passes down the track, getting in front of fans that want to see diesel performance!

Power on the Mountain! East Coast Diesel Nationals 2015. . .

2015 is the 6th year this event has been held at Numidia Dragway and it gets bigger every year. The Diesel Lifestyle family event brings in all ages to watch diesel truck drag racing, pulling, dyno competition and Show-N-Shine. 

It's the only location where we run sled pulling at the same time drag racing is being held right next to each other, it gives the fans double entertainment to watch. Many of the vendors offer show special pricing on diesel parts sought by the truck owners who attend the show. The track owner loves kids and even brings in a bounce house for them along with a huge playground. 

This year DIESEL Motorsports had over 280 trucks competing and over 4500 fans watching the activities. It was a full day starting at 8am and ending about 8pm, the staff of DIESEL Motorsports works very hard to make sure every one has a great time while at the event.

To start the day out we were a bit concerned because heavy rain, thunder and lightning hit the town of Bloomsburg where we were staying but by the time we got to the track on top of the mountain the sky was clearing and it had barely rained at the track. That is the way this track sits between two mountain ranges and seems to miss most storms, that is until 8pm that night minutes after the last Workstock truck pulled down the track the storms came in hard and drenched the area.

During the day it was beautiful sunny weather all day long with long lines at the concessions wanting water, Italian Ice and fountain drinks. Being on top of the mountain there is always a breeze blowing across the track with little humidity. It is a pleasure being in the mountains after holding events down on the plains in the heat.

As always we saw many street trucks line up in the staging lanes for drag racing with many new trucks wanting to win the cash purses available right after the races. DIESEL Motorsports did see some fast trucks with the Unlimited class trucks running in the low 9s in the 1/4 mile. The Mass Diesel dyno competition all saw some high horsepower trucks over 1100 hp coming from all three truck brands.

Sled pulling always has some of the strongest trucks on the East Coast pulling for the cash purses paying 10 places back. This year a diesel tractor class was added, the Modified Turbo tractors was a crowd pleaser with many big names running down the track. The 2.5 class gets stronger every year with some trucks getting close to 1000 hp.

It was a day for many to remember including the Mothers Show-N-Shine trucks with Doug Brarens taking home the best of show with his hauler "Rustenstein"!

Already planning next year's event at Numidia with some new additions to the show that includes some new diesel exhibitions. It is one of DIESEL Motorsports favorite venues to come to every year.

Winners of the Flowmaster  Series classes are below:

2.6 Class Pulling
John Manns Baldwin, MD 1996 Ford, Red/White 331.41
Jeremy Urey Brogue, PA 2003 Dodge, Gray 328.53
Jake Slingluff Belin, PA 1997 Dodge 320.31
Scott Whiles Wellinsford, CT 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, Silver 320.24
Corrie Baker Mt. Pleasant, PA 2004 Chevy, Tan 319.05
Mike Lepley Ebeiwberg, PA 1985 Dodge 317.48
Clint Mills Kennedyville, MD 2006 Dodge, White 317.06
Matthew Hoist East Earl, PA 2005 Dodge 316.16
Joe Hemm Mayport, PA 2000 Dodge, White 315.3
Keifer Fleegce Shippensburg, PA 2004 Dodge, White 310.42
Brian Stumblw Bellefonte, PA 1996 Dodge, Green 304.82
Cody Thomas Pottstown, PA 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 303.63
Chris Hoover Boyertown, PA 1997 Dodge, Black 302.68
Greg Henne Jonestown, PA 2005 Dodge, Gray 299.92
Travis Lewis/Recently Single Millville, PA 2002 GMC Sierra, Gold 299.15
Culvin Zimmerman New Holland, PA 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 297.13
Dustin Harrison Atlantic, PA 296.75
Robert Santini Stewartsville, PA 2002 GMC, Green 289.72
Jon Weaver Richfield, PA 2001 Chevy, Black 287.19
Rick Abare Ticonderje, NY 2009 Chevy, Red 271.36
Brennon Roy Gillet, PA 1999 Dodge, Blue 269.25
Tyler Albert Kingsley, PA 2010 Dodge Ram, Gray 267.04
Greg Walker Spring Grove, PA 1997 Dodge 2500, Silver 253.81
Tim Pheys Groton, PA 2006 Chevy, Red 248.33
Justin Gordon Allenwood, PA 1999 Ford, White 247.73
Grant Smith Keyser, WV 2003 Dodge, Black 201.44
Brad Reynolds/Green Goblin Summit Hill, PA 1997 Dodge 2500, Green 191.94
Joe Petak Trumbull, CT 2001 Dodge, White 130.82
Bill Dean St Albens, VT 2005 Chevy, Blue 107.82
Jesse Warren Guts Mills, PA 2004 Ford, White 51.54
Joe Cosentino Middlenver, MD 1995 Dodge, Silver 10.33

2.5 Class
James Etgan Mayfield, NJ 2006 Dodge, Silver 352.3
Caleb Herman Middleburg, PA 2002 Chevy, Gold/Orange 326.63
Nick Stillwagon Connellsville, PA 2007 Chevy, Blue 326.58
Denny Brechbill Carlisle, PA 99 Dodge, Green 321.81
Dale Blubaker Mohnton, PA 2006 Chevy, Gray 320.81
Josh Carter Mayfield, NJ 2006 Dodge, Blue 319.56
Kevin Wray Northumberland, PA 2006 Gmc Gray 319.46
Rick Abare Ticonderoje, NY 2009 Chevy, Red 315.84
Nathan Branham Centreville, MD 2004 Chevy 313.39
Chadd Briggs Dry Run, PA 2004 Chevy, Silver 312.03
Mark Fessler Womelsdorf, PA 2002 GMC, Silver 311.88
Mike Lonie Bedford, NH 2005 Dodge, White 305.52
Christopher Knuth Madera, PA 2008 Chevy, Black 304.01
Trevor Long Carlisle, PA 300.1
Derele Borden Westport, PA 2006 Chevy, Black 298.25
Philip Martin Stroudsburg, PA 2005 Chevy, Gray 296.89
Levon Visnofsisy Olanta, PA 2012 Dodge, Green 296.64
Mark Wray Gillet, PA 2003 GMC, Gray 287.36
Jill Heining/Daddy's Money Jennerstown, PA 1999 Dodge, White 285.46
Bret Moyer Winfield, PA 2002 Chevy, Black 282.35
Jay Hill Lannenberg, PA 2009 Chevy 281.1
Tom Hassler Bethel, PA 2008 Ford, White 281.1
Andy Garrett Landenburg, PA 2004 Ford, White 278.24
Matt Fessler Womelsfdorf, PA 271.87
Jason Stveok Dushere, PA 2004 Dodge, Red/Silver 266.25
Tom Philips Groken, NY 265.1
Todd Young Benton, PA 2006 Ford, Blue 260.54
Brandon Glasgow Aaronsburg, PA 2000 Dodge, Red 260.24
Benny Stone Factoryville, PA 2011 Dodge, Green 257.58

Work Stock Class
Brianna Hill Landenburg, PA 2005 Chevy, Green 316.75
Mark Fessler Womelsdorf, PA 2002 GMC, Silver 313.59
Kyle Barchey Rockwood, PA 2007 Dodge, Blue 313.44
Martin Zimmerman New Holland, PA 2007 Dodge 313.29
Derek Borden Westport, MA 2004 Chevy, Black 313.09
Mike Lonie Bedford, NH 2005 Dodge, Red 311.33
Tom Hassler Bethel, PA 2008 Ford, White 310.98
Christopher Knuth Madera, PA 2008 Chevy, Black 309.33
Ross Harter Avis, PA 2006 Chevy, Red 304.91
Ben Gelsinger Robesonia, PA 2001 Chevy, Gray 304.21
Trevor Long Carlisle, PA 2005 Chevy 303.91
Andy Garrett Landenburg, PA 2004 Ford, White 301.76
Jack Shingala Sunbury, PA 2004 Chevy, Maroon 301.4
Matt Fessler Womelsdorf, PA 2007 Chevy, Black 301.35
Jesse Young Benton, PA 2008 Ford, Brown 297.99
Jason Streak Dushere, PA 2004 Dodge, Red/Silver 293.18
Jacob Wood Mucy, PA 2011 Chevy, Black 290.27
Eric Arnold Duncansville, PA 2000 Ford, Red 289.97
Ryan Yankin Connellsville, PA 2003 Ford Blue 289.04
Chris Koehler Windsor, PA 2004 Dodge 283.75
Scott Miles Jefferson Twp, PA 2004 GMC, Red 281.8
Zach Albright Altoona, PA 2007 Chevy 276.88
Todd Young Benton, PA 2006 Ford, Blue 275.68
Shane Kline Benton, PA 2002 Ford, Blue 269.26
Ryan Smith Tunkhannnok, PA 2008 Dodge, Blue 267.61
Kyle Meyers Iwona, PA 2012 Dodge 265.75
Scott Beers Easton, PA 2003 Dodge, Black 249.46
Brian Guputo East Hampton, NY 2005 Chevy, Gray 233.21
Miele Hahn Nazareth, PA 2001 Dodge, Red 124.45
Bryan Ralich Ringtown, PA 2006 Dodge 108.31

Tractors Mod Turbo
Vern Zerby/2 Unit Chambersburg, PA Case IH Puma 210 321.59
Curt Forrester/Old Skool Chambersburg, PA Ford 8210 316.27
Scott Kiskadden/Bleedin Blue Chambersburg, PA NH T6-175 316.03
Yankee Mellot/2 Mistress Chambersburg, PA IH-1466 312.51
Vern Zerby/Dr LZ Chambersburg, PA IH-1466 309.02
Vern Zerby/002u Chambersburg, PA IH-966 299.73
Rick Hauck/Lil Stinker Winfield, PA IH-1066 280.65
John Forrester/Papa Smurf Chambersburg, PA Ford 9000 213.77

Flowmaster Drags
ET 
Cody Spence Norvan, PA 04 GMC 0.064 13.95 13.975
Jeremiah Soga Kutztown, PA 11 Ford 0.131 14.6 14.665

Unlimited 
Bruce Block White Pigeon, MI 0.303 10.220 139.56 
Phillip Price, Antrim Diesel Greencastle, PA 0.151 Broke 
Karl Mireiter Wooster, OH 0.132 10.316 133.42

TDI 2.0 
Zack McDowell Wellsville, NY 0.641 21.534 60.57

Pro Stock Diesel 
Susan Stump Fleetwood, PA 0.110 11.183 121.46 
Doug Brarens Mt Pocono, PA Foul -.003 11.524 115.47

QD 
Susan Stump Fleetwood, PA 0.144 12.00 12.79 115.85
Brontley Rigo Friedens, PA 0.182 12.00 12.217 104.32

Dyno Winners
Highest HP & Best dodge
Nicholas Eklund - 06 dodge - 1215.05/1940.40
Best Ford - Tiller Brancifort - 11 FordF350 - 1142.11/2000
Best GMC/Chevy - Adam Garth - 04 GMC - 951.35/1320.95

Mother’s Show-N-Shine
Best of Show – Doug Brarens
Best Dodge – Alan Yoder
Best Duramax – Yvohne Strube
Best Ford – Mike Seeley

Rules Rules and more changes in Rules - not DIESEL Motorsports!

I get calls all the time about what changes are being made to our rules?  DIESEL Motorsports has not had any major changes for over 8 years! The only changes that have been made are for safety through the SFI group and occasional equipment upgrades after conferring with the state groups and competitors.

As an association for the sports we need to make the rules work for groups across the country and not just one group who wants to sell more parts. The belief when we started this was a universal set of rules so competitors could travel state to state to compete without worry of being DQed for equipment.

This gets more people into the sport and more competitors to show up at your events since they don't have to worry about changing rules.

Different groups change the rules so they can sell their parts, make sure their trucks have a better chance wining and it is all about the dollars.

DIESEL Motorsports does not sell parts, we encourage all trucks to compete and we actually spend our dollars promoting local groups through sponsorship, marketing and promotions for their events.

We have been asked many times to sell parts or do our own web site but that does not help the local shops. DIESEL Motorsports wants the local shops to sell the parts to their customers. We want them to bring their customer's trucks to our events knowing they have a fair chance to win the purse monies.

If you change the rules every year then competitors who cannot afford the changes will drop out of the competitions. Then the numbers get smaller and smaller in the upper classes. When the numbers get smaller then the purses get smaller. It's a downward spiral that does not end in a positive direction.

DIESEL Motorsports wants all who want to compete to spend what they can to enjoy the sport, it is a rural sport for all who want to own a diesel that can compete every year without spending thousands to keep up with the rules.

It's hard enough to add more to compete with new technology in order to win but to purposely change the rules to make competitors upgrade only lessens our numbers.

DIESEL Motorsports wants to expand the market base and competitors, that is why we support local groups with funding, marketing and exposure.

Ask yourself if the other groups are giving to local diesel groups in order to expand the sports? We have been giving to local groups for over 8 years spending thousands of dollars to try and expand diesel motor sports!