2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge Announced

For the third consecutive year, AMSOIL is preparing for the 2009 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge as title sponsor. This year the competition pits 8 engine builders against one another to see who can design and deliver the best engine performance at the best cost. This is not just your everyday gearhead throwing together an engine that works, but serious builders committed to finding the right formula that outperforms the rest. These guys know their stuff, and put that knowledge to good use in this event.

In August, the builders will put their engines on display at the Mopar Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. From there the engines will be shipped to Comp Cams in Memphis, TN for three days of supervised dyno-testing in early September.

With a strict set of rules to follow, the engines are given an overall rating based on peak horsepower and peak torque divided by the retail cost of listed parts. AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Oil is the only oil permitted for use in each B-Block based engine from the start, and this has contributed tremendously to the winners’ outcomes in past years. Testing is done with a 900 rpm-per-second acceleration test, and testing data will be gathered between the 3,000-7,000 rpm range. Over the course of 45 minutes, each engine is required to make at least three scored pulls and the one with the highest combined horsepower and torque number will be used for the final score. Tuning is only allowed before the 45 minute test phase during the setting of timing and idle. After that it all boils down to which engine has what it takes in terms of horsepower, torque and operating temperatures. In previous years some engines couldn’t take the heat and were disqualified.

The main purpose of this challenge is to give engine builders well-deserved exposure to a market that has a need for them. Full coverage of the event and all participating engines is given in Mopar Muscle Magazine, where ultimately the winners are given a platform to showcase their talent. AMSOIL will be on top of any new developments, so watch this space for updates and outcomes of one of the most anticipated events in the Mopar market.

25th Rocky Mountain Nationals Coming to Pueblo, CO

This weekend, June 26-28, brings the next NSRA event to Pueblo, CO. With over 1,800 vintage street rods expected, the weekend promises to bring plenty to see and do for the family. Beginning Friday, June 26 with a parade through the streets of Pueblo, the three-day event has a car show, swap meet, Women’s World, and special area called “Streets of Rods." In addition to these NSRA event staples, the Rocky Mountain Nationals will have a little something extra on display. The Kookie Clone ’09, a replica of the car built for the TV series ’77 Sunset Strip’, will be displayed all weekend for an up close and personal look at a piece of Hollywood history.

Pueblo is home to several museums and landmarks with an emphasis on arts and local heritage, children's museums, and much more to discover. If you're in the area, plan on making the trip with the family.

25th Annual Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals
Dates
June 26, 27, 28, 2009

Times
Fri: 8:30 A.M-5:00 P.M.
Sat: 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Sun: 8:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

Cost
Adult: $14.00
Child: 6-12 $5.00
Under: 6 Free

2009 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour Visits Superior

AMSOIL welcomed the 2009 Street Rodder Road Tour on its ‘AMSOIL Tour’ leg here in Superior, WI last night. While the weather could have been a little nicer, it did not affect the number of local enthusiasts who turned out to see the tour roll in. With over 200 vintage and classic cars in attendance there was much to see and enjoy up close as the tour arrived, originating in Bowling Green, Ky. Jerry Dixie led the tour in his 1952 Chevy Bel-Air, which was one of the stars of the show in all of its metalflake green and white glory. Street Rods of all makes and models were in attendance, with something for every taste and generation. The next stop in the Road Tour is St. Ignace, MI for the St. Ignace Car Show. For those of you in that area, be sure you don’t miss this opportunity to see beautifully restored vehicles and show your support for the Street Rodder scene. The AMSOIL Tour was only the third in a series of eight legs, so there are plenty more opportunities throughout the country this summer to make it to one of these exciting events. You can find the entire tour schedule in the AMSOIL Promotions Blog by clicking here.

A Few More Images from TTC

The AMSOIL-sponsored Top Truck Challenge is not open to the public and even the competitors are limited to three guests. As each year passes the trucks get more and more competitive. The tube buggies typically do well but there were a couple short wheelbase front wheel steering trucks that put up a good fight this year. Doug Kahlstrom in his 1970 Dodge Power Wagon placed fifth out of ten behind the four tube buggies.

As with every year there were a few surprises. On Thursday Wayne Sheeley and his co-driver/wife Addie flipped their Jeep FC-170 over backwards in hole two of the tank trap and were trapped underwater for a few seconds as the recovery crew and host Tony Becker pulled them out. (See image in yesterday's blog post.) Thanks to a quick response nobody was injured.

Third place winner Leroy Latham in his 2008 homemade monster buggy was a strong runner all week. He wasn’t afraid to use the throttle and try different lines. He rolled twice, once in the hill climb and again in the mini-rubicon. Thank goodness for the five point restraint! Second place winner Brett Jerome in his Jeep TJ buggy was a favorite all week with his big air finishes. On Tuesday he launched his truck out of the frame twister logs so high he came down and blew both rear tires off the beads. Wednesday during the hill climb his fly by wire throttle hung and he flew into the trees off course. This mistake may have cost him first place.

First place winner David Green in his 2004 homemade tube buggy was the epitome of consistency all week. He finished every event in the top five or better despite hurting a piston in his 5.9 Cummins in the mud run on Tuesday.

According to our man on the scene Len Groom, "The one remark I consistently heard all week was that AMSOIL is the best for a reason. We not only make excellent products we back them up with support."

Thanks to everyone from Four Wheeler magazine and Source Interlink who pour their hearts and imaginations into making this such a fabulous event... and to all the other sponsoring companies who help make it happen.

2009 Top Truck Challenge Winners Announced

Last week we announced the Top Truck Challenge was underway in Hollister, CA. After three grueling days, a winner finally emerged to claim the ultimate bragging rights as 2009 Top Truck Challenge champion. David Green out of Alberta, Canada took the title in his Green Diesel Buggy. Second place belongs to Brett Jerome of Missouri in his Orange Jeep TJ Buggy, and third place was taken by Leroy Latham of Nevada in his Blue Homemade Monster Buggy. Ultimately all participants were winners simply by making it to Hollister, but these top three outdid the rest of the pack and had what it took to conquer the courses. Congratulations to our winners, and we’ll be back on the scene next year to see if they can defend their titles.

PHOTO: The Tank Trap has a reputation for destruction. Not all who attempt it succeed, but you can't win the TTC without making a valiant effort.