AMSOIL through the Americas with the Trans-Americas Journey

For most people, the idea of picking up and leaving on a road trip that spans North, Central and South America seems an unlikely dream. For Karen Catchpole and Eric Mohl, (a writer and photographer, respectively) it is their reality and they are living it out right now on the Trans-Americas Journey.

Their journey began in 2006 and after eight years appears to be a never ending tour. Their cross-country and cross-continental journey has taken them through all 23 countries in the Western Hemisphere. Along the way, they are sharing their experiences through articles in various publications.

AMSOIL got on board in 2008 as they recognized the advantages of fewer pit stops for maintenance and the greater peace of mind that comes with taking care of their equipment from the inside out. Here's a recent update from Karen and Eric.

Our Chevy Silverado is the third team member on our Trans-Americas Journey road trip through North, Central and South America. The truck is definitely built to last, but we do everything we can to take extra special care of it. After all: No truck. No road trip.

Since 2008 part of that TLC (truck loving care) has included AMSOIL synthetic motor oil and filters. Since Amsoil joined our Journey more than five years ago we’ve driven nearly 70,000 miles through the US, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Ecuador.

We’ve scaled the Andes. We’ve explored the Amazon Basin. We’ve crossed the equator so many times we’ve lost count. We’ve dodged a million pot holes and negotiated a million speed bumps. We’ve been hot. We’ve been cold. We’ve been in the mud. And sand. And snow. We’ve gotten lost (sometimes even on purpose). We’ve bushwhacked through the Guajira desert and reached the end of the road (literally) in the Darien Jungle. And our third team member is still running smoothly.

--Karen Catchpole & Eric Mohl, Trans-Americas Journey

Go to the Trans-Americas Journey travel blog to follow along as Karen, Eric and their truck continue this epic road trip through the Americas all the way to Tierra del Fuego. Check out their truck specs here.

Bobby Unser: A Hero of Racing History

By any measure Bobby Unser has proven himself to be one of the great ones. His record speaks for itself:
#1 in Pike’s Peak Hill Climb wins with 13
3-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and one of only two to have won the 500 in three different decades (1968, 75, 81).
258 Indy car starts, winning series championships in ’68 and ’74.

A contender and champion in numerous other racing venues, Bobby Unser seems to have been born with a lead foot and a steering wheel in his hand. As everyone will attest, he loves to go fast. In fact, he was the first driver to average more than 190 miles per hour in the Indianapolis 500.

This month Racer magazine celebrated its 22nd anniversary by featuring the famous Unser family of racers alongside other champions in The Heroes III Issue. Between the three of them – Bobby, brother Al and Al Unser Jr. – they collected nine wins at Indy. The three were interviewed together for an engaging read that included comparisons of their racing styles and the challenges Al had of being a “dad” for a son who wanted to race.

Comparing Bobby and brother Al, it was noted that Bobby loved being out front, every lap if he could. Al, on the other hand, was only concerned with being out front for one lap, the last one, which he accomplished four times at Indianapolis. As Al puts it, “The crowd loved Bobby, because he’d just unscrew his brain and go after it from the green flag.”

It’s a great story involving a great family history. “Little Al” went on to capture two Indy wins as well, his first being in 1992 with a car that was only so-so. The young Unser succeeded through experience, good pit stops and guts. “We went to victory lane with a car no one expected could win there,” he said.

Bobby discovered AMSOIL early in his racing career and became a believer through his experiences at the grueling Pike's Peak Hill Climb. To this day he has been a friend of the AMSOIL family.

Thank you, Bobby, for your example of living the dream and doing your best without compromising. If we'd had a time machine that could make you young again, so you could continue to race your heart out, we would have given it to you when you turned 80 in February.

Top Selling Vehicles of 2013: Surprise, Surprise

It wasn't too far back when the four top selling vehicles in the U.S. were Hondas and Toyotas. What happens when you don't pay attention for a couple years? The top five slots show an almost startling turnabout. Yes, there is a Honda in the number 4 slot, and a Toyota in third. But what's this? The other three slots are all pickups by the leading three rivals. In the fifth position it's Dodge Ram, with 355,673 units sold. Second place went to Chevy's Silverado, an almost unbeatable breed for at least a couple years at the Diesel Power Challenge. Chevy sold 480,414 Silverados last year. Number one and top of the heap last year is the Ford F-150 with 793,402 units sold.

For a complete list of last year's top ten sellers, visit the Autoblog or click here to learn more about AMSOIL products for all your diesel needs.

Day 1 of the Diesel Power Challenge is a Dyno Shootout.

Earth Day Note: Count Us Green

You can't manage what you don't measure. That is why AMSOIL made a commitment to begin measuring its environmental impact in all facets of its operations.

From its inception the environmental benefits of a one year oil change instead of every three thousand miles was measurable in terms of reduced packaging waste and reduced used oil to be disposed of. AMSOIL synthetic oils kept engines cleaner also, so that there were fewer bi-products of combustion, less varnish and sludge. It was all good.

But the manner in which the company operates has also been wholly committed to numerous environmentally conscientious behaviors. One of these is to continuously reduce the amount of waste we produce so the each year we have few dumpsters going to the landfill. How low can we go? It waits to be seen but is exciting to see this company-wide initiative in action. Each year we have succeeded in reducing the number and we'll keep on it for as long as we are able. These initiatives and others like it have gained us regional recognition for our commitment to not just talking the talk, but walking the walk.

A second strategy that we embrace is to use use SmartWay® shipping. Launched in 2004, SmartWay® is an EPA program that reduces transportation-related emissions by creating incentives to improve supply chain fuel efficiency. The SmartWay® Program is a public-private initiative between EPA, large and small trucking companies, rail carriers, logistics companies, commercial manufacturers, retailers, and other federal and state agencies. Its purpose is to improve fuel efficiency and the environmental performance (reduction of both greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution) of the goods movement supply chains.

Guess what? We like being green and being responsible. We hope you do to.

Update on the AMSOIL / Street Rodder Road Tour '59 Chevy

Now at Hot Rod Interiors in Phoenix, Arizona the AMSOIL / Street Rodder Road Tour '59 Chevy is under the careful hands and sewing machine of Glenn Kramer. Building a custom interior will take almost three weeks and the car will be ready for unveiling on May 17 at Hot Rods by Dean also in Phoenix.

Good progress on the first day as the trunk is finished and the headliner is going in. Colors will be Torch Red vinyl and Graphite Silver cloth followed by Blood Red loop pile carpeting spread over ample supply of Dynamat to deaden unwanted sounds and keep out unwanted heat. The front seating will be a pair of Procar buckets with a rear custom bench seat all wrapped in the red/silver combination. All of the interior appointments will come by way of Classic Industries who also supplied the exterior trim and glass while SoffSeal supplied the rubber.

Hot Rods by Dean has dropped in The Shaver Racing Engines 427-inch LS motor complete with Inglese eight stack injection and a myriad of Comp Cams components that are at the heart of this 630hp and 602ft-lb torque smooth running V-8. Nestled behind the potent "small-block" is a 4L80E tranny built by Hughes Transmissions.

All of this potent performance sits on a Roadster Shop chassis that features four-wheel-independent suspension held up by Circle City Racing wheels wrapped with a set of four bodacious monster Michelin rubber tires.

The body is painted in Ferrari, yes that Ferrari, Red and accented by replated chrome and reworked and polished stainless steel all from Sherm's Custom Plating.

The AMSOIL / Street Rodder Road Tour '59 Chevy will travel nearly 25,000 miles crisscrossing the country this summer. Be sure to stop by and take a look you will be pressed.