This is a reminder that AMSOILracing.com is the new home for our stories, video and blogs related to AMSOIL event and racing activities. Thank you to all who have been following us here these past four years. We look forward to capturing some of your eyeballs in our new home.
Earlier this spring AMSOIL launched AMSOILracing.com where we now features stories, video and blogs related to both our event and racing activities. Thank you to all who have been following us here these past four years. We look forward to capturing some of your eyeballs in our new home.
The fourth leg of the 2011 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour kicks off Saturday, July 9 at the Eastwood Summer Classic car show at The Eastwood Company in Pottstown, PA. On one of the most anticipated tours of the season, the group makes its way through New England with a series of stops at famous car shops, manufacturers, a NASCAR racetrack, and much more. For those that want to test their vehicle on a drag strip, the stop at the Maple Grove Raceway will give them the opportunity. The itinerary even includes a visit to the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. These and other stops are interjected along the scenic drive through the East coast of New England.
The next stop for the NSRA Nationals is June 24-26 in Pueblo, CO at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. The NSRA hosts various events throughout the nation all summer long, aimed at drawing out enthusiasts of the classic car movement. Car collectors from all over the area come out to display their restored classic vehicles in Pueblo, the largest event of its kind in the region. AMSOIL is pleased to be a part of this reputable organization that helps increase awareness of a true American pastime. AMSOIL Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil is specially formulated for these applications, so it’s a fitting partnership.
Kicking off on Father’s Day June 19, the Golden Shine Tour is next on the itinerary for the 2011 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour. After meeting at the LA Roadsters Fathers Day event, the tour heads back east to land in Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Nationals hosted by the NSRA. Along the way participants will experience behind-the-scenes tours at Las Vegas Speedway, as well as an up-close look at the production facilities and Shelby Museum at Shelby American.
The Top Truck Challenge 2011 is a wrap after three days of swamps, slopes, boulders & quagmire. The challenge concluded Thursday after the final event took out a few rigs in the Tank Trap, hailed as the most difficult challenge of them all. Huge water-filled holes successfully wiped out some of the competitors as they tried to clear the course, dashing the hopes of winning for a few of the participants. AMSOIL Technical Powersports Manager Len Groom sent a report on Friday on the final event of the 2011 TTC, and as expected it was grueling. The Tank Trap swallowed trucks, causing some of them to flip on the steep incline and require an extraction. Some of the holes made it impossible to even see the tires that ranged in size anywhere from 46’ to 54’, which illustrates the magnitude of the challenges found in the Tank Trap.
Despite all the difficulties these competitors faced, the Top Truck Challenge couldn’t wipe out everyone. Taking the win in the Buggy class was Alex Sanders out of Arkansas in his 2008 Chevrolet Buggy. While others battled against the odds in the Tank Trap, Sanders had a good run and cleared it so fast it was hard to get pictures. Overcoming an underdog position, Sanders achieved his stellar performance in a $2,000.00 rig.
The second day of the Top Truck Challenge wrapped up on Wednesday, and it didn’t go without a hitch. Competitors were introduced to the Obstacle Course, Hill Climb and Mini Rubicon events. AMSOIL Technical Powersports Manager Len Groom provided us with another update straight from Hollister Hills, and reports this years’ event isn’t holding back any punches. Judging by the pictures, these rigs are facing some extreme obstacles as they make their way to through each event and try to remain in the competition.
The Hill Climb is a 60° slope with holes and ditches dug throughout, aimed at either flipping the rigs over or stopping them completely. There is no stopping or backing up in the Hill Climb event, momentum must be maintained while dodging the treacherous terrain at the same time. On a hill that’s difficult to even stand on, let alone drive, most drivers were able to clear it though there were a couple of rollovers.
Up next we saw the Mini Rubicon, one of the most challenging events in the Top Truck Challenge. The proving ground for this event was bigger than in years past, and producers made sure it wouldn’t be easy. In addition to deep holes, giant boulders were placed throughout to ensure some broken parts at the end of the day. In spite of all the hurdles, the Mini Rubicon didn’t take out any competitors and they were all able to move on to the dreaded Tank Trap on Thursday.
We just got a report from AMSOIL Powersports Technical Product Manager Len Groom, who is live on the scene of the 2011 Top Truck Challenge in Hollister Hills, CA. The challenge kicked off Tuesday, with the competitors being introduced to the 2011 event by the Tow Test, Mud Pit and Frame Twister events. While the Tow Test claimed only a broken driveshaft on a buggy, the Frame Twister lived up to its name and kept most competitors from even finishing. The Frame Twister event is a formidable proving ground filled with holes, rocks and logs aimed at taking out these monstrous trucks with little effort. Len Groom reported that is was the most demanding Frame Twister yet and summed up what has been seen so far in one word: Tough.
After numerous extractions and broken parts in the Frame Twister, the challenge moved on to the Mud Pit event. These rigs don’t typically do well in this type of sludge but competitor Mike Keller (pictured) hit the mud flying and skimmed along the top, making it look easy. We are now in Day 2 of the 2011 Top Truck Challenge, which will see the competitors battle the Obstacle Course, Hill Climb and Mini Rubicon. Judging by the photos we have received thus far, things are just getting good.
The Top Truck Challenge was established 19 years ago, and has been steadfast in keeping with the original idea of pushing 4x4’s to their ultimate limits in Hollister Hills, CA. The Top Truck Challenge is a grueling week-long competition that tests the mettle of some of the toughest trucks and drivers in the country. AMSOIL has been the Official Oil of the Top Truck Challenge for several years, which provides an excellent proving ground to show what AMSOIL lubricants are capable of handling. Hollister Hills is a Mecca for off-road and dirtbike enthusiasts, with over 4,000 acres of terrain designed for every skill level.
Selected by readers of Four Wheeler Magazine, competitors in the Top Truck Challenge are pitted against one another in a series of extreme off-road events over the course of 4 days. Aptly named challenges such as the Tow Test, Frame Twister, Mid Pit, Obstacle Course, Hill Climb, Mini Rubicon and Tank Trap claim some of the mightiest rigs. While each of the events plays a part in taking competitors out, the Tank Trap is known as the ‘crown jewel’ of the Top Truck Challenge. This event in particular is aimed at pushing each truck to its limit as they face unrelenting obstacles while the clock works against them.
The third Super Chevy event is a wrap and the votes have been counted. Online readers of Super Chevy Magazine turned out to determine which 5 cars stole the show in Petersburg, VA to become Best of the Best in their respective categories. See the latest round of winners below, all of which will be included in the final vote to determine who holds the title of the ultimate AMSOIL Best of the Best Chevy.
In addition to the thousands of ‘main attractions’, the NSRA goes to great lengths to ensure the entire family has something fun to do and see. A Model Car Contest is a special attraction geared at attendees of all ages, and is open to the public. Activities ranging from the Streets of Rods to the Women’s World area round out the weekend, with live entertainment providing a soundtrack to the festivities. Over 165 manufacturers and dealers descend on York to participate in the trade show and vintage swap meet, featuring both inside and outside exhibits.
This weekend brings another exciting event to street rod enthusiasts in the Springfield, MO and surrounding areas. The 28th Mid-America Street Rod Nationals event will draw over 1900 specialty vehicles to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds starting Friday May 27th. This is the perfect event to bring the family to over the Memorial Day weekend, with various attractions and entertainment for people of all ages. Games for kids and adults, Women’s World area, swap meet and much more round out the activities and ensure there is always something to do and see for the whole family.
In addition to the standard NSRA excitement, the 2011 AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour will be kicking off from the Mid-America Nationals with the first tour of the season. Jerry Dixey will be leading the pack of road tour participants in a custom-built ’55 Chevy built by Woody’s Hot Rodz.
The 2011 Top Truck Challenge is just under two weeks away, and anticipation is building among each of the competitors. 10 competitors and 2 alternates have been selected and will descend on Hollister Hills, CA for the week of June 6th to battle it out for the 2011 Top Truck title. The Top Truck Challenge takes no prisoners; the courses are brutal and capable of taking down even the mightiest truck. Hollister is known for its challenging terrain, drawing four wheel and powersports enthusiasts from all over to take on the trails and attempt to make it out with their rides intact. With events like the Frame Twister, Tank Trap and Mud Pit, conquering each of them and making it to the top is a near-impossible feat. The editors at Four Wheeler Magazine are constantly ahead of the curve in keeping the TTC as demanding and twisted as possible, with a no-holds barred approach at making sure they take out as many rigs as they can over the course of the week.
The AMSOIL Street Rodder Road Tour kicks off at the end of this month, and final preparations are being hammered down now. The much anticipated unveiling of the tour’s lead vehicle took place on May 2nd at the Street Rodder Tech Center in Irvine, California. Powersports Technical Product Manager Len Groom was on the scene to help unveil the 55 Chevy that will be carrying Street Rodder Magazine editor Jerry Dixey around the country this summer. Excitement around the tour is definitely growing, and the reveal of the 2011 Road Tour vehicle signals the final stretch before the tour officially starts May 27th.
This year’s car was built by Chris Sondles, owner of Woody’s Hot Rodz. Featuring a complete Morrison chassis and Ron Shaver-built stroked & bored 409 motor, AMSOIL fluids are installed completely throughout to ensure the engine is well-prepared for the thousands of miles ahead of it. AMSOIL took this opportunity to launch a brand new product specific to the Hot Rod market. The new AMSOIL Z-ROD Synthetic Motor oil will be the oil of choice for this year’s tour. Designed for hot rods and classic cars with performance engines that require high levels of zinc to protect flat tappet camshafts and lifters, a key feature is its ability to provide superior rust and corrosion protection in storage conditions. The 2011 Street Rodder Road Tour is the perfect proving ground for AMSOIL Z-ROD Synthetic Motor Oil, now available in 10W-30 and 20W-50 viscosities.
The three events of day two were conducted at the Bandimere Speedway which is tucked into the picturesque ridges of Western Denver. At the beginning of the day there were nine trucks left after the loss of one on the dyno. By the third morning four more will have been eliminated.
The third challenge at Bandimere was conducted up in the parking lot above the raceway. In this event the trucks had to demonstrate speed and skill at executing a course while pulling the Bobcat trailer. The course involved tight turns and several places where backing up was required. Points would be deducted for knocking over cones which lined the various facets of the course.
The afternoon challenge, the sled pull, was held out at Keenesburg Fairgrounds north of Denver along Highway 76. Each of the five remaining diesels gave it their best shot pulling a 50,000 pound sled donated by the NSPA, courtesy Ron Greene, Clint Cannon and Michael Sulley. When the dust had cleared, literally, the final points were calculated and the drivers were assembled for the awarding of trophies for the top three.
Pictured: Winner Rocky Horn with Mark Nyholm, Technical Manager from AMSOIL.
Day one at the 2011 Diesel Power Challenge is in the record books. Ten trucks and thirteen hours in the dyno booth at ATS Diesel made for one long day, but with some serious excitement along the way. The last to take a run, Dmitri Millard, was first when all was said and done, but there were a lot of trucks pulling some serious horsepower and torque numbers.
The first hour today is an open drag strip with the nine trucks taking turns pushing the limits. These guys are pulling some serious numbers in Colorado's thin mountain air. Currently Joel Saunders holds the fastest time with an 11.276 on the quarter mile. Dmitri Millard, after a few runs in the 12.3 area has now taken second away from the superquick Fidel Velasquez with an 11.621. Newly Tolf of Las Vegas, in a Silverado, also cracked the 12 second barrier, an impressive feat in these big trucks.
Rocky Horn has leaped in front of Fidel with and 11.775 and time is running out to best Saunders in his Dodge Ram, the only black truck in the field. And the ten minute call has just been given. Five or six passes later and time runs out on the field. The first segment of the day is finished. They'll break for lunch and then do the 10,000 lb. trailer pulling drags.
Here we are at ATS Performance on Day One of the 2011 Diesel Power Challenge. Yesterday evening the Diesel Power staff hosted a hospitality room for early registrants as they came rolling into Denver from all points of the compass. Editor David Kennedy called Dmitri Millard, last year's winner, to see where he was and he was still ten hours away and apparently planning to pull an all nighter. The longest drive, though, was by Joel Saunders from New Hampshire. By mid-morning today the trucks were glistening in the sun, numbered and bedecked with decals. After a photo shoot prelude, the event was underway.
ATS has a very classy facility with engines, turbos and other performance apparatus displayed all about the showroom. At the center of the room is a billiard table which was actually incorporated into the competition in the following manner. Each of the drivers was given a chance to lag for position on the dyno. That is, whoever had the best lag could select when to do their dyno run. Naturally everyone wants to be last so they see what numbers they have to pull to finish best.
David Kennedy, editor of Diesel Power magazine, clearly gets jazzed about this event. We asked how he came to be a truck guy and he said, "I think for me the truck world comes from needing trucks, from growing up in inclement weather and mud in a rural area. Always wanting to go places no matter what it was like outside. So a car, two wheel drive really wouldn’t work for me. A diesel truck gives you the power and versatility to do whatever you want, so its perfect for guys like me."
The much-anticipated 2011 Diesel Power Challenge is nearing, and 13 competitors are gearing up to bring their rigs to Denver for this invitational event starting May 3rd. AMSOIL will be on hand to witness the 3-day torture test that will determine who owns the ultimate diesel: will it be a Chevy, Ford or Dodge this year? Read on to see what challenges are in store for these competitors.
California is the site of the next NSRA Street Rod Nationals event, to be held at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield next weekend. Street rod enthusiasts of all ages are granted access to some of the most beautifully restored vintage street rods to view up close. Over 2,000 specialty rods 30 years and older are expected, from the Western U.S. and beyond.
The first Super Chevy show of the season is now behind us after having landed in Jupiter, FL earlier this month. As previously announced, five Chevys were awarded the honor of being named AMSOIL Best of the Best in their respective categories. In addition to an award certificate recognizing their achievement, each winner receives a free Preferred Customer membership from AMSOIL. At the end of the season, the 12 winners from each event category will be placed in a special voting section on the Super Chevy website. Readers will then vote on their favorites to determine the ultimate Best of the Best in each class. Final winners will receive a plaque, commemorative jacket, $500 in AMSOIL products and supreme bragging rights as owner to the best Chevy of its kind.
The 2011 Diesel Power Challenge event is set to descend on Denver, CO May 3rd and final preparations are being laid out now. 12 diesel-powered rigs have been selected to compete head-to-head against one another and returning champ Dmitri Millard. Dmitri sat down with Jason Thompson, Feature Editor of Diesel Power Magazine, to discuss what it’s like to be the one to beat at this years’ challenge, and why the pressure has eased since he started three years ago.
Q: How does it feel to be the “returning champ” and having to defend your title?
AMSOIL has been affiliated with the NSRA since 2007 when it became an official product sponsor of this long-standing organization. The National Street Rod Association (NSRA) is a group of loyal car enthusiasts with over 55,000 members nationwide. Some of the most beautifully restored vintage vehicles 30 years and older are owned by these members, with 12 events being put on each year throughout the country to showcase each of them. Events are now open to registrants with vehicles manufactured 1981 or earlier, so if you own a street rod this is the place to show it off. 
For those of you not familiar with the AMSOIL Best of the Best contest, each of the 12 events finds Super Chevy Magazine editors selecting the five best cars in the following categories: Tri-Five, Camaro, Nova, Chevelle and Full Size 1958-up. Once the editors’ five best choices are determined they are posted online for readers to vote for their favorites in each category. These preliminary winners are recognized with an award certificate from Super Chevy and a Preferred Customer membership from AMSOIL. Those that make it to the top from reader votes are crowned Best of the Best in their respective categories, and earn themselves $500 in AMSOIL products to keep their Chevys running peak for years to come. Online tickets are available for purchase, along with a special offer from Super Chevy Magazine exclusively for their subscribers. Find full details and schedule on their website at www.superchevyshow.com, and be sure to attend the Super Chevy event coming to your area. If you can’t make it, AMSOIL will be providing coverage of each event here in the Events blog throughout the show season. 
March 07, 2011
While AMSOIL has a booth in the Welcome Center located in Riverfront Park on Beach Street in Daytona, AMSOIL Dealers are also participating in the event with their own vendor spaces. AMSOIL Dealers are represented at the 3 major destinations of Bike Week: Destination Daytona, Daytona International Speedway, and also in Riverfront Park. Many riders from all corners of the US are already aware of the quality and performance that AMSOIL products provide their toys, and even more riders will see the AMSOIL name as they attend Bike Week. All AMSOIL Dealers will benefit from this sponsorship of one of the countries premier motorcycle rallies. 
The list of 2011 AMSOIL Mopar Muscle Engine Challenge participants has been finalized and announced. Come September, the following 8 competitors will descend on Comp Cams in Memphis to showcase their engine builds and try for their shot at winning. This challenge gives engine builders a platform of which can be used to reach thousands of Mopar enthusiasts in need of their expertise. Returning in 2011 to defend his title is Scott Schurbon of Schurbon Engine & Machine, whose team landed the top spot for the past two competitions. All eyes will be on Team Schurbon to see if they can hold the line and take the title once again for 2011, or if another team takes it from them.
The April 2011 edition of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords has a feature story on the AMSOIL SEMA GT that was recently featured in the Ford booth at the Chicago Auto Show. This over-the-top Mustang GT made its first appearance at the Source Interlink booth in November. Between the covers writer/photographer Pete Eppel focuses on the stunning graphics that Visual FX produced to dress up this stunner which began with an initial coat of Kona Blue. More than twenty-two photos detail the process from base coat to eye-popping blue flames. In May, MM&FF will continue with more details on this dynamic car that not only delights the eye but makes for one powerful ride. Stay tuned.
Historically, AMSOIL has always striven to produce the best lubricants on the market. With this kind of attitude, it made sense for AMSOIL to become title sponsor of a competition looking for only the Best of the Best. Just announced, the 2011 AMSOIL Super Chevy Best of the Best is now undergoing final preparations to kick off the Super Chevy Show season in April.
Engine builders: time is running out to submit your entry into the 2011 AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge. If you or someone you know has a knack for putting together an engine that can outperform the rest, this is the challenge to be in. 2011 marks the first year in event history with two separate classes: Street and Xtreme Street. With only 20 spots available in each division, only the best of the best will be selected to attend the event in October.
The AMSOIL-sponsored Top Truck Challenge is one of the most anticipated events each year, pitting some of the mightiest rigs against one another in a series of punishing challenges. Those selected to compete are at the mercy of seven events aimed at taking them down, with aptly named titles such as the Frame Twister, Tank Trap and Mud Pit.
The Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) has announced July 8th as Collector Car Appreciation Day. This second commemoration is becoming an annual event to raise awareness of the important role automotive history plays in American society.
In 2010 AMSOIL partnered with Circle Track Magazine to headline the Great American Circle Track Tour that took Senior Tech Editor Bob Bolles through 25 race tracks across the Southeast for a first hand glimpse into what goes into making a night at the races such an American pastime. With each stop landing coverage in exclusive articles and blogs for Circle Track Magazine, the AMSOIL Great American Circle Track Tour was indeed a success and generated lots of buzz. 2011 plans are being orchestrated and Bob is getting ready to hit the road once again, this time throughout the Northeast. AMSOIL will be with him at every stop to spread the word about the racing community happenings and the benefits AMSOIL provides.
