Diesel Power Challenge Just Days Away

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.

Day One: Stress Testing
All trucks will be hooked up to a chassis dyno to see how much torque and power each truck is capable of. Day one gives everyone a good gauge into who has what it takes and, in the words of Diesel Power Magazine, who brought a knife to a gunfight.

Day Two: Track Day
Day two finds competitors at the drag strip to see which of the trucks not only has the power, but the speed to back it up. After taking their first run, a 10,000-lb trailer is hitched to the truck to see who can haul it the fastest down the eight-mile. Day two will end with an all-new event for 2011 called Trailer Maneuvering, designed to keep competitors on their toes. Details on this new event are scarce, which could be telling of the magnitude of this new challenge.

Day Three: Convoy & Tug-of-War
Beginning the final day at dawn, the trucks will be fueled up, weighed, and sent out on a 150-mile road trip to gauge fuel economy and durability. While this may seem to be the easiest part of the challenge, these points count and could end up determining the final outcome for the winner. After the road trip, any trucks still standing will be hooked up to a 30,000-lb sled in an extreme game of tug-of-war. Whoever takes the sled the furthest gets the points, and in this challenge every point counts.

After all events are complete the truck still standing with the most points is declared winner and owner of the best diesel truck in North America. Check back next week here on the AMSOIL website for live updates and details on how it all goes down.

Top right: Trucks in staging at a raceway outside Nashville, Day 2 at last year's Diesel Power Challenge

NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals Headed to Bakersfield, CA

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.

Since 2007 AMSOIL has worked with the National Street Rod Association to bring awareness to the hobby. AMSOIL Direct Jobbers are also on hand at all NSRA events, working booth space to promote the benefits of AMSOIL lubricants to enthusiasts and spectators alike. In addition to the thousands of ‘main attractions’, there are activities available for the entire family to enjoy including games, Women’s World with arts & crafts, the trade show and evening entertainment. The NSRA also awards over $82,000.00 in merchandise giveaways, along with three $3,000.00 cash drawings to be given away at the end of the weekend.

If you're in the Bakersfield, CA area this is a can’t-miss event. Bring the family out to see some of America’s best examples in automotive history. If you don’t live in the Bakersfield area, be sure to attend one of several others making the rounds across this nation this summer.

Votes Are In: First Round of AMSOIL Super Chevy Best of the Best Winners

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.

Check back often for more AMSOIL Super Chevy Best of the Best updates through October. As the show makes its way across the nation, AMSOIL will be on hand to ensure only the best lubricants go into the best Chevys.

Tri-Five Category:

‘57 Bel Air Hardtop
Owned by Liudmila Hernandez

Camaro Category:

'69 SS/RS 396/L78
Owned by Jack Hunter

Chevelle Category:

‘70 Restomad
Owned by Nick Martorano

Nova Category:

’71 Pro Touring
Owned by Kurt Sebben

Full Size Category:

'64 409 Biscayne
Owned by David Dziminowicz

Pictured, Nick Martorano's '70 Chevelle. Photo copyright Super Chevy magazine.

Catching Up With 2010 Diesel Power Champion Dmitri Millard

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.

Following is an excerpt from that interview, with the full article to be posted on the Diesel Power website soon.

Q: How does it feel to be the “returning champ” and having to defend your title?
A: It feels great. First off I want to give a big thanks to Diesel Power and its staff for putting on this one of a kind event.

Q: How are you dealing with the pressure? Is it more than last year?

A: The pressure tastes like chicken. This will be my third year experiencing the Diesel Power event both competing and being on a pit crew. The pre-game jitters are gone now.

Q: Who are your crewmembers this time?

A: Matt Handwork (also a 2010 Diesel Power Challenge competitor), David Browning, Dallas Penn, Chris and Tim from last year

Q: What is your strategy going to be for each event? What’s the game plan?

A: We are going to go for broke on every event. Not holding anything back but our strongest events will be on the rollers and asphalt.

Dmitri will be running his 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 in this years’ challenge. Modifications are extensive and of course, AMSOIL is powering the engine to ensure it can take the heat of the 2011 Diesel Power Challenge. Will Millard hang on to his title? Check back often as we draw closer to the event start May 3rd for info on other participants and the rigs they are bringing to battle. This invite-only event is closed to the public, but AMSOIL will be providing exclusive live updates from company reps on site watching it all go down.

Photos courtesy Diesel Power magazine.

2011 NSRA Season Kicks Off Friday in Oklahoma City, OK

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.

The NSRA starts off the 2011 season Friday, April 15th with the Southwest Street Rod Nationals in Oklahoma City, and is expected to draw thousands of spectators throughout the weekend. While the street rods on display are the headlining event, a swap meet, Women’s World, children’s games and more round out entertainment options for the entire family. The Southwest Street Rod Nationals will also hold a free Revel ‘Make N’ Take’ event for kids to build their own model street rod at no cost to the first 75 participants.

Awards and dash plaques are given to the best rods, featuring the following ‘streets’ specific to each make or model:

HI-BOY HIGHWAY
This street welcomes all makes of cars that are considered fenderless hi-boys.

BOWTIE BOULEVARD
All models and years of Chevrolet cars are welcome to participate in this street.

BUCKET BRIGADE
Any type and make of 1927 and below bucket type of rod.

FABULOUS FIFTIES
Features all cars that are from 1950 to 1959 year of manufacture.

Mark your calendars now to attend any of the NSRA shows in the 2011 season and support your local street rod clubs.