SEMA Feature of the Week: “Mega Hauler”-- Blaine Hawkin’s 2011 Dodge Mega Cab Dually

Blaine Hawkins has been preparing for SEMA for months and contacted us back in the spring to see about getting AMSOIL in his truck. Once we saw what he was working with, we said yes. One of the best parts is that he doesn’t keep it stored away as a show vehicle; he takes advantage of all that power on a regular basis and uses it as a daily driver and hauler. Here’s what he had to say about this head-turner headed to Las Vegas.

The details: 2011 Dodge Ram Mega Cab long bed dually. The truck has been stretched to accommodate a long bed since dodge has never made a long bed mega cab. The truck has air ride on all four corners and sits on custom cut 24 inch semi wheels. Several body modifications have been performed from front to back to make this a one-of-a-kind build. What it does: A clean one-off custom dually that is not just for show but hauls loads on regular basis. We built the truck with the intentions of using it to pull anything from a boat, travel and utility trailer etc. with ease and comfort, one that can turn heads while performing these tasks.

Where to see it: The truck is driven daily about 75 miles round trip and is used as a tow rig on the weekend, whether it is to drag races, car shows or the lake. The truck receives great amounts of attention as it is the only bagged and stretched long bed mega cab that is currently built. The truck also attends several car shows, anywhere from small local cruise-ins to shows receiving national magazine coverage. The truck has already been selected to be featured in Truckin' magazine and a Solo Films DVD, as well as a booth vehicle for Silent Coat at SEMA 2013.

AMSOIL under the hood:
AMSOIL 15W-40 Premium Protection Synthetic Diesel Oil
Absolute Efficiency oil filter
Severe Gear 75W-90 Gear Lube

Why AMSOIL? I chose AMSOIL products due to the company having a quality product and reputation. I do not have one favorite AMSOIL product; several products combined give the overall protection and lasting protection needed.

What is it about SEMA that makes it such a destination for car builders like you? I think SEMA is a dream destination for builders due to the fact of national event coverage, the high standard that the vehicles are held to, and a great spotlight to showcase the outcome of great companies working with their customers to obtain a quality vehicle.

If you could customize any build in the world, what would it be? If I could pick any vehicle to customize it would be an older-model 379 Peterbuilt.

And finally, what is your favorite junk food? Favorite would be a Kit-Kat.

Thanks, Blaine! Be sure to stop and visit with us when you're at the show, Booth 24661.

Project Vehicle Builders + AMSOIL = SEMA Success

The 2013 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show is just around the corner, and preparations are being laid out to present product information to the tens of thousands of attendees who will be on the lookout for the latest and greatest. The annual show convenes at the Las Vegas Convention Center November 5-8. Industry leaders from all affiliated markets are drumming up ideas to draw as many eyeballs to their products as they can. Many companies will be pulling out all the stops to generate the most exposure.

One way companies do this is by inviting some of the world’s most talented car builders to park their rides inside their booths. This certainly can get people talking. Show-worthy tuners, tricked-out trucks and sleek sports cars are just some of the vehicles that will be seen throughout the show. The AMSOIL booth brought in crowds last year by displaying its graphic-designed motor home which is used to travel the country and create awareness of the company and products. That’s not all though. The AMSOIL mark can be spotted here and there throughout the show by association with some of the industry's top vehicle buliders whose creations adorn other booths. These are some of the hottest rides in the show.

The partnership between AMSOIL and these project builders pays off throughout the year as they generate media coverage in national publications and hit the show scene with AMSOIL under the hood. When these builders put so much time and effort into creating their masterpieces, it only makes sense to ensure AMSOIL is installed to keep the engine on par with the rest.The best cars in the world are such because their builders give attention to every detail, inside and out.

In the coming weeks we’ll be posting some inside glimpses into SEMA rides running AMSOIL, so be sure to come back soon and see what we have in store.

TRIVIA: Did you know that the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association is the largest such organization of its kind in the world?

It's That Time of Year Again

For some the first hints of autumn are a somber prospect because what follows is winter's frosty chill. On the other hand, the leaves come so alive that it's as colorful as the blossoms in spring, a symbolic spectacle of color that announces the coming of many people's favorite season: snowmobiling.

Here at AMSOIL we begin celebrating winter's upcoming arrival in early September during the Sno Barons' Haydays Festival in North Branch, MN. As October approaches we're flush with anticipation of numerous other events as we wait for the snow to fly. 

One of these is the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) October 7-11. Each year 40 engine builder teams, plus alternates, gather in Lima, Ohio to competes for the official title of Engine Master. It's a prestigious competition that not only garners respect for the winners, but a a quite substantial payout for the top team, as well as bragging rights.

It's also a tremendous experience for the students of UNOH who work side by side with many of the world's top engine builders, assisting in nearly every facet of the setups and teardowns on the dyno. Special thanks to UNOH for the continued support that makes this competition the success that it has been these many years.

The AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge is not only a great experience for the students and faculty of UNOH, it's also a superb real world opportunity for the editors and publishers of Popular Hot Rodding magazine to learn more about the capabilities of modern engines by observing the creative engineering by these top professional builders. AMSOIL is on hand, and we're paying attention, too.

Looking forward to another great event....

 

Students assist pro builders to get hooked up in the dyno.

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