AMSOIL at the Top Truck Challenge Day One: Mixing It Up

Traditional opening for the Top Truck Challenge video.

The trucks have rolled in to Hollister Hills and the energy level is once again high here in sunny California. In fact, it's been too sunny this year. There's been a drought so serious that Californian's are begging for relief. One impact of this dearth of rain is that we may not have a mud pit this year.

In response the Four Wheeler staff has stirred up their imaginations to devise new challenges. One of these will be unveiled this afternoon.

The forecast is for weather in the 70's all week, and mostly sun after a partially cloudy opener for this year's Top Truck Challenge. Our guess is that the weather pattern is the only thing that will be predictable this week. How the contenders deal with it will determine who has the last truck standing by week's end.

Take a quick peek at this "Welcome" from Hollister Hills.... We can't wait to share more!

It's Sunny In California

It’s not every day you see a twin turbo on a 7th generation V6 Honda Accord. In fact, it’s extremely rare in the tuner scene, but Suneil “Sunny” Suravarapu set out to create a unique ride unlike any other and he's succeeded. AMSOIL has featured his 2004 Honda Accord Coupe V6 6 speed in several ads, and the car has been featured in Performance Auto & Sound Magazine--a true testament to the fact that Sunny is no amateur when it comes to his rides. Knowing what it takes to turn heads is the key to success in this market segment, and Sunny has discovered his niche.

Sunny’s passion for the tuner industry began in 1999 when he set out to modify 2 different generations of Honda Preludes. Starting out modestly, he began by modifying the wheels, intake, exhaust and body kit. When he sold those he decided his next project would be the Honda Accord, which would be a daily driver with the same type of mods. After netting his first sponsorship, he continued to work towards achieving his vision with performance, handling, interior and exterior modifications.

In 2006 he was invited to the SEMA Show to be the booth display vehicle for Depo Headlights, and soon after was given a full sponsorship on two GT-25 turbos from Garrett. That was the moment that turned an already impressive Honda Accord into a legend. Being the first known owner of a twin-turbo’d Accord, Sunny continued to tweak and modify every aspect of the car until it became the star it is today. There's nothing on this car that isn’t custom, and in typical enthusiast fashion Sunny has no plans to stop changing and tweaking the details. He uses AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-30 and Octane Boost to keep the engine capable of handling all the power the turbos provide, and AMSOIL P.i. to maintain a clean and efficient fuel system.

Named ‘KWKEMRT’, a reference to the Simpsons and homage to his Indian roots, this Accord is indeed unlike any other. In the tuner world, standing out is paramount and this ride lacks nothing in that regard. You can catch Sunny and his Accord at most major car shows in Southern California, including Hot Import Nights and Spo-Com, turning heads and getting people talking.

2009 Top Truck Challenge Underway in Hollister

Here at AMSOIL we're anxiously awaiting the results of this years’ Top Truck Challenge, which pits the toughest 4x4’s against one another in a series of endurance tests. As a sponsor of this event, AMSOIL is on hand to witness 10 competitors and 2 alternates battle it out for title of 2009 Top Truck Challenger. Not an easy feat by any means, the competitors were chosen by readers of Four Wheeler Magazine for this three-day slugfest. Over the course of these three grueling days, the vehicles are put through trials so extreme it’s amazing they were conceived, let alone attempted.

Day One the competitors were broken in by performing the Tow Test in which each truck had to tow a heavy object up a steep hill. Next up was the Hill Climb featuring a 400 foot steep climb that is not only timed, but near impossible to reach the top without the power and grit to finish without flipping or breaking. Followed next by an obstacle course through water, hills, and other objects meant to take down the weakest; Day One does not go easy on these competitors.

Day Two brings even tougher challenges and possibly even an end to some of the competitors’ involvement in this event. First up is the Frame Twister, which is pretty self-explanatory. Drivers attempt to make it through a wicked obstacle course that culminates in a 20-yard section of logs without hitting course marker cones, staffers, or winching. Ten minutes max. Penalties are applied for each infraction. Only the boldest make it through to the end. From there it is on to the Mud Pit, a huge hole filled with water, dirt, and near-impossible odds. This year none of the competitors were able to clear it, so the winner of this trial is determined by the truck that made it the furthest. The end of Day Two brings the Mini-Rubicon, a trek through a 40-yard rock pile. Sound easy? It’s not. Four Wheeler Magazine calls it ‘a rock-crawling nightmare’ and last year only two of the competitors were successful in completing this challenge. Boulders, tire-swallowing holes, and nasty entrances and exits to this course make it an extreme 125 feet of metal bending.

If, by Day Three, any of the competitors and their trucks are still standing, they take on the dreaded Tank Trap. While it is ‘only’ a quarter-mile, it runs uphill through a valley that climbs 195 feet in elevation from start to finish that has humbled many a driver before. Within that quarter-mile, drivers will attempt to conquer slippery rock waterfalls, loose dirt climbs, and seven deep water holes within 30 minutes. The track builders go to great lengths to ensure every inch of the course is as twisted and challenging as possible, and they succeed. This event is worth double the points than previous trials if completed, which goes to show drivers are definitely earning them should they reach the end.

Watch this space next week for an update on the final results and more photos from this extreme challenge.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Bakersfield Set to Host 23rd Western Street Rod Nationals

If you're into vintage cars and happen to be in the region, make plans to attend the 23rd Western Street Rod Nationals coming April 24-26 to Bakersfield, CA. As with all previous NSRA events, this one promises a weekend of fun for the entire family. The largest automotive participation event in the area, the Western Street Rod Nationals attracts vintage pre-1949 manufactured vehicles of all makes and models. With an expectancy of over 1,700 street rods with an accumulative value of over $65 million on display, this event is definitely a can’t-miss happening.

The 3-day event also includes a trade show, arts and crafts fair, swap meet and daily entertainment. This year will also include special areas called ‘Streets of Rods’, so if you are out here you shouldn't miss this exciting event. If you aren’t in the Bakersfield area, watch for upcoming announcements for other NSRA Street Rod events happening across the country in coming months.

The Details
33rd Western Street Rod Nationals

Where: Kern County Fairgrounds: Bakersfield, CA

When: April 24, 25, 26 2009

Hours

Fri: 8:30 AM-8:00 PM

Sat: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM

Sun: 8:30 AM-2:00 PM

Cost

Adult: $14.00

Child: 6-12 $5.00

5 and Under: Free

High School Biodiesel Project Nears Destination

A group of Rhode Island students, under the guidance of science teacher Ross McCurdy, have undertaken a cross country journey called the Coast to Coast Biodiesel Pickup Project. Inspired by Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic, the Ponaganset High School Alternative Energy Team chose a westward route, driving the entire way to California without refueling, using only the biodiesel they could carry on board their pickup.

Frequently wearing AMSOIL hats and shirts, McCurdy and students Zane Lewis, Wylie Smith, and Seth Keighley are within striking distance of their destination, fifty miles east of Los Angeles. In addition to AMSOIL Ea oil and air filters, the vehicle is lubricated with AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel & Marine Oil, AMSOIL ATF universal automatic transmission fluid and AMSOIL Severe Gear for the differentials.

When McCurdy first contacted AMSOIL for assistance he wrote, "We are doing this to promote biodiesel and other renewable energy by driving an American vehicle capable of safely and reliably making the trip. Our diesel pickup is similar to the majority of personal diesel vehicles used in the United States; it will be great to have more of these vehicles using American made biodiesel."

He added, "I've been using AMSOIL in my own car since new in 2002 and it runs great. Getting the best fuel economy and miles between oil changes are very important for our trip, which is why we want to run AMSOIL in our biodiesel pickup. Brandon Irons at AMSOIL was a big help today in recommending AMSOIL in the transmission and differentials, as well as the motor, to get the best mileage."

According to the Ponaganset Alternative Energy Team’s website, “Biodiesel is typically produced from plant oils such as corn, soybean, canola etc. and can be produced from fresh plant oils or from used cooking oils from restaurants such as fast food, Chinese, etc. Using the magic of chemistry, the oils undergo a chemical change called transesterification that removes the glycerin and thins it out so it has a lower viscosity and flows pretty much like regular petroleum diesel. There are a few big words here but it isn’t rocket science. The basic chemicals needed to make biodiesel are Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH, aka Drano) or Potassium Hydroxide, and methanol, which is used as go-kart fuel. It isn’t unusual for people to make home brewed biodiesel in their garage. A heads-up warning, KOH and NaOH are both caustic, which means they will burn things like skin and eyeballs (that is how Drano unclogs drains) and methanol is flammable and poisonous. Methanol is a different type of alcohol than the Ethanol found in beer, wine, and used in flex fuel vehicles. If ingested methanol can cause permanent blindness and death, so don’t drink it and don’t smoke while making biodiesel or working with any type of fuel. It is also good advice to not smoke at all ever, since it is really bad for the health all by itself.”

The Biodiesel Pickup they are driving is a 1997 GMC K3500 fuel injected, automatic transmission, 6.5L turbo-diesel with a six passenger, four door crew cab, an 8 foot pickup bed, and four wheel drive. The journey began this past Friday at 9:30 a.m. with fanfare from friends and family, plus media coverage. The final destination is Surfrider State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway 1 in Malibu.

Other sponsors of the project besides AMSOIL INC. included the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, Con Edison Solutions, Delta Consolidated, AAA Southern New England, TH Malloy, Newport Biodiesel, Tanury PVD, Chemart, Sgambato Service Inc, Hall’s Garage, Greeneville Collision RRF, among others.

PHOTO CAPTION: Ponaganset High School Alternative Energy Team takes advantage of photo op in front of an American landmark. Click to enlarge.

TTC: This Just In From Hollister

This week it's grueling, pedal stomping action in the hills outside Hollister, California. Mud and grime and frame twisting action that has been putting drivers and their off-road equipment through the paces. It's Four Wheeler magazine's Top Truck Challenge.

There are six main events in the Challenge. Yesterday they completed the Hill Cilmb, Frame Twister and Mud Pit. The Mud Pit is self explanatory.... and a lot of fun to watch, though not so much fun when you get stuck going through.

The Frame Twister is a seemingly short -- 200 feet -- but brutal course which requires finesse, power and determination to complete in ten minutes. In other words, an average speed of twenty feet per minute. Penalties are assessed for hitting marker cones and staff members. Word has it that yesterday, for the first time ever, someone successfully navigated the course without using a winch... followed by two more!

Today the Obstacle Course and Mini-Rubicon are slated. Tomorrow the legendary Tank Trap awaits, the ultimate Four Wheeling challenge on the planet. It's hard core, and has left a lot of vehicles stranded over the years.

You can expect full coverage in the November and December issues of Four Wheeler magazine.