It's Diesel Power Challenge time, and once again we've invited readers from all over the planet to bring their pickups together for the ultimate diesel truck battle. Our Diesel Power Challenge formula is simple, we invite 15 competitors (five Fords, five Dodges, and five Chevys or GMCs) to run their trucks on the dyno, the dragstrip, and down a sled-pulling track. We also have a 100-mile ride-and-drive to ensure the streetability of our participants, as well as an eighth-mile, 10,000-pound trailer tow test for elapsed time. To give the Challenge continuity, we invite the previous year's winner back to compete as a benchmark.
To keep the competitors on their toes, we've taken the Challenge back east, to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where we held the second Diesel Power Challenge in 2006. This year, out of the 15 trucks that we invited (plus last year's winner, Chris Werner, and his '01 Dodge Ram 2500) 14 trucks were able to make the call. Our returning champ Chris got his Cummins running with only a day to spare to make it from Redding, California, to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Suffice it to say, not even Chris' common-rail killer could make it across the United States that fast--so he was out. Brian Garey from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, got a little closer. He made it to Kentucky with his 6.4L Power Stroke before the Super Duty's injection pump failed and put his '08 F-250 on the trailer. Hopefully Brian's truck will be back together in time for next year's event.
As for the other 14 competitors, you can read about their trucks right here, and pick your favorites for next month, where we'll crown the champion of Diesel Power Challenge 2009. If you can't wait till our September issue goes on sale (Aug. 4, 2009), look for a sneak peak of the action at www.dieselpowermag.com.
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