Two-time Diesel Power Challenge competitor Nick D'Amico scored a Second Place finish in Super Street with a strong, 287-foot pull.Two-time Diesel Power Challenge competitor Nick D'Amico scored a Second Place finish in Su While many diesel owners use their trucks to tow trailers or campers, there is a bigger towing challenge out there. That's right folks-we're talking about sled pulling. Out on the West Coast, sled pulling isn't filled with 2.6-inch-inducer trucks with $30,000 engines, or a field of 1,500hp Modified Class pullers, but it is a great place for new diesel enthusiasts to test their truck's power against a formidable opponent-the 40,000-pound Terminator Sled. In late September, groups from California and Nevada showed up to test their trucks against the sled in Lancaster, California. About 80 miles north of Los Angeles, the event was sponsored by Big Power Diesel and featured classes for two-wheel-drive stockers, all the way up to Super Street, which had 800hp fire-breathing monsters. Although most of these trucks were street driven, the action was still intense, as Fords, Chevys, and Dodges battled it out for a shot at First Place. With more than 60 trucks and tractors at this year's event, we were quite happy that so many diesel owners were willing to subject their vehicles to this kind of abuse. We look forward to seeing more pullers out here on the West Coast, and if you're thinking about getting into the sport, now's the time to do it-the competition will only be getting tougher. The drivers' meeting (above), held by Big Power Diesel, was informative and to the point. There's nothing like tractors to put on a two-wheel-drive show for the crowd. Tony Rodono pulled 200 feet with his GMC in the Work Stock Class to take Third Place with his six-tire Duramax.Tony Rodono pulled 200 feet with his GMC in the Work Stock Class to take Third Place with Mike Dillehay left his big, green, 6.4L Ford in Third gear for the pull. The truck didn't like it and rewarded him with a 188-foot run, rather than the expected 250-foot pull he expected.Mike Dillehay left his big, green, 6.4L Ford in Third gear for the pull. The truck didn't John Esteves, another Duramax driver, pulled 190 feet for Seventh Place in Work Stock. This black Duramax de-fueled hard during shifts, causing the truck to bounce quite a bit. Still, the truck had enough Wheaties to place in the top half of the field.This black Duramax de-fueled hard during shifts, causing the truck to bounce quite a bit. This green John Deere tractor took a hard left toward the wall but straightened out in time to save the hook.This green John Deere tractor took a hard left toward the wall but straightened out in tim Heidi Miller had a lot of fun during her pull. Despite her truck being only a two-wheel drive, she pulled 90 feet before lack of power and traction got the best of her.Heidi Miller had a lot of fun during her pull. Despite her truck being only a two-wheel dr Matt Larson, a 2008 Diesel Power Challenge competitor, made the trek out from Utah to run Super Street and pulled 256 feet with his regular cab Chevrolet.Matt Larson, a 2008 Diesel Power Challenge competitor, made the trek out from Utah to run Timothy Hasselbach's 252-foot pull in his '99 Dodge was good for First Place in the 2.6-inch-inducer class.Timothy Hasselbach's 252-foot pull in his '99 Dodge was good for First Place in the 2.6-in Albert Mendes III had one of the better looking trucks at the event, but his 238-foot pull was only good enough for Sixth in Super Street.Albert Mendes III had one of the better looking trucks at the event, but his 238-foot pull John Esteves won the Super Street Class in his 700hp Chevy with a 296-foot pull. Andrew Simione short shifted his twin-turbo, P-pumped, 24-valve Dodge, and the engine lost boost pressure. The truck never recovered, and Andrew's 215-foot pull was only good enough for Seventh.Andrew Simione short shifted his twin-turbo, P-pumped, 24-valve Dodge, and the engine lost 1 | 2 | » | View Full Article By Jason Sands Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
