Hosting a sled pull in the middle of the country can be a challenge. While the Midwest is home to most of the sled pulling trucks in the country, the region only offers a few months of ideal pulling weather. If a pull is held in the spring, you run the risk of a rainout or a good portion of competitors (farmers) still planting corn and beans in the fields. If the event is held in the dead of summer, when pulls are held virtually every night of the week, you run the risk of competing events splitting up the turnout. Maybe that’s why River City Diesel’s fall sled pull, held on the fourth Saturday in October, was a shoo-in for good attendance. River City Diesel played host to five sled pulls throughout 2011, and thanks to the fact that its events were held under an 80x250-foot outdoor arena, the pulls ran rain or shine.River City Diesel played host to five sled pulls throughout 2011, and thanks to the fact t With the ’11 pulling season all but over, 40 trucks descended upon Peoria, Illinois’ Expo Gardens fairgrounds for one last hook. Competitors from surrounding states such as Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri showed up to battle it out, including 14 trucks in a no-holds-barred Open Class. After all was said and done, each of the Big Three had a top-finishing rig: A Duramax laid claim to the Work Stock Class, 6.4L and 7.3L Power Strokes cleaned house in 2.6, and an open-driveline, Cummins-powered Dodge stole the show in the Open Class. Keep this venue in mind this fall, as it will more than likely be the last regional hook of the year in 2012. This was the first time we’d seen Guy Nelson’s 6.4L-powered Ford (American Ride) pull since the 2.8 Class was killed off—and it was impressive. Now running a 2.6-inch S400 with a 66mm BatMoWheel and turning 5,000 rpm, the bad Blue Oval took the win in the 2.6 Class. Piloted by Guy’s 16-year-old son, Preston, the truck also finished mid-pack in the Open Class—despite facing trucks packing 1,000 hp (or more).This was the first time we’d seen Guy Nelson’s 6.4L-powered Ford (American Ride) pull sinc Since a stock-appearing turbo allowed trucks to enter the Work Stock Class, Andrew Karker tried out his new, River City Diesel LB66 (66mm) charger on his LB7-powered ’04 Sierra. The result was a solid, Third Place finish in a 17-truck field.Since a stock-appearing turbo allowed trucks to enter the Work Stock Class, Andrew Karker Dennis and Linda Burk (Dec. 2010 Readers’ Rides) brought their 6.4L Fords out to compete in Work Stock. Here, Dennis’ ’08 F-350 is on its way to a 295-foot pull, which inched him into Ninth Place. His wife, Linda, finished Twelfth in her ’10 F-250.Dennis and Linda Burk (Dec. 2010 Readers’ Rides) brought their 6.4L Fords out to compete i When the dust finally settled in the Work Stock Class, Cole Faber’s ’09 Chevy standard cab came away with the win. His LMM Duramax finally spun out at the 330-foot mark.When the dust finally settled in the Work Stock Class, Cole Faber’s ’09 Chevy standard cab Armed with just a hot tune from River City Diesel, Sean Christy’s 6.4L F-350 took Second Place in the Work Stock Class. No doubt, the 1-ton’s long wheelbase and dual rear wheels contributed to the Super Duty’s 323-foot effort.Armed with just a hot tune from River City Diesel, Sean Christy’s 6.4L F-350 took Second P For some good, old-fashioned fun, experienced sled puller Brian Randall hooked his triple-turbo street truck (Powerful Legacy, January ’11) to the sled in the Open Class. He finished Tenth amongst all the dedicated pulling trucks—and then the truck was driven 90 miles home (on the same 1,050-rwhp tune, no less).For some good, old-fashioned fun, experienced sled puller Brian Randall hooked his triple- We’ve seen Matt Cox’s bulletproof Duramax beat some of the top- running rigs in the country, so it came as no surprise when he finished within five feet of First Place. After dropping his first hook, he put 10 feet on his initial attempt and wound up Third in the Open Class.We’ve seen Matt Cox’s bulletproof Duramax beat some of the top- running rigs in the countr Making the trek over from Missouri was Jason Tunks and his ’97 Cummins-powered Dodge dualie. He finished right in the thick of things, too, yanking the sled 20 feet past the full-pull mark.Making the trek over from Missouri was Jason Tunks and his ’97 Cummins-powered Dodge duali Winning the Open Class came at a price for Chris Muhs and his ’11 Dodge. At the end of his run, a rearend failure sent all power to the front differential. The chain reaction led to considerable frontend damage as well. Rest assured, this is one of the best running 3.0 trucks in the country—and we look forward to seeing it back in action this summer.Winning the Open Class came at a price for Chris Muhs and his ’11 Dodge. At the end of his By Mike McGlothlin Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
