The truck was scoured at tech inspection, and equal time was devoted to assessing the sanity of the occupants. After some math on the tires' speed and weight-rating, Brad's truck passed the requirements for the 125-mph class.
Running in the 125-mph class meant that Brad was shooting for an average speed as close to 125 mph as possible. Most class winners were only a fraction of a second off perfect, or "true" time. Anyone exceeding their speed class by 15 mph would be disqualified, so staying near true time was best.
One-minute intervals separated the start times, and it seemed like an eternity waiting in line trying to keep the iron-lump Cummins up to temperature. With both the driver and navigator's GPS zeroed, we took off and were following our course notes. The author was ready to remind Brad "You're going too fast," or anything else necessary to stop the madness.
We survived through Dead-Man's Curve and everything else, finishing with an average speed of 133 mph. So much for fractions of a second! Surprisingly, the truck averaged almost eight miles to the gallon during our run.
167MPH Top Speed Charge
On Saturday, the High Noon Shoot-Out standing mile was run, and Brad's vehicle was the only 4x4 diesel amongst the three trucks entered. Some transmission issues wouldn't allow Brad to put down full power until he was in Third gear. Full throttle would spin the rear tires at 85 mph. Despite the slow launch, Brad passed through the measured-mile doing 167 mph, good enough for Eighth Place overall.
"I have no doubt we'd be competitive in the 160-mph bracket if we were allowed to run it," said Brad. Most people would find this truck extraordinary, as it stands plenty potent, impeccably detailed, and worth a heck of a lot more than a couple of new ones. Good thing Brad isn't most people.