As some of you may remember, I was the host for the 2013 Diesel Power Challenge that is put on each year by Diesel Power Magazine. I’ll be reprising my role doing that this year. This is the diesel truck equivalent to Drag Week in many ways because the trucks are subjected to three straight days of torture testing that includes a brutal dyno day, a sled pull, heads up drag racing, a 150-mile cruise into the Rocky Mountains, drag racing with a 10,000lb trailer hooked to the truck, and a cool trailer towing obstacle course/autocross that really puts the driver’s ability to the test. Adding to the brutality, the event takes place in Denver, Colorado at altitude which is a problem for many competitors who come to the event from places that are at sea level. Making big power in the thin air is a challenge for all comers.
The event differs from Drag Week in several ways because there are only 10 trucks in the competition and those trucks are chosen by the readers of Diesel Power Magazine. The field is split between three Cummins powered Ram trucks, three Duramax powered GM trucks, and four Powerstroke powered Fords. Why four Fords? The reason is because the previous year’s champ gets invited back and this year, that guy is Wes Beech from Ohio who won the whole shooting match last year in a Ford product. He’ll be back to defend his title against some of the toughest pickups in the nation.
Here’s the list of competitors slugging it out this year in Denver:
Wesley Beech – 2008 Ford F-250, Reigning ’13 DPC Champion; Akron, Ohio
Dan Manary – 2012 Ford F350; Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Ryan Anderson – 2008 Ford F-250; Farmington Hills, Michigan
Dan Howard – 1995 Ford F-350; North Planes, Oregon
Lavon Miller – 2004 Ram 3500; Plain City, Ohio
Matt Kauffman – 2006 Dodge Ram 3500; Plain City, Ohio
Danick St. Pierre – 2008 Ram 2500; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Shilo Ellingford – 2006 Chevy 2500
Cory Chomos – 2011 Chevy 2500; Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
Troy Sankey – 2006 Chevy 2500; Stevens Point, Wisconsin
This highest (claimed) power level for a Ford belongs to Ryan Anderson from Michigan with claimed numbers being 1,101hp and 2,002 lb/ft.
The highest (claimed) power level for a Ram belongs to Lavon Miller from Ohio with claimed numbers being 1,150hp and 2,500 lb/ft.
The highest (claimed) power level for a GM truck belongs to Shilo Ellingford from Idaho with claimed numbers being 1,700hp and 2,500 lb/ft.
