(By Greg Rourke) – Truckers are no different than car people. If they can find a way to compete with other truckers, they will. Case in point: A Jake Brake contest!

The Jacobs Engine Brake company was the first to come up with an engine brake and other brands became generically known as a Jake. They are intended to slow trucks descending steep grades to avoid burning up the service brakes. Basically they operate by holding open the exhaust valves, turning the engine into an air compressor. This results in the distinctive sound they make. You’ve likely seen signs around admonishing “no engine braking” or “no excessive engine braking noise”. The brakes are for slowing big rigs running down the Appalachians or some such, not for slowing down for the four way stop on Main Street, but truckers love the racket they make. Hence this contest.