If there is one event at the Diesel Power Challenge that puts the driver front and center it is this one, the trailer towing obstacle course. Rather than an all out speed competition, this is more of an autocross that requires drivers to be very accurate in their steering and backing as well as requires some momentum to be kept up so that the course can be completed as quickly as possible. One of the fun things to see is the different combinations of trucks and how they work with the load hanging off the back of them. From the short wheelbase, low slung, single cab jobs to the lifted, old school, stick shift Ford, everyone has different issues that they have to deal with in order to get things done as quickly as possible.

The drivers all take their own approach as well with some guys getting really aggressive right off the launch and others taking the “slow and steady” pace to avoid wiping out cones and incurring significant time penalties. Frankly, our favorite part of watching these trucks work is seeing them spin the tires with a trailer attached to their backs. Dan Howard’s big Ford was the most prone to smoking the rear tires but other guys were not sparing the rod either.

While this is a low speed contest, it certainly isn’t an easy one and it really separates the drivers from the guys who only use their trucks for fun at home. So far the Cummins trucks have looked the strongest. Can they continue to stretch their lead in this tough, skills competition?

PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE COMPETITORS WEAVE AND HEAVE THROUGH A TOUGH COURSE OF CONES –