Big Rig Drag Racing! American Tuned Ft. Rob Dahm

Summary

Onaway Speedway is home to the thrilling spectacle of Quebec-style truck racing, where colossal big rigs race uphill in an intense, diesel-fueled competition. The sport began 43 years ago with a simple fishing tournament, evolving into a high-powered event that attracts both Canadian and American truckers. The trucks, some of which are rebuilt using vintage parts, race in various classes, and the engineering behind the vehicles is intricate, involving custom modifications for maximum performance. Rob Dahm explores this unique motorsport, experiencing firsthand the raw power and excitement of these massive machines in action.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Onaway Speedway hosts Quebec-style truck racing, featuring drag races with big rigs on short uphill tracks.
• 😀 The event is a spectacle, drawing a crowd with 40-50 trucks from both the U.S. and Canada, offering a unique racing experience.
• 😀 Truck racing started 43 years ago as a fishing tournament, with truckers using their trucks for impromptu races after fishing trips.
• 😀 The trucks used in the races can be bobtail (without a trailer) or loaded (with a trailer), and races have different classes based on truck performance.
• 😀 The trucks used in the races have full-lock systems, meaning all eight tires rotate simultaneously for maximum power and traction.
• 😀 One truck featured in the video is a custom build, combining parts from a 1952 Kenworth and a 2018 truck frame, with unique mechanical modifications.
• 😀 Diesel racing engines, like those used in these trucks, operate on lower compression to allow more air and fuel, which results in more power.
• 😀 Safety is a major concern in truck racing, as there is a risk of the engine 'running off' due to excess fuel, causing major damage if not controlled.
• 😀 The truck racing community experiences frequent engine failures, with significant damage occurring to the trucks during high-performance testing.
• 😀 The video captures a high-stakes moment where a truck successfully accelerates with a massive 140,000-pound load, showing the extraordinary power of these vehicles.
• 😀 Despite its intense and wild nature, truck racing shares similarities with other motorsports, where tuning, speed, and strategy are crucial to success.

Q & A

What makes Onaway Speedway unique compared to other racetracks in America?

Onaway Speedway is unique because it features Quebec-style truck racing, where the focus is on short uphill drag races with colossal big rigs. It's a spectacle where trucks are the stars, not just hauling vehicles.

How did the idea for truck racing at Onaway Speedway come about?

The idea began when Mike Sturgill attended a truck race in Quebec in 2014 and decided to build his own truck for racing. In 2017, he bought a racetrack facility, measured the property, and built a truck drag strip to bring the racing to the United States.

How did truck racing evolve into what it is today?

Truck racing started 43 years ago when a group of truckers, during a fishing tournament, decided to race up a hill with their trucks instead of fishing. Over the years, it became an organized event, with racers evading police by reporting fake emergencies to shut down the streets for racing.

What are the two types of races at Onaway Speedway?

There are two types of races: 'bobtail,' which involves trucks without trailers, and 'loaded,' where trucks race with a trailer attached.

What are the different classes in truck racing, and how do they vary?

The classes are A, B, and C. Class A is for the fastest trucks, Class B is for the next fastest, and Class C consists of more road-legal trucks with restrictions on RPM and turbo size.

What is the 'full lock' feature in truck racing?

The 'full lock' feature involves locking all eight tires of the truck at once, which is controlled by switches in the truck, ensuring maximum power and grip during the race.

Can you describe the key modifications made to Mike Sturgill's 1952 Kenworth truck?

Mike Sturgill's 1952 Kenworth truck uses a frame from a 2018 truck, but everything else is original 1952 parts, including the engine, with modifications like a custom ECM, stronger valve springs, and a lower compression setup for more power.

What are the differences in engine requirements between gasoline and diesel racing engines?

In gasoline racing, high compression is preferred for more power, while in diesel racing, lower compression allows for a bigger hole to fit more air and fuel, making more power in a different way.

Why is engine safety such a critical aspect of truck racing at Onaway Speedway?

Engine safety is critical because of the potential for a runaway engine, where the motor could keep running uncontrollably and cause severe damage, such as engine blocks coming apart or rods and pistons flying off the truck.

What makes the experience of riding in a racing truck so unique?

Riding in a racing truck is a thrilling experience, as these giant machines accelerate much faster than expected, with a wild, intense, and somewhat rough ride, offering a very different but exhilarating version of motorsport compared to regular racing.