World's Fastest Diesel Pickup controversy settled
The Great Pickup Controversy has been settled. It was reported last week that the Rocket Ranger, from SPAL USA, crossed the Bonneville Salt Flats at 215.091 miles per hour. In doing so, SPAL claimed it set the top speed world record for a pickup truck. However, back in 2002, Gale Banks Engineering's Project Sidewinder Dakota ran the flats at 217.306. So SPAL actually didn't get the world record, yet because of their 215+ run they now hold the national top speed title. Why? Because as in boxing, there are multiple bodies that ignore one another and crown their own champions. The FIA certifies world records, the Southern California Timing Association certifies national records, and neither body acknowledges the other's certifications. SPAL got its from the SCTA, Banks from the FIA. Banks has congratulated SPAL, but wants to unify the titles with its own run in the future. So it ain't over. Stay tuned.
[Source: PickupTruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dino 2:47PM (9/02/2007)
Man, am I glad that was settled...
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howard 5:52PM (9/02/2007)
If i read the report right there ain't nothin' settled yet! Evidently neither one of those sanctioning bodies, SCTA and FIA can read numbers! When I went to school starting in 1936 it was a fact that 217.306 would be a higher number than 215.+. SO, that being clarified it stands to reason the PROJECT SIDEWINDER DAKOTA WAS/IS THE FASTEST PICKUP IN THE NATION AND THE WORLD! I can't see any way the ROCKET RANGER from SPAL USA CAN BE DECLARED THE WINNER UNLESS WHEN YOU WENT TO SCHOOL 2+2 EQUALED 5 LIKE SOME PEOPLE TODAY WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE
Dino 6:00PM (9/02/2007)
Dude, sarcasm...
SPG 6:47PM (9/02/2007)
I know the last gen Dakota's had a lot of things going against them and I know the Ranger as massivly outdated as it may be might be a pretty great truck even today.
However the Dakota just looks way cooler!
Not to mention the project name for the Dakota is way cooler.
As far as the speeds they are capable of, I better stop saying that Diesel engines are only for bizzare old men in ten year old Passat's!
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Jeff Banks 7:40PM (9/02/2007)
This has very little to do with this article, but...
I went and compared small trucks the other day (wanted a compact) and thought that the Ranger would be a sweet deal considering how low the price was. When I first went to the Ford dealer, they didn't even have any in stock. When I did finally find one, I compared it to a GMC Canyon (which is only a few hundred more) and there is basically no comparison which is a better truck. The Ranger felt just like my creaky old '83 Blazer.
I also checked out the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado (same as the Canyon), but they were far more well equiped (I was looking for the cheapest base model possible w/ a manual) and out of my price range. A friend of mine has had terrible luck with his last-gen Tacoma (lots of little transmission problems at 60k miles) but I couldn't say how the new ones hold up. Haven't looked at the Durango yet.
So yeah, moral of the story is that the ranger sucks. The GMC Canyon/Colorado is better and if you can find the base model you can (EPA estimate) get 27mpg highway.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:14AM (9/03/2007)
The FIA does not certify world records.
The FIA certifies FIA records, and they call them "world records".
The writer acts as if there was a world government that officially recognizes the FIA as an authority or something.
Anyone can certify anything they want, just like in boxing (or wrestling, for that matter).
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Harrison 12:43AM (9/03/2007)
Bah... get both and do a side-by-side run....and broadcast it live on Speed in between episodes of such intriguing programs like What Crew Chiefs Eat for Breakfast and Let's See Half-Naked Women ****** Cars.
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j_diesel 11:56AM (9/03/2007)
this is actually a very interesting issue to some people. the fact that a production light duty diesel engine which has been modified by an aftermarket company is capable of 200MPH+ is incredible. what these companies learn will be applied to their aftermarket products that you or i could purchanse and install on our trucks.
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Phillip 4:45PM (9/03/2007)
Banks still does. They developed a twin turbo setup for the Duramax in the past few years as well. Using Xtreme 4x4's Suburban project, dubed Urbran Gorilla
Tony 1:44PM (9/03/2007)
Ah com'on, some rednick has gotta have stuffed some sorta rocket gizmo on the back of his F-100 or Chevvy Fleetside and gone super, before impaling him or herself at the bottom of the adirondack mountains.
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Eleventeen 10:23AM (9/04/2007)
Yeah but did the Ranger tow the equipment trailer on the way back to garage like the Dakota did?
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