We saw Gale Banks' diesel-powered Sidewinder dragster at SEMA back in 2008, but that stationary display is not how the vehicle is meant to be experienced. No, this beast wants to move, and that's just what it'll do Saturday, March 6th at the Speedworld Dragstrip for NHRDA's Desert Diesel Nationals in Wittmann, AZ. There, the dragster is going to try and run the quarter-mile in the low-mid 6's "while emitting none of the black clouds of soot normally associated with diesel racing."
With 1,200 horsepower rumbling from its 6.6L Duramax diesel V8 from General Motors (or maybe something more powerful?) rocketing the Sidewinder down the track, we admit this isn't the greenest of vehicles – but if you can go 200 miles per hour, you might be able to change some minds about just what diesel is capable of. Banks said in a statement that this is his goal: "Diesel has cleaned up its act, and we're out to prove speed can come without the price of black smoke."
[Source: Gale Banks]
BANKS SIDEWINDER TOP DIESEL DRAGSTER SETS SIGHTS FOR 6-SECOND "CLEAN" RUN
Azusa, Calif. - - On Saturday March 6th 2010, the Banks Power team and their track-shredding Banks Sidewinder Top Diesel Dragster will head to Wittmann, AZ. for the Speedworld Dragstrip for NHRDA's Desert Diesel Nationals. Armed with an even more powerful engine than the one used in its track debut at Famoso last May, the objective is really two-fold: quarter-mile runs in the low-mid 6's while emitting none of the black clouds of soot normally associated with diesel racing. It wasn't too long ago that such an accomplishment with a diesel platform was even possible, but the Sidewinder represents the ultimate in advanced diesel drag-racing technology. "Diesel has cleaned up its act", says Gale Banks, "and we're out to prove speed can come without the price of black smoke." It's all part of Banks Power's objective to raise the profile of diesel technology, shed light on its inherent advantages in both power and efficiency, and usher in a generation of diesel gear-heads, fans, and customers.
Banks Power is the leader in the design, testing, manufacture, and sale of complete high-performance engine and braking systems for both diesel- and gasoline-powered light trucks, SUVs, and motorhomes. Located in Azusa, California, the company is squarely focused on the future of high performance with good fuel economy through technological innovation, world class engineering, and intense product testing. The company celebrated its "first 50" years in business in 2008, and, recently, Gale Banks himself was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation by the Automotive Hall of Fame. www.bankspower.com.
Azusa, Calif. - - On Saturday March 6th 2010, the Banks Power team and their track-shredding Banks Sidewinder Top Diesel Dragster will head to Wittmann, AZ. for the Speedworld Dragstrip for NHRDA's Desert Diesel Nationals. Armed with an even more powerful engine than the one used in its track debut at Famoso last May, the objective is really two-fold: quarter-mile runs in the low-mid 6's while emitting none of the black clouds of soot normally associated with diesel racing. It wasn't too long ago that such an accomplishment with a diesel platform was even possible, but the Sidewinder represents the ultimate in advanced diesel drag-racing technology. "Diesel has cleaned up its act", says Gale Banks, "and we're out to prove speed can come without the price of black smoke." It's all part of Banks Power's objective to raise the profile of diesel technology, shed light on its inherent advantages in both power and efficiency, and usher in a generation of diesel gear-heads, fans, and customers.
Banks Power is the leader in the design, testing, manufacture, and sale of complete high-performance engine and braking systems for both diesel- and gasoline-powered light trucks, SUVs, and motorhomes. Located in Azusa, California, the company is squarely focused on the future of high performance with good fuel economy through technological innovation, world class engineering, and intense product testing. The company celebrated its "first 50" years in business in 2008, and, recently, Gale Banks himself was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation by the Automotive Hall of Fame. www.bankspower.com.
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