Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek

SPAL USA, the leading manufacturer of ISO 9001-certified and TS16949-certified OEM and aftermarket automotive products, has set a new land speed record! SPAL USA’s “Rocket Ranger” pickup driven by Hypermax Engineering’s Max Lagod grabbed the crown of the World’s Fastest Diesel Pickup Truck last August 11-17, 2007 at the Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week! Actually, I read this news just yesterday morning from TheAutoChannel.com, just days after the record-breaking day.

An average speed of 215.091 was pulled off by the Rocket Ranger beating the old record of 213. 583 miles per hour in the “C/Diesel Truck” - almost two miles faster than the previous one! The ground-breaking new record was recognized by the Southern California Timing Association /Bonneville Nationals Inc.

Six years ago, Ford was approached by SPAL USA with their Rocket Ranger concept. Ford was delighted and gave their support by giving a stock Ford Ranger pickup. The Rocket Ranger is boosted with a Ford Powerstroke®/Imternational 6.0 diesel engine packed with Hypermax intercooled series turbochargers, Mach 7 performance module and injectors, a ZF 6-speed transmission and dual SPAL USA 12” high-performance cooling fans.

"The Bonneville Salt Flats is the ultimate proving ground to demonstrate the performance of our cooling fans and centrifugal blowers. We are thrilled to achieve this prestigious record, not only for SPAL USA, but also for Hypermax," says Heath Langenfeld, the sales and market manager for powersports of SPAL USA.

The "Rocket Ranger" was capable of beating and setting new land speed record in three different occasions. But the Rocket Ranger had some trouble building the back up run. All throughout the first back up run, a faulty piston required the team to change the truck's engine in Utah's 100-degree heat while on their second back-up run, an oil pump interfered.

"It came down to the 11th hour, but in the end the truck definitely had a record-breaking performance," said Lagod. "It was so exciting to beat the existing land speed record to become a member of Bonneville's 200 mile-per- hour club with the 'Rocket Ranger'."

SPAL USA's "Rocket Ranger" came back to Bonneville to place a Powerstroke diesel engine for the first time that was used for a land speed record attempt in 2003. The truck achieved a highly regarded 222 miles-per-hour but was incapable of completing the back up run.

"Nothing comes easy at Bonneville. We are very proud of the work our dedicated team has put forth. This record breaking performance would not have been possible without the support of Hypermax, International Truck, Ford Motor Company, and Creative Werks Inc," says Mark
Kitlinski, the sales and market manager of bus & truck for SPAL USA.