Drag racing is all about crossing the finish line first. While we enjoy seeing high-performance supercars and hypercars achieve impressive quarter-mile times, speed isn’t everything. Big rig drag racing serves as a reminder that powerful engines don’t always translate into high speeds.
In Ohio, Kuhnle Motorsports Park recently hosted the inaugural Unc’s Semi Stampede, featuring big-rig competitors from various classes in a Quebec-style uphill drag race. While these racers may not be known for their speed, a new video captures the thrilling on-track action as dozens of semi trucks with loaded trailers race to reach the finish line first.
These trucks generate massive horsepower, but it’s the torque that steals the show in these races. Not to mention, the dramatic effect of copious amounts of black smoke. The A-Class trucks, equipped with 19-liter V8 diesel engines, produce enough torque to lift one of the front tires when they unleash their full power.
The weight of the trailers, which exceeds 100,000 pounds, combined with the high-powered engines, subjects the trucks to tremendous stress, resulting in visible twisting action. The slight incline of the track adds to the challenge, although the trucks do not have to cover as much distance as traditional supercars, as they compete on 700-foot tracks.
Big rig uphill drag racing is not a new phenomenon, but its popularity is growing in the US. For instance, Quebec, Canada, has been hosting an event called the Rodeo du Camion (Truck Rodeo) since 1981. This event, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022, attracts thousands of spectators annually and raises funds for the community. According to a 2019 report by TruckNews.com, the organization has collected $5.6 million between 1986 and 2019.
In the Unc’s Semi Stampede competition, A-Class trucks are required to be equipped with a 19-liter V8 diesel engine. They can have a maximum of two turbochargers, one injector per cylinder, and a fire extinguisher. The event also includes B and C Class competitors, each with their own set of rules. Notably, automatic transmissions were prohibited in the A and B classes.