News & Updates | Area Dieselhttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/2024-03-28T19:33:05.822363+00:00Read the latest news and updates from the Area Diesel Service team on our blog.Arkansas Mile 20172017-05-31T19:13:18+00:002024-03-28T19:33:05.822363+00:00ADShttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/author/ADS/https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/arkansas-mile-2017/<p><img alt="" height="193" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/images/Arkansas-Mile-280-logo.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200"/>Once again our good friend Jeff Gerner is loading up his "Missouri Missile" on to the trailer and preparing for another exciting weekend at the track. This time around he'll be headed to Blytheville, AR to run in the Arkansas Mile. This is the second annual running of this family friendly event and promises to be one of the highlights of this year's top speed racing circuit. Participants will get their chance to show just what they can do on a 1-mile track with a 1/2 mile shut down. In last year's event, we saw the US Mile record set by a Ford GT at 280.1mph. We also had the pleasure of watching the first ever RV enter the race and eventually make a pass at 108.9mph! And with any luck, this year will prove to be just as exciting! </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" height="351" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/images/Audi_Ready_To_Roll.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"/> </p>
<p>Resident speed demon Jeff Gerner has been hard at work in the shop getting the 1992 Audi S4 into competition shape and if all goes well we hope to see Jeff top that coveted 200mph mark that so many racers strive to achieve. The current all-time record in the Audi's class is 174mph but thanks to the BorgWarner S400SX turbo helping Jeff's S4 put down an astounding 1047 wheel horsepower on the dyno we think his goal is more than obtainable. Yes, you read that right; 1047hp from a 2.3L, 136 cubic inch engine! Wow!</p>
<p>On a more serious note, Jeff will be competing not only against the normal host of things such as gravity and inertia but this year his toughest competitor may be his own body. We've recently learned that Jeff himself will be going in for some pretty serious maintenance in the coming weeks. He will be toughing out this weekend minus the pain killers, relying solely on his "German hardheadedness" to ensure he keeps a clear head throughout his races. We wish him all the best and hope he recovers quickly! </p>
<p>The Arkansas Mile is scheduled for this weekend June 2-4 at the retired S.A.C. Airbase in Blytheville, AR. For more details, you can check out the event listing at <a href="https://www.usmileracing.com/the-arkansas-mile/" target="_blank">usmileracing.com</a>. </p>
<p><img alt="" height="720" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/images/Audi_ADS_Decal.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400"/> </p>
<p> </p>ECTA Ohio Mile 2016 Results2016-05-19T17:12:47+00:002024-03-28T14:16:03.893758+00:00ADShttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/author/ADS/https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/east-coast-timing-association-ohio-mile-run-2016-results/<p>Earlier this month, the <em>East Coast Timing Association</em> kicked off its 2016 event schedule as the ECTA hosted <em>The Ohio Mile</em> in Wilmington, Ohio. High-speed racing enthusiasts headed to Airborne Park for a weekend of horsepower-packed fun. This year featured a number of speed records set.</p>
<p>Despite some crappy weather putting a damper on Saturday’s fun, spectators were treated to more than 500 runs on a track that seems built to push the boundaries of <em>fast and loud</em>. Unfortunately, Area Diesel Service friend and resident speed demon Jeff Gerner was unable to run the <em>fastest Audi in the world</em>, as the rain marked yet another bad break for the record-setting driver. On the upside, Jeff is the real deal when it comes to being a supercharged speed freak, so he took solace in watching his fellow drivers and motorcycle riders lay down the heat. As for Jeff getting his own land speed fix, we’re hoping for sunny skies at the Arkansas Mile—the weekend of June 3 - 5.</p>
<h2>Motorcycle Racing Tragedy Narrowly Avoided</h2>
<p>Far more important than the heavy rain causing any driver to miss the chance to run (even after many traveled hundreds if not thousands of miles to compete), The Ohio Mile saw a near-tragic motorcycle crash, which had us all holding our breath and praying for racer Guy Caputo. After taking his custom-built Tiger Racing motorcycle to incredible speeds, something caused Guy to momentarily lose control. As we all know, in the world of <em>land speed turbo motorcycle competition</em>, a split second is all it takes to put a racer at life-threatening risk.</p>
<p>Out of respect for Guy’s wife Dianna and their family, we will skip any detailed description of the crash itself. Suffice it to say, though, that Guy suffered serious injuries, including numerous broken bones and soft tissue damage. The medical crew at The Ohio Mile quickly airlifted the injured racer from Airborne Park and transported to nearby Miami Valley Hospital.</p>
<p>We are thrilled to relay the news that, when it comes to the things that can impact long-term quality of life, Guy is said to have a clean bill of health. He is obviously in tremendous pain and requires an extended recovery period that will keep him at the hospital. That’s rough. Most importantly, though, the hospital staff ran a CT scan, which showed no evidence of brain damage. That’s really all we can ask for after a crash at such high speeds.</p>
<p>From our Area Diesel team to Guy and his family, we just want to quickly wish you a speedy and full recovery.</p>
<h2>Ohio Mile 2016 Winners</h2>
<p>Like all fans of The Ohio Mile, we were especially excited about the <em>Hot Rod Magazine Top Speed Challenge</em>. The two big winners for that showdown were Jay Bell and C. Douglas Johnson. With an incredible run of 229.2410 MPH, Jay took the Real Street bragging rights. Douglas earned the weekend's Super Street title, hitting a top speed of 222.1125 MPH.</p>
<p><span class="caption"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="447" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOhioMile%2Fvideos%2F506250506240075%2F&show_text=0&width=795" width="795"></iframe>It didn't quite make the leaderboard, but the 1950s Ford Jim Cochran ran at Ohio Mile 2016 sounds like a winner to us. (Video originally posted on the ECTA Facebook page).</span></p>
<p><br/>Of course, when you get upward of 500 runs at an event, plenty of drivers have the chance to earn the ol' atta boy for notching impressive speeds. Check out the Top Speeds table below to see who made the cut.</p>
<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 1</strong> Ohio Mile Run 2016 Top Speeds</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="left">AWARD</th>
<th align="left">CLASS</th>
<th align="left">SPEED</th>
<th align="left">DRIVER</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fastest Overall</td>
<td>A/FALT 3101</td>
<td>999.9990 mph</td>
<td>Tom Bailey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Altered/Special Construction</td>
<td>APS/F-1650/4 9290</td>
<td>234.3750 mph</td>
<td>Ransom Holbrook</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Modified Category</td>
<td>A/FALT 3101</td>
<td>999.9990 mph</td>
<td>Tom Bailey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Modified</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4 214</td>
<td>243.7703 mph</td>
<td>Ryan Ostergard</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Special Construction Category</td>
<td>H/GS 3211</td>
<td>163.2801 mph</td>
<td>Gary Silvis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Classic Category</td>
<td>C/CBGALT 9293</td>
<td>173.9467 mph</td>
<td>Kenneth Snyder</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Production Category</td>
<td>G/PS 9276</td>
<td>170.4545 mph</td>
<td>Chris Dobbins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vintage Category</td>
<td>B/FMR 3333</td>
<td>188.5211 mph</td>
<td>Matthew Vos</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Production</td>
<td>P/P-650/4 6636</td>
<td>169.1729 mph</td>
<td>Ali Abubakr</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Electric</td>
<td>APS/E-A2 2323</td>
<td>169.1729 mph</td>
<td>Jeffrey Disinger</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sidecar & Streamliner</td>
<td>APS/PF-3001+/4 543</td>
<td>147.7347 mph</td>
<td>James Bracken</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><br/>Ohio Mile 200 MPH Club</h2>
<p>With its reputation for one jaw-dropping run after another, all eyes at The Ohio Mile 2016 were focused on top speeds. Wouldn't you know that had drivers motivated to join the <em>Ohio Mile 200 MPH Club</em>, and quite a few did. See the updated list (all-time) of drivers who have broken 200 MPH at Airborne Park:</p>
<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 2</strong> Ohio Mile Drivers Who Have Topped 200 MPH</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th align="left">RUN</th>
<th align="left">CLASS</th>
<th align="left">SPEED</th>
<th align="left">DRIVER</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>M/F-1650/4</td>
<td>204.2669 mph</td>
<td>Mike Brakel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>C/FCT</td>
<td>227.3876 mph</td>
<td>Donny Cummins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>206.4220 mph</td>
<td>Lloyd Halsey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>F/BGC</td>
<td>202.5202 mph</td>
<td>Jerry Hoffmann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>MPS/BG-2000/4</td>
<td>203.5278 mph</td>
<td>Tracy Rogers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>C/GALT</td>
<td>215.1052 mph</td>
<td>Gary Stewart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>205.1048 mph</td>
<td>Josh Barton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1000/4</td>
<td>211.7647 mph</td>
<td>Scott E. Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>APS/F-1650/4</td>
<td>219.8339 mph</td>
<td>Ransom Holbrook</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>P/P-1650/4</td>
<td>200.0889 mph</td>
<td>Fred Giaimo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>206.7065 mph</td>
<td>John Barrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>237.2167 mph</td>
<td>Jay Bell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4</td>
<td>222.7723 mph</td>
<td>Ryan Ostergard</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>C/GCT</td>
<td>212.1641 mph</td>
<td>Ronald Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>B/GC</td>
<td>202.7027 mph</td>
<td>Bob Larimore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>C/BGALT</td>
<td>204.5455 mph</td>
<td>Peter Calaguiro</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>A/FCT</td>
<td>202.8855 mph</td>
<td>Alfred Piggott</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>M/F-1650/4</td>
<td>202.7940 mph</td>
<td>Mike Brakel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BG-2000/4</td>
<td>203.8967 mph</td>
<td>Tracy Rogers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/FSS</td>
<td>213.1691 mph</td>
<td>David Matyjasik</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>204.2669 mph</td>
<td>Josh Barton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1000/4</td>
<td>217.4964 mph</td>
<td>Scott E. Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BF-750/4</td>
<td>202.1563 mph</td>
<td>Jean-Pierre Trzebiatowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>C/CGALT</td>
<td>200.0000 mph</td>
<td>Rick Lind</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4</td>
<td>207.8522 mph</td>
<td>Myron Blakeman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>202.7027 mph</td>
<td>John Barrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4</td>
<td>201.6129 mph</td>
<td>Myron Blakeman</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>C/GALT</td>
<td>214.3878 mph</td>
<td>Gary Stewart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>206.8015 mph</td>
<td>Iain MacArthur</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>C/GCT</td>
<td>226.2443 mph</td>
<td>Ronald Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>C/FCT</td>
<td>227.1580 mph</td>
<td>Donny Cummins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4</td>
<td>236.2205 mph</td>
<td>Ryan Ostergard</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>B/GC</td>
<td>200.8032 mph</td>
<td>Bob Larimore</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>A/FCT</td>
<td>208.1406 mph</td>
<td>Alfred Piggott</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>APS/BF-1000/4</td>
<td>213.7767 mph</td>
<td>Scott E. Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>C/BGALT</td>
<td>206.3274 mph</td>
<td>Peter Calaguiro</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>C/GCT</td>
<td>229.8264 mph</td>
<td>Ronald Keselowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>C/GALT</td>
<td>213.9800 mph</td>
<td>Gary Stewart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1000/4</td>
<td>212.6654 mph</td>
<td>Scott E. Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>F/BGC</td>
<td>210.5756 mph</td>
<td>Jerry Hoffmann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>C/FCT</td>
<td>226.9289 mph</td>
<td>Donny Cummins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>MPS/G-1350/4</td>
<td>200.8032 mph</td>
<td>Wilson Huertas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>P/P-1650/4</td>
<td>200.6242 mph</td>
<td>Fred Giaimo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>APS/F-1650/4</td>
<td>232.0784 mph</td>
<td>Ransom Holbrook</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>M/F-1650/4</td>
<td>203.7121 mph</td>
<td>Mike Brakel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>B/FRS</td>
<td>205.1048 mph</td>
<td>Larry Waddell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>MPS/BF-750/4</td>
<td>204.4525 mph</td>
<td>Jean-Pierre Trzebiatowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>220.8047 mph</td>
<td>Jay Bell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>MPS/G-1350/4</td>
<td>202.3381 mph</td>
<td>Wilson Huertas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>P/P-1650/4</td>
<td>200.2670 mph</td>
<td>Fred Giaimo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>206.2328 mph</td>
<td>Brandon Loecher</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>212.7660 mph</td>
<td>Josh Barton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>A/FSS</td>
<td>209.6924 mph</td>
<td>Michael Matyjasik</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>207.8522 mph</td>
<td>John Barrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>C/GALT</td>
<td>214.4900 mph</td>
<td>Gary Stewart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/BFSS</td>
<td>215.4141 mph</td>
<td>Brian Acton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>221.7841 mph</td>
<td>Iain MacArthur</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>F/BGC</td>
<td>209.5948 mph</td>
<td>Jerry Hoffmann mph</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>C/FCT</td>
<td>225.4509 mph</td>
<td>Donny Cummins</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1350/4</td>
<td>243.7703 mph</td>
<td>Ryan Ostergard</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>M/F-1650/4</td>
<td>202.8855 mph</td>
<td>Mike Brakel</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>P/P-1650/4</td>
<td>200.2670 mph</td>
<td>Fred Giaimo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>MPS/G-1350/4</td>
<td>202.6115 mph</td>
<td>Wilson Huertas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>MPS/BF-750/4</td>
<td>203.2520 mph</td>
<td>Jean-Pierre Trzebiatowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>210.1821 mph</td>
<td>Brandon Loecher</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>APS/F-1650/4</td>
<td>234.3750 mph</td>
<td>Ransom Holbrook</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>212.1641 mph</td>
<td>Josh Barton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>APS/BG-1000/4</td>
<td>212.6654 mph</td>
<td>Scott E. Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>F/BGC</td>
<td>209.2050 mph</td>
<td>Jerry Hoffmann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>A/GCT</td>
<td>227.2727 mph</td>
<td>Jimmy Barton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>215.4141 mph</td>
<td>Jay Bell</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>MPS/G-1350/4</td>
<td>201.0724 mph</td>
<td>Wilson Huertas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>MPS/BG-1650/4</td>
<td>213.2701 mph</td>
<td>Brandon Loecher</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>MPS/BF-750/4</td>
<td>210.8716 mph</td>
<td>Jean-Pierre Trzebiatowski</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>207.1823 mph</td>
<td>John Barrow</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>C/BGALT</td>
<td>202.4291 mph</td>
<td>Peter Calaguiro</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>209.9860 mph</td>
<td>Gary Hart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>AA/BGALT</td>
<td>212.1641 mph</td>
<td>Kyle Acton</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>AA/FRS</td>
<td>207.0870 mph</td>
<td>Iain MacArthur</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>202.4291 mph</td>
<td>Gary Hart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10</td>
<td>MPS/G-1350/4</td>
<td>200.9826 mph</td>
<td>Wilson Huertas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>AA/FCT</td>
<td>210.0840 mph</td>
<td>Gary Hart</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>E/BGALT</td>
<td>210.9705 mph</td>
<td>Jerry Hoffmann</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>AA/BFSS</td>
<td>202.2472 mph</td>
<td>Trever Acton</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2><br/>East Coast Timing Association Future Events</h2>
<p>The ECTA dropped a bit of bombshell on Facebook this month when announcing that its event agreement with the Wilmington Air Park has been modified to an "event to event agreement." Leadership at the ECTA was quick to show appreciation for its partnership with the Air Park, saying "They have been a great partner for us and we have been very glad to have the air park as our place to race." The Facebook post also stated that while the ECTA may very well have full use of the Air Park for all currently planned events, the fact is, they no longer guarantee that availability for more than one event at a time.</p>
<p>This news means that drivers can comfortably sign up for the ECTA's June 18th and 19th competition, but the event scheduled for September 30 - October 2nd <strong>could potentially</strong> get cancelled. As the ECTA put it for drivers, "you are rolling the dice" on events scheduled beyond June.</p>
<p>Congrats to all the drivers, fans, and organizers for another kickass Ohio Mile. Finally, here's wishing the ECTA, not to mention all the land speed racing fans in the area, the best of luck on finding an excellent new track right away.</p>Fastest Audi in the World Gearing Up for Bonneville Speed Week 2016 with Multiple Races2016-02-08T19:33:56+00:002024-03-28T18:33:40.250302+00:00ADShttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/author/ADS/https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/fastest-audi-in-the-world-bonneville-speed-week-2016/<p><em>Discover how the S400SX3 BorgWarner Turbocharger, from Area Diesel Service, and other performance upgrades are helping Jeff Gerner prepare his Audi to outrun the fastest sedans around.</em></p>
<p><img alt="The fastest Audi in the world trusts BorgWarner turbo systems for performance." src="https://areadiesel.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/fastest-audi-in-the-world.jpg"/></p>
<p><br/>It’s only February, but fans of all things fast can rest assured that Jeff Gerner is already focused on getting his famous Audi S4 in optimal condition to dominate at Bonneville Speed Week 2016, if the world-famous location is cleared to host races this August. Whatever happens at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the <em>fastest Audi in the world</em> is preparing to break land speed records this year.</p>
<h2>Bonneville Speed Week 2016 at Risk</h2>
<p>Since Teddy Tezlaff first set an unofficial land speed record of 141.73 mph at Bonneville in 1914, the potential for setting new records on the Salt Flats has drawn many a driver over the years. We all know the legendary names, like Craig Breedlove who took the Spirit of America to unthinkable speeds in '64 and '65 or Gary Gabolich who easily broke 620 mph in his Blue Flame rocket, but there are countless other land speed enthusiasts who have made their marks at Bonneville Speed Week. Area Diesel friend and colleague Jeff Gerner sits at the top of the list in our book. In 2011, Jeff set the Bonneville Speed Week F Production Supercharged record of 236.599 mph, driving his '93 Audi S4.</p>
<p>Now equipped with a <a href="https://www.areadieselservice.com/diesel-power-products/turbocharger-kits/borgwarner/" title="See which Borg Warner turbo is right for your engine.">Borg Warner Turbo</a> from Area Diesel, Jeff has plans to top his incredible feat at Bonneville Speed Week 2016, just as he had planned before last year's event was cancelled. Unfortunately, that opportunity is once again very much in question at this point. Inclement weather and the increasingly unsuitable surface conditions of the racetracks have caused numerous cancellations at the Bonneville Salt Flats recently. Like many involved with land speed racing, Jeff is more than a little concerned that the declining conditions will cost us all the thrill of Bonneville Speed Week again in 2016.</p>
<p>On a positive front, efforts from organizations like Save The Salt and the Utah Alliance, along with many other key contributors, have gained the attention of state legislators in Utah. Just this month, <em>The Salt Lake Tribune </em>reported that lawmakers provided a unanimous "recommendation from the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee" on a resolution that puts public pressure on "the Bureau of Land Management [BLM] to restore the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway to safe high-speed-racing conditions."<sup>1</sup> In fairness to the BLM, the organizations mentioned above recently released a statement announcing there had been "improvement in communication and cooperation between the BLM and the land speed racing community."<sup>2</sup></p>
<p>Area Diesel will be following the situation in Utah closely and hoping event organizers don't have to cancel Bonneville Speed Week 2016; we'll post updates as race week draws closer. In the mean time, while Jeff can't directly control the conditions of the tracks at Bonneville, he can do plenty to keep his turbocharged Audi ready to rock.</p>
<h2>World's Fastest Audi Ready for Other Challenges</h2>
<p>As you can guess, most people with the guts to take on ridiculously fast land speed racing records aren't big on waiting around. True to form, Jeff can't sit idle with all his hopes pinned to Bonneville Speed Week 2016 as the only chance to shatter records this year. Instead, Jeff and his team have decided to take on new challenges for the reigning, defending, undisputed <em>fastest Audi in the world</em> (man, saying that never gets old).</p>
<p>The Four Ring Performance Engineering team has Jeff's turbocharged Audi running at peak performance—hitting highs like she did on the Dyno in the video below—and have entered two upcoming events: The East Coast Timing Association Ohio Mile and the first-ever Arkansas Mile, run by the good folks behind the famed Texas Mile.</p>
<p><span class="caption"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="447" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/128990321" width="795"></iframe>With its S400SX3 BorgWarner Turbocharger, Jeff's '92 Audi S4 was putting out absurd power on the dyno last summer.</span></p>
<h3>East Coast Timing Association Ohio Mile 2016</h3>
<p>You can check out Jeff's faster-than-hell Audi at this year's East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) Ohio Mile, from April 29 - May 1. The event, held in Wilmington, Ohio, draws land speed racing fans from all over the state, not to mention the fans and competitors who make the trek from neighboring states in the Midwest. Fans can get their weekend-long <em>fast</em> fix for $15 per person or check out the <em>Hot Rod Magazine Top Speed Challenge</em>, and other runs, on Sunday for $10 per person.</p>
<p>The ECTA Ohio Mile follows the same record keeping as the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), which oversees runs at Bonneville Speed Week, so car classes and standing records are the same. The current Ohio Mile record for the F Production Supercharged class is a solid 141 mph. Not bad. But when you drive the fastest Audi in the world, literally, like Jeff does, breaking that 141 mph mark is certainly an attainable goal. In fact, the Four Ring team expects to beat 141 mph by a large margin.</p>
<h3>Arkansas Mile</h3>
<p>For the first time ever, on the first weekend of June 2016, the people behind The Texas Mile and The U.S. Mile are launching a mile-long land speed racing event in Arkansas. The races will take place at the Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville from June 3 - June 5. Funny that Jeff will be driving the BorgWarner turbocharged Audi on an actual runway, given that the sedan is capable of topping 260 mph and he doesn't "want this thing to take flight," as he told us for an <a href="https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/worlds-fastest-audi/" title="Read more about the world's fastest Audi and Jeff Gerner.">earlier article in our World's Fastest Audi series</a>. We love to watch him fly, but let's hope all four wheels stay grounded.</p>
<p>The Arkansas Mile event will see hundreds of cars and motorcycles vying to break land speed records, and fans can witness it all for $25 per person. That ticket price covers the entire weekend and includes free parking. Kids 12 and under also get in free. With so many fans and other drivers headed to Arkansas for the weekend, we know Jeff will be ready to put on a show.</p>
<h2>Fingers Crossed for Bonneville Speed Week 2016</h2>
<p>While the outlook for Bonneville Speed Week 2016 isn't stellar at this point, we're still keeping our fingers crossed that the weather and ground conditions allow a little land speed racing come August. Watching footage from Jeff Gerner's record-setting run at Bonneville just gets us too geared up to think about missing the chance for the third year in a row to see him top that. So we will block it from our minds for now and, instead, leave you with the video from that incredible Speed Week. Just don't blink.</p>
<p><span class="caption"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="447" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/51041936" width="795"></iframe>Check out Jeff's view from behind the wheel of the fastest Audi in the world during Bonneville Speed Week a few years ago. (Video originally posted on QuattroWorld.com).</span></p>
<h3>Information Sources</h3>
<ol>
<li>Penrod, Emma. "Utah lawmakers urge BLM to restore Bonneville Salt Flats for high-speed racing". <em>The Salt Lake Tribune</em>. Retreived Feb. 22: http://www.sltrib.com/news/3557738-155/utah-lawmakers-urge-blm-to-restore?fullpage=1</li>
<li>Save the Salt Foundation, Utah Alliance, and Save the Salt Coalition. Joint press release. Retreived Feb. 22: http://d284f45nftegze.cloudfront.net/SaveTheSalt/GNRS%202016%20release.pdf</li>
</ol>2015 Speed Week at Bonneville Cancelled!2015-08-14T19:29:59+00:002021-12-15T15:20:46.591227+00:00ADShttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/author/ADS/https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/2015-speed-week-at-bonneville-cancelled/<p>There has been some sad news out of Bonneville. For the second time in two years, Speed Week has been cancelled. According to recent reports the heavy summer rains have left the Flats too saturated and muddy for the event to go forward.</p>
<p>SCTA President and Race Diretor, Bill Lattin and the BNI Chairman Roy Creel called off the event in late July for safety reasons. The most they could find was 2¼ miles of salt suitable for a safe race surface. </p>
<p><img alt="" height="534" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp5.jpg" width="800"/></p>
<p>Jeff Gerner (pictured above), owner of the World's Fastest Sedan had hoped to best his previous runs here on the Flats, and he still hopes to participate in future events on the Salt Flats if conditions improve. "I'm glad they called it from a safety standpoint, as I didn't really want to try to drive 250 plus MPH on a marginal course" Gerner explained. "There will be further evaluation of the salt in the coming weeks, and I suppose there is a small possibility that the FIA World Finals could be run in October but I feel it is highly unlikely. I would go if weather and course conditions are acceptable."</p>
<p>Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity to let the Audi compete this year, Gerner has signed up to participate in the Texas Mile this October in Beeville, TX. No matter the ruling of the World Finals at the Salt Flats this fall, Gerner will try his best to compete in 2015. </p>
<p>For more information on the Texas Mile you can visit their webiste at <a class="external" href="https://www.texasmile.net/" target="_blank">www.texasmile.net</a>. And as always make sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up with the latest on Jeff Gerner and The World's Fastest Sedan!</p>
<p><a class="external" href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Area-Diesel-Service-Inc/204567109557392?ref=hl" target="_blank"><img alt="Like us on Facebook" height="27" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/fb.png" width="160"/></a> <a class="external" href="https://twitter.com/areadieselsvc" target="_blank"><img alt="Follow us on Twitter" height="27" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/twitter.png" width="160"/></a></p>World's Fastest Audi2015-06-01T20:52:12+00:002021-08-11T16:36:18.704224+00:00ADShttps://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/author/ADS/https://www.areadieselservice.com/blog/worlds-fastest-audi/<p><img alt="" class="img_left" height="133" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp5.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" width="200"/>Iconic, a shrine to speed, over the last hundred years, the Bonneville Salt Flats have become the mecca for gearheads.</p>
<p>It is a place that is revered and idolized by the renegades risking it all to break records, and fans that have come to recognize its status through popular culture and media. </p>
<p>Most recently, the Bonneville Salt Flats had a guest spot on the series finale of Mad Men. In the opening scene, the show’s protagonist Don Draper hurtles down the flats, behind the wheel of a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.</p>
<p>For the show’s timeline, this was just a few years after world-famous 68-year-old Burt Munro set his still-standing 183.58 mph record on his 47-year-old Indian motorcycle. His accomplishments are better known worldwide by the title of a 2005 motion picture based on this event, “The World’s Fastest Indian.”</p>
<p>Fast-forward to 2015, and Area Diesel Service has a very close connection to speed-records, Bonneville and “The World’s Fastest Audi-an.”</p>
<p>Jeff Gerner, a 62-year-old retired automotive fleet maintenance manager, holds the Bonneville record for the F Production Supercharged at 236.599 mph in his 22-year-old Audi S4.</p>
<p>The 1993 Audi qualified for its record with an average speed of 250.009 mph with a terminal speed of 260 mph.</p>
<p>“The 250 mile speed was timed at mile four. However, on the ‘back-up’ run, I only drove to mile three, which forced us to take our mile three time from the qualifying run and did not let us use the 250 mph speed in the two-day average, which comprises the records,” Gerner recalled.</p>
<p>“This is why our current record is at 236.99 mph and a big reason why we are going back, to make two full passes at the car’s full top speed.”</p>
<p>In early 2014, Gerner was introduced to Val Leefers and his Illinois-based company, Area Diesel Service, Inc., a Franchise Distributor of BorgWarner turbochargers.</p>
<p>Area Diesel experts supplied Gerner with an S400SX3 BorgWarner performance turbocharger and the build began.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="img_left_nospacetop" height="338" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp1.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" width="450"/></p>
<p>Of course, like most great projects, this was not without setbacks. In June of 2014, just two months shy of Bonneville Speed Week, Gerner shared some devastating news. </p>
<p>“We made 1048 wheel horsepower at 10,000 rpm,” said Gerner, “this would have been enough for 270 mph, but the engine began to run rich and we could not figure out why.”</p>
<p>“We found out that (horribly) the air to water intercooler had broken internally and sent a big dose of water straight through the combustion chambers. The pistons and rings have sustained some sort of damage from the stratospheric pressures created by the water going through the engine. It is just so heart breaking to put so much planning and effort into building a perfect motor and then to have some ancillary component failure destroy your work.”</p>
<p>Although all seemed lost for 2014, when August rolled around there was a small silver lining. For only the second time in the event’s history, Bonneville Speed Week had been cancelled.</p>
<p>“A whole lot of people towed 1000 plus miles to the event only to have to turn around and go home. Very sad deal, but I am sure thankful I didn't kill myself and my budget to get the Audi back together, and then go out there to have that happen,” said Gerner.</p>
<p>In the months following the rained-out 2014 Speed Week, Gerner has been kept very busy getting the Bonneville racer back together and keeping up with his customer’s work load.</p>
<p>Gerner owns Four Ring Performance Engineering in Missouri and specializes in engine builds. Four Ring caters to clients looking for precision and meticulous cylinder head work, custom porting, valve work, engine balancing, engine block decking, full blueprinting and custom bearing clearances for extreme service durability, among other high performance and racing engine design and construction services.</p>
<p>Gerner has spent much of 2015 readying the Audi for the chance at breaking records this August at Bonneville Speed Week.</p>
<p>This May, the racer is back together and was put on the dyno.</p>
<p>“The dyno session, performed this year on a very stingy Mustang dyno, couldn’t have gone more perfectly,” recalled Gerner, “the engine surpassed expectations, and the BorgWarner turbo performance was huge in the overall performance.”</p>
<p><img alt="" class="img_left_nospacetop" height="338" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp4.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" width="450"/><br/><br/><img alt="" class="img_left_nospacetop" height="600" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp3.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" width="450"/></p>
<p>“Thanks to Area Diesel Service and BorgWarner for their expertise and support in perfectly sizing our turbocharger for the unique challenges of Land Speed Racing at Bonneville – the BorgWarner Match-Bot system gave us a perfectly sized turbo for this extreme environment.”</p>
<p>With such amazing results on the inside, Gerner will be spending time on the sedan’s stability, ballasting, and chassis weighting before Bonneville.</p>
<p>“The speed is likely to be 260 mph, and I don’t want this thing to take flight,” Gerner explained.</p>
<p>“Our BorgWarner S400SX3, with its 82mm compressor and 87mm turbine allowed the Audi’s engine to produce 955 wheel horsepower, with great response and zero drop in power at 10,000 rpm,” exclaimed Gerner, “this is all the more remarkable given the responsive nature of the turbo.” This action was captured on video and can be seen on the <a class="internal" href="https://areadieselservice.com/" target="_blank">ADS homepage!</a></p>
<p>Area Diesel, BorgWarner, Four Ring, and especially Gerner are looking forward to a record-breaking run at Bonneville Speed Week this August.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="img_left_nospacetop" height="338" src="https://media.areadieselservice.com/uploads/frp2.jpg" style="vertical-align: text-bottom;" width="450"/></p>
<p>God Speed and best of luck to you, Jeff!</p>
<p>Area Diesel and The Well Revved Blog will post more updates and results on this project in the coming months.</p>
<p>More information on Jeff Gerner and his business, Four Ring Performance can be found at his company’s website - <a class="external" href="http://fourringperformance.com" target="_blank">FourRingPerformance.com. </a></p>
<p>Additional information on his 2012 run at Bonneville Speed Week and a video of the run can be found at <a class="external" href="http://www.quattroworld.com/speed-week/the-worlds-fastest-sedan-260mph-in-a-1992-audi-s4/" target="_blank">Quattroworld.com</a>. </p>
<p><a class="internal" href="https://areadieselservice.com/diesel-power-products/turbocharger-kits/borgwarner/" target="_blank">Check out some of the many BorgWarner high-performance turbochargers we carry</a><a class="internal" href="https://areadieselservice.com/diesel-power-products/turbocharger-kits/borgwarner/" target="_blank">!</a> Can’t find what you are looking or just not sure what you need? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is standing by to help you find just what you’re looking for! </p>