September 2018 Volume 38, Issue 8
TRUCK NEWS Eastern Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1981
Delivering daily news at trucknews.com
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Supporting the series
Dealing with dealers
Aboard the Starship
Power play
We interview two hauler drivers about the challenges and perks of driving for NASCAR.
When choosing a dealer, be sure to shop around for the best fit.
Derek Clouthier takes a spin in Shell’s futuristic Starship, which aimed to improve truck efficiency.
How much horsepower is too much, and how much is not enough? It’s all about application.
Good times
RET ADVERTAIL ISING P
Truck orders reach all-time high, truckers at ‘full capacity’ July truck orders set a new all-time high at 52,250 units, truckers are operating at full capacity, and there is no relief in sight for shippers. FTR reports July Class 8 truck orders surpassed the previous alltime best month of March 2006. The success was widespread, with most OEMs achieving elevated levels, FTR reported. Orders were up 25% month-over-month and 187% year-over-year. Five of the highest 12 order months in history have occurred in the first seven months of this year, with orders over the past 12 months totaling a whopping 445,000 units. FTR says fleets are “desperate” to get new trucks, but supply is limited. This is causing fleets to place large orders in hopes of securing future deliveries in the face of a current truck shortage. Manufacturers, according to FTR, are struggling to keep pace with demand as some parts and components suppliers haven’t been able to produce and deliver on time. Continued on page 6
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A race official signals the impending start of a drag race between two fully loaded tractor-trailers during Rodeo du Camion.
The need for speed Some of the fastest race rigs bring their horsepower to Rodeo du Camion By James Menzies NOTRE-DAME-DU-NORD, QUEBEC Spectators came from as far away as Japan to witness the spectacle that is Rodeo du Camion in this northwestern Quebec town Aug. 2-5. The main attraction is the truck racing, which sees bobtails and fully-laden B-Trains loaded to 62,500 kgs drag racing up a public street with a 12% grade, as thousands of spectators line both sides of the track. Black smoke billows out of the gleaming stacks, the diesel engines roar, and the fans roar back in appreciation over and over again during the course of the oneof-a-kind event. Some drivers put as much as $500,000 into prepping their rigs for the races, while others with more modest pocketbooks compete in the stock category, which limits modifications. But the real badass trucks put out 2,500-plus horsepower and repeatedly brought the fans to their feet. “The driver makes a difference, and after that it’s the wallet,” admits Michel Denomme, who competed in the stock class, finishing fourth in the bobtail category. He
owns 15-truck fleet MD Transport and has been racing at Rodeo du Camion for more than 20 years. He figures he has spent about $10,000 getting his truck race-ready, despite the limitations placed on the category. “And if you break down, it costs more money,” he said. His race truck is powered by a 550 Cat twin turbo engine putting out about 1,000 hp. It has an 18-speed transmission, 46,000-lb rear ends, and a 4.10 gear ratio. Racing legend Nicolas Gagnon and his Coga Racing team topped the A Class, representing the fastest trucks, in both bobtail and loaded categories. His truck is powered by a Cat C18 engine with 2,000 hp “and a lot of torque,” he told Truck News. He had won his first two heats when we caught up with him and was feeling confident. “I’m happy,” he said, and for good reason, as he went on to take the top prizes. For many, truck racing and the Rodeo are family traditions. Robert Kurtz raced the 1968 Kenworth that his father Brent won with in 2001. He is the grandson of Brian Kurtz, who founded Brian Kurtz Trucking. “Dad’s pretty excited for it to come out again,” the younger Kurtz said. He’s been racing for about four Continued on page 28