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Sure, supercar drag races are fun, but somehow they seem boring compared to our new favorite motorsport, the Big Rig Challenge drag racing. Tractor-trailers may be the bane of your road trips, but they can turn out to be a lot faster than you might think. Take, for example, the modified truck shown in this video, which has enough power to turn the semi-truck frame thanks to all its strength. So what does it take to turn a semi-truck into a racing truck?
The star in today’s video is a heavily modified Peterbilt 359. This long-haul truck icon is a favorite among owner-operators and marks the beginning of the long-haul truck after its debut in 1967. During a 20-year production run through 1987, the Peterbilt 359 became a legend thanks to its extensive list of options and clever use of materials. The 359’s frame is made of aluminum, and owners can also order an aluminum cab and sleeping area, which helps keep weight down.
The 359 also has a large engine bay which means owners can opt for a large engine and transmission combination. One of the more popular configurations uses the Caterpillar 3408 engine. This large V8 displaces 18.0 liters and produces around 450 horsepower depending on trim level. The Caterpillar 3408 engine uses 46.2 liters of oil and 54.9 liters of coolant.
The truck featured in the Big Rig Challenge racing series is far from stock but uses the legendary Peterbilt 359 as a starting point. In the video, we can see it racing against the other 359, but it seems to have a huge power advantage.
If you have a machine, chances are there are people out there competing with each other. Semi-trucks are no exception, and as it turns out, they are a very interesting drag racing platform.
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