SCORE INTERNATIONAL

Score Journal Issue 12-2016

SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing

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was painted with red Valvoline graphics and the other blue. With the project underway, the lineup at Team Valvoline- Cummins included England, Aaron Quinton as drivers with co-drivers Jess Moore and Adam Sworski in the truck they called El Tropico, and Chris Forsberg and Ryan Tuerck as drivers of the truck they called El Arctico, along with co-drivers John Nachtigal and Dave Weakley. The twin '89 Dodge Rams were built using 5.9-liter common-rail diesel engines and served as test beds for things to come. So rather than the urgency to finish or even win the most grueling off-road race in the western hemisphere, it was what engineers might call an "exercise in design." For the two companies, the project demonstrated how employees at both Valvoline and Cummins, who contributed greatly to the build, embodied the spirit of their respective brands and competition. The team had not anticipated doing any serious testing until much closer to the 49th SCORE Baja 1000, according to reports, they received a last-minute invitation to Pikes Peak. With little time to prepare, they accepted the challenge. England was later quoted as saying, that the project harkens back to the days when founder Clessie Cummins tested diesel engine limits by racing them at the Indianapolis 500. "We can't create every possible ambient condition (for our engines) at 600 feet of altitude in southern Indiana, and that's one of the reasons we went to Baja," said England. RELIABLE OIL REMAINED UNCHANGED With the engines being built to handle a wide variety of conditions, the one thing that didn't change was the motor oil. "We do a lot of collaborative work with Cummins on oil and diesel engine technology, and we wanted to build a truck to prove its durability using our Premium Blue Extreme full synthetic 5W40," said Michael Wedding lead engineer for Valvoline. Wedding made reference to the fact that they hadn't changed the oil in either of the two 2003 vintage ISB 5.9-liter Cummins engines since they were custom re-built in the spring of 2016, which incidentally doubled their original horsepower output. After pre-running the SCORE Baja course for weeks and even with a stop-over at Pikes Peak in one of the trucks, the engine oil was never changed. "No oil was added either," said Wedding. VALVOLINE EMPLOYEES WORKED ON THE TRUCKS, AND WANTED TO DEMONSTRATE HANDS-ON EXPERTISE BY SHOWING THAT THEY EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF THE BRAND. 079 SCORE JOURNAL

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