You missed one great event

Alban Engines Power Day 2002

The elite gathering of the “Big Strappers”.  Even though the weather was cool and rainy in the morning cleared up for us in the afternoon.  164 owner-operators with their wives and children came to see 28 trucks battle for king of the hill in Elkridge Maryland.

The east coast boys have done what the west coast has been trying to do for a long time and that is put over 1000 horsepower to the ground for a period of 5 seconds.  This was accomplished by William “Mutt” Tayman of Upper Marlboro, MD.  Mutt’s truck is a 1979 359 Peterbilt powered by a KTTA Cummins engine.  This engine has 1150 cubic inches, twin turbos, hydraulic variable timing and a fuel pump built by Pat Sharp of Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh.

Please keep in mind that this is an old engine.  It was released for on highway use back in 1974.  But, when properly built, she will crank out the power.  Mutt’s Pete put 1007 horsepower to the ground for 5 seconds.  There were a lot of trucks producing 700 to 800HP.  However, when the old faded blue Pete went over 1000HP, the crowd of 164 people went into a loud cheer!  The well-liked Mutt Tayman was truly the king!  By the way, Mutt was the oldest owner-operator there.  He is a quiet, attractive gentleman of 68 years.

Bruce Popp, of Port Republic, MD. owned the next highest powered truck.  A 1990 378 Peterbilt powered by a 3406 B Cat and built for heavy hauling.  This truck is equipped with a double frame, 4 axles, 18 speed transmission and 4:56 rear gear ratios.  This truck produced a whopping 901 horsepower to the ground for five seconds.  It was built and is driven daily by Mike Robinson.

Third place went to Jerry Hairhogger of New Galilee, PA.  Jerry purchased his 1973 Kenworth conventional new in 1973 and changed the engine several times.  It’s now powered by a KTA 600 Cummins, 13-speed transmission and 3:73 rear gears.  This engine cranks.  However, the Air Research turbo decided to handgranade at 792 horsepower.  The employees of Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh, who have been supplying Jerry with his parts since 1978, knew this engine could also produce 1000 horsepower.  However, the turbo felt it had enough excitement for one day and split the scene.

Bradley Owens of St. Inigoes, MD. produced 766 horsepower to the ground with his modified 3406 E Cat powered Kenworth tri-axle dump.  This was the most powerful electronic engine at the event.

Kip Jones was able to hit 740 horsepower with his 550 Cat with the Pittsburgh Power Cat computer.  However, the exhaust gas temperature exceeded 1350 degrees and the computer cut the power back to stock horsepower.  Diesel Injection is now building a special turbocharger for Kip so he can utilize his 740 horsepower.

You’re not going to believe this one!  Jeff Feight of Breezewood, PA. came to prove that Detroit diesels can produce power too.  In fact, on the side of his purple W-900 Kenworth, it says “Big Smoke at Last!”.  Jeff’s KW is powered by a 15 liter 550 HP Series 60 Detroit and has a modified computer he uses for truck pulling.  And pull she does.   738 horsepower to the ground.

Another Detroit 60 Series owned by John Chase produced 700 horsepower to the ground.Other top finishers were David Blankenship with a mechanical Cat, 634 horsepower, Harvey Raynor with another mechanical Cat producing 543 horsepower.  Two stock electronic Cats owned by Joe Malcolm produced 584 HP and Frank Winslow produced 512 HP.

Sonny Trapp, the world’s most consistent semi truck drag racer put 482 hp to the ground with one of his N-14 525 Cummins engines.  Kirby Williams of Severn, MD. produced 529 horsepower with his Pittsburgh Power computer set on level number 4.

This was a special day for Kevin Duffin of Roseto PA.  Kevin has dealt with Cerebral Paulsey his entire life.  His dream was to ride in a W-900 Kenworth with a “studio sleeper”.  On Friday the 17^th of May his dream came true.  Phillip Green and Bruce Mallinson drove to Kevin’s home in a beautiful 1999 W-900 Kenworth and gave Kevin a ride to a truck stop for lunch.  Then, onto Alban Engines Power Day 2002.  Kevin was able to mingle with the owner-operators, watch the trucks do their power runs and eat great food that was donated by Alban Engines.

Jeff Feight took Kevin for a second ride in his purple W-900 Kenworth.  This dream was made possible for Kevin because of 10-4 magazine located in Huntington Beach, CA.  Kevin is a reader of 10-4 and contacted Jean of 10-4 and asked if they could arrange a ride for him in a class 8 truck.  Jean called Bruce Mallinson of Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh.  Bruce mentioned this to Mike Robinson of Washington DC and he spoke to Willie Goode, a large fleet owner in the DC area.  Willie offered his number one driver, Phillip Green to do the honors and give Kevin his class 8 ride.

Kevin’s legal guardian is his half brother that suffers from seizures.  Needless to say neither can drive and Kevin has enough strength to drag his legs about 40 feet.  Roseto, PA. is a quaint little town and if Kevin had a motorized scooter he would be able to ride through town.

Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh would like to help purchase an electric scooter chair for Kevin.  The cost is $2400.00 plus shipping.  We are looking for donations of $5.00 to help purchase this chair.  If your interested please send a picture of you your family and your truck with a note addressed to Kevin, C/O Diesel injection, PO box 82 Cheswick PA. 15024.  We will put the pictures and letters in an album and present this to Kevin along with the scooter.  Remember drivers, what you get to do every day is Kevin’s dream come true; to ride in a big truck!

At this time I would like to say thank you to all of the employees at Alban Engines that made this great event possible: Gary Shields, host and general manager, Eric Payne, marketing and driver check in, Dominic Adams, the great cook, Jim Steeves and Steve Simmons who chained the trucks to the dyno.  Ted Peapos, driver of the trucks on the dyno and Gene Glancer of Taylor Dynomometer.

            Next month we will have a story on the life of William “Mutt” Tayman and why he has a Pete that puts over 1000 HP to the ground!                                               

            Don’t forget three days of truck drag racing at Quaker City Raceway in Salem, OH.  August 9^th, 10^th and 11^th sponsored by Lucas Oil.  Sunday the 11^th is diesels only.