YouTube videos are abundant, with one truck owner labeling his vehicle “Prius repellent” and taking a video as he aimed smoke at a car behind him.
Call it protest against intrusive environmental regulations, a way to upset other motorists, or another odd gesture done just for kicks, it seems these days everyone has an opinion about it.
Most rogue diesel smokers are like Todd Dunn, 29, of Jamestown, a traveling pipeline welder who spent around $20,000 upgrading his 2007 Dodge Ram pickup. It’ll emit lots of black smoke alright, but only on occasion, and that’s not really the point, Dunn said.
Dunn races the truck at events, uses it for his job and considers it the equal of a muscle car - one with massive power, quick acceleration and performance. He says it also gets better mileage despite doubling the horse power to 700. Dunn said he’s not into it to roll coal, but that can happen.
“It’s a side effect of tuning the truck up,” he said. “I use it for what it’s supposed to be used for and play every now and again. I own a Saturn, too!”
The entire debate as it’s unfolding is making a few in the diesel engine modification industry a little uneasy. But judging by the popularity of diesel events, there’s lots of local interest in big trucks that can blow big smoke clouds.
Today (Saturday) hundreds are expected at an event outside Yellow Springs on Clifton Road called “Trucks Unleashed.”
On July 19, Kil-Kare Speedway, 1166 Dayton-Xenia Road, is hosting “Diesel Blackout.”
Diesel upgrades are big business, said Troy Shepherd, owner of XTOWN PERFORMANCE, 1780 West Park Square, Xenia.
He does $1 million or more in business annually. Shepherd gets calls daily from what he calls the 16 to 24-year-old set who want an engine modification that will allow the spewing of diesel smoke at the turn of a switch.
“We don’t cater to that,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd won’t do those kinds of jobs or supply the parts even, but acknowledges that others will. His business is about upgrading for fuel economy and performance. He has some insight into the culture, through. Blowing smoke can be how people wave at each other. Roll coal at a person in front or behind you, it’s an invitation to race. When passing, it’s an acknowledgement.
It’s also getting popular. Old, pre-environmental crackdown diesel trucks are going for premium dollars. Farm kids are keen on fixing up granddad’s old 12-valve diesel truck.
But roll coal on a public highway in view of a state trooper, and you are looking at a ticket for “excessive smoke.”
The section of the Ohio Revised Code that prohibits smokey vehicles also applies to loud mufflers. It’s enforced, too, Ohio State Highway Patrol records show. Since 2011, 67 tickets have been issued for either loud or smokey mufflers in Montgomery County, eight tickets in Clark, 15 in Greene, one in Darke, four in Miami, 10 in Warren and 20 in Butler.
Erie County must be a hot spot for muffler malfunction - either intentional or not - because it by far tops enforcement in the state with 261 tickets issued.
“Obviously, the Ohio Revised Code covers the fact that you can’t modify a vehicle to spew excessive smoke,” said Ohio State Patrol Spokesman Craig Cvetan “We have no jurisdiction on private property. If a trooper finds a vehicle out on the road like that, we will take enforcement action. Everybody has the same rights on the roadway, and you have the right to drive without inhaling excessive smoke.”
Steve Little is Marketing Director at Midwest Automotive Promotions LLC. From his office in the Butler County community of Okeana, he coordinates shows such as the Diesel Blackout coming up at Kil-Kare.
He’s a little concerned about potential bad publicity. As far as he’s concerned, he’s operating a legal enterprise, renting the track where vehicles race - and from time to time - do get a smokey.
“Those guys who roll coal, that is part of the diesel world,” Little said. “There is a place to do it. I know this is a touchy topic with a bunch of people. Most of the ones that roll smoke are competition vehicles. I would encourage people to come out and see our diesel race to see what diesel trucks do.”
He added: “We don’t encourage people to be out on the street rolling smoke. There is a place and time for it and the race track is where it is. If we all had the same opinions, the world would be boring.”
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