Diesel Power Challenge Champ Leaves Competition In The Dust
FORT LUPTON, Colo. (CBS4)- While most 14-year-old Ford pickups get muddy on some job site, the 1997 F-350 owned by Rocky Horn is special.
"Lots of blood, sweat and tears that's for sure," said Horn.
Last week, years of hard work paid off for Rocky. He won "King of the Hill," first place, in the brutally contested Diesel Power Challenge held over three days in Colorado.
Rocky's F-350 beat out nine other teams selected from hundreds of entrants from around the world.
"I was pretty emotional," he added, "I didn't think I had a chance of winning and when it came down to the last two (trucks) I kind of teared up." 
Under the hood is a special Cummins diesel engine rated at 872 horsepower. In the competition's quarter mile drag race, Rocky hit 112 miles an hour in well under 12 seconds.
"It makes the Corvettes mad when I whoop 'em," Horn explained.
Other events in the Challenge included a sled pull, a 10-thousand pound trailer pull and an obstacle course. But the winner must also be street legal. So there's even one event devoted to fuel efficiency. It's a 160 mile drive up to the mountains and back.
Instead of being a pig at the gas pump, Rocky's powerful pickup averaged better than 18 miles per gallon. Rocky makes his living in Fort Lupton as a diesel mechanic.
"You know I try to do my best and make them as nice as I can, I think this is a good testament to that," he added.
One of the secrets to his success with the F-350 is a performance tuner on the Cummins engine.
"It allows you to change to different settings and power levels," said Horn.
For example, one setting allows him to maximum gas mileage, while another setting provides maximum torque for towing. Sure, there's a carbon contrail when he steps on the accelerator. But the black smoke clears quickly says Rocky.
He admits to pouring tons of money into his "toy.' Could he ever part with it?
"I probably wouldn't sell it for less than fifty or sixty thousand," he conceded.
Then he quickly added, "I don't even know if I could do it then."
The Diesel Power Challenge was conceived by Diesel Power Magazine and presented this year by XDP Diesel Power, a maker of diesel performance products.
Rocky said for winning first place he was awarded two $500 gift certificates.
