It is finally that time of year. “Time for what?” you ask? We know that you have been waiting as long as us to get this 2018 year kicked off. Preluding this 2018 season and starting the spring break season is the Diesel Thunder event held at the Emerald Coast Dragway in Holt, Florida, between March 8-10.

This will be the second annual Diesel Thunder Spring Break event and everyone is invited by SunCoast Diesel Transmissions, Hardway Performance, and Diesel Thunder for a great weekend of family fun and awesome side-by-side drag racing. Have a few extra days to take off? Be sure and check out the full schedule of events happening pre-race.

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March 8th is the Diesel Thunder kick off with the party starting at Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The event begins at 5:00 pm with free food and drinks. Following an evening of fun, on March 9th, we will be at the SunCoast Diesel Transmissions open house from 8:00-10:00. This gives you a chance to get a behind the scenes looks at what goes on inside one of the biggest transmission building companies around.

After the open house, we are heading over to the home of the fastest diesel-powered Nova, Hardway Performance, for an open house. Ending the night will be qualifying for the diesel drag race over at the Emerald Coast Dragway. March 10th will be a full day of drag racing, dyno pulls, truck show, and Tug-O-War. The party starts at 9:00 am and will continue until it’s completely finished.

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Sportsman/E.T class, 7.70 Index, 6.70 Index, Outlaw 5.90 Index, Pro Street, Pro Mod, and Pro Dragster are the available classes to race in. You may race anything as long as it is a diesel-powered machine.

Throughout the day, the dyno on site will be holding a continuing competition for the most horsepower and torque. Prizes will be awarded to the highest combined horsepower and torque, lowest horsepower, horsepower index 251-650 horsepower, 651-900 horsepower, and highest horsepower for each brand; Cummins, Duramax, and Power Stroke.

Like the other events, the truck show will be going on all day with judges going around picking out the best of the best. The judges will be choosing the top 15, best exterior, best interior, and best of the show. So, before you do make your way out, get your truck cleaned up and entered into the truck show!

Once everything is over, the event will make its way into the Tug-O-War event. The tugs have four different classes. Daily Driver, 7,000 pounds, 9,000 pounds, and unlimited class. If you or someone you know has experience with tugs or want to get started, here is your chance.

If you love diesel-filled days near the ocean then this is the event for you! Whether you’re just in for watching or have a new setup you’re wanting to test from winter adjustments, this is an event you don’t want to miss! If you’re planning on getting a hotel, there are Diesel Thunder Spring Break discounted rates available at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort.

For more information on the hotels, visit the event website. For more information on Suncoast Performance, check out their website here.