Top Ten Stories of Our First Year and a Shout Out to Our Readers

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Blue Flame blog, a year of finding stories of value and sharing them with diesel enthusiasts. It's really been a remarkable year in many respects. We truly appreciate all of you who have made time to visit here over the course of the year. 

When we began this endeavor one year ago today we were fairly certain that there was an unmet desire for diesel-related news, hence our desire to become your diesel performance resource center.

We've now posted 261 unique blog posts by 11:00 a.m., Monday through Friday since September 1, 2021 in the heart of the pandemic. The average reader is spending nearly six minutes on the blog per visit. Thank you for your interest. We're delighted that there is always something to talk about when it comes to diesel. And if there's something you'd like to see that we're not covering, please let us know in the comments.

What follows are links to our Top 10 stories of this past year. 

10 

According to Shelby American president Gary Patterson, they created the Super Baja by combining all the best features and experience they'd gained from the  Shelby Raptor and Shelby F-150 programs. Phoebe Wall Howard described it as something "for that special someone who has everything."

Read: Shelby F-250 Super Baja Limited: The Epitome of Diesel Cool

9 
Automotive News editors were intrigued that whenever they had long discussions with auto industry leaders, somehow the conversation often drifted to racing. The editors came to realize that racing was itself a microcosm of the industry. 

Read: The East Coast Diesel Nationals and Thoughts on Why Motorsports Competition Matters

8 
It's late summer now, but fall is in the air and winter around the corner. What follows are a few areas to focus on, extracted from an article by Whitney Russell that appeared in The NewsWheel.

Photo courtesy Chevrolet

Read: Getting Your Diesel Truck Ready for Winter

7 
If you're a diesel guy you're probably have a few ideas about how to produce more power. Nevertheless, if you aspire to play with the big boys you'll want to make sure your fundamentals are covered. Afterwards you can add your own secret sauce.

Read: How to Get More Power from Your Diesel 

6 
Viscosity control? Shear stability? TBN retention? Confused? Best to start your search by understanding your application; tractor pulling, drag racing, stationary, street, off-road, etc. Answering these five simple questions will help you zero in on the right oil for your truck's specific needs.

Read: Five Questions to Help You Pick the Right Diesel Engine Oil

5
The National Association of Diesel Motorsports (NADM) announced Champion Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil as the official oil for this year's annual East Coast Diesel Nationals held at Numidia Dragway in July.  

Read: East Coast Diesel Nationals Picks Champion Blue Flame as Official Oil

4 
There are five reasons diesels are such torque monsters. Here's a deeper dive into the details.

Read: The Biggest Reason We Love Diesels: More Torque

3

The 7'1" former NBA All Star doesn't always have an easy time finding a vehicle he can comfortably drive. The Drive gives an account of the steps Shaq took to find a ride more suited to his special needs and tastes.

Read:  Shaq Goes Big with a Diesel Ford F-650

2  
This was a big story for us. Shelby American is recommending Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil  for its new Ford Shelby F-250 Super Baja, a Limited-Edition off-roading pick-up truck. 

Read: Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up

 
1 

Diesel drag racers were invited to participate in the Champion Blue Flame contingency program. The response has been such that this became our most read blog post of the past year

Read: Blue Flame Contingency Program Rewards Diesel Drag Racers

 

THE BLUE FLAME BLOG has been designed to be a destination for owners, enthusiasts  and fans of diesel vehicles. From the start our goal has been to create a one-stop spot to stay informed, discuss, share and learn about all things diesel. As diesel fans, supporters and critics, we value and appreciate your participation in generating diesel related content. If you have ideas for stories, please leave comments or send an email to BlueFlame1952@gmail.com

Diesel Enthusiasts: Learn Details About the New EPA Tampering Policy at a Feb. 26 SEMA-Sponsored Webinar

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (formerly Manufacturing Association), is perhaps the largest advocate on our behalf as diesel enthusiasts and beneficiaries of the auto aftermarket. They have lawyers and lobbyists who pay very close attention to proposed legislation and regulations being considered both federally and in every state in the Union. Many examples can be cited in which legislators were unaware of impacts of decisions and SEMA had a chair at the table. 

The association also devotes much time and effort to making sure its members are informed of changes or issues that impact them and the public at large.

This week, SEMA's Washington DC staff is hosting a Zoom Webinar to share information about the new EPA Tampering Policy that was released in December. This policy is a replacement for the outdated 1974 Mobile Source Enforcement Memo 1A. The new policy addresses enforcement of the Clean Air Act's prohibitions on tampering and aftermarket defeat devices.

The webinar will take place Friday, February 26, at 9:00 a.m. (PST). All SEMA members are invited, and we're certain that anyone involved in the diesel scene will want to attend. 

Here is information that SEMA has announced regarding this event:

Webinar: EPA's New Policy on Tampering and Defeat Devices Explained 

The updated Policy reinforces that in exercising its discretion the EPA will forego enforcement action when a company has a documented “reasonable basis” that a product will not adversely affect vehicle emissions when installed. SEMA generally welcomed the revised Policy as it will now allow SEMA members to undertake emissions testing and maintain the test data to document a reasonable basis for demonstrating compliance. EPA has committed to consider the test data if and when the agency investigates and will typically forego enforcement if the data shows no adverse effect on emissions. California sales are separately governed by California Air Resources Board (CARB) through its Executive Order (EO) program.

A panel of industry experts and an EPA representative will provide an overview of the new Policy. Issues covered include:

• What type of testing is needed to achieve a reasonable basis?
• Vehicle selection.
• Where can the testing be performed? 
• Is this the same testing that is done when submitting an EO application to CARB?
• What are some of the Policy’s benefits if marketing products outside of California?

Webinar Registration - Zoom

https://www.sema.org/news-media/enews/2021/07/webinar-epas-new-policy-tampering-and-defeat-devices-explained?utm_source=ET&utm_medium=email&utm_content=595631&utm_campaign=eNews

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If you have news that is important to diesel enthusiasts, please send an email to Frank Owens, BlueFlame1952@gmail.com
Or @FrankOw85865892

December Special for Champion Distributors

Champion has recently announced a December special for their diesel engine oils. Distributors will get 10% off the company's 275 gallon tote pricing, plus Free Freight. 

A lot of people don't realize Champion offers 4 different lines of diesel engine oils: Premium Heavy-Duty, All Fleet-T, Blue Flame and Ultra Fleet.

For diesel enthusiasts, oil is the lifeblood of their equipment. Oil's responsibilities are many. They include reducing friction, cooling, cleaning and sealing, as well as protecting moving parts. Because it is treated as a commodity the important roles it plays are often overlooked. 

For many enthusiasts, the Blue Flame is still burning. They want a brand they can identify with, so Champion is looking to expand its distribution to meet demand.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS

10% Off MWD Pricing on 275 Gallon Totes and Free Freight.

One tote is the equivalent of Five 55-Gallon Drums.

For more details on this offer or to become  Champion Distributor yourself, 

Contact kdedolph@championbrands.com or call 660-890-6231

Champion Brands, LLC, originally Lowe Oil Co. founded by Ralph Lowe in 1956, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 60 years. Champion also produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, brake fluid, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets.

Champion Brands understands the complexities of doing business in today’s market and is always looking for new and better ways to make your company more efficient and increase your bottom line. Quality products are more than a commitment at Champion; their standards define the way they do business.

Their headquarters, located in Clinton, Missouri, just 75 miles southeast of Kansas City, is ideal for timely, cost-effective service and distribution. Champion’s 450,000 square foot plant accommodates more than one million gallons of bulk storage with convenient rail siding.

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Have a great weekend, and enjoy the ride.