It’s safe to admit that we’ve all pushed the speed limit on public roads at some point. However, the disparity between navigating a winding two-lane road in a nimble Miata and hurtling down a hill in a 20,000-pound semi-truck is immense. The latter is undeniably perilous, as evidenced by a group of daring drivers who dared to tackle this feat and shared the escapade online.
A video on Instagram posted by @ridgechaser showcases an unloaded International C10 engaging in a high-speed descent…somewhere undisclosed. This undisclosed location choice appears to be a prudent one. Although the video has amassed over 250,000 views in recent days, it’s actually a re-upload of a YouTube clip initially shared on July 15, 2022.
The individual at the wheel is known online as @backpain4. They upload VR racing content to their YouTube channel and share vlog-style videos from their primary occupation as a truck driver. This provides insight into how they acquired the hefty International truck, which reportedly cost $163,000 as per the bill of sale. Interestingly, this truck ranks as the third most expensive vehicle they’ve driven on this particular route, hinting at prior experiences with high-speed downhill drives involving exotics.
While these individuals possess experience, it does little to mitigate the risks. The truck pumps out approximately 500 horsepower and 1,500 pound-feet of torque from the 14.9-liter Cummins X15 powerplant under the hood. This power is ample to propel the rig swiftly, though its gearing imposes limitations. Equipped with a 12-speed Allison automatic transmission, at least they’re spared the hassle of manual gear shifts during deceleration. According to their statements in the video, they only utilized the sixth through tenth gears, showcasing a 60-mph pass-by that may or may not have represented their top speed.
RidgeChaser via YouTube
The performance of the International on the descent might surprise you. It’s equipped with robust components—the brakes boast 20-inch discs, and a series of 10 tires ensure traction. However, the excessively loose steering raises concerns, in addition to the significant inertia carried by a truck of this magnitude. The scenario would be drastically different if the truck were laden, naturally.
Fortunately, they confined the maneuver to a single lane (for the most part).
This style of Touge driving enjoys popularity in Japan and evidently in North America as well. RidgeChaser’s YouTube banner extols it as “Real Underground Motorsport,” featuring numerous clips depicting various scenes, from a Hyundai Elantra pursuing a Pontiac Firebird WS6 down the mountain to a Saturn SL2 racing down with fervor. This unconventional form of motorsport thrives among enthusiasts, but let’s be clear: A collision with a semi-truck presents an entirely different scenario compared to one involving a sports car.
Exercise caution, folks.
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