Tyre shredding roar power – Bandag Bullet impresses

Want to destroy the tread on a set of truck tyres in four minutes flat? Just call in the Bandag Bullet!

Article first published in the inaugural issue November 2003

Bandag make some of the best retread tyres around but when it comes to making a show, they’re not shy to torture test their product to extremes with the Bandag Bullet Kenworth T400 display truck the sponsor. This 2200hp (2800hp with the nitrous) Detroit Diesel powered monster delivers quite the spectacle, wowing the gathered crowd, with its spectacular show of raw power as it shreds a brand new set of retreads in four minutes flat!

Run as a promotional vehicle to showcase Bandag product, the Bullet regularly travels all over Australia on a regular schedule of staged demonstrations. Regular driver Frank Graffiero and the team’s transporter driver can be on the road for several months each year, fulfilling their obligations to sponsor Bandag Tyres. After an absence of 14 years, the Bullet returned to New Zealand for a nationwide tour culminating with a final performance in Nelson, at a drag race meeting on the 19th of April.

The beautifully prepared Graffiero Brothers Bullet.

Constructed by brothers Frank and Charlie Graffiero, the Bullet, one of a pair of demonstration trucks, uses its awesome power to thrill the crowds while demonstrating the strength and reliability of Bandag retreaded tyres. The machine has the ability to turn a brand new set of standard 11R22.5 retreads into cases in around four minutes. During this time, it produces copious quantities of smoke, fine particles of rubber and black tyre tracks, as well as belching out flames from its four exhaust ports.

When last in New Zealand, the Bullet was dressed with a White Expeditor cab. Since then, the unit has been transformed by the addition of a Kenworth cab and modified body panels to represent a T400. Still with the mid mounted engine configuration, the specification, construction and finish are outstanding. Chrome and polished alloy glisten in the sun but do little to hide the potent power of the machine. Power that can be aided  with nitrous oxide if required, for a stand out performance.

Showing off the Bandag Bullet at the Tyre General In Christchurch.

The Bullet is quoted as being able to propel its eight tonne mass over a standard, quarter mile drag strip in 12.5 seconds with a terminal speed of 190kph. Top speed is claimed to be a flying 320kph. To achieve this breath taking performance, two Detroit Diesel 8V92 blocks have been joined together to form one 24 litre motor. Add to this, two superchargers, four turbochargers, ported and polished air boxes and cylinder heads, oversize injectors (260mm up from 75mm) and extensive balancing to the pistons, conrods, crankshaft and camshafts and the result is around 2200hp (2800hp with the nitrous) and about 5600ft/lb of torque.

All this power comes with a hefty price tag. Engine life is understood to be around 12 months, understandably the team is not keen to keep the engine running for any longer than necessary. Transmission life is believed to be even shorter. Whilst touring, on going maintenance is required to keep the unit running smoothly for each demonstration.

With 2200hp (2800hp with the nitrous oxide) and about 5600ft/lb of torque the Detroit Diesel is a real power broker.

Power is transferred via an Allison Automatic CR6000 manual shift transmission to an Eaton 2300 series rear axle with a no spin locker, essential to ensure both back wheels light up. The rear axle is held in place by a ladder bar and Watts link assembly. The axle housing has large fillets welded top and bottom to sustain the force placed upon it.

The cab looks standard on the outside, but you had better not have big feet if you want to sit inside! An oversized engine tunnel dominates the middle of the interior to aid with the cooling and to accommodate the very front of the engine. Twin racing seats and a full roll cage finish off the interior. The cooling pack is mounted under the bonnet, because as you would imagine a lot of heat is generated in a very short time.

I was lucky enough to catch the Bullet one April evening, in Christchurch. After being shown great hospitality by Wayne Seelan and the team at The Tyre General, it was a short drive for me, and the gathered transport operators, to a near by location for the full demonstration. Frank Graffiero backed the Bullet off the transporter and proceeded to warm it up with a couple of quick sprints. The awesome power of the Bullet was evident, sitting at idle the hunting of the engine caused the truck to rise up with each peak, wanting to launch forward, but was held back by Frank with the brakes.

The Tyre General fleet lined up with the Bandag Bullet in Christchurch.

With a roar from the engine and strobe lights flashing, the truck gets underway. Flames spit up to two metres from the exhaust stacks and traction is immediately broken. White smoke billows from the spinning wheels as Frank moves up through the gears. Controlled by the brakes, the beast moves down the track before spinning into a number of donut manoeuvres, only to be engulfed in its own smoke. The Bullet stops to shoot out more flames, lighting up the hanging smoke in the semi-darkness.

WIth flame shooting from the turbos, the Bullet prepares to put on quite a show.

All in all, it is a spectacular show of power, performance and strength. The team is a credit to the Graffiero brothers and their high standard of presentation and showmanship. We can only hope that these shows may become a more regular occurrence. With more extensive promotion, and timed to run with major motor sport events the Bandag Bullet, or the as yet to be sponsored Mack Titan, could prove to be major attractions, not to mention crowd pleasers. 

The former White Expeditor on the same Kenworth transporter on the previous visit to New Zealand 14 years before.