“Banks team of Bonneville veterans’ fine-tuned race strategy tweaked the truck to top performance. It put GMC in a very exclusive club. When you consider they took a stock, compact pickup with a stock engine, using only modifications that are available off-the-shelf today — Banks adapted that truck and made it capable of going over 200 mph, that is quite an achievement…Two attempts. Two records.” —Assault on the Salt (television)
Despite the aerodynamics of a brick, the Banks – GMC Syclone pickup truck topped 210 mph. The Syclone was equipped with a Gale Banks naturally-aspirated, intercooled, fuel-injected 5.0L V6 engine, and became the World’s Fastest Pickup and the first pickup to exceed 200 mph at the time. Banks prepared, operated and maintained the 535 hp S-15, smashing two land speed records, and breaking the previous record by more than 60 mph. Two clones of the S-15 were built for drag racing, fathering the pro stock truck category in NHRA.
“Banks is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on turbocharging technology for diesel and gasoline engines. Banks has worked directly with the Big Three automakers in product development and has even been called upon to head up several speed and racing campaigns, including a GMC Syclone that ran more than 200 mph at Bonneville.” —Sport Truck
Gale Banks discusses his “Banks 502” concept truck, a 1980s-era C1500 Silverado powered by a twin-turbocharged 502 cubic-inch V8 engine. This high-performance truck was part of a larger racing effort with GM, but the project ultimately took a different direction. The 502 concept truck remains a testament to Banks’ innovative spirit and his vision for ...
Gale Banks interviews Scott Birdsall, a renowned racer and Pike’s Peak record holder, on the Speed School Podcast. They discuss Scott’s racing history, including his iconic Cummins-powered 1949 Ford F1 truck, “Old Smokey.” Scott also reveals his plans to compete in the 2023 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a new EcoDiesel-powered Le Mans Prototype ...
Banks Power: From Big Block Dreams to Unexpected Speed Records
Gearheads, listen up! Buckle up for a story of innovation and hot rodding ingenuity. Banks Power aimed to build a monster of a land-speed record truck: a twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive Sierra with a massive 502 cubic inch engine. But fate (and GM) had other plans.
Enter the ...
World’s Fastest Pickup Records: Syclone vs. Sidewinder
Discover the thrilling history of pickup truck speed records. From the iconic Syclone to the diesel-powered Sidewinder, we’ve dominated the Bonneville Salt Flats. Our legacy of performance and innovation is unmatched. Upgrade your truck and experience the power and capability that defines our brand.
Duramax Engines, Performance Legends, and Engineering Brilliance
Discover the power of Duramax with Banks. From custom Duramax engine builds to groundbreaking performance records, we’re redefining diesel. Learn about our history-making Syclone, a testament to our gasoline expertise. Explore exclusive videos featuring Senator Huff and industry insights. Don’t settle for ordinary – elevate your vehicle with Banks.
1990 Syclone LSR — World Record 204.145 mph
“Banks team of Bonneville veterans’ fine-tuned race strategy tweaked the truck to top performance. It put GMC in a very exclusive club. When you consider they took a stock, compact pickup with a stock engine, using only modifications that are available off-the-shelf today — Banks adapted that truck ...
Despite possessing the aerodynamics of a brick, Banks/GMC Syclone pickup truck tops 210 mph, becoming both World’s Fastest Pickup Truck and the first pickup to exceed 200 mph.
Banks 210-mph Project Syclone becomes World’s Fastest Pickup Truck; it is later marketed as the GMC Syclone
GMC General Manager, John Rock asked Gale for a suggestion on marketing ...
