Last year, the Golden State Trucking Expo went dark and skipped a year as the show was reorganized under new management. This year, the show came roaring back, with some help from us at 10-4 Magazine. As the title sponsors of the truck beauty show portion of the event, it was very important for us to ensure that the best of the best trucks were there to compete, as well as some hot newcomers, and we were pleased that we were able to accomplish that goal.
Held on October 13-14 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, this event did not break any records in regards to size or attendance, but it was, honestly, one of the most productive (and fun) shows we participated in all year.
Things got going early on Friday as the vendors moved in and set up their booths and the truckers got their rigs parked and started cleaning. At the end of the day, some vendors and all of the truckers were invited to a Mexican feast hosted by us at 10-4 and put together by the Sandvik Trucking crew and their family and friends. With plenty to eat and fun trivia games, it turned out to be quite a nice evening.
With many well-known companies like PDI, Lincoln Chrome, RoadWorks, Dynaflex, HushMat, Internet Truckstop, Double Coin Tire and more, along with almost a hundred others, there were plenty of booths to visit and people to meet. The show gave away hundreds of free die-cast trucks to CDL holders both days, and there were even some belly dancers entertaining the crowd.
The show’s “Best in the West” truck beauty contest featured some of the finest trucks the west has to offer. With names like Maggini, Sandvik, Yamko, Brinker, JDT, Vermeer, Silva and PDI, many of the west-coast heavy-hitters (and one from Michigan) were there. In addition to the more well-known names and rigs, Jerry Salinas brought out his nicely-restored 1963 Peterbilt 281, Riddler Trucking and their green Peterbilt Transfer were lookin’ good, and Kelvin Monzon, our pick as the winner of the big and beautiful “Sponsor’s Choice” trophy made by Rockwood, was turning heads all weekend with his flashy Freightliner FLD wrecker.
This may not have been the biggest show of the year, but it has a lot of potential, and we look forward to being a part of it (and helping it to grow) for many years to come. We would like to thank Bud, Tom, Randy & Jona Rebillard, Bill & Marie Sandvik, Carl Carstens at Rockwood, and everyone else who helped put this show together and allowed us to be such a big part of it. We would also like to extend a special “thank you” to James Davis’ daughter Lexi and Steve Vermeer’s son Travis for helping us out in our booth. Next year’s show is sure to be even bigger and better, so don’t miss it (stay tuned for dates).
BEST PAINT (WORKING): Juan Henriquez/Yamko Truck Lines.
BEST PAINT (LIMITED MILES): Jerad Wittwer/PDI.
BEST SHINE (WORKING): Juan Henriquez/Yamko Truck Lines.
BEST SHINE (LIMITED MILES): John Gonzales/Yamko Truck Lines.
BEST ENGINE (WORKING): Bob & Shelley Brinker/Brinker Transport.
BEST ENGINE (LIMITED MILES): Bill Sandvik/Sandvik Trucking.
BEST INTERIOR (WORKING): Bob & Shelley Brinker/Brinker Transport.
BEST INTERIOR (LIMITED MILES): John T. Silva/Silva Hay.
BEST CUSTOM DETAIL (WORKING): Bob & Shelley Brinker/Brinker Transport.
BEST CUSTOM DETAIL (LIMITED MILES): Isaac Aguilar/Sandvik Trucking.
BEST PRESENTATION (WORKING): Bob & Shelley Brinker/Brinker Transport.
BEST PRESENTATION (LIMITED MILES): Mike Maggini/Maggini & Son Trucking.
SPONSOR’S CHOICE (10-4 MAGAZINE): Kelvin Monzon/Monzon & Son Enterprises.
COMPETITOR’S CHOICE: Jerad Wittwer/PDI.
BEST OF SHOW (LIMITED MILES): Jerad Wittwer/PDI.
BEST OF SHOW (WORKING): Bob & Shelley Brinker/Brinker Transport.
