10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

COVER FEATURE - MAY 2007

ANOTHER “UNDISPUTED” KNOCKOUT
MID-AMERICA SHOW KICKS OFF THE ‘07 SEASON
By Daniel J. Linss - Editor

March 22-24 marked the 36th Annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) and, once again, despite a few glitches, this event remains the “undisputed” champion among trucking trade shows. With 1,067 exhibitors representing 47 states and 11 countries, MATS 2007 delivered the knockout punch exhibiting companies expect from the main event in the heavy duty trucking industry. Even the renovation of the East Wing could not keep the attendees away as 75,525 trucking professionals from all 50 states and 58 foreign countries made the trip to Louisville to see more than 1 million square feet of awe-inspiring exhibits, as well as over 100 of the finest show trucks, competing just outside of the Kentucky Exposition Center in the Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Beauty Championships and the 3rd Annual Big-Rig Build-Off (photo 1).

Inside the show, exhibitors were crammed into every available nook and cranny because of some major construction going on at the exposition center. Shortly after last year’s MATS, which had completely filled the newly-expanded South Wing, the East Wing and the West Wing, demolition crews took down the East Wing for a complete renovation. That left every exhibitor who had booth space in that wing (10-4 Magazine included) to find a new, temporary home somewhere else. Our booth ended up in the West Wing Pavilion, which wasn’t too bad, while others found themselves out in the Broadbent Arena or in some other niche in a hallway or meeting room.

Show management did their best to ease the confusion and give the exhibitors the best possible locations they could, but the attendees were lost. Our booth, to some extent, became an “information booth” for people trying to find where they were or where they wanted to go. We helped the best that we could, but frankly, we didn’t know where everyone was either. The construction, which has been in full swing for some time now (photo 2), is supposed to be finished by next year’s show, but we’re holding our breath. As most of you have probably found out at one time or another in your life, construction projects are rarely finished on schedule, so we hope this one defies all the statistics. When it is completed, the East Wing will be bigger and better than ever – and we can’t wait to get back in it!

Show attendees used all three of the show days to see all of the various indoor and outdoor exhibits and features. Inside, visitors found The Expediter Experience, Mid-America’s Driver Recruitment Center, Mid-America’s Internet and Technology Center, every major and minor truck and accessory manufacturer and/or service provider, and a host of special guests. Celebrities in attendance included cast members from “Trick My Truck,” Richard Petty, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Lorrie Morgan, Boyd Coddington, Johnny Bench, Charlie Daniels, John & Ashley Force and more. Friday night, Big & Rich rocked the house country-style with a concert presented by Kenworth.

Some popular games being played in a couple booths this year were spin-offs of NBC’s hit game show “Deal or No Deal.” Ford, in the midst of debuting their new F-450 Super Duty pickup, had the most popular version, calling it “Tough or Not Tough,” in which attendees got to choose briefcases containing different amounts of money ($500 being the top prize). We’re not sure how many people (if any) won the $500, but a lot of folks gathered around to watch when they were playing. Not only did they have brushed aluminum cases like the TV show, they also had an announcer that looked (and dressed) much like the show’s host Howie Mandel and a “model” in a fancy evening gown opening the cases.

The “boyz” from the Chrome Shop Mafia were always on the run and always had a crowd around them wherever they went. All three days you could find some (or all) of them signing autographs somewhere – in the Sirius Satellite booth, the Midnight Trucking Radio Network booth, the Michelin booth, the Exxon/Mobil booth and others, including their own in the Broadbent Arena. Adoring fans waited in line for hours to say “hello” and get an autograph (photo 3). In addition to running their own businesses and staring in the television series “Trick My Truck,” the CSM guys also build special trucks for giveaways. One such truck was a 2002 Freightliner Classic XL that was totally transformed by the boyz and then given away at the show (in a random drawing). Sponsored by Great American Insurance, the lucky winner was Bruce Doering of Janesville, Wisconsin. Another project that will be keeping them busy is the Castrol Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover. This year’s winner, Kevin Greene of Cincinnati, Ohio, will receive a $50,000 makeover performed by the Chrome Shop Mafia on his Pete 379, courtesy of Castrol Tection Extra. Oddly enough, Kevin and his red Pete were featured back in our January 2006 “Readers & Their Rigs” column. Congratulations Kevin – we can’t wait to see how it turns out. The truck will be unveiled at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas this August.

There were a lot of fun things happening inside the show, but even more excitement awaited attendees that ventured outside. And thanks to some beautiful weather (except for a short downpour Thursday afternoon), many made the trek. Out front, six trucks that qualified to compete for the 2006 NAST (National Association of Show Trucks) Truck-Lite Trophy award were on display for all to see. Bob & Shelley Brinker of Grayling, Michigan topped the competition with their 2000 Freightliner with a “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme. Along with the titles and trophies, Bob & Shelley also received a check for $8,000. The other qualifiers were Ron & Jan Huey, Pierre Cinq-Mars, Rick Hitchcock, Billy Hopkins and Joe Schmitt. Also out in the front lot was a huge display for Elizabeth Truck Center. Featuring five of their finest creations (including the 2005 Big-Rig Build-Off winner “The Beast”), the crew from ETC had loud music, videos, accessories for sale and large crowds of people gawking at their incredible rigs.

But the real highlight outside was in the back parking lot – the 7th Annual Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Show, produced by Stars & Stripes, which drew more than 100 entries vying for honors in the country’s premier truck beauty competition. New for this year’s show was the use of certified truck show judges. Under the direction of Stars & Stripes Manager of Training Neil Holsomback, the judges attended a two-day training session designed to give the judges, all local law enforcement officers, a clear understanding of what is expected in the judging process. The awards ceremony, which also featured a host of improvements including refreshments, music and a neat video, was held on Saturday morning in a packed conference room in the lobby of the South Wing. Notable winners this year included several truck show veterans including Harvey & Karen Zander, Bill & Marie Sandvik, Tommy & Kim Turner, Dale & Tamera Johnson and Clint Dicks. The coveted “People’s Choice” award, voted on by show attendees, went to a 1980 yellow and silver Kenworth owned by Gary Gallopo of Keyport, New Jersey (photo 4).

A new truck that made its debut at MATS and really stood out was a striking black Peterbilt with two orange stripes and a matching J & J dump trailer owned by Jerry Beaudoin of SRS in Southington, Connecticut. This beautiful combination, which had many custom-fabricated pieces, had headlights mounted in the bumper that could flip open or closed at the touch of a button. In addition to a very custom interior, just about everything on the exterior of this truck was “blacked out” – the sun visor, the grille and surround, the bumper, the fender and mirror brackets, the breathers, steps, tanks and rear fenders – but two orange stripes, that run from the front of the tractor to the rear of the trailer, added just enough color and contrast to keep the truck interesting. Apparently the judges were impressed as well, awarding it with the Best of Show Combination trophy (photo 5).

And if all that was not enough, the 3rd Annual Big-Rig Build-Off was happening out back as well. This friendly battle pits truck builders and customizers against each other in a head-to-head competition to see who can produce the most head-turning rig. To determine the winner, show attendees swipe their badge in a special card reader to vote for their favorite truck. Five builders brought out five unique rigs from across the country (actually, one was from Canada). Philip Langevin of Valley Custom Trucks in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada brought out a Pete 359 completely wrapped in stainless (a perfect match to the stainless-wrapped cabover he entered last year). Clint Moore of Kansas City Peterbilt entered one of his latest “creations” – a black and orange Peterbilt customized for Marcus Giddens. Steve VanZytveld of Ridin’ High Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan displayed his 2007 Peterbilt with a 63-inch flattop and a “new style retro look.” And last but certainly not least, our buddy Jeff Botelho of Custom Image Motors in Los Banos, California wowed the crowd with his metallic blue convertible Peterbilt. This thing was trick! We are sure that you will be seeing more of this truck in an upcoming edition of 10-4.

But only one builder can be crowned “Champion” and this year it was Jim Raines of S & J Truck Sales in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jim and his son Michael, with help from many others, built the Omaha Orange Peterbilt called “Rock Bottom” (photo 6) for Tommy Abrams, owner of Reliable Carriers, to pull his 40-foot race boat (which, of course, is also orange). The project started out as a 1995 Pete and two blank frame rails. Tim Whitcomb of Evers Body Shop chopped seven inches off the top of the cab and converted the doors to “suicide” style. Dave Jones of Jones Performance built a custom hood and very oversized fenders for the rig, while Mike from Roadworks produced most of the custom stainless pieces. Michael Raines of S & J designed and built the custom headlight brackets and Hoosier Truck & Trailer sprayed the paint. The truck features a long 310-inch wheelbase, side-pipes, smooth stainless deck plates, super single tires with shaved (narrowed) WTI fenders, and a custom interior done by Marcus from Waynedale, Indiana.

Our congratulations go out to all of the winners – whether they got a trophy or not. This month’s cover features a selection of cool rigs that were at MATS, and the centerfold is devoted to all five of the Build-Off trucks. The dates for next year’s show are March 27-29, 2008. Mark your calendars and start making your plans now, because time flies and you won’t want to miss this show. Following is a complete list of all the winners.

BOBTAIL 1999 & OLDER: 1st Ron Brubaker of Sigourney, IA (One of a Kind); 2nd (tie) Bruce Baerg of Dowagiac, MI (Smokin’) AND Eddie Browning of Campbellsville, KY; 3rd Jerry Howard of Fairborn, OH (El Turbo).

BOBTAIL 2000-2004: 1st Harvey & Karen Zander of St. Louis Park, MN (Icy Blu 2); 2nd Russ & Debbie Brown of Moore, OK; 3rd Randy & Jona Rebillard of Gimli, Manitoba, Canada (Tired Iron).

BOBTAIL 2005 & NEWER: 1st John Stoltzfus of McLlure, PA; 2nd (tie) Chris Marshall & Brian Patton of Conway, AR AND Bruce Barnes of Troy, MO; 3rd Tom & Daveda Reitz of Gifford, IL (Dual Wheel Coupe).

BOBTAIL UNDER 50K MILES: 1st (tie) Darwin Hershberger AND Matthew McCord of Frankston, IN; 2nd Dan Look of Sussex, WI (Ridin’ Dirty); 3rd Brian Bourdeaux of Princeton, MN (Dr. Pepper).

BOBTAIL COMPANY TRUCK: 1st Truett Novosad of Caldwell, TX (High Cotton); 2nd Ronnie Johnson of Troy, MO (Centsless); 3rd Jerry Howard of Fairborn, OH (Double Dog).

BOBTAIL SPECIALIZED: 1st Action Carting of Newark, NJ; 2nd Robert Broerman of New Bremen, OH; 3rd Lynn & Shelly Baxter and Al & Edna Mann of Jacksonville, FL.

FREIGHTLINER “RUN SMART” AWARDS: 1st Edward Bosket of Lake City, FL; 2nd Russ & Debbie Brown of Moore, OK; 3rd Rob Gentry of Fulda, IN.

BOBTAIL FIRST SHOW: 1st Edward Bosket of Lake City, FL; 2nd Kevin Pratt of Dillsburg, PA; 3rd Jensen Hamilton of Totowa, NJ.

NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: 1st Charlie Tackaberry of Athens, Ontario; 2nd Gary Robey of Russiaville, IN; 3rd David Strickland of Cana, VA.

BOBTAIL CABOVER: 1st Brian Tank of Remington, IN; 2nd Larry Dick of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; 3rd (tie) Jerry Howard of Fairborn, OH (Ole Blue) AND George Muffet of Uniontown, NJ.

COMBO 1999 & OLDER: 1st Tommy & Kim Turner of Cynthiana, KY (El Dorado); 2nd Jeremy Hassevort of Hamilton, MI (Gold Digger); 3rd Govenor Shurvington of Clever, MO (Show N Off).

COMBO DUMP TRAILER: 1st Brad Caton of Hampton, MN (Joker Went Wild); 2nd Jerry Beaudoin of Southington, CT; 3rd Eric Wink.

COMBO 2004 & NEWER: 1st Dale & Tamara Johnson of Hemingway, SC (Finger Lickin’ Good); 2nd Jonathon Kimball of Waterford, WI; 3rd Tim Begle of Dale, IN.

COMBO UNDER 50K MILES: 1st Kevin Pascavis of Sussex, WI; 2nd Mike Bedeker of Morris, IL; 3rd Les Sullivan of Springfield, IL.

COMBO SPECIALIZED: 1st Randy Supak of Caldwell, TX (Miss Conduct); 2nd Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY; 3rd Jason Arneson of Janesville, WI (Five O’Clock Somewhere).
MOST HEAD-TURNING USE OF CHROME: Dale & Tamara Johnson of Hemingway, SC (Finger Lickin’ Good).

COMBO COMPANY TRUCK: 1st Mike Bedeker of Morris, IL; 2nd Phillip Clayton of Scottsboro, AL (Nitro Express); 3rd C.C. Clark of Lewisport, KY.

COMBO FIRST SHOW: 1st Cliff King of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; 2nd John Beach of Calron, OH; 3rd Billy Pitts of Somerset, KY.

INTERIOR CAB ONLY: 1st Randy & Jona Rebillard of Gimli, Manitoba, Canada (Tired Iron); 2nd John Stoltzfus of McClure, PA; 3rd Chris Marshall & Brian Patton of Conway, AR.

INTERIOR OEM SLEEPER: 1st Matthew McCord of Frankton, IN; 2nd Dallas McCord of Anderson, IN (Orange Appeal); 3rd Harvey & Karen Zander of St. Louis Park, MN (Icy Blu 2).

INTERIOR CUSTOM SLEEPER: 1st Rusty & Shari Fry of Tulsa, OK; 2nd Lynn & Shelly Baxter of Jacksonville, FL; 3rd Tommy & Kim Turner of Cynthiana, KY (El Dorado).

ENGINE: 1st Harvey & Karen Zander of St. Louis Park, MN (Icy Blu 2); 2nd Ron Brubaker of Sigourney, IA; 3rd Jerry Beaudoin of Southington, CT.

BOBTAIL PAINT & GRAPHICS: 1st Dan Look of Sussex, WI; 2nd Randy & Jona Rebillard of Gimli, Manitoba, Canada (Tired Iron); 3rd Dallas McCord of Anderson, IN (Orange Appeal).

BOBTAIL PAINT & MURALS: 1st Harvey & Karen Zander of St. Louis Park, MN (Icy Blu 2); 2nd Russ & Debbie Brown of Moore, OK; 3rd Action Carting of Newark, NJ.

COMBO PAINT & GRAPHICS: 1st Jerry Beaudoin of Southington, CT; 2nd C.C. Clark of Lewisport, KY; 3rd (tie) Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY AND Dale & Tamara Johnson of Hemingway, SC (Finger Lickin’ Good).

COMBO PAINT & MURALS: 1st Jason Arneson of Janesville, WI (Five O’Clock Somewhere).
BOBTAIL LIGHTS: 1st Ron Brubaker of Sigourney, IA; 2nd Action Carting of Newark, NJ; 3rd Matt Baenziger.

COMBO LIGHTS: Dale & Tamara Johnson of Hemingway, SC (Finger Lickin’ Good); 2nd Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY; 3rd Phillip Clayton of Scottsboro, AL.

BOBTAIL LIMITED MILEAGE: 1st Bill & Marie Sandvik of Valley Center, CA; 2nd Rusty Wyrick & Tina Lomax of Mansfield, OH (French Quarters); 3rd Gary Gallopo of Keyport, NJ (Bride of the Beast); 4th Robert Gentry of Fulda, IN; 5th Carl Oxendine of Martinsville, VA.

BEST PETERBILT AWARDS: 1st Bill & Marie Sandvik of Valley Center, CA; 2nd Brad Caton of Hampton, MN (Joker Went Wild); 3rd Jeremy Hassevort of Hamilton, MI.

COMBO LIMITED MILEAGE: 1st Clint Dicks of Lake City, FL (Freshly Squeezed); 2nd Chuck Prigge of Valley Center, CA (Kaotic); 3rd Ron Baird of Thornton, IN (Hoffman’s Hot Rod); 4th Chad & Brad Sand of Royalton, MN; 5th Richie Acosta of North Bergen, NJ (Project 350).

DIESEL DAVE’S PICK OF THE LITTER: Ron & Jan Huey.

BEST OF SHOW BOBTAIL: Harvey & Karen Zander of St. Louis Park, MN – 2001 Blue with Murals International 9900 (Icy Blue 2).

BEST OF SHOW COMBO: Jerry Beaudoin of Southington, CT – 2007 Black Peterbilt 379 with 2007 J & J Dump (SRS).

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Gary Gallopo of Keyport, NJ – 1980 Yellow Kenworth W900L (Bride of the Beast).

BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF CHALLENGERS: Jeff Botelho of Custom Image Motors in Los Banos, CA; Phil Langevin of Valley Custom Truck in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada; Clint Moore of Kansas City Peterbilt in Kansas City, MO; Steve VanZytveld of Ridin’ High Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI.

3RD ANNUAL BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF CHAMPION: Jim & Michael Raines of S & J Truck Sales in Fort Wayne, IN (Rock Bottom).