Hundreds of trucks rolled into Palmdale, California, to participate in the 21st Annual Truckin’ For Kids Show & Drags, held October 27-28 at L.A. County Raceway. With a few new show sponsors, a new children’s charity and a record turnout, this was definitely one of the finest Drags ever. The event kicked off Friday night with a truck convoy from Vernon Truck Wash in Barstow to the track in Palmdale. Organized by Bill Donahoe, owner of Vernon Truck Wash, half of the $1,500 raised from the event was donated to the California Highway Patrol Widows and Orphans Fund and the other half went to aid those in need in New York. About 35 trucks left the truck wash at 7:30pm and leisurely cruised down Route 66, Hwy. 395 and then Palmdale Road. People lined the streets and cheered as the trucks drove by. Some of the truckers threw candy out their windows for the younger spectators (Halloween was just around the corner). The last truck pulled into the track parking lot at around 10:00pm.
Saturday’s events showcased pickup trucks, SUVs, hot rods and cars drag racing and competing for trophies in the beauty contest. Vic Caliva and his 1950 Ford F1 “Pink Thing” made a strong showing (as usual), winning the People’s Choice award, while Tom Connor took top honors for quickest truck. As the sun set in the evening, the Saturday Nite Lites light show took place on the track. Sponsored by Truck-Lite and The Light House (both new sponsors), many of the Big Rigs lit up their trucks and paraded down the track. Saturday’s fun activities were capped off by a tasty BBQ for all of the participants and volunteers. Thanks go to Richard “Abe” Abraham, Cornelius Allen, Ray and Greg Algorri, John Fuller and Tommy Thompson for doing such a great job. After the BBQ, most of the participants returned to their trucks to do their final preparations for the following day’s activities.
With perfect weather - warm and clear with no wind (or smog) - judging for the Big Rig beauty contest began at 8:00am on Sunday. At 9:00am the “Truck Roadeo” took place on the track. Truckers tested their skills in backing and operating transfer dumps. Some 280 trucks were on hand to show (78 of them to also race) and over 2,500 spectators filled the stands. At noon (or shortly thereafter), the truck drags began. Trucks in several classes did long burnouts and screamed down the track, racing through the gears as fast as possible. One missed shift and you were toast. Although there were only four Super Drag trucks on hand, it was still a great event with lots of hot racing action. Some of the notable truck entries included Sandvik Trucking’s “row of Petes” featuring at least 16 of their finest trucks (photo 1) and Jerry Jeffries’ bright red 1929 Fageol (photo 3). For those of you who don’t know, the Fageol was the truck that proceeded the first Peterbilts. Juarez Trucking’s white cabover, complete with four unique exhaust pipes on each side, did one incredible burnout, leaving a pile of smoking rubber on the track as the crowd cheered for more (photo 5). Clayton Sullivan’s super-custom Pete and bottom dump took Best of Show, which put a very satisfied smile on Clayton’s sunburned face as he picked up his trophy (photo 4). The funniest truck of the day, which was also awarded the “Ugliest Truck” honors, was Rick Early’s 1978 GMC General which had been hit by a plane (I wish we had taken a photo of this one). The truck was at LAX doing some demolition work, when a passing plane’s engine caught the cab and ripped it to shreds. As usual, the Talkington family dominated the drags, winning every class they entered.
When it was all said and done (at around 5:30pm on Sunday), over 170 trophies were awarded and over $48,000 had been raised. All of the proceeds from this show are being donated to The Children’s Center of Antelope Valley, an organization that aids
physically and sexually abused children. Race Director Frank Pangburn and his wife/helper Dianna wanted to give a special “Thank you” to all of the show’s corporate sponsors, participants and volunteers. Without their support, there would be no show to enjoy every year.
Dates have not been set for next year’s show but were already looking forward to it. Any time we get the chance to hang out with our friends and “extended trucking family” we take it. It was great to see how well so many of our past cover trucks (and some future ones as well) did at the show. Thanks to all who made the 21st Annual Truckin’ For Kids Show & Drags a huge success. Here is a list of all the winners (I hope we didn’t leave anyone out). SATURDAY BEAUTY FINALS SATURDAY DRAG FINALS SATURDAY SPECIALTY TROPHIES SUNDAY WORKING TRUCK COMPETITIONS SUNDAY BEAUTY FINALS SUNDAY DRAG FINALS SUNDAY SPECIALTY TROPHIES
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