WORKING WONDERS
LACR HOSTS 23RD ANNUAL CHARITY SHOW & DRAGS

Click here to see the photos!

For the last 23 years, the Truckin’ For Kids Charity Show & Drags has been one of the best shows of the year – and 2003 was no exception. This year’s show, held September 19-21, 2003 at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale, California, drew about 220 of the finest rigs around to compete for not only bragging rights but also tons of trophies.

With quite possibly the best collection of everyday working trucks assembled, the Palmdale Drags, in our opinion, usually has the best representation of the West’s finest “working” trucks. No professional show trucks here (well, a few, but even those were hard workers) - just daily runners, kept as perfect as possible and shown by their owners with the utmost pride. And, to make the event even better, it’s all for the benefit of less-fortunate children.

Every dollar earned (after the show’s expenses are paid) goes directly to the Children’s Center of Antelope Valley. Everyone who works at the show does so on a volunteer basis - including the event’s organizer and Race Director Frank Pangburn. Last year, over $27,000 was donated to the Children’s Center from Truckin’ For Kids, a non-profit organization. The Children’s Center of Antelope Valley is an organization that aids physically and sexually abused children. This organization, as well as Truckin’ For Kids, wanted to personally thank everyone involved with this year’s (and for some, every year’s) show. As the slogan goes, “A great time for a good cause.” And that is what this event is all about.

The festivities began on Friday night with a truck convoy from Barstow to Palmdale. Organized by Bill Donohoe, owner of Vernon Truck Wash in Barstow, the 5th Annual California Highway Patrol Widows and Orphans Convoy cruised from the truck wash in Barstow to the racetrack in Palmdale. Over 50 trucks paid $25 each and, with the help of a CHP escort, made their way to the show along Route 66, Hwy. 395 and then Palmdale Road. This convoy has raised thousands of dollars for the families of fallen law enforcement officers and now proudly marks the (unofficial) opening of the Truck Drags each year.

Saturday, as always, features cars, pickups, vans and SUVs. Saturday is also a day when the big rigs can lay down some last minute practice runs in preparation for Sunday’s races. After a full day of racing and a trophy presentation, the Saturday night BBQ began, featuring tasty food for all in attendance. After everyone licked their fingers clean, they headed back to their trucks to begin preparing for the evening’s main event - the Parade of Lights down the track. In what was probably the longest (and brightest) light show ever, 44 well-lit trucks meandered their way down the 1/4 mile track and then back. Sirens blared, lights flashed, neon glowed, engines revved, jakes roared, and even a few “Chinese Fire Drills” took place, as the line of trucks passed the grandstands. The folks from Rivera Trucking, Sandvik Trucking and Maggini Hay dominated much of the nighttime activities – as they usually do.

Sunday morning came with perfect, easy-going weather – and fierce working truck competitions! Long gone are the hair-raising days of the car loading competition (which wrecked many a rental car), but proving to be almost as exciting and equally competitive, were the backing and transfer dump contests. Four categories of backing allowed many different drivers, with several different truck and trailer combinations, to show off their maneuvering skills. In the Closed Body Backing class, winner Steve Hettinga Sr. of Hettinga Transport narrowly defeated Tony Gonzales of D & D Express by about five seconds. In the Flatbed Backing class, Bill Richel of the LADWP beat out the competition with a time of 32.40 seconds. Keith Pounds of Central Valley Transport took top honors in the Doubles Backing class with a time of 46.40, ahead of Joe Arias at 63.50 seconds. In the Truck & Trailer Backing class, winner Dean Berg of Harvest Hay completed the course in 37.90 seconds, beating out Robert Dees of Dark Horse Express with a time of 44.94. Atilla Rethi won the Transfer Dump Contest with a time of 3 minutes and 27 seconds, topping second place finisher Sean Westover.

As truckers competed in the working competitions, judges did their job in the parking lot – doing their darndest to find the absolute best-of-the-best in the Show & Shine truck beauty contest. With well over 200 stunning rigs, this was no easy feat! Some of the trucks that stood out this year included Brad Hickman’s orange Pete and Central Valley Transport’s uniquely-colored and flamed Freightliner (which took Best of Show). Ron Beer’s whited-out Pete was looking good, as well as George Trucking’s dark blue flamed Freightliner. Neither of these trucks won any classes but we sure thought they should have. Other notable rigs included Dennis Brubacher’s white and blue KW, Mark Tarascou’s red and black Pete transfer, Mitch Railsback’s classic-looking yellow and brown Pete, and Johnny Wright’s cool hay-hauling cabovers. Joe Arias of DJ Arias & Sons brought out his freshly-painted 2-axle Pete and took top honors in his class (this truck looks better every day).

But the rig/couple that stood out the most for us was Ray & Karen Pierce and their white and black Pete. They not only took longest tow (living in St. Augustine, Florida) but were awarded the Sponsor’s Choice trophy by us at 10-4 Magazine. These folks had never been to the Drags and were leery about competing – partly because the trucks are so nice here on the West Coast and partly because they don’t like the politics that go on at truck shows. But they were totally pleased with everyone they met and very glad they decided to come. Their rig was decked out with custom stuff from top to bottom, but it was Ray & Karen themselves that put them over the top, in our eyes. They seemed to be a terrific example of everything trucking is – and should be.

Of course, what everyone comes out for is the truck drags – the chance to race their rig down the 1/4 mile track. The smell of burning rubber, the sound of grinding gears and the unmistakable clunk of a blown engine, were just some of the highlights. At the top of the heap, as always, was Wayne Talkington, winning the Super Drag Class and earning the title of Quickest Truck. The 2-axle classes were probably the most exciting, with guys like Mark McLeroy and Joe Seaman Jr. topping their classes.

Dates have not been set for next year’s show but we’re already looking forward to it. We wish we had the space to list every trophy winner, but following (on the next page) is all we could manage. Our congratulations go out to all of them – they all drive “working wonders”! We hope to see everyone (and more) next year!

SATURDAY (PU’S & CARS) DRAG WINNERS
Trucks/Cars (Slicks): Mitch Rose; Runner-up: Kevin Crandall
Pick-Ups, SUVs & Vans: Scott Joines; Runner-up: John Joines

SATURDAY (PU’S & CARS) SHOW & SHINE WINNERS
Sport Utility Vehicle: Toni Beets
Pick-Up (1/2, 3/4 & 1 ton): Robert Doyle
Dually/Crew Cab (1 ton+): Steven Hettinga
El Camino/Ranchero: John Sapone
Van/Mini Van: Miguel Villasenor
Classic Truck/Custom: Alan J. Mitchell
Antique Truck/Stock: Bill Donahoe
Car: Anna Cummins

SATURDAY (PU’S & CARS) SPECIAL AWARDS
People’s Choice: Robert Doyle
Longest Ride: Larry L. Collins (Stockton, CA)
Best Art Detail: Earl Moorhead
Best Burnout: Augustine Herrera
Quickest Vehicle: John Sapone
Best of Show: Lynn Guthrie (1975 Chevy Corvette)

SAT. NIGHT (BIG RIG) PARADE OF LIGHTS WINNERS
Bobtail: Rivera Trucking; Runner-up: Western States Wholesale
Combo: Sandvik Trucking; Runner-up: Maggini Hay Company

SUNDAY (BIG RIG) ROAD-EO WINNERS
3-Axle 40' Van Backing: Steve Hettinga Sr, Hettinga Transport
3-Axle 40' Flatbed Backing: Bill Richel, Los Angeles DWP
Doubles Backing: Keith Pounds, Central Valley Transport
Truck & Trailer Backing: Dean Berg, Harvest Hay
Transfer Dump Contest: Atilla Rethi, Rethis & Sons

SUNDAY (BIG RIG) DRAG WINNERS
2-Axle COE: Mark McLeroy; Runner-up: Ron Bridges
2-Axle Conv: Joe Seaman Jr; Runner-up: Jimmie Disher
3-Axle COE: Alfonzo Hernandez; Runner-up: John Talkington
3-Axle Conv (a): Miguel Hernandez; Runner-up: None
3-Axle Conv (b): Dennis Brubacher; Runner-up: Marc McElroy
All Others (Catch All): Paul Ford; Runner-up: Sean Westover
Ladies Eliminator: Betty Jo Seaman; Runner-up: Linda Novak
Super Drag Truck: Wayne Talkington; Runner-up: Joe Seaman
Outlaw Class: Gordon Kelly; Runner-up: Frank Fiero

SUNDAY (BIG RIG) SHOW & SHINE WINNERS
Professional Show Truck: Paul Mercado, National Mobile TV
3-Axle Conv (1998-2003, -25K): Steven Rivera, Rivera Trkg.
3-Axle Conv (1998-2003, 25K+): Bill Sandvik, Sandvik Trkg.
3-Axle Conv (1979 to 1997): Chuck Prigge, Sandvik Trkg.
2-Axle Conv (1998-2003): Mike Maggini, Maggini Hay Co.
2-Axle Conv (1979-1997): Joe Arias, DJ Arias & Sons
2-Axle COE (1998-2003): Bates Fenseca, John R. Wright Trkg.
2-Axle COE (1979-1997): Hector Alvarado, Central Valley Trans.
3-Axle COE (1979-1997): Alfonso Hernandez, Hernandez Trkg.
Working Antique: Johnny Wright, John R. Wright Trkg.
Non-Working Antique: Dale Callen, Callen Trkg.
Local Delivery: David Cummins, Cummins Transport Inc.
Transit Mixer: Bob Gomez, Gomez Trkg.
Dump Truck: Jorge Luna, L. Luna Construction
Wrecker: Brian Golerno, Southside Towing
Service Truck: Glenn Ragels, ATCI
Small Fleet (3-9 trucks, min. 3 entered): Rick Concrete
Large Fleet (10+ trucks, min. 8 entered): Sandvik Trkg.
Specialty Rig: Paul Callen, Callen Trkg.
Specialty Trailer: Chuck Prigge, Sandvik Trkg.
Flatbed: David Arias, Maggini Hay Company
Heavy Hauler/Low Bed: Bill Pierce, Bill Pierce Equip. Rental
Bottom Dumps: Judi Hall, Roger Hall & Daughter Trkg.
End Dump: Richard Nix, Nix Demolition
Transfer Dump: Brian Griffin, Rick Concrete
Tanker: Ougie Castro, Goodspeed Tank Lines
Cross Country/OTR Rig: Pat Johnson, Whitaker Express

SUNDAY (BIG RIG) SPECIAL AWARDS
People’s Choice: Judi Hall, Roger Hall & Daughter Trkg.
Longest Tow: Ray & Karen Pierce (St. Augustine, FL)
Best Dressed Crew: TNT Racing
Sponsor’s Choice (10-4 Magazine): Ray & Karen Pierce
Ugliest Truck: Rick Early (remodeled by a runaway 747)
Best Burnout: Mike Martin, Juarez Trkg.
Quickest Truck: Wayne Talkington, TNT Racing
Best Engine: Bill Sandvik, Sandvik Trkg.
Best Interior (cab only): Carl Lux, Sandvik Trkg.
Best Sleeper: Dave Mueller, A Model Trkg.
Best Peterbilt in Show: Bill Sandvik, Sandvik Trkg.
Best Art & Graphics: Bobby Ipsen, Maggini Hay Co.
Best of Show: Keith Pounds, Central Valley Transport