LOOKIN’ GOOD AT GATS
Story & Photos by Roving Reporter Suzanne Stempinski

There are signs that things are definitely looking up in the trucking world as evidenced by the crowds filling the Dallas Convention Center September 26-28, 2003. Visitors from across the United States, Canada and from places as far away as Australia gathered together at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS). Hundreds of vendors sold everything from toys to trucks, tools, accessories, insurance and jobs.

In its fifth year, GATS offered something for almost everyone, with seminars on subjects ranging from “Tax Solutions for Drivers,” to forums on the “New Hours of Service Regulations,” and benefits such as “Saving Dollars Through Maintenance,” or “How to Survive a Safety Audit,” just to name a few.

Some interesting products made their debut at GATS. Top on the list was the Quick Release Wrench from Ratchet Master. This new plier-like device removes vacuum lines, PCV valves, gas filters, push-lock fittings, water overflow lines and more in one easy step. Even lines in hard-to-reach places are no problem for this neat and useful tool. For more details, check out www.ratchetmaster.com or call them at 804/421-7501.

If finding the right gift for the woman in your life is tough because you’re on the road, you may want to check out “Mikey Knows...What Women Want.” Nope, we’re not making it up. It is a new service offering classy jewelry, lingerie, chocolates, house plants, bath oils and candles – delivered even on short notice – for truckers who need something special for an anniversary, birthday or other occasion. You can even have a cake delivered – with your message in the frosting. For more info call 877/776-4539 or go to www.mikeyknows.com.

What most drivers wanted, in addition to strolling the aisles, was the chance to see Diamond Rio and Tracy Byrd in concert. The country music artists played to packed houses of wildly cheering fans on consecutive nights. Lines for the free tickets snaked around the lobby of the convention center each morning, as eager attendees waited patiently for their chance to obtain free tickets. The concert by award-winning group Diamond Rio was sponsored by Mobil Delvac, while recording artist Tracy Byrd performed courtesy of Volvo Trucks North America.

At one end of the convention center floor, one of the most exciting places to visit was the Pride & Polish show truck competition area. 48 trucks competed for bragging rights and trophies as visitors craned their necks and snapped photos of their favorites.

Dreams come true when you work hard enough. Just ask company driver and relative newcomer to truck show competition Max Haertling with McLane Trucking. His very first competition was at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY in March, where he was awarded a 3rd place trophy in the First Time Show class. At GATS, Max and Mike McLane cleaned, scrubbed and applied what they learned after competing in a few more shows over the summer (in between running out of Missouri to all 48 states) – and brought home three awards – including a tie for the highly coveted Participant’s Choice Award.

Stacey Dowdy, an owner operator with Floyd Trucking, dreamed of coming to GATS for over a year. Based out of Kirby, AR, he was entered in last year’s competition, but arrived too late to get parked. So he vowed to be on time this year. Of course he hadn’t counted on being a new daddy either – his wife gave birth to their first son less than a week before he was to head to Dallas. But Dowdy, who runs about 110,000 miles/year hauling sheet rock in Arkansas and the surrounding states, was determined to be on time. So he spent a little less time on the truck than he would have liked, and worked as hard as he could – and was rewarded with a 2nd place interior trophy for his efforts.

Whether the dreams are new or old, being recognized with an award is always sweet. Neal and Barbara Holsomback, long-time favorites in the truck show community, brought their gorgeous 1988 Peterbilt 379 “Plum Classy” out to play. With a brand-new stainless steel floor, loads of chrome and stainless and paint waxed to a glossy shine, the Holsombacks brought home three trophies – including special recognition from Peterbilt and Chevron DELO. Their engine alone was a real traffic stopper – an incredible assembly of chrome, paint and immaculate detail, prompting more than one passer-by to wonder if this truck actually went down the road to work every day! It sure does – as Holsomback puts on around 90,000 miles/year hauling carpet and airfreight around the South and Midwest – with an occasional trip to the West Coast for good measure.

Congratulations to those already mentioned and to all the winners. And the rest of the award-winners were:

Best of Show Bobtail - Tim Thornhill, Trees Forever, 1986 Peterbilt 359.
Best of Show Combo - Brad Caton, Eilen & Sons Trkg, 2003 Peterbilt 379.
Antique - 1st: Western Distributing; 2nd: Russell Perillo; 3rd: 4 State Trucks Inc.
Bobtail (84-91) - 1st: Neal & Barbara Holsomback; 2nd: Tim Thornhill; 3rd: Smith Specialized Heavy Hauling.
Bobtail (92-99) - 1st: Garza Brothers Inc; 2nd: Ken Wood; 3rd: Mike & Ruth Knezevich.
Bobtail (2000+) - 1st: Todd Stockman; 2nd: Rick Sladek; 3rd: Jerry Melton.
Combo (92-99) - 1st: Mike McLane; 2nd: Calvin & Ellen Long; 3rd: Kats Transportation Inc.
Combo (2000+) - 1st: Conwell Corp; 2nd (tie): Muirhead Trkg/All-Pro Moving & Transfer; 3rd: Muirhead Trkg.
Paint (Mural) - 1st: Harvey & Karen Zander; 2nd: Brad Caton; 3rd: ABC Wrecker Service.
Paint (Non-Mural) - 1st: Jake Eilen Trkg; 2nd: Frankie & Renee Story; 3rd: Joel Brantley.
Fleet Owned Bobtail - 1st: David Kosar; 2nd: Billy Hopkins; 3rd: J & C Investments.
Fleet Owned Combo - 1st: Billy Hopkins; 2nd: Muirhead Trkg; 3rd: Muirhead Trkg.
Specialty - 1st: Goode Towing & Recovery; 2nd: Steve Vidrine; 3rd: Bill Culver.
Combo (77-83) - 1st: Tri State Commodities.
OEM Sleeper - 1st (tie): Todd Stockman/4 State Trucks Inc; 2nd: Floyd Trucking; 3rd: Western Distributing.
Custom Sleeper - 1st: Frankie & Renee Story; 2nd (tie): Doug Downing/John Ray.
Interior (Excluding Sleeper) - 1st: Jake Eilen Trkg; 2nd: Eilen & Sons Trkg; 3rd: Billy Hopkins.
Engine - 1st: Tim Thornhill; 2nd (tie): Frankie & Renee Story/Harvey & Karen Zander; 3rd: Keith Bothwell.
Tech - 1st: Goode Towing & Recovery; 2nd: Mike & Ruth Knezevich; 3rd: Jerry Melton.
Peterbilt Best of Show - 1st: Steve Vidrine; 2nd: Neal & Barbara Holsomback; 3rd: Joel Brantley.
Participant’s Choice - (tie) Mike McLane/Joel Brantley.
Charity’s Choice - Goode Towing & Recovery.

CHEVRON’S CHROME CORNER WINNERS
Exterior - Todd Stockman.
Interior - Billy Hopkins.
Engine - (tie) Neal & Barbara Holsomback/Tim Thornhill.
Overall - Mike McLane.