10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

SAME SHOW – NEW HOME
24TH ANNUAL CHARITY SHOW & DRAGS HAS
ANOTHER TERRIFIC TURNOUT
(Click Here to see the photos!)

Once again, like so many times before, the Truckin’ For Kids Charity Show & Drags was one of the best (and biggest) events of the year - even after moving to a new location. Trucks came from all over the country to either compete in the Show & Shine beauty competition, drag race their rig or both. This show, partly because of the uniqueness of the races, the location and the fact that it’s for a great cause, has become an annual tradition for hundreds of truckers. And this year was no different.

Held on October 16th & 17th, 2004 in Famoso, CA (20 miles north of Bakersfield), over 250 trucks showed up to participate in the charity show that benefits the Society for Disabled Children. Moving a long-running event to an unfamiliar place is always a gamble, and numbers were expected to be down this year because of that fact. But, surprisingly, the turnout was terrific. And with plenty of room to grow, this show could really get huge in the next few years. There was enough parking lot space to easily triple the amount of trucks, and rumor has it that the lot is going to get a facelift this spring (let’s hope so, it was in pretty bad shape).

Another factor that could have hampered the show (and maybe did to some extent) was the weather. On Saturday, the gates opened at 9:00 AM under sunny, blue skies. Vendors began their setup and competitors began their final clean-ups. No one could believe that a big storm was predicted to roll through the area that weekend, but roll it did - only it nearly passed right by the racetrack, dropping only some mild to moderate showers for a short period of time late Saturday night. The rest of California was deluged and suffered much flooding, but for some reason, Famoso stayed fairly dry. Sunday was partly cloudy with cooler temperatures and showers seemed to be looming all day, but none ever fell.

Over in vendor row, many of 10-4’s friends and associates showed up to support the cause, have some fun and promote their businesses. Rick & Terry Nay of Rick Nay Insurance in Corona, CA not only came out to the drags for the first time, but also sponsored a bunch of trophies. Wayne Schooling of NTA brought out his Mobile Compliance Unit (RV) and educated drivers about the benefits of joining an association. Jay Sherrel, from Enterprises of the Third Kind, had a great time “talking shop” with all the gearheads. Jay, being a diesel engine junkie himself, loves to come out to the drags. In fact, he sponsors several of the racing truck teams and supplies many of them with parts. Of course, we at 10-4 handed out lots of magazines and posters from under our bright red canopy and provided a nice area next to our booth for the 1960 Kings County Autocar (featured on our October 2004 cover) to park and be displayed. In fact, at the show, Richard Mancebo and some partners inked the deal (and cut a check) to purchase this historical truck from the family of Ray Avila, who passed away earlier this year. We’re sure that Richard will take good care of this awesome ride and continue to take it to shows and other events.

Saturday night featured an incredible light parade that idled down the track in a constant procession for over an hour. Easily a half mile long, the parade was a brilliant display (literally) of every lighting configuration imaginable. From simple trucks with just a few lights, to trucks covered with LEDs and neon tubes, they were all there. The time and money these guys spend on lighting must be phenomenal. Pat Johnson of Tremonton, UT took top honors in the Combination class with his clean red Peterbilt and Great Dane van, while Christopher Huffman won the Bobtail class.

Sunday morning saw frantic truckers wiping down their trucks, again, after Saturday night’s rain left them wet and water-spotted. Hey, at least everyone was in the same boat. Some just said “screw it, judge me with water on the hood,” while others tried hard to get their truck back to where it was the day before. The judges had a hard job to do - pick a limited amount of winners from a wide field of fantastic entries. Many small, local fleets came out and brought the best of their equipment.

Companies like Johnny Wright Trucking and George Trucking out of Bakersfield, Hettinga Trans out of Pixley and H & S Trucking of Orange Cove (with their white and pink Freightliners), just to name a few of them.

Of course the big local winners, as usual, were Maggini and Central Valley Transport (CVT). Mike Maggini of Riverdale and his cohorts Bobby Ipsen and David Arias, collectively bagged eight trophies, including Best of Show and Best Fleet. Mike also took home a 1st Place in the Doubles Backing contest. Not far behind, brothers Keith and Mark Pounds of CVT in Bakersfield, with help from Weston Pounds, earned seven trophies, including Best Engine (Mark) and Best 2-Axle Cabover (Keith).

It seems that “everything old is new again” in regards to what people are doing to their trucks. Truckers are reverting back to styles and looks that were popular in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, going for that cleaner, more classic look. And even the old trucks themselves are making a comeback. The three trucks that seemed to be getting the most attention and praise were all old ones, including Frank Schott’s turquoise blue 1946 KW, Steve Milanesio’s 1964 tan and maroon 359 Peterbilt, and Richard Mancebo’s cream and red 1960 Autocar. Owner operators Ray & Karen Pierce from St. Augustine, Florida (featured on the cover this month) took home four 1st Place trophies with their old-style 2000 Pete with a custom 187-inch sleeper, and Pennsylvania trucker Justin Lang (this month’s Readers And Their Rigs) got 1st Place in the OTR class with his neat black Kenworth.

Come Sunday afternoon, the crowd was ready to see some racing. Several old favorites were in attendance as well as some newcomers. The talk around the track was the big rivalry between Wayne Talkington and Tommy Martin, and to who would prevail as the Super Drag Truck champion. Wayne was happy to just be there. After suffering some major problems at a race in Canada, Wayne and his crew, with lots of help from Signal Injector Service, Target Diesel and Jay Sherrel of Enterprises of the Third Kind, stepped up and got the truck back together and ready to go just in the nick of time. But his hopes faded fast as he went through two sets of heads during the early rounds of racing. He made some good passes in front of the cheering crowds, but in the end, he didn’t qualify for the final. And it wasn’t much better for Tommy Martin. He red-lighted himself right out of the competition! But all was not lost, as he took home the trophy for fastest truck on one of his clean passes. Two newcomers ended up in the final, and in the end, Pat Kyle of Bow, Washington and his “Cornfield Corvette” beat out Joe Masser of Oregon in a cloud of thick, black smoke.

During the awards ceremony, 10-4 got some special (and surprising) treatment. Race Director Frank Pangburn called us onstage to celebrate and commemorate ten years of participation, support and sponsorship of the event. Truckin’ For Kids presented us with a case of champagne and glasses, which we proceeded to open and have a toast. It really took us by surprise, but what a great treat it was to be honored by all our trucking friends and associates. Thanks so much for all the special attention!
With plenty of room to grow, we can’t wait to see how big next year’s show will be. Dates have not been announced yet, but you can be sure that when we find out, we will pass them along to our readers. Our congratulations go out to all of the winners. Once again, it was a great time for a good cause. Way to go Frank!

SHOW & SHINE BEAUTY CONTEST

PROFESSIONAL SHOW TRUCK: 1st Leo Monteon/Mike Humphries – Western States; 2nd David Cummins – Cummins Trans; 3rd Bill Ward – Unified Western Grocers.
3-AXLE CONV (1999-2004 Under 100K): 1st Jeff West – Bestiame Trans; 2nd Sergio Cortez – Gardner; 3rd Jose Huerta – Sprint Express.
3-AXLE CONV (1990-2004 100K+): 1st Mike Gonzalez – Gonzalez & Sons; 2nd Bill Ward – Unified Western Grocers; 3rd Bobby Ipsen – Maggini.
3-AXLE CONV (1979-1989): 1st Roel Hofstee – Hofstee Farms; 2nd David Cummins – Cummins Trans; 3rd Devin Cummins – Cummins Trans.
2-AXLE CONV (1990-2004): 1st Tony Salinas – Salinas Trkg; 2nd Manny Rosales – Command Delivery; 3rd Johnny Wright – John Wright Trucking.
2-AXLE CONV (1979-1989): 1st Emilio Perez – E & M Trucking; 2nd Gerry Hargiss – Gerry Hargiss Trucking; 3rd Steve Hettinga – Hettinga Trans.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1990-2004): 1st David Arias – Maggini; 2nd Brian Hays – John Wright Trucking; 3rd Ron Brazell – F & J Schott Trucking.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1979-1989): 1st Keith Pounds – Central Valley Transport; 2nd Weston Pounds – Central Valley Transport.
WORKING ANTIQUE: 1st Emilio Perez – E & M Trucking; 2nd Ray Algorri – LADWP; 3rd Judi Hall – Roger Hall & Daughter.
NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: 1st Steve Milanesio – Pinhiero & Milanesio Farms; 2nd Richard Mancebo; 3rd Frank Schott – F & J Schott Trucking.
LOCAL DELIVERY: 1st David Cummins – Cummins Trans; 2nd Bill Ward – Unified Western Grocers; 3rd Manny Rosales – Command Delivery.
DUMP TRUCK: 1st Christopher D. Huffman – Williams Trucking; 2nd Marcos Castro – Stan Silva Jr; 3rd Brian Griffin – Leon Perrault Trucking.
WRECKER: 1st James R. Cady – 10-West Towing.
SERVICE TRUCK: 1st James Lynch – Central California KW; 2nd Troy Cloward – Bryant; 3rd Jack Wheeler – Wheeler Truck Repair.
FLEET 1 (Split): 1st Maggini; 2nd Central Valley Transport; 3rd Hettinga.
FLEET 2 (Split): 1st Gardner Tractor; 2nd John Wright; 3rd Gardner Trucking.
SPECIALTY RIG: 1st Bob Mutch – Gopher Excavating; 2nd Travis George – George Trucking; 3rd Steve Milanesio – Pinhiero & Milanesio Farms.
SPECIALTY TRAILER: 1st Ray & Karen Pierce – Landstar Inway; 2nd Cory Cloward – Double C Commodities; 3rd Steve Hettinga Sr. – Hettinga Trans.
FLATBED: 1st David Arias – Maggini; 2nd Weston Pounds – Central Valley Transport; 3rd Richard Stark – RL Stark.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT/LOW BEDS: 1st Mitchell Railsback – Glenn Railsback; 2nd Bobby Ipsen – Maggini; 3rd Shawn McCord – Shawn McCord Trucking.
END DUMP: 1st Paul Lomeli – Nix Demolition; 2nd Gary Jones – Nix Demolition; 3rd Jose Romero – Jacobs Trucking.
TRANSFER DUMP: 1st Willie Becerra – JJL; 2nd Marcos Castro – Stan Silva Jr; 3rd Brian Griffin – Leon Perrault Trucking.
TANKER: 1st Tony Salinas – Salinas Trucking; 2nd Keith Pounds – Central Valley Transport; 3rd Troy Cloward – Bryant.
CROSS-COUNTRY/OTR: 1st Justin Lang – High Roller Express; 2nd Arlyn Workman; 3rd David Frey – David Frey Trucking.

WORKING CONTESTS (TRUCK ROD-EO)

3-AXLE BACKING: 1st Steve Hettinga Sr. – Hettinga Transfer; 2nd Steve Hettinga Jr. – Hettinga Transfer; 3rd Jharod Vandertuig – Sprint Express.
2-AXLE BACKING: 1st Manny Rosales – Command Delivery.
DOUBLES BACKING: 1st Mike Maggini – Maggini; 2nd Keith Pounds – Central Valley Transport; 3rd Ron Brazell – F & J Schott Trucking.
TRUCK & TRAILER BACKING: 1st Bruce Balistreni – Bill Jacobson Trkg.
TRANSFER DUMP: 1st Bruce Balistreni – Bill Jacobson Trucking.

DRAG RACING

2-AXLE CABOVER: 1st Adam Wadkins; 2nd Scott Talkington.
2-AXLE CONV: 1st Kevin Brown; 2nd Jim Disher.
3-AXLE CABOVER: 1st John Talkington.
3-AXLE CONV: 1st Michael Hernandez; 2nd Mark Strickland.
SUPER DRAG TRUCKS: 1st Pat Kyle; 2nd Joe Masser.
OUTLAW UNLIMITED: 1st Frank Fierro; 2nd Gordon Kelly.
PU’S/VANS (Slicks): 1st Auggie Herrera – Caliva’s Polishing; 2nd John Sapone – Pothole Express.
PU’S/VANS (Street Tires): 1st Bob Mcleroy; 2nd Gary Guinn.
PU’S (Diesel Engine Only): 1st Bob Mutch; 2nd Michelle Read.

SATURDAY NIGHT PARADE OF LIGHTS

COMBINATION: 1st Pat Johnson; 2nd Mike Maggini – Maggini.
BOBTAIL: 1st Christopher D. Huffman; 2nd Troy Cloward – Bryant.
ANTIQUE: 1st Frank Schott – F & J Schott Trucking.

SPECIALTY TROPHIES

LONGEST TOW: Ray & Karen Pierce – Landstar Inway.
BEST DRESSED CREW: TNT Racing – Lucas Oil.
BEST BRIBE: Ray & Karen Pierce – Landstar Inway.
UGLIEST TRUCK: Jim Disher – Disher Trucking.
BEST INTERIOR (Cab Only): Arlyn Workman – Workman Trucking.
BEST SLEEPER: Ray & Karen Pierce – Landstar Inway.
BEST ENGINE: Mark Pounds – Central Valley Transport.
BEST PETERBILT: Steve Milanesio – Pinhiero & Milanesio Farms.
BEST KENWORTH: Frank Schott – F & J Schott Trucking.
BEST FREIGHTLINER: Jason George – George Trucking.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Jim Kirkley – Kirkley Trucking.
SPONSOR’S CHOICE: Leo Monteon/Mike Humphries – Western States.
BEST ART & GRAPHICS: Grant Ford – San Joaquin Valley Transport.
BEST OF SHOW: Mike Maggini – Maggini Hay Company.
BEST BURNOUT (Pickups): John Sapone – Pothole Express.
QUICKEST PICKUP: John Sapone – Pothole Express.
BEST BURNOUT (Big Rigs): Mike Martin – Juarez Trucking.
BEST REACTION TIME: Scott Talkington (.003 seconds).
QUICKEST BIG RIG: Tom Martin (112.09 mph & 11.222 seconds).