10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

FUN IN FAMOSO
CHARITY SHOW CELEBRATES “CHROME” ANNIVERSARY
Click here to see the photos!

The Truckin’ For Kids Truck Drags and Show & Shine celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 22-23, as over 200 trucks showed up at Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, CA) to compete for trophies and help raise money for charity. Dubbed as their “Chrome” Anniversary, the event was a great way to end the truck show season (at least for us). With many of our friends and advertisers in attendance, as well as tons of great looking rigs to enjoy and take pictures of, we had a terrific time. This event truly is the most relaxed and fun show of the year - every year.

Over the past 25 years, this event has raised a half million dollars for kids in need. What an accomplishment! That’s why their slogan says, “A good time for a great cause.” The primary beneficiary of the show is The Society for Disabled Children (formerly Society for Crippled Children & Adults). The money raised helps pay for campership programs for the Society’s Camp Blue Jay, which offers camping sessions for children with special needs. Camp Blue Jay provides a framework for social skills and interaction for physically and developmentally disabled youth.

This year, in addition to sponsoring the event and purchasing trophies and booth space, many of the vendors got more directly involved by having raffles and such. Over at the Inferno Polishes booth, owners Michael & Debra Bedoy sold raffle tickets for items that were donated by some of their customers. They didn’t raise a whole lot of money, but every bit counts - and 100% of the $150.00 they raised went to Truckin’ For Kids. John Murray of Rush Truck Center also sold raffle tickets for a couple donated satellite radios and sold food. Every penny of the $610.00 they raised was presented to Race Director Frank Pangburn during the awards ceremony. It’s really nice to see everyone pull together and work as a team for the charity - after all, that’s why the whole event is held.

With about 220 trucks in attendance, there was no shortage of quality iron. Some notable rides (in our eyes at least) included Glenn & Lynn Ragels’ orange KW that took Best of Show honors and Scott Wawryko’s turquoise Peterbilt, which we at 10-4 awarded with the Sponsor’s Choice trophy. Scott, who lives in Alberta, Canada, made his own fiberglass fenders and visor - and they looked awesome! But even better than that, the interior of his truck was outrageous, earning it top honors in the Interior class. Botelho Brothers Trucking out of Los Banos, CA brought out two beautiful blue Peterbilts featuring exciting colors and graphic schemes. Upon closer inspection, we realized it wasn’t airbrushed paint like we’d thought, but vinyl stickers instead. We were blown away at the quality of these graphics, done by Absolute Graphics in San Jose, CA.

Another truck that wowed us (and everyone else) with its graphics was Orestes Peña’s “shark” Peterbilt. Orestes came to the United States from Cuba via a crudely-constructed raft back in 1971. He was plucked out of the rough, shark-infested ocean by Coast Guard vessel #724 with nothing more than the meager clothes on his back. Today, all of Orestes’ numerous trucks have “724” on the side in honor of the vessel that saved his life. His latest truck, which took 1st Place in the Art & Graphics class, features undersea scenes and realistic shark murals.

Chris Cox of Bloomington, CA brought out his super-clean white and yellow Pete and was awarded Best Metal Shine. Much of that victory can be credited to Vic Caliva’s son Colby, who polished Chris’ rig. Following in the footsteps of his father, Colby is working hard at learning how to polish as well as his dad - and obviously doing very well at it. Not to be outdone by anyone, the Maggini family brought out a few new trucks which helped them to win even more trophies. They even hauled out their cool hay squeeze, which features yellow paint, green flames and lots of chrome (what a surprise). Deputy Sheriff Robert Watkins of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department showed off his new, black, curtain-side trailer behind his sharp, green 1988 Pete. This rig just gets better every year!

In addition to all the great trucks, there were quite a few vendor booths set up in the parking lot including Rick Nay Insurance Services, NorthAmerican Transportation Association, Aranda Truck Accessories, The Chrome Barn, Inferno Polishes, New Alliance Insurance Brokers, Big Daddy’s Rig Accessories and many others. Parked next to our booth was the October cover truck, owned by Steve Sanchez. Steve was nice enough to bring it out so our readers could get a better look at it.

The only disappointing part of the entire show was the lack of racing trucks in attendance. Apparently, because of stricter NHRA rules and a boycott by most of the race truck owners, there were only two super drag trucks in attendance and no “Outlaw” trucks. But there were still many working trucks that made fast runs and plenty of good racing to watch. Pat Kyle drove his strange-looking orange KW to victory, narrowly beating out Joe Masser’s smoke-belching “Cornfield Corvette” in the final race. The boycott was an attempt to force Truckin’ For Kids to start paying the racers just to show up. But being a charity event, it doesn’t make much sense to give all the money earned to the racers and not the kids, right?

During the awards ceremony, some special recognition was given to Enrique Vanegas of EVR Trucking and his family. Enrique’s wife Norma, who is currently battling breast cancer, was presented with a plaque and a medallion to praise her courage and show love and support. The family was moved, as was the crowd. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as she fights this terrible disease.

We’d like to congratulate everyone at Truckin’ For Kids for reaching this 25-year milestone, and wish them all the best. The need for the money this show raises will never end, so we hope that Frank and his volunteer crew will have many more good years. Our congratulations also go out to all of the winners listed below. See you next year!

SATURDAY NIGHT PARADE OF LIGHTS
BOBTAIL: 1st Joel Fluharty; 2nd Marcus Valenzuala.
COMBINATION: 1st Mike Maggini; 2nd Glenn & Lynn Ragels.
ANTIQUE: 1st Pincheiro & Milanesio Farm; 2nd A & L Truck Supply.

SHOW & SHINE BEAUTY CONTEST
PROFESSIONAL SHOW TRUCK: 1st Joel Fluharty, Specialized Trans; 2nd David Cummins, Cummins Trans; 3rd Marc McElroy, McElroy Transport.
3-AXLE CONV (1999-2005 Under 100K): 1st Jim Kirkley, Kirkley Trkg; 2nd Bryan Archibald, Triple A Swift Trans; 3rd Tacko Daughtery, Mikie Boy Trans.
3-AXLE CONV (A) (1990-2005 100K+): 1st Scott Wawryko, Night Light Ent; 2nd Eddy Rivera, Exotic Trkg; 3rd Marc McElroy, McElroy Transport.
3-AXLE CONV (B) (1990-2005 100K+): 1st Carl Gillam, Liberty Linehaul West; 2nd Joel Fluharty, Specialized Trans; 3rd Roger Ghidelli, Maggini Trkg.
3-AXLE CONV (1979-1989): 1st Richard Hettinga, Hettinga Trans; 2nd Richard Ceja, Ceja Brothers Transport; 3rd David Cummins, Cummins Trans.
2-AXLE CONV (1990-2005): 1st Mike Maggini, Maggini Hay Co; 2nd Hector Santos, Hector Santos Trkg; 3rd Tony Salinas, Salinas Trkg.
2-AXLE CONV (1979-1989): 1st Joe Arias, DJ Arias & Son Trkg; 2nd Arlene Hettinga, Hettinga Trans; 3rd Fernando Ramos, Gardner Trkg.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1981 & Newer): 1st Keith Pounds, Central Valley Trans; 2nd Weston Pounds, Central Valley Trans.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1980 & Older): 1st Markie Pounds, Central Valley Trans.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1990-2005): 1st Shawn Hood, Maggini Hay Co; 2nd David Arias, Felix Maggini Trkg; 3rd James Sliger, Gardner Trkg.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1946-1961): 1st Armin McKee, McKee’s Tractor Srv.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1962-1978): 1st Roel Hoffstee, Hoffstee Farms; 2nd Emilio Perez, E & M Trkg; 3rd Stan Alles, Stan Alles Trans.
NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: 1st Richard Mancebo, King’s County Truck Lines; 2nd Karl Kirkland, Kirkland Lowbed; 3rd Stan Alles, Stan Alles Trans.
LOCAL DELIVERY: 1st Mark Pounds, Central Valley Transport; 2nd Arlene Hettinga, Hettinga Trans; 3rd Jim Kirkley, Kirkley Trkg.
TRANSIT MIXER: 1st Robert House, Rob House Readymix; 2nd DeWayne Lynch, Dirt Worx.
DUMP TRUCK: 1st Christopher David Huffman, Wratslaw; 2nd Bryan Ryles, Holms; 3rd Attila Reithi, Reithi & Sons Trkg.
WRECKER: 1st Joseph Ruiz, AFT Towing; 2nd Paul Gaxiola, Docs Towing; 3rd Ronnie Diaz Towing.
SERVICE TRUCK: 1st Mike Fletcher, Fletcher’s Diesel; 2nd Jack Wheeler, Wheeler’s Repair; 3rd Gary Guinn, Guinn Construction.
SMALL FLEET: 1st Hettinga Transportation; 2nd Central Valley Transport; 3rd Liberty Linehaul West.
LARGE FLEET: 1st Maggini Trucking.
SPECIALTY RIG: 1st James McCarren, Waterboy; 2nd Lee Reitsma, Conlan Crane Service; 3rd Gary Guinn, Guinn Construction.
SPECIALTY TRAILER: 1st Joe Arias, DJ Arias & Son Trkg; 2nd Roger Ghidelli, Maggini Trkg; 3rd Kyle Van Hulzen, Van Hulzen Trkg.
FLATBED: 1st Nick Martinez, Martinez & Son Trkg; 2nd Jack “Yampy” Vander Feer, Pinheird Farms; 3rd Richard Hettinga, Hettinga Trans.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT: 1st Bobby Ipsen, Maggini & Son; 2nd Mitchell Railsback, Glenn Railsback & Son; 3rd Richard Cobb, Hawthorne Rent-It.
END DUMP: 1st Steven Hettinga Jr., Hettinga Transportation.
TRANSFER DUMP: 1st Eddy Rivera, Exotic Trkg; 2nd Frank Alves, Motorhead Trkg; 3rd Patrick Bachelor, C & S Trkg.
TANKER: 1st Tony Salinas, Salinas Trkg; 2nd Ron Boen, Maggini & Son;
3rd Keith Pounds, Central Valley Transport.
CROSS-COUNTRY/OTR: 1st Dustin Foster, Foster Trkg; 2nd Arlyn Workman, Workman Trkg; 3rd Dean Parks, Western Dist. Trans. Corp.
HOBBY TRUCK: 1st Giovanni Estevanovich, Inland Paving.

WORKING CONTESTS
3-AXLE CLOSED BODY BACKING: 1st Jharod VanDerTuig; 2nd Steven Hettinga; 3rd Mike Maggini.
3-AXLE FLATBED BACKING: 1st Richard Hettinga.
2-AXLE TRAILER BACKING: 1st Markie Pounds; 2nd Keith Pounds; 3rd Mark Pounds.
DOUBLES BACKING: 1st Mike Maggini; 2nd Joe Arias; 3rd Keith Pounds.
TRUCK & TRAILER BACKING: 1st Mike Maggini; 2nd Mike Pagano; 3rd Ruben Garcia.
TRANSFER DUMP: 1st Ruben Garcia; 2nd Attila Reithi; 3rd John Murray II.

DRAG RACING
2-AXLE CABOVER: 1st Adam Wadkins; 2nd Mark McLeroy.
2-AXLE CONV: 1st Jose Gonzalez; 2nd Toby Nevarez.
3-AXLE CONV: 1st Garth Mooney; 2nd Michael Hernandez.
SUPER DRAG TRUCKS: 1st Pat Kyle; 2nd Joe Masser.
PICKUP TRUCKS/SUV’S (Slicks): 1st John Sapone.
PICKUP TRUCKS/SUV’S (Street Tires): 1st Jerry Miller; 2nd Gary Guinn.
PICKUP TRUCKS (Diesel): 1st Jody George; 2nd Phil Ross.

SPECIALTY TROPHIES
BEST BURNOUT (Big Rig): Mark Pounds, Central Valley Transport.
BEST BURNOUT (Pickup): Jerry Miller.
BEST REACTION TIME: John Sapone, Pothole Express Racing Team.
QUICKEST BIG RIG: Pat Kyle, Bow, WA.
QUICKEST PICKUP: John Sapone, Pothole Express Racing Team.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Giovianni Estevanovich, Inland Paving.
LONGEST TOW: John Lamanteer, Millville, NJ.
BEST DRESSED CREW: Triple A Trucking, Salt Lake City, UT.
SPONSOR’S CHOICE: Scott Wawryko, Night Light Enterprises.
UGLIEST TRUCK: Jose Gonzalez.
BEST BRIBE: Steven Hettinga, Hettinga Transportation.
BEST ENGINE: Mike Maggini, Maggini & Son Trucking.
BEST ROCKWOOD INTERIOR: Pat Johnson, Tremonton, UT.
BEST INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): Scott Wawryko, Night Light Enterprises.
BEST SLEEPER: Glenn & Lynn Ragels, Advanced Transportation Co. Inc.
BEST PETERBILT: Hector Santos, Hector Santos Trucking.
BEST FREIGHTLINER: Mark Pounds, Central Valley Transport.
BEST KENWORTH: Valentin Valenzuela.
BEST METAL SHINE: Chris Cox, Bloomington, CA.
BEST ART & GRAPHICS: Orestes Pena, Orestes Pena Trucking.
BEST OF SHOW: Glenn & Lynn Ragels, Advanced Transportation Co. Inc.