10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

SHOWIN’ OFF IN THE OC
Spectacular Working Rigs Invade the
Orange County Fairgrounds
(Click here to see the photos!)

A dazzling array of shining metal layered the grassy fields of the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA as hundreds of pickups, SUV’s and big rigs rolled in to compete at the 11th Annual West Coast All Truck Nationals held on Sunday, April 10th. This was only the second year that big rigs were included in the event, but the turnout far exceeded last year’s numbers.

With near perfect temperatures in the high 70’s and a beautiful blue California sky, it was hard to resist a show in our own neighborhood (10-4 Magazine was born in Costa Mesa, CA). Some 65 trucks came from all over to have some fun and compete for special trophies hand-made by the folks at West Coast Kustoms, a local big rig candy store.

Many of the competitors were names and trucks you’ve seen before - names like Maggini, Central Valley Transport, Johnny Wright, Golden Bear, EVR Trucking and Unified Western Grocers, but some were new and not seen before. Chris Lewis and Curtis Christians came from Missouri and together took home three 1st Place awards. Curtis was showing off his new ride - a totally custom white and orange Pete featuring a custom rear window, a moonroof and tail lights cut into the shape of the West Coast Chopper’s infamous iron cross logo. Mike Pagano of Statewide Material Transport brought out his brand spankin’ new blue Peterbilt transfer decked out with flawless Rogue boxes made entirely of polished stainless. Hector Santos brought out his cool baby blue and white Pete and took home a 1st Place trophy as well. All in all, it was a good day for almost everyone on hand.

Of course, over on the “other side” of the show, there were about 400 of the finest custom pickups and SUV’s on display, as well as a bevy of vendors, food, music and an eye-opening bikini contest. Next year’s event, scheduled for April 9th, 2006, will surely be even bigger and better as this show really begins to catch on and take off. Here are all of the 1st Place finishers from the 2005 West Coast All Truck Nationals in Costa Mesa, CA:

BEST SMALL FLEET: Maggini Trucking
BEST LARGE FLEET: Gardner Trucking
PAINT: Hector Santos Trucking – Hector Santos
LIGHTS: Maggini & Son – Mike Maggini
ENGINE: Central Valley Trans. – Mark Pounds
HORNS: PDS Trucking – Gary Rogokos
INTERIOR: Dedicated Ride – Curtis Christians
ANTIQUE: Finny & Sons – Kenny Phillips
MOST DETAILED: Golden Bear – Bob Doyle
MIXER: Robert House
TANKER: Golden Bear – Bob Doyle
DUMP (TRAILER): EAN Trucking – Eric Neer
TRANSFER: Statewide Material Transport – Mike Pagano
REEFER/BOX: Unified Western Grocers – Bill Ward
SPECIAL INTEREST: California Boring – Jerry Sawyer
PRE-1986 CONV: Finny & Sons Trucking – Kenny Phillips
1986-1995 CONV: Cummins Transportation – Devin Cummins
1996-2000 CONV: Lewis Trucking of Jackson – Chris Lewis
2001-2005 CONV: Waggoners Trucking – Steve Sanchez
PRE-1986 CABOVER: John R. Wright Trucking – Johnny Wright
1986-1995 CABOVER: Maggini Hay Co. – Shawn Hood
1996-2005 CABOVER: CR & R – Frank Farina
PRE-1998 SLOPED HOOD: CR & R – Antonio Reyes
1998-2005 SLOPED HOOD: Unified Western Grocers – Bill Ward
PRE-1998 FLATBED: Maggini & Son – Mike Maggini
1999-2005 FLATBED: Lewis Trucking of Jackson – Chris Lewis
MILLION MILE CLASS: John R. Wright Trucking – Johnny Wright
PROMOTER’S CHOICE: Kirkley Trucking – Jim Kirkley

~We’d like to thank everyone who came out to the show and stopped by our booth. We’d also like to thank Seth Doulton of Horse Power Promotions for inviting us to participate. For more information about this and other shows Seth hosts, visit www.horsepowerpromotions.com today.