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BEAT
THE HEAT |
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Regardless of when ITS (the International Trucking Show) is held in Las Vegas, invariably, the heat reaches new records for those dates. The Show & Shine competitors, left to bake on some parking lot, put on their best game faces and try not to pass out. This year, however, it didn’t matter how hot Las Vegas was June 27-29 because the competitors and their rigs gave new definitions to cool as they displayed their awesomeness inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.
This Stars & Stripes Truck Beauty Event presented the largest number of working show trucks ever to compete under roof anywhere! This year, a record 13 sponsors helped make truck beauty contest dreams a reality. They deserve a round of applause for their support – so we give special thanks to: Chevron/Texaco, Peterbilt, Newport Communications, ITS Management, Truck-Lite, Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Co., Howes Lubricants, 75 Chrome Shop, Rockwood Products, Valley Chrome Plating, Wilson Antennas, California Custom Products and Intra Technologies.
And, by anyone’s standards, this year’s show was a resounding success! With more than 500 Exhibitors (including 10-4 Magazine’s booth featuring Jerry Jeffries’ 1957 Chevy Bel Air Funny Car), and three jam-packed show days that covered a Saturday (for the first time), attendance was up from prior years. Visitors had their spending pants on – looking and buying everything from trucks to accessories and voting for their favorite working show trucks.
New trucks, old trucks, currently working trucks, and Professional Show Trucks wowed the crowds. July’s cover truck “Miss Scarlett” owned by Rhett Butler Trucking, debuted their new trailer painted with scenes from Gone With The Wind and brought home a whopping six awards, including both Best of Show Combo and People’s Choice Combo.  Competition was tough as judges went back and forth to determine the top of the heap in 23 different classes covering everything from exteriors (including undercarriages) to interiors, engines, paint, graphics and murals. No detail was left out, and competitors proudly pointed out customized features that made each truck unique. Under the lights inside the convention center, chrome, stainless and aluminum was gleaming brightly and freshly waxed paint took on a radiant glow. At the awards ceremony, nothing was brighter than the faces of competitors receiving hard-earned recognition for their efforts. Sam Watson’s “Rainbow” was honored with 5 trophies including Best of Show Bobtail. Sam and his son Eddie completely rebuilt this extraordinary 1974 KW W900A, and it regularly runs over the road from their Weston, WV base. Chris Lewis’ 1999 blue Pete 379 with cotton-candy pink fenders and striping (this month’s cover feature) was recognized with 3 awards, including the coveted People’s Choice Bobtail award. More than 1,000 show attendees cast ballots for their favorites. Professional Show Class recognizes special trucks that are incredible works of art reflecting the inner vision and dreams of their owners. They don’t necessarily run over the road – but they do an exceptional job of representing their companies. Their limited road use excludes them from competition against everyday working trucks, but they stand every bit as tall. Mike Humphries recently added a bright yellow customized 1994 Kentucky trailer covered in lights, chrome and stainless to his 1980 Pete 359, and Doug Day’s gunmetal gray 1955 Pete 351 was a standout - inside and out. Next year’s ITS is scheduled for June 26-28, 2003. We’ll be back and look forward to seeing you there! 
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