10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

DALLAS SHOW ON THE GROW
9th Annual GATS Convention Draws Large Crowds

It seems that every year the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas gets bigger and better - and 2007 was no different. Held on August 23-25 at the Dallas Convention Center, this show saw an increase in visitor registrations for the fifth consecutive year. Total visitor registrations for 2007 reached 47,980! The total registrations saw a 6.8% increase over 2006 and a cumulative gain of 22% since 2003. And with almost 600 of the top companies in trucking on display and 50+ show trucks, there was plenty to see and do in Dallas.

“Go Green” seemed to be the slogan and emphasis of many exhibiting companies promoting their various idle reduction devices, filters, additives, aerodynamic items, alternative fuels, etc. Auxiliary power units (APUs) were offered by over 15 companies including Frigette, Sun Power Technologies, Thermo King, Idle Solutions, Diesel Generator Pros and more. RigMaster announced the introduction of their 2008 model APU complete with a Tier 4A compliant engine and diesel particulate filter, while Dometic promoted their battery-powered auxiliary air system. Utility Trailer announced the release of their 4000D-X trailer. Offering fuel efficient tires and wheels with less rolling resistance, neat-looking aerodynamic side skirts, a front-mounted gap reducer and an overall lighter weight, this trailer is the industry’s first U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay trailer.

The big OEMs were also introducing new products that offer increased efficiency. In addition to the ongoing push of the new aerodynamic model 389, Peterbilt was promoting their hybrid trucks, announcing full production of their medium duty vehicles in March 2008 and two heavy duty hybrid configurations, which are currently being developed for a possible 2010 introduction. Volvo announced the recent inclusion of new aerodynamic and safety features available. Their customers can now order a SmartWay tractor component package which includes aerodynamic enhancements that reduce drag, a tire pressure monitoring system, emission-compliant engines, anti-idling options and low-rolling resistance tires.

Over at the Western Star booth, they were busy celebrating their 40th anniversary, handing out free limited edition hats that seemed to be on every head in the building by the end of the show. And to help celebrate in their booth, Ted Siebert of Woodstock, Illinois spent the entire three days of the show creating a 4900 EX Ultra-High Stratosphere Sleeper using only sand, water, a small trowel and a truckload of talent. Our congratulations go out to Western Star for reaching this amazing 40-year milestone.

Some other fun events that took place at GATS included a free concert by Aaron Tippin on Friday night (sponsored by Mobil Delvac) and female country-rock duo The Wreckers on Saturday night (sponsored by Volvo). There were also a host of celebrities posing for photos and signing autographs in various booths throughout the show. And no truck show would be complete without an appearance by the Chrome Shop Mafia. The “boyz” created quite a commotion on Saturday as fans lined up for hours to say “hello” and get an autograph (photo 5).

There were also a couple of neat unveilings at GATS. Both Castrol and Shell unveiled trucks that were rebuilt for folks who had won a contest. Castrol’s “Big Honkin’ Truck Makeover” winner was owner operator Kevin Greene of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Chrome Shop Mafia gave his 1989 Peterbilt a $50,000 makeover and then revealed it to the public on Friday morning. Over at the Shell booth, Bob & Geri Martin anxiously waited as a bright blue cover was removed, exposing their newly redone rig. After 1.5 million miles, the Martin’s 1995 Peterbilt wasn’t quite up to the standards it was when it appeared on the 1997 Shell SuperRigs calendar. But all that changed after S & J Truck Sales in Fort Wayne, Indiana completed a full truck makeover. The Martin’s were chosen for the makeover after writing a humorous “top 10 list” stating why they should be the ones to win the makeover.

Over at the show trucks, there were a few that really stood out. Keith Everett’s “High Call” 379 Peterbilt Legacy featured bright red paint, a chopped roof, 10-inch pipes, custom motorcycle headlights and a super shiny polished trailer that was part luxury suite and part horse transporter. Keith’s rig took top honors in Best of Show Limited Mileage Combo and the Non Mural Paint class. Bobby Lindamood’s “King Ranch” Peterbilt and matching CPS Demolition Trailer (photo 2) not only looked great but also won a couple trophies, too. Ron Brubaker and his “One of a Kind” yellow Peterbilt, which he says is the only short hood Pete with a long hood front end in existence (he added three inches to the front end to remove the slope of the hood), took home three trophies (photo 1). Young Eric Hardage, at only 9 years old, took 2nd place in the Non Working Antique class with his 1963 Mack B-83 (photo 3). Eric’s dad Jeff didn’t do too bad either, winning two awards including Best of Show Combo.

Many of the “usual suspects” did very well at GATS, including Harvey & Karen Zander (Icy Blu 2) and Bob & Shelly Brinker (The Legend of the Black Pearl). Collectively, these two took home seven 1st place and three 2nd place trophies, including Participant’s Choice and Best of Show Bobtail. But the truck that seemed to get the most attention was a new entry built by an energetic group of young people (photo 4) from Outlaw Customs in Colorado. Their rig “The Dead Man’s Hand” had several unique pieces including custom “twisted” mirror bracket bars and gear shifter, handmade headlight brackets and alligator skin seats. Brothers Alex and Andy Gobel, along with Nic Gillan, started with a smashed 2001 Pete with a bent frame and then rebuilt everything from the ground up. We are sure that you will be seeing more of this truck and hearing more about Outlaw Customs and their cool new products in the future. To learn more about Outlaw Customs and to see their truck, visit their website at www.outlawcustomshd.com.

The 2008 show is scheduled for August 21-23, so mark your calendars and make your travel plans now. This show is hands-down one of the best truck shows in the country (second only to the phenomenal Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky), so don’t miss it. We’ll be there, and we hope to see you, too. Here are all of the winners:

MOST TECHNOLOGICAL CAB (PRESENTED BY FIRESTONE): 1st Lynn & Shirley Baxter – 2006 FL; 2nd Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l; 3rd Truett Novosad – 2001 Pete.

PETERBILT COUNCIL OF CLASS (PRESENTED BY PETERBILT): 1st James Gobel – 2001 Pete; 2nd Sean McEndree – 2005 Pete; 3rd Phillip Clayton – 2005 Pete.

INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Truett Novosad – 2001 Pete; 2nd Randy Supak – 2007 Pete; 3rd Brad Caton – 2007 Pete.

OEM SLEEPER: 1st Bob & Shelly Brinker – 2000 FL; 2nd Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l; 3rd Ron Brubaker – 1993 Pete.

AFTERMARKET SLEEPER: 1st Lynn & Shirley Baxter – 2006 FL; 2nd Bob Greiner – 1997 Pete; 3rd David Kozar, Jr. – 1972 Pete.

BOBTAIL PAINT (NON MURAL): 1st Steve Hendershot – 1985 KW; 2nd Ron Brubaker – 1993 Pete; 3rd Truett Novosad – 2001 Pete.

BOBTAIL PAINT (MURAL): 1st Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l; 2nd Bob & Shelly Brinker – 2000 FL; 3rd Sean McEndree – 2005 Pete.

COMBO PAINT (NON MURAL): 1st Brad Caton – 2007 Pete; 2nd Vaughn Miller – 1995 Pete; 3rd Ted Dykes, Sr. – 1992 Pete.

LIMITED MILEAGE PAINT (NON MURAL): 1st Keith Everett – 2007 Pete; 2nd Bobby Lindamood – 2007 Pete; 3rd Jake Lindamood – 2007 Pete.

LIMITED MILEAGE PAINT (MURAL): 1st James Gobel – 2001 Pete.

ENGINE: 1st Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l; 2nd Bob & Shelly Brinker – 2000 FL; 3rd Edward Bosket – 2007 FL.

ANTIQUE (NON WORKING): 1st Philip Donaldson – 1963 Mack B-61; 2nd Eric Hardage – 1963 Mack B-83; 3rd David Kozar, Jr. – 1972 Pete.

ANTIQUE (WORKING): 1st Donnie & Donald Martinek – 1979 KW.

BOBTAIL (1982-1991): 1st Mike Ladd – 1982 Pete.

BOBTAIL (1992-1999): 1st Ron Brubaker – 1993 Pete.

BOBTAIL (2000-2002): 1st Bob & Shelly Brinker – 2000 FL; 2nd (tie) Truett Novosad – 2001 Pete AND Jeff Hamilton – 2001 KW; 3rd Julian “Big Daddy” Perez – 2002 FL.

BOBTAIL (2003-2005): 1st Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l; 2nd Sean McEndree – 2005 Pete; 3rd David Foster – 2005 KW.

BOBTAIL (2006-NEWER): 1st Edward Bosket – 2007 FL; 2nd Leonard Martin – 2007 FL; 3rd Curt Miller – 2007 Int’l.

COMBO (1984-1991): 1st Jeff Hardage – 1986 Pete.

COMBO (1992-1999): 1st Vaughn Miller – 1995 Pete; 2nd Calvin & Ellen Long – 1998 Pete; 3rd Tommy Roach – 1999 Pete.

COMBO (2000-NEWER): 1st Dan Worley – 2007 KW.

FLEET-OWNED BOBTAIL: 1st Randy Supak – 2007 Pete; 2nd David Kozar – 2004 Pete; 3rd Rene Leiva – 1996 Pete.

FLEET-OWNED COMBO: 1st Billy Shaw – 2007 Pete; 2nd Phillip Clayton – 2005 Pete; 3rd Walt Fritz – 2007 Pete.

LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL: 1st James Gobel – 2001 Pete; 2nd Cash Rainer – 2007 Pete; 3rd Jake Lindamood – 2007 Pete.

LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO: 1st Bobby Lindamood – 2007 Pete; 2nd Keith Everett – 2007 Pete; 3rd Bob Greiner – 1997 Pete.

SHOW TRUCK: 1st Adrian Rocamontes – 1998 Pete; 2nd Robert Pike – 1998 KW; 3rd Ben Brownlow – 1994 Pete.

SPECIALTY: 1st Brad Caton – 2007 Pete; 2nd Steve Hendershot – 1985 KW; 3rd Lynn & Shirley Baxter – 2006 FL.

CHARITY’S CHOICE: Julian “Big Daddy” Perez – 2002 FL.

PARTICIPANT’S CHOICE: Bob & Shelly Brinker – 2000 FL.

BEST OF SHOW BOBTAIL: Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Int’l.

BEST OF SHOW COMBO: Jeff Hardage – 1986 Pete.

BEST OF SHOW LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL: James Gobel – 2001 Pete.

BEST OF SHOW LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO: Keith Everett – 2007 Pete.