10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

HOT RIGS RULE IN RENO
Rigs Roll into Reno for 9th Annual Show

Forty-eight trucks rolled into Reno to compete for trophies in a variety of classes at the 9th Annual 2007 Truckerfest, held at the Alamo Petro in Sparks, Nevada on August 10-11 as part of Reno’s annual Hot August Nights classic car celebration – and once again, the big trucks stole the show. In addition to the show, Truckerfest also featured trucker games, vendor booths and free food. The turnout was great, as more than 1,000 free steak and chicken dinners were served during the two-day event.

The weather in Reno (in August) is always a crap shoot – you never know what you might get. In the past we have seen intense heat, gusty winds and sudden downpours, but we could not have asked for nicer conditions this year. With temperatures in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s, a nice breeze that kicked up near the end of each afternoon and no thunder showers, it was perfect weather for an outdoor truck show. Joey Holiday provided constant entertainment and hosted fun games like musical hay bales and a water balloon toss throughout the show. Several vendors were on hand to promote their products or services and a few trucking companies came to look for new drivers and owner operators.

Jeff Botelho of Los Banos, CA brought out his wild convertible Pete and parked it in the middle of the vendor area. That thing always gets a lot of attention – no matter where he goes. Even while transporting it to and from the shows, he has people taking pictures of it on the trailer and asking questions while they roll down the road. Sometimes, when Jeff sees someone trying to get a good picture, he’ll pass them a copy of the 10-4 Magazine centerfold featuring the truck and say, “Here’s a good picture, if yours doesn’t turn out.” And the people just love it.

The show trucks again joined the classic cars for a “cruise” through downtown Reno on Friday night, but because of some past problems with crowd control, there was no parade on Saturday night. But when the trucks hit the street, after hundreds of awesome hot rods had cruised for quite some time, the crowds went crazy (as they always do). Hot rod rigs are just something that the general public does not get to see that often. Truckers delighted the crowds with their neon lights, blinding chrome and loud engines. Some stopped and dumped their air bags while others hit their train horns and Jake brakes. One trucker, Truett Novosad, stopped under the arch and got his truck to bellow extra thick black smoke out the pipes. But again, Jeff Botelho stole the show when he dropped the tail of his truck on the pavement and put the hammer down, producing a colorful array of smoke and sparks off the back of his truck as he tore down Virginia Street.

This year the awards ceremony was conveniently held on site at the truck stop on Saturday morning. In past year’s it was held at a downtown hotel after the show ended on Saturday night. And when the trophies were handed out, there were a few surprises. Best of Show in the Working Combo class went to a shocked and excited Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY (photo 1). Paul’s 2005 Peterbilt and 2006 Boydston car carrier, painted blue with orange flames, always looks good, but in Reno, his “Hot Wheels” rig looked extra good (photo 7). Two truckers tied for the Best of Show Working Bobtail award – a Stars & Stripes first. Michael Most of Phoenix, AZ and his 1999 yellow Freightliner Classic “Legends & Heroes” (photo 3) shared the title with Randy & Jona Rebillard of Gimli, Manitoba, Canada and their “Tired Iron” 2002 dark blue Pete 379. Andy & Irene Zary drove out their purple 1959 Mack (photo 2) from Saskatoon (Canada) and took top honors in the Best of Show Limited Mileage Bobtail class (it was hard to get a picture of this one because of the massive crowds that were constantly surrounding it). Bill and Marie Sandvik of Valley Center, CA won Best of Show in the Limited Mileage Combo class with their 1998 Peterbilt 379 and Ravens flatbed trailer.

Some other notable trucks included Melvin Maggini’s yellow 1962 Peterbilt (photo 4), Alex Fimbres’ teal-colored Peterbilt (which just keeps getting better), and Bob Cretton’s orange 1996 Peterbilt and black Western curtain van. Juan Gonzalez, owner of A & L Truck Supply, which has three locations in Central California, debuted a super-clean 1957 Peterbilt he just completed (photo 5). Painted bright red and decked out with chrome, this old rig was well-liked by both the attendees and the judges – and Juan has the trophies to prove it. And last but not least, James Davis of Medford, OR brought out an orange and black hot rod Peterbilt that featured some pretty nice paint and custom fabrication (his orange steps with rounded corners were really slick). This was one of our favorite rigs at the show (photo 6).

The truck show ended on Saturday afternoon, but all of the “Best of Show” winners got to parade down the street on Sunday morning with all of the award-winning cars to close out the 2007 Hot August Nights event. Next year’s Truckerfest at Hot August Nights is scheduled for August 8-9. Mark your calendars now, and don’t miss this show – it’s always a great time. Our congratulations go out to all of the winners.

WORKING BOBTAIL FIRST SHOW: 1st Barb Wallace of Carlin, NV – 2007 Freightliner Columbia; 2nd Tom Briton of Canby, OR – 1997 Kenworth 900L; 3rd David Candy of Covington, WA – 2005 Freightliner Classic; 4th Bret Schmid of Sublimity, OR – 1997 Peterbilt 379; 5th William Moore of Silver Springs, NV – 1987 Autocar.

ANTIQUE NON-WORKING BOBTAIL: 1st Juan Gonzalez of Fresno, CA – 1957 Peterbilt 350; 2nd Matt Bryan of La Mesa, CA – 1956 Kenworth; 3rd Phil Callen of Escondido, CA – 1971 Kenworth.

WORKING BOBTAIL 2-AXLE: 1st Alex Fimbres of Apple Valley, CA – 2005 Peterbilt 379; 2nd (tie) Markie Pounds of Bakersfield, CA – 1987 Freightliner Cabover (photo 8) AND Paula Fimbres of Apple Valley, CA – 2006 Mack Vision.

LIGHTS BOBTAIL: 1st Alex Fimbres of Apple Valley, CA – 2005 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Cary Bess of West Jordan, UT – 2005 Kenworth W900L; 3rd Gayron Hopper of Kingman, AZ – 2000 Peterbilt 379.

WORKING BOBTAIL: 1st (tie) Michael Most of Phoenix, AZ – 1999 Freightliner Classic AND Randy & Jona Rebillard of Gimli, Manitoba, Canada – 2002 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Truett Novosad of Caldwell, TX – 2001 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Cary Bess of West Jordan, UT – 2005 Kenworth W900L; 4th Gayron Hopper of Kingman, AZ – 2000 Peterbilt 379; 5th Nick Mitchell of Phoenix, AZ – 2006 Freightliner Classic.

BEST THEME (PRESENTED BY TRUCK RODZ/JONES PERFORMANCE): Gayron Hopper of Kingman, AZ – 2000 Peterbilt 379.

WORKING COMBO FIRST SHOW: 1st Troy Points of Salem, OR – 2003 Peterbilt with East Flatbed; 2nd James & Ronda Thurmand of Columbia, MO – 2007 Freightliner Coronado with Utility Trailer; 3rd John Jackson of Reno, NV – 2006 Volvo 670 with Van Trailer.

LIGHTS COMBO: 1st Tommy & Kim Turner of Cynthiana, KY – 1995 Peterbilt 379 with Transcraft Step Deck; 2nd Shawn Hood of Riverdale, CA – 1994 Peterbilt Cabover with Flatbed Trailer; 3rd Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY – 2005 Peterbilt 379 with Boydston Car Carrier.

WORKING COMBO: 1st Paul Stanchio of Port Washington, NY – 2005 Peterbilt 379 with Boydston Car Carrier; 2nd Bob Cretton of Montague, CA – 1996 Peterbilt 379 with Western Curtain Van; 3rd (tie) Tommy & Kim Turner of Cynthiana, KY – 1995 Peterbilt 379 with 2003 Transcraft Step Deck AND James Davis of Medford, OR – 1994 Peterbilt 379 with 2007 Wilson Curtain Van; 4th Charlie Rogers of Yellem, WA – 1993 Peterbilt 379 with Utility Van; 5th Jeremy Smith of Canby, OR – 1994 Peterbilt 379 with 2007 Wilson Flatbed.

BEST GRAPHICS: Chuck Prigge of Valley Center, CA – 1996 Peterbilt 379.

BEST MURAL: Michael Most of Phoenix, AZ – 1999 Freightliner Classic.

BEST PAINT: James Davis of Medford, OR – 1994 Peterbilt 379.

HIGH POINT FLEET: Gordon Trucking of Pacific, WA.

LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL: 1st Andy & Irene Zary of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada – 1959 Mack B61; 2nd Melvin Maggini of Riverdale, CA – 1962 Peterbilt; 3rd Chuck Prigge of Valley Center, CA – 1996 Peterbilt 379; 4th Colton Pounds of Bakersfield, CA – 2001 Freightliner.

BEST CHROME AND STAINLESS (PRESENTED BY ROADWORKS): (tie) Juan Gonzalez of Fresno, CA – 1957 Peterbilt 350 AND Andy & Irene Zary of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada – 1959 Mack B61.

LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO: 1st Bill & Marie Sandvik of Valley Center, CA – 1998 Peterbilt 379 with Ravens Flatbed; 2nd Mike Maggini of Riverdale, CA – 1998 Peterbilt with Utility Flatbed; 3rd Gary Berrington of Wellington, NV – 1986 Peterbilt 359 with Wilson Drop Deck.