10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

TRUCKERFEST 2004
Hot Rods & Hot Rigs Heat Up Reno - again!
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What could be more fun than going to a place where thousands of hot rods are cruising around, gambling is legal (and encouraged), the food is great, the party never stops, the mountain and city views are gorgeous whichever way you look, and, oh yea, a truck show is taking place! With a Stars & Stripes truck beauty contest, late night cruises through downtown, trucker games and free food, Truckerfest 2004, held at the Petro Stopping Center in Reno/Sparks, Nevada on August 5-7, was again a terrific celebration of trucking’s best.

As awesome as the town of Reno is once you arrive, getting there is almost as exciting. Coming from Southern California up Hwy. 395 is always a treat. From the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains to the tall trees near Mammoth, from scenic Mono Lake to the historical town of Bridgeport, it seemed the views were ever-changing and more breathtaking around every corner. And let’s not forget the “must always stop” location in Bishop, CA at Schat’s Bakery for the best breads ever tasted. The drive was nice, but once we pulled into town, it was all business from there!

As it did last year, Truckerfest shared the spotlight in Reno with Hot August Nights - an annual event celebrating the cars and music of the 50s and 60s. And as spectacular as the hot rods were, we think the large cars still stood them up. Friday night and Saturday night featured big rigs parading through the center of town, down Virginia Avenue under the famous Reno Arch, until well after midnight. Last year, truckers were told to be quiet (which was not well-received), but this year they were given the green light to make some noise. Unfortunately, some took it a little too far and, quite frankly, may have ruined it for next year.

During the day, the Alamo truckstop was the place to be. With live entertainment from Joey Holiday, free steakburger meals, fun trucker games, vendor booths and the best-lookin’ trucks around, there was a lot to see and do. Hosted by the zany Ken Cummings of Newport Communications, the trucker games included musical hay bales and a water balloon toss. Ken, with his wild commentary and silly hat, had the crowds laughing all day. On Saturday, United Blood Services brought out their bus and collected about 20 pints of blood from some willing (and some not-so-willing) truckers.

Late Saturday afternoon, the awards were presented in a tiny little area (not even a room) at the Silver Legacy Hotel & Casino. With seating for about 120, some 200 or more people showed up. The crowd made quite a scene at the hotel. This year’s standouts included Mike Maggini’s yellow and green Pete, Rod Pickett’s slammed black Pete, Western Distributing’s uniquely-painted 1954 KW, and several trucks with murals depicting Pirate ships, trains, cows, flames, trucks, flags, dragons and howling wolves. Featuring what seems to be the latest trend, many trucks had less chrome and lights, and more painted accessories like visors and air cleaners. Trevin Frederiksen’s orange and purple Pete is a good example of this new style that is rapidly gaining popularity.

For some, just getting to the show was an accomplishment. Three weeks before the event, Randy Rebillard got the shocking news from his wife Jona that his father had passed away from a brain aneurysm. They almost didn’t come to the show at all. But knowing that his father would have wanted them to go, Randy and Jona made a last-minute decision and went to Reno - and boy were they glad. The Rebillards were totally stunned when they heard their names called as the Best of Show Bobtail winner, but no one who saw their Pete was surprised - it was looking good. Randy, I’m sure your dad is proud.

The local chapter of the American Truck Historical Society gave out a few awards of their own, recognizing some of the nicer antiques at the show, with the top honor going to George Van Dyke for his 1950s GMC, while Gordon Evans’ 1960 Autocar took the runner-up slot. Our congratulations go out to all of the winners at Truckerfest 2004.
We’d like to say a special “thank you” to all of the friendly folks who came by our booth and had kind words to say about the magazine. It’s always nice to get out of the office and hang out with all of our trucking friends. We hope to see you all next year in Reno/Sparks for another “hot” time at Truckerfest 2005. Stay tuned for dates and details.

WORKING (COMBO): 1st Maggini & Son Trucking/Mike Maggini – 1998 Yellow & Green Peterbilt 379/2002 Utility Flatbed Trailer; 2nd Trevin Frederiksen – 1987 Orange & Purple Peterbilt 379/2005 Great Dane Reefer; 3rd Klassic Rock, Inc./Floyd & Shay Johnson – 2005 Flame Red Pearl Metallic Peterbilt 379/2005 Reliance Transfer Dump; 4th Corey & Hilary Wardlaw – 1993 Yellow Kenworth W900L/2004 Reliance Transfer Dump; 5th Western Distributing/Rick Walker – 1953 Blu-ish Peterbilt/2004 Competition Auto Transporter.

WORKING (BOBTAIL): 1st Randy & Jona Rebillard – 2002 Blue Peterbilt 379; 2nd Jacobs Trucking/Jose Romero – 2004 Saddle Brown & Black Peterbilt 379; 3rd Ron & Jan Huey – 2000 Metallic Silver International 9400; 4th Rick Sladek – 2002 Viper Red Kenworth W900L; 5th Shaun Heater – 1996 Mocha Pearl & Dark Red Peterbilt 379.

LIMITED MILEAGE: 1st Pickett Custom Trucks/Rod Pickett – 1977 Black Flamed Peterbilt 359/1988 Warrior Auto Transporter; 2nd Gordon Evans – 1960 Cream & Red Autocar; 3rd CMS Trucking/Chris Schmidt – 2002 Light Blue Kenworth W900L/2003 Raven Dump; 4th George Van Dyke Trucking/George Van Dyke – 2000 White Peterbilt 379; 5th Western Distributing/Bob Newhouse – 1954 Blue Kenworth.

LIGHTS (COMBO): 1st Maggini & Son Trucking/Mike Maggini – 1998 Yellow & Green Peterbilt 379/2002 Utility Flatbed Trailer; 2nd Pickett Custom Trucks/Rod Pickett – 1977 Black Flamed Peterbilt 359/1988 Warrior Auto Transporter; 3rd Maggini & Son Heavy Haulin/Bobby Ipsen – 2000 Yellow & Green Peterbilt 379/2002 Murray Lowboy.

LIGHTS (BOBTAIL): 1st Mike & Ruth Knezevich – 1998 Burgundy Peterbilt 379; 2nd/3rd (tie) Asbury Trucking/Bob Crutchfield – 1999 Blue Kenworth W900L and Rick Sladek – 2002 Viper Red Kenworth W900L.

BEST THEME: Rockin’ H Express/Kevin Westmoreland – 2001 Purple & Green Peterbilt 379 – “Barney”.