TEN FOUR MAGAZINE - TRUCKING ON-LINE MAGAZINE FOR TRUCKERS

AUGUST 2003 TRUCKER TALK

24 YEARS OF
TRUE APPRECIATION
By Truckers & Roving Reporters Bob & Suzanne Stempinski

Walcott, Iowa has been home to the Trucker’s Jamboree for 24 years. This year, more than 25,000 people made the Jamboree their destination – visiting 170 exhibitors, toe tapping to live country music, participating in the Trucker Olympics (just imagine pulling a 12,000 lb cement truck with your bare hands) and pet contest, eating Iowa’s famous pork chops and looking at trucks, trucks, and more trucks!

The Iowa 80 Truck Stop once again hosted this amazing event where trucks and truck drivers are given a measure of appreciation second to none! Over 200 antique trucks were on display and 50 beautiful working show trucks competed in the Super Truck Beauty Contest. Familiar favorites and striking newcomers showed off their best sides with freshly polished aluminum, blindingly brilliant chrome and stainless and paint waxed to a glossy shine.

Chris Lewis (former August 2002 cover truck) unveiled his freshly repainted 1999 Peterbilt 379. With a sparkling white and blue paint scheme outside, inside and under the hood, as well as a freshly stretched frame (now a whopping 310"), this truck looks completely different – like its name – “New Identity.” Lewis added a 16" painted drop visor, lowered the suspension 2", removed all the door handles (they now open via remote control), suicided the sleeper doors, added 5-bell train horns (loud, loud, loud) – all going for the long, clean low-rider look. It seems to have worked – he brought home four trophies for his efforts!

Taking theme to a new level, Ryan Avenarius detailed the interior and exterior of his 2001 gray and orange Freightliner in incredible Harley style – going so far as to remove the steering wheel and replace it with Harley handlebars (he adds a ring when driving to make it legal). Pegs serve as footrests and Harley mirrors are mounted at the corners of the windshield – all in addition to the flames and strategically placed helmet.

Winner of the coveted Trucker’s Choice (voted on by the other participants), as well as four additional trophies, “Tanker Dave” Marcotte and his immaculately appointed 1992 Peterbilt 379 & 1978 Heil Tanker, “Liquid Chicken” always draws a crowd for his incredible attention to detail – including a ceramic tile floor, loads of chicken lights and a steering wheel to raise and lower his landing gear.

Next year’s Jamboree will celebrate the 25th Anniversary and promises to be bigger and better than ever – mark your calendars now for July 8-9, 2004 – and make Walcott, Iowa your destination. The rest of the winners of the Super Truck Beauty Contest were:

2004-2001 BOBTAIL: 1st Ryan Avenarius (Significant Other); 2nd Harvey Zander (Icy Blu II); 3rd Chris Hammen
2000-1994 BOBTAIL: 1st Chris Lewis (New Identity); 2nd Mike Knezevich (Desert Breeze); 3rd Neal Dykman
1993-1987 BOBTAIL: 1st Tim Stevenson
1986-1979 BOBTAIL: 1st Lavern Cross; 2nd Darrel Madden (SuperDog); 3rd Louis Szarneczky
1986-1979 BOBTAIL (Show Only): 1st Larry Winkler (Barnyard Beast)
1978 & OLDER BOBTAIL: 1st Paul Marcotte; 2nd Tim Miller (Pete’s Dragon)
2004-1999 COMBO: 1st Rod & Kim Grimm (Illusion); 2nd Shawn Swanson; 3rd Doug Perkins
1998-1990 COMBO: 1st Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken); 2nd Randy Huddleston; 3rd Troy Huddleston
1989 & OLDER COMBO: 1st Billy Baker
PAINT / GRAPHICS (Bobtail): 1st Larry Winkler (Barnyard Beast); 2nd Chris Lewis (New Identity); 3rd Mike Knezevich (Desert Breeze)
PAINT / MURALS (Bobtail): 1st Harvey Zander (Icy Blu II); 2nd Carl Johnson (Icy Blu I); 3rd Tim Miller (Pete’s Dragon)
PAINT / GRAPHICS (Combo): 1st Randy Huddleston; 2nd Rod & Kim Grimm (Illusion); 3rd Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken)
PAINT / MURALS (Combo): 1st Dale Ison (Dragonmaster)
POLISH & DETAIL: 1st Harvey Zander (Icy Blu II); 2nd Chris Lewis (New Identity); 3rd Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken)
INTERIOR (OEM Sleeper): 1st Doug Barton (Bug’s Large Ride); 2nd Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken); 3rd Ryan Avenarius (Significant Other)
INTERIOR (Custom Sleeper): 1st Mike Knezevich (Desert Breeze); 2nd Carl Johnson (Icy Blu I); 3rd Bill & Joyce Rucker
LIGHTS BOBTAIL: 1st Ryan Avenarius (Significant Other); 2nd Chris Lewis (New Identity); 3rd Kary Winebrenner
LIGHTS COMBO: 1st Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken); 2nd Darrell Long; 3rd Shawn Swanson
BEST OVERALL THEME: Ryan Avenarius (Significant Other)
SHOW CLASS: Dale Ison (Dragonmaster)
SPECIALTY CLASS: Ernie Vole (Showtime)
TRUCKER’S CHOICE: Dave Marcotte (Liquid Chicken)