Well, as a lot of you know by now the 2006 Four Wheeler Magazine Top Truck Challenge is complete. Much to my disappointment my run to be voted in for the competition came up a little short on votes. But hey, there is always next year. We’ll see about that in the future. Who knows, we might run Nana for the position if her new build-up is done by then and it should be.

Since I failed to make it to TTC we must depend on our covert operation that was in play. My oldest son Brad was invited to be part of the crew for Dan Dibble who hales from Collierville, Tennessee. He was able to get some great pictures and video for us to work with along with the inside scoop from Dan and some others that were in attendance.

The field was set and it looked to be another great competition again this year with representation from all across the USA and Canada. All of the contestants were greatly relieved that Big Yeller and I didn’t get to come. (Just kidding there) I’m sure that they could have cared less about us, but we would have loved to have put Big Yeller through the test.

The event was once again well organized by the staff, judges and especially Robin Stover. Since he has taken over the reigns of TTC he is continently striving for improvements. The greatest one being that the contestants are allowed to post up pictures and talk about the event. I think it will greatly increase the sales of the magazines and videos.

All of the rigs were very qualified to particpate in the event. They were some of the best drivers and rigs in the world. They would need to be as they would be put through some of the most brutal tests to determine who’s rig would hold up to the stress, which driver could do the best job, and of course, who would have the best luck.

All of the results for the events will not be known until Four Wheeler Magazine releases it in their special issue. But, unlike in the past we do have some of the results.

The contestants that made the trip to Hollister, Ca, were:

#2 Brad Pellett from Longview, TX, in his Cummins powered 2002 Dodge Ram pickup.
#10 Geoff Grothe from Washougal, Wa, in his 1966 Ford Bronco.
#11 Addie Sheeley from Waldon, NY, in a 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ
#16 Cory Hanson from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in a 1989 Toyota
#17 Dan Dibble from Collierville, TN, in a 2003 ASM Rockbuggy
#20 Terry Gilpin from La Torte, TX, in a 1984 Chevy K-3500 crew cab
#23 Brent Burton from Colstrip, MT, in his stretched 4 door Jeep Wrangler TJ
#24 Sam Collins from Washougel, WA, in a 1966 Ford F 250
#38 Brian H. Buck from Seymour, WI, in a 1990 Ford Ranger
#44 Wesley Well from St. Augustine, Fl in a 1969 Kaiser M135A was selected but had to cancel. His spot was filled by first alternate:
#36 Robert Boggio from Winnemucca, NV, in a 1986 Chevy S-10 Extended cab.

Also making the trip as the new first alternate was:
#50 Noel “Dozer” Chadbourne from Clovis, CA, in a 2004 Rock Buggy

For specs on each drivers vehicle refer to www.fourwheeler.com

Well all of the contestants were in place and it was time to “ GET 'ER DONE”

Monday was the picture shoots and the interviews. After this event, it was still a very close competition. :)

Tuesday came the Frame Twister. This is one of the most dreaded events because it is so brutal on the vehicles. They used large boulders at the entrance and this pumped up the difficulty. Cory Hanson from Canada had his timing chain go south on him early in the competition and left them scrambling for parts and missing some of the events. As usual, this proved to be one of the most entertaining events.

Then Thursday came, and with it the dreaded Tank Trap, a truly brutal test of man and machine. This year it appeared not to be too bad in comparison past TTCs, but it did have one of the deepest sections of water and mud in hole #6 that could be remembered. Addie Sheeley was very lucky to draw 1st since she was competing on 37” meats. She would get to run ahead of the trucks that were sporting the monster meats that would dig the holes out deeper. Just as she had done the whole week, she laid into the event with style and class. She hammered the hard running Chevy motor through the canyon and the mud with water coming over the hood several times. She drove through the dreaded #6 water hole with the Vette engine screaming, then turned and dove into the final #7 water hole and winched to the top. Very nicely done Addie! Cory Hanson busted the housing on his portal axle on the rear and disabled him early in the event causing a major extraction effort. Dan Dibble was coming on hard as he knew it was all coming down to this event. He broke a bracket on his front steering cylinder as he flew through the course causing him to suddenly run up the side of the canyon and flip on his side. They were able to right the rig but unable to repair the steering problem. Robert and the S-10 fought with winch problems and had to DNF in hole #6.

The monster water hole #6 continued to eat up the pack with the rigs sinking so deep that water was filling the cabs of the trucks (and remember that these cabs are a long ways off the ground). Most of the competitors would winch their way to the top of the hill and through hole # 7 and across the finish line. There were a larger number of trucks to complete the Tank Trap than in most years but it still proved to be as challenging as usual.

Brent Burton had a real nice run through the Trap as he dug his way through the mud and water with the huge 53" Michelin tires. He remained constant as he had done throughout the events.

As the sun came up Friday on the end of the Top Truck Challenge for 2006 it was announced that Brent Burton and his custom 4 door Jeep Wrangler had taken the coveted 1st prize for TTC for 2006. Sam Collins in his 66 Ford 250 had sealed up the number 2 position and Dan Dibble had finished 3rd in his Buggy.

As usual, Robin Stover and the staff of Four Wheeler had put on a very classy event. Everything went off well and all of the drivers had a great time. New friends were made as the level of sportsmanship was at an all time high. All in all it has been said that this may have been on of the best over all Top Truck Challenges that they have had.

Thanks to all that were involved and participated in this great event. Be sure and check out the Four Wheeler Magazine when it hits the stand and for sure go out and buy the video when it is released. It will be a great show with a lot of action you won’t want to miss.

Until later, gas on it and keep them big tires cleaned out.

God bless you and yours .