The red-hot show truck competition seen at this year's Mid-America Trucking Show will get even hotter this summer.
Organizers of the Stars & Stripes Show Truck Series have two more events planned for this year.
The first is at the International Trucking Show, June 27-29 in Las Vegas, and is part of their Show & Shine contest started last year. The other is scheduled for TruckerFest 2001 at the Alamo Travel Plaza in Reno, Nev., Aug. 16-19. Both events, which are sponsored by Chevron, are hosted in cooperation with the National Association of Show Trucks.
At both venues, cash, prizes, trophies and/or plaques will be awarded to the winners of the Best of Show in the bobtail and combination categories, as well as in different classes.
Unlike last year's Stars & Stripes events, which led up to the finals at Mid-America, these events will be stand-alone shows. Newport Communications, organizers of the contests, says the change is only temporary.
"The upcoming two contests will more closely resemble the Paul K. Young Memorial Truck Show held at Mid America, rather than last year's Stars & Stripes qualifier events," said Stars & Stripes Coordinator Bud Farquhar. "Quite simply, the downturn in the economy has caused truck show sponsorship funds to be cut back by some sponsors, so naturally we've had to make some adjustments."
By holding the Stars & Stripes competitions in conjunction with established trucking events, organizers predict substantial participation and crowds of spectators despite the soft economy.
Says Farquhar: "Our plan is that once the economy improves, we can then resume Stars & Stripes as originally intended. As for the prizes to truckers who enter, they are still among the most generous of any truck beauty contest ever held."
Truckers can register for Stars and Stripes events by calling 1-800-787-7808, Ext. 16, or you can get more information at www.starsandstripesshow.com.