Winning for the Kids

Thanks to the generosity of truckers, children suffering from kidney disease will receive a special treat. The 12th annual Great Salt Lake Truck Show held in Salt Lake City raised $80,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Utah. The proceeds will send children who need kidney and liver transplants, along with their families, to the Kidney Camp for Kids in Aspen Grove, Utah.

Deen Vetterlie, executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Utah, spoke to the truckers at their awards ceremony. She said her organization was overwhelmed with their contribution, and that the truckers had made a tremendous impact on the lives of the children.

“Because of you, these kids are around someone else their age who understands what they’re going through,” she said. “Thank you for what you’ve done.

I’ve heard many kids at camp say, ‘I feel like a normal teenager.'”

There were 97 trucks entered in the truck beauty show, which also hosted a car show. Jeff England, president of Pride Transport in Salt Lake City, said the show has grown over the years, and the last 4 years have been instrumental in raising money for the kidney camp.

In an effort to raise more money, this year the show hosted a concert featuring country music artist Toby Keith. Money raised comes mostly from registrants, vendors and numerous sponsors.

“Our sponsors are very generous,” England said. “We added the concert because we saw that most large shows, such as the Mid-America Trucking Show, have entertainment, and we felt it might attract more people.”

Volunteers who work in the trucking industry formed the organization that hosts the show. The show began when trucker Leonard Freeman approached England about having a truck beauty show. Freeman’s son, John David, 8 years old at the time, needed a kidney transplant, and Freeman was unemployed.

“I’ve been given credit for starting the show, but it began when Freeman came to me,” England said. “His son was our poster child during the first years of the show. He helped pass out trophies. He endured a lot in his young life.”

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This 1953 Peterbilt won the Competitors’ Choice trophy for Dino Guadagni of Western Distributors in Denver.

More than winning
This was Marc Carling’s first truck beauty show. He entered his company truck in the rookie class representing Fleming Companies of Salt Lake City. He hoped to win but when he saw the other trucks in the show, he felt his chances were slim. Carling, a Salt Lake City resident, was happy to take home a second-place trophy and contribute to a worthwhile charity.

“I didn’t realize the show was for a charity until I got here, and that makes the show even better,” he said. “I’m pleased with any place since it’s my first show. The hard work was worth it. I wasn’t ready for it when they called my name. I was surprised.”

The best-of-show trophy and a gift certificate for $500 in fuel from Flying J went to Chuck Prigge of Sandvik Trucking in Valley Center, Calif., for his white and purple 1996 Peterbilt. He also took home trophies for first place in 1996 or newer bobtail, first place in OEM sleeper, first place in custom paint/graphics bobtail, first place in engine and second place in lights bobtail. Prigge said his truck had won several trophies lately, but he was surprised to receive this one.

“I thought others would win so this was a big surprise,” he said. “It makes it more special because of the charity.”

Dino Guadagni of Western Distributors in Denver took home the Competitors’ Choice award and a gift certificate for $275 from Flying J for his blue 1953 Peterbilt. He also won first place in open show professional, second place in OEM sleeper, and third place in engine. Guadagni had to return to work before the awards ceremony, but fellow trucker Rick Walker accepted the trophy for him.

“Dino said he’d like to thank everyone with the show, especially the judges and the people who voted for his truck,” Walker said. “He’s always liked this show and was happy to win here.”

Jim Herd of Garrison Transportation Services in Salt Lake City won the People’s Choice award for this 1998 Peterbilt and matching trailer.

The People’s Choice award and $250 in fuel from Flying J went to Jim Herd of Garrison Transportation Services in Salt Lake City for his green 1998 Peterbilt with a green and blue trailer. He also took home trophies for third place in company combination and first place in custom paint/graphics combination.

“I’m elated,” Herd said. “It means a great deal to me to be recognized by the people who attended and because of all the hard work. I was happy to participate and help the kids.”

Each first-place class award won $175 in fuel from Flying J.


Other winners were:

OEM Sleeper: Dennis Harris, 1994 Kenworth, third place.

Custom Sleeper: Bill Sandvik, 1992 Peterbilt, first place.

Custom Paint/Graphics Combination: Dean Jay, 2001 Peterbilt, second place; Dennis Harris, 1994 Kenworth, third place.

Custom Paint/Graphics Bobtail: Gary Bredeweg, 2001 Peterbilt, second place; Mike Miller, 2000 Peterbilt, third place.

Mural Bobtail: Dale Moore, 1968 Kenworth, first place; Norms, 1998 Peterbilt, second place.

Engine: Bill Sandvik, 1992 Peterbilt, second place.

Lights Combination: Bill Sandvik, 1992 Peterbilt, first place; Dennis Harris, 1994 Kenworth, second place; Chris Penland, 1999 Peterbilt, third place.

Lights Bobtail: Mike Strickland, 1980 Peterbilt, first place; Lee Sadler, 2000 Kenworth, third place.

Best Display: Tim Fleury, 1997 Peterbilt, first place; Brent Taylor, 2000 Freightliner, second place; Bill Sandvik, 1992 Peterbilt, third place.

New Combination: Dean Jay, 2001 Peterbilt, first place; Alpha Transport, 2001 Kenworth, second place.

1996 or Newer Combination: Dean Jay, 1999 Peterbilt, first place; Miller Brothers, 2000 Volvo, second place; Dale Jay, 1998 Kenworth, third place.

1986-1995 Combination: Bill Sandvik, 1992 Peterbilt, first place; Dennis Harris, 1994 Kenworth, second place; Bill Pierce, 1986 Peterbilt, third place.

1976-1985 Combination: Jeff England, 1984 Kenworth, first place; Gary Amoth, 1981 Kenworth, second place.

New Bobtail: Muhl Trucking, 2002 Freightliner, first place; Ellis and Sylvia Wagner, 2002 Peterbilt, second place; DST, 2002 Freightliner, third place.

1996 or Newer Bobtail: Norms, 1998 Peterbilt, second place; Mike Miller, 2000 Peterbilt, third place.

1986-1995 Bobtail: Norms, 1988 Kenworth, first place.

1975 or Older Bobtail: Stan Hogan, 1959 Kenworth, first place; Don Redmond, 1969 Peterbilt, second place; Dan Poulson, 1964 Kenworth, third place.

Company Combination: Western Distributors, 2001 Kenworth, first place; Western Distributors, 1999 Peterbilt, second place.

Company Bobtail: Gary Bredeweg, 2001 Peterbilt, first place; Miller Brothers, 1978 Kenworth, second place; Marc McElroy, 2001 Freightliner, third place.

Antique: McFarlane and Hullinger, 1950 Ford F-6, first place; Don Redmond, 1952 GMC, second place; Kip Bangerter, 1953 International, third place.

Long Combination Vehicle: Alpha Transport, 1998 Kenworth, first place; Hugoe Trucking Inc., 2000 Kenworth, second place; Evan Christenson, 1999 Freightliner, third place.

Specialized: Steve Magozstovics, 1978 Kenworth, first place; Hy and Carl’s Waste, 1997 Peterbilt, second place; Miller Bros., 1976 Peterbilt, third place.

Open Show Professional: Mark Strickland, 1980 Peterbilt, second place.

Rookie: Western Distributors, 2001 Peterbilt, first place; Brent Taylor, 2000 Freightliner, third place.

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