Past winners and one lucky reader to compete in Four Wheeler magazine’s 20th Annual Top Truck Challenge
21 rigs battle it out to see who is the Ultimate King of the Hill in Hollister, Calif.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (April 25, 2012) – For the 20th anniversary of the Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge, the editors decided to invite all of the past Grand Champions to test their mettle against one another to determine who is truly the “best of the best,” as they square off over five grueling days of competition at the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area in California. If assembling the past champions wasn’t enough, as an extra twist, one lucky reader was voted by readers to go head-to-head to see if they can hang with these elite drivers.
As luck would have it, this year’s invited reader is Ron George, someone who is familiar with the competition. He placed third as a competitor in 2007. Readers were asked to submit entries and were then voted on by their peers. The Osceola, Iowa, resident earned the most votes and now has his shot at retribution.
This June, the following past champions will stand in George’s way:
Alex Sanders – Salem, Ark., 2011 Co-Winner
Jason Gray – Amity, Ore., 2010 Co-Winner
Dave Green – Red Deer, AB, CAN, 2009 Winner
Jeremy Naeger – Bloomsdale, Mo., 2008 Co-Winner
Brent Burton – Colstrip, Mont., 2006 Winner
Brad Austin – Mustang, Okla., 2004 Winner
Brian Waddell – Vancouver, Wash., 2001 Winner
Heath Biggs – Fayetteville, Ark., 1998 Winner
Shannon Campbell – Gilbert, Ariz., 1996 Winner
Anthony Fox – Port Orchard, Wash., 1994 Winner
Steve Montpas – Roseburg, Ore., 2011 Co-Winner
Mike Karwath – Union, Ky., 2010 Co-Winner
Claton Kraatz – Calgary, AB, CAN, 2008 Co-Winner
Matt Thorson – Santa Rosa, Calif., 2007 Winner
Jerry Duffy – Twin Falls, Idaho, 2005 Winner
Toby Harrell – San Angelo, Texas, 2003 Winner
Sam Patton – Tulsa, Okla., 2000 Winner
Geby Wager – Kelowna, BC, CAN, 1997 Winner
Randy Ellis – Phoenix, Ariz., 1995 Winner
James Piatt – West Sacramento, Calif., 1993 Winner
The Top Truck Challenge consists of seven stages of competition: Hill Climb, Obstacle Course, Mud Pit, Frame Twister, Mini Rubicon, Tow Test and Tank Trap. The competitor with the highest aggregate score will be crowned the Top Truck Challenge Champion.
“We’re really looking forward to the 20th Anniversary Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge,” said John Cappa, editor-in-chief. “We know the competition will be fierce this year – 20 of the 21 guys have won this event in the past. As for Ron George, he is the one person in the history of the competition who has gotten a chance to come back and rectify his past performance. Payback is certainly in the cards. There have been 190 competitors, only 22 past winners and co-winners, and just ONE person to get another chance, so with Ron as the wild card we should definitely be in for some exciting wheeling out in Hollister. ”
The Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge will take place in early June and the event is closed to the public. However, fans can get daily updates at www.fourwheeler.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fourwheelermag.
About Four Wheeler Magazine:
Four Wheeler Magazine, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, is the country’s oldest and most respected four-wheel drive enthusiast publication, with a readership of more the 2.2 million. Published monthly since 1962, Four Wheeler editorial includes basic-to-advanced DIY tech, worldwide events and after market trends. Vehicles covered range from late-model daily drivers to advanced trail rigs.
About Source Interlink Media:
Source Interlink Media, LLC is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 75 publications, 100 Web sites, 800 branded products, 50+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.
