Neal Holsomback is rooting for his son Jay who is competing at this year’s Shell Rotella SuperRigs. The elder Holsomback knows a thing or two about winning truck beauty contests.
“I won the tractor trailer division in 1999 and was featured in the 2000 Shell Rotella calendar,” he said. Holsomback also won an award in 2005 in the classic division.
Loads of chrome, paint and lights along with almost non-stop polishing and buffing have been on display for the past two days at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Tex. Truckers with their families, friends and supporters are showcasing their big rigs while gathering as a community to celebrate their way of life.
Daily cleaning
Winnipeg-based Jade Transport driver Andrew Worth was busy cleaning his truck after a downpour and was deliberating whether he would enter the judging lane on the first day of the competition or wait for the weather to improve. He decided to get judged later in the evening.
Worth said he keeps the truck and tanker trailer clean by wiping it down daily and getting the rig washed whenever possible. “It’s a daily routine, I try and keep everything organized and spend a bit of time and don’t let things get built up,” he said.
Tarik Al-Amin, competing with a limited mileage Freightliner cabover, said his is competing to support his son who enjoys the truck show circuit. He added it’s a lot easier to stay on top of things if the truck is cleaned regularly.
With more than 110 trucks in the mix, competition is fierce this year and a big rig must be truly special to be chosen as a SuperRig.
Judge Eric Harley said it is all in the details. Judges look at the truck’s application and if it’s working regularly, and check if drivers are maintaining it.
Judge Jami Jones agreed. “All these trucks are beautiful, details elevate them to the next level,” she said. “It’s never going to be perfect, but it has to be maintained properly.”
Cleanliness is very important as well. Jones added that sometimes it boils down to a point or two in choosing a winner.
Cleanliness is number one when trucker and judge Mike Gaffin rates a truck. “You can’t miss wiping off a wheel cover. You will have to go under your truck and clean off the grease,” he said.
Working trucks will have chips, scrapes and dents. Judges will pay close attention to whether those have been worked upon. A touch of paint and polish shows that the rig is being maintained.
The mood was festive during the event celebrating the trucking community. The parking lot was dotted with camp chairs and coolers as families soaked in the atmosphere.
Shell Rotella is keen to support truckers, their community and aims to strengthen the relationship with them while understanding their industry, said Julie Wright, Shell Rotella brand manager.
“SuperRigs gives us an opportunity to celebrate them, enjoy time with them and thank them for the work they do to keep the country moving,” Wright said.