Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, MI, topped the competition for the Truck-Lite Trophy at the 2007 Mid-America Trucking Show. Their 2000 Freightliner, themed after the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” was one of six qualifying trucks from the 2006 NAST (National Association of Show Trucks) Truck-Lite Trophy show circuit. The Truck-Lite Trophy represents the show truck National Championship.
During a year long competition that showcased some of the nation’s finest show trucks, one qualifier was selected from each of six NAST shows. The runoff for the championship was held in the front parking lot at the Mid America Trucking Show (MATS). Tim Walker, Truck-Lite Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, presented the 2006 Trophy to the Brinkers during a press conference at MATS. The permanent Trophy was on display in the Truck-Lite booth, where it was seen by thousands of truckers.
The Brinker’s earned the 2003 Truck-Lite Trophy with the same Freightliner, then named “Dragon On. The truck was completely repainted in 2005 to honor the Brinkers’ deceased daughter, a great fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The astonishing truck exhibits detailed muraling, inside and out, along with nearly three hundred Truck-Lite LEDs. For example, its engine is hand painted to look like a wooden pirate’s chest.
With no detail overlooked the Brinker’s take great pride in their working truck. Bob has been driving since 1981. Shelly, a full time sergeant in the Michigan Army National Guard, also holds a CDL and its military equivalent. Shelley was a co-driver for ten years.
Second place went to Ron & Jan Huey, Greensburg, IN, veteran show-truckers but newcomers to the Truck-Lite Trophy. Their silver 2000 International bobtail was decorated with nearly two hundred lights. Ron has dedicated the last thirty years of his life to the industry and has put over 1.3 million miles on his International. With over twenty four truck shows under his belt, Ron has decided to retire his show truck at the top of his game.
Other qualifiers for the runoff competition were:
- Pierre Cinq-Mars, Iron Bridge Ontario, 2002 Western Star
- Rick Hitchcock, Webberville MI, 2005 Peterbilt
- Billy Hopkins, Kaufman TX, 2001 Peterbilt
- Joe Schmitt, Brillion WI, 2003 Kenworth
The Truck-Lite Trophy has become the symbol of excellence in show truck competition. Truck-Lite has been the title trophy sponsor for NAST since 1998. Together, NAST and Truck-Lite continue to promote a positive image of the trucking industry. To qualify for the Trophy Series Championship, all trucks must be true working trucks used daily in commercial service.
For more information about NAST or to enter any of the seven 2007 NAST Truck-Lite Trophy Shows, please visit the NAST website, www.nastshowtrucks.org, or contact Bo Trout, NAST President, (734) 604-3242.
Truck-Lite Co., Inc. is headquartered in Falconer New York, with additional manufacturing facilities in Wellsboro, Coudersport, and McElhattan, Pennsylvania, as well as Birmingham England, Harlow England, Eisenach, Germany, Poland, Mexico, and Belarus. Truck-Lite is a major producer of signal lighting, forward lighting, wiring harnesses, mirrors, turn signal switches, and safety accessories to the heavy duty truck, trailer, and commercial vehicle industries.
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