Top Truck Challenge is a Wrap

The Top Truck Challenge 2011 is a wrap after three days of swamps, slopes, boulders & quagmire. The challenge concluded Thursday after the final event took out a few rigs in the Tank Trap, hailed as the most difficult challenge of them all. Huge water-filled holes successfully wiped out some of the competitors as they tried to clear the course, dashing the hopes of winning for a few of the participants. AMSOIL Technical Powersports Manager Len Groom sent a report on Friday on the final event of the 2011 TTC, and as expected it was grueling. The Tank Trap swallowed trucks, causing some of them to flip on the steep incline and require an extraction. Some of the holes made it impossible to even see the tires that ranged in size anywhere from 46’ to 54’, which illustrates the magnitude of the challenges found in the Tank Trap.

Despite all the difficulties these competitors faced, the Top Truck Challenge couldn’t wipe out everyone. Taking the win in the Buggy class was Alex Sanders out of Arkansas in his 2008 Chevrolet Buggy. While others battled against the odds in the Tank Trap, Sanders had a good run and cleared it so fast it was hard to get pictures. Overcoming an underdog position, Sanders achieved his stellar performance in a $2,000.00 rig.

Steven Montpas out of Roseburg, OR took home the title in the Truck class with his 1949 Willys pick-up. He performed well and kept ahead of the competition, landing him the top spot. Both winners performed consistently all week, earning them ultimate bragging rights and a trip back to compete in Top Truck 2012.

And so another Top Truck Challenge event is now behind us after a series of impressive attempts from all competitors. Next year Four Wheeler Magazine is inviting past winners to the 20th annual Top Truck Challenge, providing an interesting new platform to shake things up. Congratulations from AMSOIL to all of the competitors who were selected, but especially Alex Sanders and Steven Montpas for outdoing the competition and taking home the glory in what is known as the Olympics of off-roading. Both winners received a shopping spree courtesy of AMSOIL to keep all their toys and equipment running peak.

Top Truck Challenge Day 2

The second day of the Top Truck Challenge wrapped up on Wednesday, and it didn’t go without a hitch. Competitors were introduced to the Obstacle Course, Hill Climb and Mini Rubicon events. AMSOIL Technical Powersports Manager Len Groom provided us with another update straight from Hollister Hills, and reports this years’ event isn’t holding back any punches. Judging by the pictures, these rigs are facing some extreme obstacles as they make their way to through each event and try to remain in the competition.

The Obstacle Course held plenty of surprises for competitors as they attempted to clear it. Deep water and deeper holes proved this to be extremely difficult, catching some of the drivers on the ledge causing them to roll. Despite the challenges the competitors faced, most made it through to face the next challenge-the Hill Climb event.

The Hill Climb is a 60° slope with holes and ditches dug throughout, aimed at either flipping the rigs over or stopping them completely. There is no stopping or backing up in the Hill Climb event, momentum must be maintained while dodging the treacherous terrain at the same time. On a hill that’s difficult to even stand on, let alone drive, most drivers were able to clear it though there were a couple of rollovers.

Up next we saw the Mini Rubicon, one of the most challenging events in the Top Truck Challenge. The proving ground for this event was bigger than in years past, and producers made sure it wouldn’t be easy. In addition to deep holes, giant boulders were placed throughout to ensure some broken parts at the end of the day. In spite of all the hurdles, the Mini Rubicon didn’t take out any competitors and they were all able to move on to the dreaded Tank Trap on Thursday.
The winner of Top Truck Challenge will soon be announced. Be sure to check back later for the next update on what went down in the Tank Trap event, and who won the battle in Top Truck Challenge 2011.

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AMSOIL-Sponsored Top Truck Challenge Now Airing

Back in June, 10 rigs descended on Hollister Hills, CA to compete in the 2010 Top Truck Challenge, each attempting to clear insane obstacles such as the Frame Twister and Tank Trap in the fastest times possible. This event is the only one of its kind and has the ability to take out the most rugged of rigs, never failing to do so. As a primary sponsor AMSOIL was on hand to see what went down, having covered the action earlier this spring. The Top Truck Challenge is the ultimate proving ground for some of the most innovative off-road builds in the country and each one has AMSOIL installed.

In October it was announced here on the AMSOIL Promotions blog that the Top Truck Challenge was airing on the Outdoor Channel. If you haven’t been keeping up with this years’ series, there are only a couple episodes left to see how it all played out so be sure to tune in now. Top Truck Challenge is currently airing on Mondays (4:30pm ET, 7:30 ET, and 2:00AM ET) on the Outdoor Channel (Sep through Dec) Be sure to check your local listings for air times in your region.

In case you missed any of the action, 2010 and past events are also available on DVD by clicking here.

In early February, 100 4x4 Off-Road vehicles gathered in Johnson Valley, CA to compete head to head in a grueling desert race through miles of dirt, sand and rocks in the King of Hammers event. Out of those 100 drivers only 43 made it to the finish over 120 miles away, including AMSOIL Sponsored drivers Brad Lovell with driver Bill Kuntz (AMSOIL #232) of Lovell Rock Racing. AMSOIL has been a sponsor of the Lovell’s for years, and they have never faltered in their efforts to maintain their champion status. In fact, Brad and AMSOIL #232 were only 28 seconds short of the first place finish coming in at an extremely close 2nd. Roger Lovell was also in attendance with AMSOIL #32 starting with a good run, but his team ran into fuel problems that ultimately sidelined their truck and dashed their chances of finishing. In a competition this fierce, anything can and does happen.

Also making it across the finish were Stephen and Brandon Watson of Off-Road Design. (left and below) Stephen approached AMSOIL in 2009 when he needed the AMSOIL edge in the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno 1,000-mile endurance race. He ended up coming in 2nd place out of 11 competitors in that race, rightfully earning him his place in the King of Hammers Event. Weeks of preparation culminated in a 17th place standing at the end of KOH for the Watson brothers, which is pretty good out of 100 entrants. More than halfway through the desert run, Stephen and his co-driver Brandon ended up in an 8-10 truck pileup at the top of the dreaded Sledgehammer trail. After helping to winch the other trucks out of their way, driver Brandon crawled his way up out of the nasty hole that caught the others…no winching necessary. They ended up completing the race without a single mechanical issue, thanks in part to AMSOIL drivetrain and power steering fluids.

Off-Road Designs’ placement in this King of the Hammers also earned their spot in next year’s KOH event, where they will join Lovell Rock Racing in another attempt at clinching the title…or at the very least, making it across the finish again after covering miles of damaging terrain. This year’s event is barely over, and we already look forward to the opportunity of getting AMSOIL out on this punishing proving ground once again.

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Photo Credits: Image at top right courtesy race volunteer Amanda Stroder; start of the race pic courtesy of Chaplain Steve Hanson; finish line image at bottom courtesy Scott Riley of Bighorn Graphics.

A Few More Images from TTC

The AMSOIL-sponsored Top Truck Challenge is not open to the public and even the competitors are limited to three guests. As each year passes the trucks get more and more competitive. The tube buggies typically do well but there were a couple short wheelbase front wheel steering trucks that put up a good fight this year. Doug Kahlstrom in his 1970 Dodge Power Wagon placed fifth out of ten behind the four tube buggies.

As with every year there were a few surprises. On Thursday Wayne Sheeley and his co-driver/wife Addie flipped their Jeep FC-170 over backwards in hole two of the tank trap and were trapped underwater for a few seconds as the recovery crew and host Tony Becker pulled them out. (See image in yesterday's blog post.) Thanks to a quick response nobody was injured.

Third place winner Leroy Latham in his 2008 homemade monster buggy was a strong runner all week. He wasn’t afraid to use the throttle and try different lines. He rolled twice, once in the hill climb and again in the mini-rubicon. Thank goodness for the five point restraint! Second place winner Brett Jerome in his Jeep TJ buggy was a favorite all week with his big air finishes. On Tuesday he launched his truck out of the frame twister logs so high he came down and blew both rear tires off the beads. Wednesday during the hill climb his fly by wire throttle hung and he flew into the trees off course. This mistake may have cost him first place.

First place winner David Green in his 2004 homemade tube buggy was the epitome of consistency all week. He finished every event in the top five or better despite hurting a piston in his 5.9 Cummins in the mud run on Tuesday.

According to our man on the scene Len Groom, "The one remark I consistently heard all week was that AMSOIL is the best for a reason. We not only make excellent products we back them up with support."

Thanks to everyone from Four Wheeler magazine and Source Interlink who pour their hearts and imaginations into making this such a fabulous event... and to all the other sponsoring companies who help make it happen.

2009 Top Truck Challenge Underway in Hollister

Here at AMSOIL we're anxiously awaiting the results of this years’ Top Truck Challenge, which pits the toughest 4x4’s against one another in a series of endurance tests. As a sponsor of this event, AMSOIL is on hand to witness 10 competitors and 2 alternates battle it out for title of 2009 Top Truck Challenger. Not an easy feat by any means, the competitors were chosen by readers of Four Wheeler Magazine for this three-day slugfest. Over the course of these three grueling days, the vehicles are put through trials so extreme it’s amazing they were conceived, let alone attempted.

Day One the competitors were broken in by performing the Tow Test in which each truck had to tow a heavy object up a steep hill. Next up was the Hill Climb featuring a 400 foot steep climb that is not only timed, but near impossible to reach the top without the power and grit to finish without flipping or breaking. Followed next by an obstacle course through water, hills, and other objects meant to take down the weakest; Day One does not go easy on these competitors.

Day Two brings even tougher challenges and possibly even an end to some of the competitors’ involvement in this event. First up is the Frame Twister, which is pretty self-explanatory. Drivers attempt to make it through a wicked obstacle course that culminates in a 20-yard section of logs without hitting course marker cones, staffers, or winching. Ten minutes max. Penalties are applied for each infraction. Only the boldest make it through to the end. From there it is on to the Mud Pit, a huge hole filled with water, dirt, and near-impossible odds. This year none of the competitors were able to clear it, so the winner of this trial is determined by the truck that made it the furthest. The end of Day Two brings the Mini-Rubicon, a trek through a 40-yard rock pile. Sound easy? It’s not. Four Wheeler Magazine calls it ‘a rock-crawling nightmare’ and last year only two of the competitors were successful in completing this challenge. Boulders, tire-swallowing holes, and nasty entrances and exits to this course make it an extreme 125 feet of metal bending.

If, by Day Three, any of the competitors and their trucks are still standing, they take on the dreaded Tank Trap. While it is ‘only’ a quarter-mile, it runs uphill through a valley that climbs 195 feet in elevation from start to finish that has humbled many a driver before. Within that quarter-mile, drivers will attempt to conquer slippery rock waterfalls, loose dirt climbs, and seven deep water holes within 30 minutes. The track builders go to great lengths to ensure every inch of the course is as twisted and challenging as possible, and they succeed. This event is worth double the points than previous trials if completed, which goes to show drivers are definitely earning them should they reach the end.

Watch this space next week for an update on the final results and more photos from this extreme challenge.

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AMSOIL Declared ‘Turtle Expedition Proven’

Gary and Monika Westcott have seen more sights, sounds and places in the world than most will in a lifetime. Experienced travelers, they have made it their goal to do the impossible at times. In 1996 they drove completely across Russia (including Eastern Siberia) in an adventure both American and Russian experts said could not be done. With 600 miles of driving on frozen Lena River, to arriving at the northernmost city in the world that can be driven to in Hammerfest, Norway, these voyages are not for the faint of heart.

Gary and Monika are now preparing to embark on a two-year adventure from Lisbon, Portugal to Shanghai, China in an effort to retrace the vast and sometimes treacherous Silk Road. The Silk Road played a pivotal role in the trade industry for hundreds of years for China and surrounding countries, and is known for the difficulties of its challenging terrain. Taking them on this leg of the Turtle Expedition is their Ford F-550 4X4 named ‘Turtle V’, with AMSOIL on board to provide them with lubricants to make the voyage safe and reliable. With much of this journey taking them through desert conditions, it is imperative they are well-equipped to make it hundreds of miles with no one in sight. Meaning, a breakdown in the journey could prove devastating. AMSOIL will help prevent that.

Gary took some time out of his busy schedule of preparations to send some nice words our way about AMSOIL products and performance:
"As we prepare for our next adventure, a two-year overland trek from Lisbon, Portugal to Shanghai, China, retracing the Silk Road, the reliability of our engine, transmission, and gearboxes is critical. Using the AMSOIL Dual By-Pass Oil Filter System, in combination with their full synthetic 15-40 Heavy Duty Diesel & Marine Oil, we will safely extend oil changes up to 30,000 miles under severe conditions, and reduce filter changes to 15,000 miles. AMSOIL full synthetic gear and transmission lubricants are engineered for high-demand applications, including trailer towing, heavy hauling, 4X4 off-road driving, protecting gears and bearings from scoring and wear. With excellent cold-flow properties, they outperform all conventional gear oils. AMSOIL lubricants and filters are Turtle Expedition proven."

AMSOIL is happy to contribute to Gary and Monika's peace of mind. We'll you updated on this adventure as it unfolds.

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Shake, Battle and Roll

The December Four Wheeler magazine is now on the news stands with its annual in depth coverage of the Top Truck Challenge, the true meaning of shock and awe. With ample quantities of photos, Ken Brubaker’s coverage is vividly detailed. It makes you wish you were there.

There were nine trucks and seven events, with near thirty pages of story, including descriptions of each competition, the nitty gritty on each competitor in each event and an assortment of live action finish line quotes. “Oh man, what a rush,” said Brandon Lammers after the Frame Twister. For the same event, Clayton Kraatz said, “I’ve been waiting 16 years to do that. That was awesome. That was worth the whole entire trip.”

The first day's events included The Tow Test, The Frame Twister, and The Mud Pit, a ride that John Griffin noted you can’t get at Disneyland.

Day two featured The Obstacle Course, The Hill Climb and The Mini Rubicon. If you know the Four Wheeler staff, they ain’t kiddin’ around with these obstacle courses and tests. The goal in The Hill Climb, for example, is not to see how fast you can make it, but whether you can make it at all... though yes, there are extra points for fast. But it’s one tough hill and only three trucks made it all the way before either breaking or flipping over.

The Mini Rubicon was also a bit more frightful this year. You’d think a four wheeling enthusiast would not have too much trouble with a 125 foot strip of rocks, but these psycho course builders stay up nights thinking of ways to make it impossible, and for most they succeeded. Only two, Kraatz’s Warthog and Naeger’s Buggy, completed this third event of day two.

The Tank Trap consumes all of day three out there in Hollister, California’s hill country. This is an obstacle course that brings competitors to their knees.

As a sponsor of the event again this year, AMSOIL enjoys seeing equipment put to the ultimate tests. This is how AMSOIL formulates its own premium synthetic lubricants. The company is serious about extreme performance. It’s fun to watch four wheeling to the max like this. And fun to read about six months later. When you read the mag staff’s “favorite moments” you can tell they’re having the times of their lives out there.

The coverage ends with an application to be considered for next year’s event. If you like the idea of putting it all out there, of seeing what you and your equipment are made of, maybe you should take the next step. Readers will vote, and maybe we’ll see you next year... at the 2009 TTC.

One of the highlights of the year for Four Wheeler Magazine's editors and publishers is the annual Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge. Vehicles and drivers from all across North America descend upon the outback of Hollister, California, for the most grueling competition on four wheels. A dozen reader selected teams make their appearance here and it is a wonder of devastation for many.

AMSOIL is pleased to sponsor events like this that put equipment to the test. It’s where our products excel.

The November issue of Four Wheeler magazine, with full coverage from Hollister, is now on news stands everywhere fine four wheeling mags can be found. Here’s the cover shot. Enjoy the contents and the competition. When you go on the ride of your life, be sure to protect your engine and other moving parts with AMSOIL engine oils, filters, tranny fluid and gear lubes. We don’t, however, have anything that will keep your sheet metal from being stripped, yet.

Top Truck Challenge: Report from Hollister

For off-road enthusiasts it doesn't get any better than this. The staff at Four Wheel magazine must have a ton of fun dreaming up ways to smash a four wheeling off road machine... and a few of the hearts of those who bring them here to Hollister for the Top Truck Challenge each year. No question it takes a rugged team and a tough truck to survive this experience.

Kevin Dinwiddie, our man on the scene this year, reported that it was the most exciting Challenge event ever, with a first place tie at the end of it all. The pictures tell a good part of the story. For the full details be sure to get your hands on the November and December issues of Four Wheeler magazine, available on news stands September 23rd 2008 and October 21st 2008 respectively.

Some trucks didn't make it through all of the events and occasionally needed to be excavated out. In addition to the challenges of the terrain, on the final day competitors also had to deal with poison oak on the sides of the hills and poison oak scum in the water holes. The Four Wheeler Top Truck Challenge requires the most die-hard commitment. For those who watched, and those who worked it, it was smashing.

In the near future we'll grab some footage which we'll share here at amsoil.com. Later this year look for the DVD from Four Wheeler Magazine for all the gritty visual details. In the meantime, here are a few select photos to give you an idea of what this competition is all about.

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TTC: This Just In From Hollister

This week it's grueling, pedal stomping action in the hills outside Hollister, California. Mud and grime and frame twisting action that has been putting drivers and their off-road equipment through the paces. It's Four Wheeler magazine's Top Truck Challenge.

There are six main events in the Challenge. Yesterday they completed the Hill Cilmb, Frame Twister and Mud Pit. The Mud Pit is self explanatory.... and a lot of fun to watch, though not so much fun when you get stuck going through.

The Frame Twister is a seemingly short -- 200 feet -- but brutal course which requires finesse, power and determination to complete in ten minutes. In other words, an average speed of twenty feet per minute. Penalties are assessed for hitting marker cones and staff members. Word has it that yesterday, for the first time ever, someone successfully navigated the course without using a winch... followed by two more!

Today the Obstacle Course and Mini-Rubicon are slated. Tomorrow the legendary Tank Trap awaits, the ultimate Four Wheeling challenge on the planet. It's hard core, and has left a lot of vehicles stranded over the years.

You can expect full coverage in the November and December issues of Four Wheeler magazine.