Top Truck Challenge Day 1: More Brutal Than Ever

We just got a report from AMSOIL Powersports Technical Product Manager Len Groom, who is live on the scene of the 2011 Top Truck Challenge in Hollister Hills, CA. The challenge kicked off Tuesday, with the competitors being introduced to the 2011 event by the Tow Test, Mud Pit and Frame Twister events. While the Tow Test claimed only a broken driveshaft on a buggy, the Frame Twister lived up to its name and kept most competitors from even finishing. The Frame Twister event is a formidable proving ground filled with holes, rocks and logs aimed at taking out these monstrous trucks with little effort. Len Groom reported that is was the most demanding Frame Twister yet and summed up what has been seen so far in one word: Tough.

After numerous extractions and broken parts in the Frame Twister, the challenge moved on to the Mud Pit event. These rigs don’t typically do well in this type of sludge but competitor Mike Keller (pictured) hit the mud flying and skimmed along the top, making it look easy. We are now in Day 2 of the 2011 Top Truck Challenge, which will see the competitors battle the Obstacle Course, Hill Climb and Mini Rubicon. Judging by the photos we have received thus far, things are just getting good.

Who will emerge victorious in the 2011 Top Truck Challenge? Be sure to check back for more photos, updates and quotes directly from the competitors in the thick of it.

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.

Click on photos to enlarge.