Top Truck Challenge '09 is underway! You can access images of yesterday's (Tuesday) competiton on the fourwheeler.com Main Page. Late last evening our Web Producer Jason Gonderman uploaded Tow Test, Frame Twister and Mud Pit images.
We planned to upload TTC blogs with images from here in Hollister, but our motels Internet connection won't play nice with our blogging software. Monday and Tuesday we were up until the wee hours trying to force them to cooperate with no luck. Hence, we can give you words, but no photos here in the blogs.
All of the competitors arrived safely in Hollister. Team Sidwell from Minnesota had the most drama getting here due to their trailer getting sideswiped in Salt Lake City. They arrived very late Monday night. For the first time ever we have two husband/wife teams (Team Eulberg and Team Sheeley) competing.
Once the action started, all of the competitors survived the Tow Test, which is the first event. No exploding parts, no twisted 'shafts
The Frame Twister was heavily reworked this year, with new obstacles added before the Squeeze Rock. All teams survived the Frame Twister to continue on to the Mud Pit, though some had to perform some "quick fixes." Team Jerome took high-flying honors of the day in their TJ buggy. Side note: Team Jerome is running a set of brand-new 54-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC tires. Yep, you read that right, TTC-branded tires from the folks at Mickey T. We'll have more info on those next week. Team Smith smashed the side of their F-350 in Squeeze Rock.
The Mud Pit was an evil concoction of deep, tire-sucking goo this year. It took its toll on a couple of rigs and we'll know the exact toll when we meet with the teams this morning.
Today we move on to the Obstacle Course, Hill Climb and Mini Rubicon!