10-4 Magazine July 2024

Truck Show Report: By Daniel J. Linss like Mexican food, burgers, shaved ice, coffee drinks, and adult beverages. Considering the lower number of trucks at this event, there were still a lot of really nice rides in attendance. We had the pleasure of getting to meet Mike Viviano, whose cool little green and gray 2-axle Peterbilt, which typically pulls matching bottom dumps, was hooked to his travel trailer. We also got to meet and chat with Tom Donaldson of Palmdale, CA, who brought out a truck he has been working on for over ten years – a 1966 Peterbilt 351, built on top of a modern Peterbilt 379 chassis, and featuring a 2005 model C-15 CAT under the hood. This sweet little beauty, painted silver and white with a red stripe, features a custom hood and flatbed, both built by Tom himself. Other trucks that were turning heads included Phil Miller’s slammed white 2-axle Peterbilt 389 hay truck, Kameron Lowe-Ash and his gray Peterbilt 389, Aaron Puterbaugh’s lime green Peterbilt 389 with a standup sleeper, that he is driving for PJ Brink Trucking out of South Dakota, and a really sharp yellow Helping those in need is something truckers love to do – especially when it is one of their own. Over the past few years, many truck shows and events have become fundraisers for charity, and the first annual Nor-Cal Spring Fling would fall into that category. Although raising money to help paralyzed trucker Rene “Frenchy” LaChance through a truck show is not a new thing, this event was. But because of that confusion, attaching this event to previously held shows that did not end so well, this event may have suffered a bit for support. But it was still a great weekend! Held at Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff, CA on May 24-26, 2024, this event was organized and put together by Stuart Loewen of Nor-Cal Customs, along with many volunteers, including his girlfriend Courtney Edwards and Rene’s friend Madison McCarty, among several others. With about 80 trucks, hot rods, and motorcycles on the grounds, along with a handful of vendors, it may not have been a huge turnout, but what a great time we all had anyway. Arriving on Friday afternoon with our “full show setup” that includes our 48-foot TFK trailer, pulled by the always awesome Maggini “Godfather” 1962 Peterbilt show truck, driven by Roger and Annette Ghidelli, along with our golf cart, and several pop-ups creating our 10-4 Magazine booth on one side and our covered “lounge” on the other. And this time, Roger and Annette also brought a bar constructed out of pallets that they set up inside the trailer, as well. Why all the fuss? Well, because we like to have a good time, and want everyone else to have fun, too, but also because we were celebrating Shannon’s birthday that weekend. For those who do not know her, she is our office manager, distribution and circulation supervisor, and my wife of almost 35 years! Everyone expected Red Bluff – on Memorial DayWeekend – to be scorching hot, like it always is, but surprisingly, the weather was amazing. With temps in the mid-80s, it was downright pleasant in the day, and even better at night. With not a lot going on during the show, it allowed everyone to just kinda chill and relax, and many opted to do it in our “lounge” area. With snacks, drinks, music, games, and chairs in the shade, it was a fun way to spend the weekend – taking pictures, selling a little swag, and spending time with many of our trucker friends. Walking around the fairgrounds, the show was split up into two main areas. On the grass near our area, the Northern California Chapter of the ATHS, who were involved with the show, as well, parked most of the older rigs around them, while the newer trucks were parked in the front area of the grounds, with some on pavement and some on grass. Also around us were a few food and drink vendors that provided things 60 10-4 Magazine / July 2024 FUNDS FOR FRENCHY