2005 Top Truck Challenge Competitors

Meet the competitors
You folks rule. Back in the April issue we introduced you to the elite group of 60 Top Truck Challenge 2005 hopefuls. As we've done for the past 10 years we asked you to scrutinize the candidates and cast your ballots for the 10 trucks you want to see do battle in Top Truck Challenge 2005. Well, you folks did a great job -- our offices were inundated with a record number of ballots. As we tallied them it became crystal-clear that you put some serious thought into your selections.

Now it's time to hang on tight, because the next 10 pages will blow the lid off who's in this year's Top Truck Challenge. Thanks to those of you who voted, we have a great collection of rigs. Nicely done, dear readers.

Jay Albrecht Houston, Texas...        read full caption Jay Albrecht Houston, Texas 2000 Jeep Wrangler TJ Click here for a full profile	Phil Bargmann Piedmont, Oklahoma...        read full caption Phil Bargmann Piedmont, Oklahoma 1976 Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser Click here for a full profile	Don Brown Camas, Washington...        read full caption Don Brown Camas, Washington 1955 Willys pickup Click here for a full profile
John Cappa Canyon Country,...        read full caption John Cappa Canyon Country, California 1973 Jeep J-2000 Click here for a full profile	Nick Devlin Hubbard, OR 1972...        read full caption Nick Devlin Hubbard, OR 1972 Chevrolet Blazer Click here for a full profile	Jerry Duffy Twin Falls, Idaho...        read full caption Jerry Duffy Twin Falls, Idaho 1981 Jeep CJ-8 Click here for a full profile
Jeff Gotz Chili, Wisconsin...        read full caption Jeff Gotz Chili, Wisconsin 1976 Ford F-150 Click here for a full profile	Tom Lawlor Dauphin, Pennsylvania...        read full caption Tom Lawlor Dauphin, Pennsylvania 1967 Kaiser M715 Click here for a full profile	Josh Tippit Fernley, Nevada...        read full caption Josh Tippit Fernley, Nevada 1979 Ford F-150 Click here for a full profile
Jason Weidhuner Washougal,...        read full caption Jason Weidhuner Washougal, WA 1970 Chevrolet Suburban Click here for a full profile

Don't forget about the judges! These guys work hard making sure everyone follows the rules and stays safe.
The judging team is made of four 'wheeling enthusiasts who each have a long history of past TTC events.

The Judges:

Tim "can't pick a line" Hardy - Head Judge
Tim's been an assistant Judge now for many years. This year he inherits head judge status from Ned Bacon. Tim is a proven trail leader with enough crazy wheeling experience to write a book.
Dan "BatDan" Black
Dan is a resident of Hollister and knows the park inside-out. He's been helping out at TTC for over 7 years. His beat-to-hell black Chevy flatbed will assist with extraction during the Tank trap.
Toby Lavender
Toby is a cool-headed truck fabricator with tons of off-road racing experience. He placed 3rd in TTC back in 2002. This is his first year as a judge but don't let that fool you, Toby knows the TTC program well.
Stan "TarStan" Prueitt
Stan and his wife competed last year in their Monster lime green 6x6 Dodge Ram. They had so much fun that they decided to come back to help out for 2005. Stan is a good friend to Four Wheeler and knows what it takes to be crowned king at TTC.
John Stewart
Top Truck judge John Stewart has been with the event from the very beginning. Having worked in a variety of positions at Four Wheeler from 1986 to 2004, he has attended every Top Truck Challenge. John has `wheeled all over the U.S. and Europe.