2002 Top Truck Challenge Frame Twister

Barry and the Frog were quick... 

   

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Barry and the Frog were quick on time, but his strategy of winching as soon as he got into trouble cost him a lot of penalty points.

The Frame Twister
The Frame Twister looks deceptively easy. The presence of just a few logs and some water, along with a bit of mud, makes it look like a rig can cruise right through it. Our judges are often left wondering if they have put enough water in the Twister, and whether it will be difficult enough. Once the first vehicle gets into this challenging obstacle, however, our fears are quickly put to rest. Whatever the wheelbase of a competitor's vehicle, there is a set of logs that will snag it. The holes are deep and there is lots of water and mud to hinder progress. Plus there is no slipperier surface known to man than a mud-covered telephone pole, heh, heh, heh.

As if that isn't enough, we score this with something called the "Driving Elegant" point system, which is designed to reward those who actually drive the Frame Twister instead of simply smashing the go-pedal to the floor. Under that system, 20 points are assessed if a vehicle leaves the course. Winching also results in 20 points being added-that's 20 points for every vehicle-length covered. Taking out a cone costs 10 points, while having the spotter exit the vehicle results in a five-point penalty. Backing up costs two points, while coming to a stop costs one point. This year we also dropped the time limit from 10 minutes down to five to make things a bit more interesting. The driver who finishes in the quickest time and with the fewest penalty points is the winner.

Abba and his Scout nose-dived...        read full caption Abba and his Scout nose-dived into the first hole and got hung up on the big Scout's front bumper. After that it was up to the winch to free the stuck 'Binder.

The Raptor made a very strong...        read full caption The Raptor made a very strong run through the Frame Twister as Scott used all the tricks in his book to make it through in a quick time. Though he had to winch once, he wound up finishing second in the Twister.

John hit the rear-steer on...        read full caption John hit the rear-steer on his Bronco as soon as he got to the logs. The strategy worked, as he was able to crab-walk across a decent amount of them, but he still wound up getting stuck and having to use the winch.

Frame Twister Notes
Tim's Toy: Went sideways and hit a cone, costing points. Finally had to winch out.

Jerry's Jeep: Got hung up on the third-from-the-last hole. Ate up some time when he ran over his cable winching out.

Jesse's 'Yota: Stalled out in the first hole but got going again. Then bent both lower suspension links in the rear. Had to winch out but winch cable was a mess.

Toby's Flattie: Got halfway through, and then winched for a fast time.

Bob's Blazer: Had the cleanest run for the least amount of points, but wasn't too quick.

Scott's Raptor: Barely beat out Bob and the Blazer. Didn't get too many points as he only had to winch one vehicle length, but it took some time.

Jesse and his Toyota pickup...        read full caption Jesse and his Toyota pickup had a bit of trouble in the Twister. First off, Jesse stalled in one of the holes. Then, when attempting to winch, his cable became a twisted mess and had to be straightened out before he could go any farther. As if that wasn't enough, this steel pole snagged him on the way out.

Tim Dzaman (right) and his...        read full caption Tim Dzaman (right) and his co-driver were spotted strategizing before they entered the Twister. However, their plan quickly changed as they began slipping and sliding over the many logs.

Corey Dean was on the gas...        read full caption Corey Dean was on the gas hard through the Twister, but the Chevy's transfer case popped into two-wheel drive. The winch was put into use but then the cable snapped and Corey and his Chevy ran out of time.