2008: We have a tie
Grand Champion: Clayton Kraatz, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle: 2006 Evolution Warthog
For the first time in TTC history we had a tie for Grand Champion. Going into Tank Trap it looked as though Kraatz was a shoe-in for lone Grand Champion, but he didn’t finish the course due to engine overheating and transmission problems. Naeger, who was trailing by a few points, had an outstanding run in the Tank Trap, which gave him enough points to create the tie. We cut the Grand Champion trophy down the middle and gave them each a half.
The Details
Engine: Chevy 467ci V-8, propane injection
Transmission: Powerglide 2-spd
Transfer case: STaK 3-spd
Axles (f/r): 7-ton ITL SD-70/7-ton ITL SD-50
Suspension (f/r): Four-link, Knight Stalker shocks/four-link, Knight Stalker shocks
Tires: 54-in Super Swamper TSL Boggers
Grand Champion: Jeremy Naeger, Bloomsdale, Missouri
Vehicle: 2003 Avalanche buggy
The Details
Engine: Chevy 350ci Ram Jet V-8
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: NP203/205 Doubler
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson locker/2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson locker
Suspension (f/r): Four-link, King coilovers/four-link, King coilovers
Tires: 54-in Super Swamper TSL Boggers
2009: A diesel takes the win
Grand Champion: David Green, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Vehicle: 2004 homemade tube buggy
Despite almost removing a couple of his fingers with a Sawzall the day before TTC, Green swooped in (32 stitches and all) with his Cummins-powered buggy and narrowly edged out Brett Jerome to take the win. It came down to a great run in the Tank Trap, which gave him a one point lead to claim Grand Champion.
The Details
Engine: 5.9L Cummins I-6 turbodiesel
Transmission: NV4500
Transfer case: NP205
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell, Detroit Locker/2½-ton Rockwell, Detroit Locker
Suspension (f/r): Four-link, King coilovers/four-link, King coilovers
Tires: 52-in West Lake CB 538s
2010: Truck and Buggy Classes make their appearance
Truck Class Grand Champion: Jason Gray, Amity, Oregon
Vehicle: 1975 GMC pickup
For the first time ever in TTC history the competitors were split into two classes to reflect the growing differences between trucks and buggies. The Truck Class was won by Jason Gray, who battled through major mechanical failures in the Mini Rubicon and a stubborn often-defecting power steering belt. The Buggy Class Champion was Mike Karwath, and his rig suffered no mechanical failures the entire week. We also welcomed a competitor from the island of Guam.
The Details
Engine: Chevy 468ci V-8
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: STaK Monster Box, 3-spd
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson spool/2½-ton Rockwell, Ouverson spool
Suspension (f/r): Triangulated four-link, Fox air shocks/triangulated four-link, Fox air shocks
Tires: 54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTCs
Buggy Class Grand Champion: Mike Karwath, Union, Kentucky
Vehicle: 2009 Sigma
The Details
Engine: Chevy 454ci V-8, propane injection
Transmission: TH400
Transfer case: NP203/205 Doubler
Axles (f/r): Dana 60, OX Locker/GM 14-bolt, welded spider gears
Suspension (f/r): Triangulated four-link, F-O-A remote-reservoir coilovers, pneumatic bumpstops/double-triangulated four-link, F-O-A air shocks
Tires: 46-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claws
2011: Mechanically similar rigs win each class
Truck Class Grand Champion: Steven Montpas, Roseburg, Oregon
Vehicle: 1949 Willys pickup
The Details
Engine: Chevy 350ci V-8, Holley Truck Avenger 670cfm carburetor
Transmission: SM465
Transfer case: NP205
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell/2 ½-ton Rockwell
Suspension (f/r): Custom double-leaf three-link, Tuff Country shocks/custom double-leaf four-link, Tuff Country shocks
Tires: 54-inch Super Swamper TSL Boggers
Two classes of competition returned again this year. The mechanical similarity between this year’s winning vehicles was astonishing. Similarities notwithstanding, Montpas had to overcome significant breakage in the Mini Rubicon to earn the win, while Sanders earned his win by staying consistent in the Tank Trap while his closest pursuer, Shane Vizenor, succumbed to the evil Canyon.
Buggy Class Grand Champion: Alex Sanders, Salem, Arkansas
Vehicle: 2008 homemade buggy
The Details
Engine: Chevy 350ci V-8, carburetor w/homemade 30-degree forward-tilt adapter
Transmission: SM465
Transfer case: NP205
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell, welded/2½-ton Rockwell, welded
Suspension (f/r): Custom “grader ball,” coil springs, homemade shocks/leaf springs, homemade shocks
Tires: 54-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTCs
Are You the Next Champion?
Do you have what it takes to go head-to-head with former Top Truck Challenge Champions? If so, submit your entry and you could be the one lucky reader who is voted into Top Truck Champions’ Challenge 2012, which will take place in early June near Hollister, California. Simply fill out and mail in the official entry form found in either the November ’11 or December ’11 issues of Four Wheeler. We’ll be publishing a collection of TTCC hopefuls in the April ’12 issue, and Four Wheeler readers will decide by ballot which lucky reader will be given the nod. We’re opening this contest to former TTC competitors too, so if you competed in the past and didn’t win, now’s your chance at redemption. So fill out those entry forms and please include a high-quality photo that shows your entire vehicle. Good luck!
Keep Up with TTCC 2012 News
Want to keep up with all the latest TTCC 2012 news? Hit up our blogs at www.fourwheeler.com because we’ll be posting news and updates as they happen.