By Pam Pollock

South Dakota is a state endowed with fertile soil and a vast agricultural heritage.  The town of Huron was born from the railroad and land booms of the 1800s.  Huron has the distinctive honor of being home to the World’s Largest Pheasant – a 28 foot, 22-ton pheasant made of fiberglass and steel that spans over 40 feet. Huron is known for being a premier pheasant hunting location.  The first weekend in June also brings special recognition to Huron when thousands of wheels literally descend upon the town for Wheel Jam – a 3-day event at the State Fairgrounds for motorcycles, cars and Big Rigs.

Movin’ Out, along with 180 trucks, made the sojourn to the 2012 Wheel Jam in   Huron. Add in the motorcycles and antique cars, and the golf carts and ATVs from show attendees and you come up with a mini-city of wheels of all sizes. 18-Wheel Truck Promotions, LLC hosted the annual Semi Show, as well as the popular Dynamic Engine Brake Competition; Semi Truck Show n' Shine; and the Semi Truck Light Show.  The weather, after some brief showers on Friday evening was picture perfect – the 147 trucks entered in the Semi Truck Show were spectacular.  A Parade has held in downtown Huron on Saturday.  What a thrill it was to see people line the street to watch the Big Rigs roll through town.  Children and adults waved to the Truckers and cheered for their favorite 18-Wheelers.

Wheel Jam is truly an event for the entire family, featuring activities for the children, the South Dakota BBQ Championships, a chili challenge, music concerts, vendors, delicious food, the Challenge Cup XII Grandstand races and a Motorcycle Burn-Out.

The 2012 Wheel Jam set a new record with truck entries for the semi-truck show (147 trucks entered the show and 180 trucks attended the event). The trucks came from points across the USA and Canada. It was wonderful to see veterans of the truck show giving pointers to newcomers and the array of dazzling chrome and steel of the Big Rigs was staggering.  Stan Kophman of Stan’s Inc. was honored with a special trophy for his Lifetime Achievement in the Trucking Industry.

For more information about Wheel Jam, log onto www.wheeljamtruckshow.com

2012 Wheel Jam Truck Show Trophy Winners:
Show & Shine (no order): Brent Greer; Spike Fuller; Randy Stroup; Noel Smith; Josh Ihlenfeld; Dennis Eschen; Tri-State Commodities; Jerry Johnson; Charlie Bates and Mick Richardson
Bobtail:
1990 & Older – 2nd-Charlie Bates; 1st-Mick Richardson
1991-1996 – 2nd-Donald Zavesky; 1st-Laird Fuller
1997-2001 – 2nd-James Vock; 1st-Casey Perkins
2002-2007 – Jonathan Dyck/Jade Transport; 1st-Duane Anwiller
2008-Newer – 2nd – Rollie Kruse; 1sst-Dennis Durand
Tractor/Trailer:
1990 & Older – 2nd-Noel Smith; 1st – Shorty/Koppinger Trucking
1991-1996 – 2nd Wes Wulff; 1st-Todd Brueske/Lucas Mattke
1997-2001 – 2nd-Cory Roth/Albrecht Trucking; 1st-Jeremy Haven
2002-2007 – 2nd-Nathan Deacon/Steve Harrison; 1st-Josh Ihlenfeld
2008-Newer – 2nd-Nathan Tompkins/Jade Transport; 1st-Dave Haisma/Tom Schollen
Cab Over: 2nd-Dennis Eschen; 1st – Doug Jones
Specialty: 2nd – Keith Glanzer; 1st-Sgt. Donald Zavesky/SD National Guard
Limited Mileage – 1st Class Services
Light Show Bobtail: 2nd-Laird Fuller; 1st – Mitch Broderson
Light Show Tractor Trailer: 2nd- 1st Class Services; 1st-Shorty/Koppinger Trucking
Best Interior: 2nd-Josh Ihlenfeld; 1st-Randy Stroup/1st Class Services
Dynamic Engine Brake: 2nd-Andy Zastrow/Wes Wulff; 1st-Travis Logis
Best Fleet: Jade Transport
Best of Show Bobtail: Duane Anwiller
Best of Show Combination: 1st Class Services
Lifetime Achievement In The Trucking Industry: Stan Kophman/Stan’s Inc.

 

Caption:

Wendell Hofer’s 2009 Peterbilt 389 and 2009 Wilson 3-Axle Bull Rack was just one of the many phenomenal trucks at the 2012 Wheel Jam in Huron, South Dakota.  Hofer has been driving truck for 24 years and is leased to Kenny Katzer.  - photo by Steve Pollock