Tough trucks storm the grandstand
The Tough Truck competition is all about getting the fastest time. Hit a cone and you’ll get a two-second penalty added to your time for each one hit.
For many of the contestants of Tough Truck, the event is the ultimate in anger management. “I like just beating this thing up. You can take your anger out on it (on the track),” said Raymond Porter of Dover of his truck. With the numerous jumps and turns, “You just hope it takes a lot of abuse.”
For most drivers there is no preparation for the event. “No practice, just bring it on,” said Porter. “I plan to go out and give it my all. I keep coming back because I just have fun.”
Porter was entering his 1992 Ford Ranger, which he used every day until 2010 when he retired it to be in the Tough Truck competition.
Otto Polilli, of Port Washington, competed in his 1995 Jeep Cherokee, which was his work vehicle until last weekend. He decided to retire it after numerous looming mechanical problems. “Tough Truck is a good event to do in a vehicle that is at the edge of its life,” said Polilli. Still, he hopes to take the Jeep to other competitions “if it doesn’t break.”
Both Porter and Polilli, who grew up together in the same neighborhood, also compete in the demolition derby.
Polilli said his Jeep was, “Pure stock, I’m just coming to have fun.” Polilli definitely had fun during the event, as he thrilled the crowd by making impressive jumps, and driving up the final ramp tilted to one side and on two wheels.
“FUN! Three capital letters,” replied Pete Leach of Coshocton when asked why he participated in the event. “You can’t do it for the money.” The biggest prize Leach has collected to date is $150 at an event last week in Guernsey County. “It’s the cheapest way you can go racing all year,” added Leach, saying that the adrenaline rush is also a factor.
For Cheavis Webb, of Coshocton, it’s all about seeing how much he can destroy a vehicle in one run. “I’ve run a plethora of vehicles including a dump truck,” said Webb. One time he cracked a frame in three places and another he snapped three leaf springs on the dump truck and dropped the cab off the body mounts.
“It was interesting to watch,” said Leach.
“But very painful,” added Webb. Their best tips for the Tough Truck competition is not to let the gas pedal off the floor, and don’t hit the brakes or the cones.
Final results were not immediately available at press time.