The 2nd Annual Truck Challenge of the Genders for Special Olympics

Truck Challenge of the Genders for Special Olympics Returns to the Great American Trucking Show, Aug. 25-27, 2005

March 25, 2005

The first Truck Challenge of the Genders was a highlight of the 2004 Great American Trucking Show, raising more than $11,500 for Special Olympics. GATS and Special Olympics are teaming up to do it again in 2005.

The second annual Truck Challenge of the Genders will be Aug. 27, 2005, in the Reunion Arena parking lot next to the Dallas Convention Center at the conclusion of the Great American Trucking Show, Aug. 25-27, 2005.

This contest between a man and a woman who make a living driving big rigs started as a friendly rivalry on Steve Sommers’ trucking radio show, when Ed “Big Ed” Hutchison of Edmond, Okla., expressed his opinion of female truck drivers and received a challenge in return from Ingrid “Half Pint” Bell of Zionville, N.C.

Bell, the defending champion, is a 24-year trucking veteran, an independent owner-operator driving team with her husband, Keith, as Rollin’ B Cartage, hauling general freight across 48 states.

Hutchison, determined to win it for the men this year, is a 26-year trucking veteran. He and his wife, Kay, are Ryder Systems company drivers hauling dedicated runs for Xerox.

In their 2005 rematch, Bell and Hutchison will maneuver their rigs through a maze of obstacles designed to duplicate everyday situations in the life of a professional trucker. A People’s Choice Award also will be presented to the driver who raises the most votes in the form of donations to Special Olympics.

Throughout GATS, attendees can stop by the Special Olympics booth and buy votes -- $1 apiece, no limit - for the driver (and gender) of their choice. Special Olympics T-shirts also will be on sale.

Anyone can vote ahead of time by making out a check or money order to Special Olympics and sending it to:

Special Olympics
Truck Challenge
c/o. Norm Schneiderhan
P.O. Box 1527
Orlando FL 32802

Mail-in voters should note “Truck Challenge” on their checks, indicate whether they’re voting for Half Pint or Big Ed, and make sure their votes arrive by Aug. 1, 2005, to be counted before the show.

Only $100 is enough to sponsor a Special Olympics athlete for an entire calendar year, so the $11,500 raised by The Truck Challenge of the Genders in 2004 made a big difference in the lives of 1,150 athletes. Both competitors hope to help even more athletes this year.

For more information, contact Ingrid Bell at (828) 386-8005.

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