HAPPY
10TH ANNIVERSARY !

Hi boys and girls. It seems hard to imagine that the TDR is having its 10th Birthday! I would like to go on record as saying Congratulations to Robert, Robin, and the entire staff of the TDR. (Turbo Diesel Register)

This is quite an achievement and a milestone! And, by the way, this is a milestone that not many publications ever make, even the “Big Boys” with all the money. Does a magazine named “George” come to mind? In my opinion, Robert should be very proud of his accomplishments and deserves a big round of applause.

Unless you’ve “been there and done that” with your own business, it may be hard to comprehend just exactly what kind of stamina and perseverance it takes to bring something like this publication from concept to reality. I have a good idea why this whole venture has been so successful. It’s called passion!

There is a definite passion on the behalf of the creator and his staff, and based on the loyal subscriber base, there is no lack of passion on the part of the folks who love their Turbo diesel lifestyle. The vision to attempt this feat can only be the product of a mind with an incredible desire to realize success with an idea that is fueled by real passion.

I’m honored and proud to be associated with this great book, the excellent writers, and everyone I’ve met since becoming involved with TDR several years ago. Some of the most fun I’ve had on four (make that 6) wheels, were the TDR events that Diana and I have attended. Great trucks, great people, and well-orchestrated events are all part of the equation for having fun and forming lasting relationships.

It’s hard to believe that people can travel long distances, get together to enjoy themselves and new friends, and the common bond is an in-line 6-cylinder truck engine with no spark plugs! Scary isn’t it?

As you probably already know, Robert spurred my interest in Diesel powered pick up trucks while he was still with Cummins South.  Prior to driving the company pickup, (a plain vanilla 2500 automatic standard cab), I hadn’t even given a thought to owning something that smoked, rattled, required me to find a “Green Handle” at the pump, and needed to be plugged into my house on cold nights.

Like most of us, I grew to love the reliability and longevity of the Cummins B series engine. Diana and I have cruised many trouble free miles in our motor home with the Cummins Turbo Diesel hanging out back, pushing us along to some great R&R spots. I can honestly say that other than a stubborn starter, the few breakdowns or roadside emergencies we’ve experienced have been tires, coach electrical, or other non-driveline related items. Knock on the simulated wood grain Freightliner installed on the dash panel.

While no one can tell what the Auto Manufacturers will chose to do or be mandated to do by our friends in Washington DC, one thing is sure; Americans have a love affair with their vehicles and the freedoms they afford us in this great country. So my prediction is that as cleaner fuels are developed, and technology charges ahead, no matter what they throw at us, we’ll figure out how to make them look and perform better!

Hopefully we’ll all be right here writing and reading about the TDR’s 20th anniversary.

Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Powerama Motoring Expo

This year afforded me a great opportunity to travel to our northerly neighbors for a show called “Powerama Motoring Expo” held at the “Agri-com” center in Edmonton. The show’s producers invited me to come to Canada and host their show. I accepted, not really knowing what to expect.

I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the finest examples of motoring history, excellent Street Rods and Hot Rods, as well as some incredible trucks. Being a truck guy, naturally I gravitated towards the trucks. There were Customs, restored Classics, and even some “Big Truck” hot rods.

Just like the TDR events, the folks in Edmonton were super friendly, very hospitable, and made me feel very welcome there. On set up day, I had some early morning live satellite news shots to do, promoting the show to the spectators in Central Canada. Then I was free to spend most of the day making friends as the displays were set up.

People came from everywhere! This three-day show is in its nineteenth year, and continues to grow every year. Not only was attendance up for the nineteenth year, it was up 10 % over last year. An amazing percentage increase, when you take into consideration all the things going on in the world at the time.

Toronto and Montreal were taking a beating in commerce and tourism with the outbreak of SARS, while the U.S. and its allies were waging a war in Iraq. The Canadian economy (at least in Alberta) is relatively strong, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves. The rate of currency exchange was sixty cents American equaled one Canadian dollar.

Even a public school product like me can figure out that my net worth increased by 40 % as soon as I crossed the border. What a deal!
Diana has created a place on our website, that includes the story of my trip along with pictures I took at the show. Click on Powerama Motoring Expo for the story with photos

A local TV reporter asked “If you could take home any one vehicle on display in this show, which would it be”?

There was no answer. My choices were so varied, and even though it was hypothetical, I could not answer. I just grinned and said, “It would have to be more than one”!

I spotted a princess of a little truck, a 1953 Fargo (Dodge in Canada) that was restored to pristine condition. This little ½ ton was a jewel, and the original interior sported an instrument panel that looked so “Art-Deco” it was amazing. I wish I had better pictures, but trust me, you would be proud to drive this truck to church on Sundays.

There was also a 1937 GMC COE, (Cab over engine) that had a rollback body on it, and was complimented by a late forties / early fifties GMC Panel truck adorned in the same color. That made a very unique and interesting pair. I chose this pair of trucks as the backdrop for a photo that was placed in the Edmonton Journal, along with an article written by their “Driving Section” writer.

Next I climbed up into and took pictures of this 1999 Freightliner with a flamed paint scheme outside, and an incredible custom interior. The Freightliner’s huge sleeper had everything from multiple DVD payers, to convenience items like refrigerator, coffee maker, and a sound system that rivaled many home theatres. The instrument panel sported more gauges than the average corporate jet, and full air suspension seating for driver comfort. This 600+ horsepower rig was beautiful, and was an everyday workhorse.

There was even a Custom Fabricated Freightliner that was chopped, sectioned, channeled on the stretched chassis, and sported a Cummins Signature series under it’s tilt hood.

From restored classics like Pierce Arrows, to T-Buckets, Muscle Cars, Extreme Motorcycles, and everything in between, this show had something for everyone.

My accommodations were at the Fantasyland Hotel, which is connected to the world’s largest shopping mall. Talk about needing two days to see, it was incredible. When is the last time you were in a mall that had a river running through the center of it, over twenty theatres, something like 15 night clubs, an I-Max theatre, and a complete water park complete with wave pool.

I can best describe the mall as a cross between Disneyland, Sea World, and Las Vegas. It stretched for eight city blocks.

Maybe I sound like I’m employed by the Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Board, but I did not know there was anything larger that the Mall of America in the twin Cities. As usual, my time there was too short to really grasp anything but the event that I was involved in. Diana and I will go back when we can have a few days to just enjoy the City of Edmonton, which has a population of two million.

As an aside, I might also mention that I was pleasantly surprised to see so much “Pro-American” sentiment on the behalf of the Canadian citizens. One local Hot rod group had a huge display with a tribute to, and in support of American men and women in uniform. These were genuinely good folks!

See Powerama’s 20th Year!