BULLNOSE KW FINDS NEW HOME

Ray O’Hanesian Donates Kenworth to Iowa 80 Trucking Museum

WALCOTT, IOWA — Iowa 80 Trucking Museum has recently received a very generous gift from a long time trucking friend. Ray S. O’Hanesian, Bettendorf, Iowa has graciously donated his Kenworth KDC825C, the truck he has owned for over half of his life, to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum.

This truck is the last one of its kind that Kenworth produced. You may know the KDC825C by its common name, the “Bullnose”.

Ray’s truck the “Bullnose” had over 5.2 million miles on it when he stopped counting in 1998. Ray purchased the 1958 Bullnose for $25,000 this was expensive during his time.

The truck has had many updates through the years. The original wheelbase of 264” was shortened to 224”, the current engine is a NTC 380 Cummins set up to 420hp, and the transmission has also been upgraded to a 5×4 Spicer.

Ray has received a lot of recognition for his truck. It was put on display in Seattle at the Kenworth plant in 1988. Also in 1988, Ray was honored by the governor of Oregon and awarded a plaque for his service to the trucking industry. His truck has also been featured on the cover of the newsletter, “Kenworth Cruiser” and in Wheels of Time magazine.

Ray’s 1958 Bullnose truck will now be on display for everyone to enjoy at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum in Walcott,
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, Interstate 80 & Exit 284, 505 Sterling Drive, Walcott, IA 52773.

“We will display Ray’s generous gift with pride,” says Dave Meier, Museum Curator. “He has been a long time friend and we are honored that he chose to donate his truck to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum.”

In addition to having owned a great truck and being a dedicated driver for over 59 years, Ray also served in WWII in the 8th Air Force, the 879th Bomb Group, and the 319th Fighter Squadron as crew chief. Ray has a passion for trucking and has worked for many trucking companies in his day.

Many know Ray as “that guy that drives CAT Scale’s ’38 Kenworth”, which he says he will do as long as he is able.

Shell Rotella^® Road-Tested Challenge Asks Truckers to Name Country’s Toughest Roads; Entrants Have a Chance to Win VIP NASCAR Experience and Instant Prizes

Whether driving a truck across country or locally for a living, drivers routinely encounter some challenging roads and conditions.  The makers of Shell Rotella® engine oil want to hear from professional drivers about the toughest roads they drive and how they are able to protect themselves and their cargo.

The Shell Rotella Road-Tested Challenge will allow drivers to tell about their most challenging roads, and at the same time enter for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR experience with Richard Childress Racing, along with hundreds of instant prizes, including road-tested essentials such as Shell Gift Cards and Shell Rotella-branded merchandise.

Drivers can visit www.Rotella.com to see the official rules and to enter the Shell Rotella Road-Tested Challenge between April 19 and August 31, 2010.  No purchase necessary.

There is a separate promotion in which drivers will have the opportunity to receive  a $25 Service Certificate for Shell Rotella® T5 synthetic blend engine oil, and a $50 Service Certificate for Shell Rotella® T6 full synthetic engine oil when they purchase an oil change requiring 10 gallons or more.

One grand prize winner and guest will be treated to a VIP NASCAR experience at the Charlotte race on October 16, 2010.

The experience will include garage and pit access before the race and pit-side seating during the race. The winner will also have the opportunity to meet the hauler drivers for the Richard Childress Racing teams and pose for team photos, subject to availability.

The winner also will be presented with an autographed driver jacket, and receive a year’s supply of Shell Rotella® engine oil (20 cases of 3/1 gallon bottles of Shell Rotella® T6).

Drivers can also return to the web site to see the roads that have been entered during the sweepstakes.  The winner will be announced during the week of Sept. 19, 2010, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

For more information about the Shell Rotella Road-Tested Challenge and Shell Rotella® Energized Protection™ products visit www.Rotella.com.

Overdrive and Trucker’s News detail the facts about CSA 2010

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 (CSA 2010) has some carriers and drivers wondering how drastically it’s going to change their profession.

CSA 2010 seeks to change the model for compliance from a sort of housecleaning approach to compliance reviews to one that uses real-time, on-the-road inspection results to determine carrier and, eventually, driver safety scores.

CSA 2010 could carry ramifications in the areas of employment screening and background checks, pay packages, hiring and firing, CDL certification, marketing of carrier services, ongoing in-house training and more…

To get the rest of this story, click on these two magazine links: Overdrive and Trucker’s News.

CHARITY ORGANIZATION DELIVERS THE GOODS

Illinois-based Haulin’ For Humanity provides cargo delivery services for other non-profits

In a time when truckers and trucking companies are facing tough times and every operational dollar is watched under a microscope, Haulin’ For Humanity is delivering the goods for free. John Gervase, a Burr Ridge, Illinois, owner-operator says  “We’re a new non-profit trucking organization focused on helping other non-profits by hauling cargo free of charge.”

The rig Gervase’s is using to haul goods is a full-on custom 2000 Pete 379 extended hood donated to their cause by an unnamed source who believes in Haulin’ For Humanity’s cause.

“Our truck is available only to nonprofit organizations and churches,” says Gervase. “ We can provide hauling for cargo such as food, clothing and building supplies with a 53-foot van trailer or flatbed as appropriate. Our travel radius is 300 miles but arrangements can be made for needs beyond that range.

Gervase says the organization’s creed is simple: “If the need is there, we are there.”

As every trucker knows it costs money to keep a rig in operation. “To help cover trip costs,” says Gervase, “we ask for a donation that is appropriate to your organization’s financial situation.”

Haulin’ For Humanity is currently looking for partners, sponsors and donors to help them meet the financial needs to keep the truck running such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance.

“We are a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt charity and 100% of all proceeds go directly to the operation of the truck,” explains Gervase. “No salaries are paid. All financial records are available for review.”

If you would like to be a part of this charitable organization, or just find out more about its services, call John at 708-205-1516 or email him at john@haulinforhumanity.com.

COURT WIN BIG FOR CALIFORNIA TRUCKERS

Port Trucker in Los Angeles Wins Hotly Contested Court Battle  Over Misclassification of Drivers

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – September 24, 2009) – Trucking companies in the Port of Los Angeles won a resounding court victory this week against the ongoing efforts of the State of California, and Attorney General Jerry Brown, to force them to stop using independent contractor drivers to dray containers in California’s ports and to use employee drivers instead.

In a civil action filed in Superior Court by the attorney general against Pac Anchor Transportation, Inc. and truck owner Alfredo Barajas, Case No. BC 397600, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White held that a federal law, which protects motor carriers from state regulation, preempts claims against motor carriers brought under California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”).

The federal law, part of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (“FAAAA”), prohibits states from enacting and enforcing laws that are “related to” motor carrier prices, routes, or services in order to maximize competitive forces in the trucking industry.

Judge White agreed with the “very strong” argument advanced by attorneys Neil S. Lerner, Arun Dayalan, and Arthur A. Severance of the Sands Lerner law firm that claims against motor carriers under the UCL are preempted per se under the FAAAA.

Judge White held that the attorney general’s case, which was based on the allegation that the defendants had improperly classified drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, would have a significant effect on motor carrier prices, routes, and services and was therefore preempted under the FAAAA.

Judge White found that the attorney general’s actions threatened to erect entry controls that would discourage independent contractor drivers from participating in the trucking market, thereby frustrating Congress’ intent to maximize competitive forces in the trucking industry.

This ruling is the second blow this year to the continuous efforts of the State of California, and its political subdivisions, and to the ongoing efforts of the Teamsters, to force California’s port trucking companies to switch from an independent contractor driver business model to an employee driver business model.

The message from the courts is now very clear: the state should stop meddling in the port trucking industry.