Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE - The roar of engines and cheers from the crowd will again be heard Friday and Saturday when National Truck Pulling Association-sanctioned events return to the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
For the eighth year, Metzger Motorsports is hosting the pulling events as well as a Show and Shine weekend.
The Metzgers own and compete with the Liberty Belle, a super semi, on the NTPA circuit.
It's been an unremarkable season for the Metzgers and their famous truck. In 2000, Mike Metzger, the "Metzger" of Metzger and Sons, was the NTPA Super Semi Grand National High Points Champion and was named Driver of the Year.
Last year, the famous truck and crew traveled to the Netherlands to exhibit the truck's power, as guests of the European Tractor Pulling Committee and the NTTO (Netherlands Truck en Tractor Pulling Organiste).
This year, well, the transmission broke at the Tomah, Wis., pull, a situation that started with strain to the transmission while overseas.
"TTP has plenty of transmissions for me," Metzger said of the local company. "They're always willing to fix me up."
The Liberty Belle Kenworth body has a 1,1540 cubic inch 4-turbo "flawless" Cummings engine that produces up to 2,000 horsepower and revs up to 4,000 horsepower.
In the 1970s, the vehicle set land-speed records and was featured in several movies and television shows.
Metzger got the moniker "Hollywood" because of all the publicity.
This weekend, however, it's business as usual as the time for Friday's NTPA Super Farm Tractors Pull, NTPA Super Semi (Points) Pull and Stock Pickup Pull (6,500 pounds) draws near.
On Saturday is the eighth annual Show & Shine, a cookout, trophy presentation, parade lap, stock semi pull, the NTPA Super Semi Finals, cement mixer pull and Stock Pickup pull (8,000 pounds).
Admission and parking is free for the Show & Shine.
There is a $15 charge, good for two days, for the pulling events.
Metzger said a pontoon will be available to take people across Winona Lake to the town for shopping.
Open to working and show trucks, there is a class for nearly every type of truck and truck/trailer combination in the Show and Shine, except pickups.
This year includes a new category - "small fleet." Companies may enter two to four trucks in the show and they will be judged as a group.
This year's categories include five Bobtail classes - 1973 and older, 1974 to 1989, 1990 to 1997, 1998 to 2000 and 2001 to 2004; dump truck, miscellaneous truck, straight truck, cabover, wrecker, cement mixer; and livestock trailer; plus seven truck/trailer classes: van, dump, flatbed, grain, tanker, reefer and miscellaneous.
Preregistration fee is $25; day of show registration is $30.
Also during the Show & Shine will be a performance by Nashville recording artist and trucker entertainer Joey Holiday.
Representatives from the Indiana Motor Truck Association and the Owner Operated Independent Drivers Association also will be on hand during the event.
