World's Largest Truck Convoy

Save the Date - October 2-3, 2009
5th Annual World's Largest Truck Convoy
2005-2009 - 5th Anniversary

The World's Largest Truck Convoy is a two-day celebration that helps raise money for Special Olympics Minnesota. This year's Truck Convoy, a project of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Minnesota, will take place October 2 and 3 at Canterbury Park. Make sure you save the date (PDF)! Download a registration packet (PDF) and check back often for more information. Athletes, make sure you bring along your completed waiver so you can ride along in one of the trucks!

How can I participate in the Truck Convoy?

New for 2009 - Online Registration! Participants can now register online and create their own fundraising page! The site allows you to create your own web page and show others that you support the athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota, and it allows friends and family to make a donation to support your cause and the athletes! Online registration is available at www.mntruckconvoy.kintera.org.

Inspired by the powerful impact Special Olympics has had on his life through his participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run and combined with his family's involvement with the trucking industry, Norm Schneiderhan, a Corporal with the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff's Department, created World's Largest Truck Convoy.

This two-day celebration of the trucking industry helps raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota athletes. To participate, truckers simply donate a $100 entry fee, send a completed registration form, meet at Canterbury Park and then convoy along the pre-determined route. At Canterbury, truckers are welcomed by Special Olympics Minnesota athletes, families, friends, colleagues, law enforcement officers, the Special Olympics community, companies and agencies that make up the trucking industry. You may even get to have an athlete ride along in your truck with you!

Types of vehicles that can participate:
semi-truck
truck/trailer combination
fire truck
dump truck
flat bed
bus
large tow truck or large box truck

All trucks must be 10-GVW or larger. No trucks with hazardous materials, alcohol or tobacco names and logos permitted.

Lead Truck

If you wish to have your company's truck be the lead truck in the World's Largest Truck Convoy for Minnesota, you may bid for this privileged position. Bidding took place from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13. 

For more information about the World's Largest Truck Convoy, contact:
Kathy Karkula
Development Director
Special Olympics Minnesota
612-604-1272
karkulak@somn.org

Sponsors

Read about sponsorship information for the Truck Convoy

Silver Medal Sponsorship
Bay & Bay Transfer Co., Inc.
MN State Troopers Association

Bronze Medal Sponsorship
Dart Transport
Overbye Transport
Platt Trucking

Long Haul Partnership
Allen's Service Inc.

Made possible by:
Canterbury Park
K-102 FM
FOX-9 News
MN Trucking Association
Brambilla’s Inc. RV Sales
Chippewa Water
Chaska Jaycees

2008 Truck Convoy Recap

Watch Video of the 2008 Convoy
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Truckers Pull Through for Special Olympics Minnesota
78 trucks participated in the 2008 Convoy and raised $25,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota on Saturday, September 13 at Canterbury Park. Showing up on Friday, September 12 and registering through the night, came one semi truck after another. They checked in early so they could participate in the Friday night Old Fashioned BBQ and drive-in movie (actually shown on a screen hung over one of the trucks). Can you guess what movie was shown that night? “Convoy,” of course!

Dart Transit provided a simulator that everyone had to try their skill at driving. The BBQ was provided by and served by members of this year’s planning committee. Friday evening also showcased two Special Olympic athletes, Bobby Kimber and Nick Rosen. Each gave a brief speech thanking the truckers for participating in the 4th Annual World’s Largest Truck Convoy.

Saturday began at 6:30am with breakfast being provided by the Chaska Jaycees. At 9:00am a program began with Scott Soderberg, disc jockey from KAUS radio in Austin, as emcee. The entire committee was acknowledged:
Chris Anderson (Cub Foods)
Susan Marquardt (Former Truck Driver)
Chris Carpenter (Koch Trucking)
Sharon Pittman (Koch Trucking)
Brad Chapdelaine (DART Transit)
Nathan Wick (UPS Freight)
Bill Dehkes (Titan Sportswear)

Rodney Seurer, Chief of Savage Police Department and volunteer Chairman of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Minnesota, gave a warm welcome. He was followed by “Gentleman Jim” (Lee Jordan), an Ambassador for the Convoy, a former professional wrestler, and owner/operator of Jordan Enterprises in Dalton, Minn., who conducted an auction for several truck items and then conducted the auction for the first, second, and fourth truck to lead the Convoy. First place was won by Jerry Kissinger, an independent operator, second was Joe McCray from Overbye Trucking, and third place was Dave Eckblad from Eckblad Trucking. The only Ambassador-at-large for the Convoy, Frank Kennedy, is now living in Minnesota, and he was introduced and welcomed on stage.

This year a GPS, manufactured and provided by GEOMAX, was installed in the Pilot Cars that recorded the Convoy and displayed it on the Web site of www.geomaxmobile.com. Roberta Blomster, a Global Messenger and Athlete Leadership Program member representing the athletes of Special Olympics Minnesota, gave an inspiring speech. She was followed by Dave Dorn, President of Special Olympics Minnesota. Louis Nosan, a Special Olympic Athlete, sang “God Bless America.” Then LeLand Martin, country western recording artist, sang the National Anthem.

The athletes and families loaded into the trucks and the Convoy began. The escort was provided by the MN State Troopers Association. The Convoy headed south on Hwy. 169, turned around in Bell Plain and came back to Canterbury Park. There were many people lined the route with signs to thank the truckers. Lunch was provided by Canterbury Park upon the return. LeLand Martin played and sang from his latest CD while everyone ate.

Awards were given for the following:
Nicest Truck Driver(s) – Tony White and Tigger from Q Carriers
Coolest Truck – UPS Freight Driver, Nate Wick
Cleanest Truck – Bay & Bay – Joe Biazzo
Person turning in the most used cell phones to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota – Kim Lee from Dart Transport, who collected 61 phones

Thanks to the following sponsors for making the 2008 Convoy a success:
This year’s title sponsor, CH Robinson
Minnesota State Troopers Association
K-102 FM Radio
Minnesota Trucking Association
Canterbury Park
Chaska Jaycees
NOW Occupational Testing
KAUS FM Radio
GEOMAX Mobile
Brambilla Motorhome Sales
Niemer Fieger/Subway
Kevin Gallahue/PSA Charities

Thanks also to the trucking companies who went the extra yard:
Dart Trucking
Bay & Bay Trucking
Koch Trucking
Overbye Transport
Platt Trucking