Rough trucks continue fair tradition

COSHOCTON — Kurt Wilson is no amateur to rough truck contests; the Coshocton resident has been plowing over obstacles on dirt tracks for 14 years.

Wilson came to the Rough Truck Contest at the Coshocton County Fair on Wednesday evening to once again showcase his rough driving skills.

“I shouldn’t do too bad. If you keep your mind on trying to hit the next obstacle and how to get over it, you do OK,” he said. “If you land wrong, that will determine how you hit the next one.”

The hometown atmosphere at the fair and the support of friends and family in the audience add to the thrill of the rough and tumble motorsport for Wilson.

“A lot of friends and family come to watch. That makes you want to do a lot better,” he said.

The grandstand at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds was packed with spectators who came out to watch the Rough Truck Contest that has been a tradition at the fair for 15 years, said Rodney Adams, entertainment chairman of the Coshocton County Fair Board.

“If you like motorsports, this one has an adrenaline rush,” he said. “We have drivers here tonight that have been to every one (of the Rough Truck Contests at the fair).”

Adams said he expected up to 80 entrants driving mostly trucks, some stock and some modified just for the sport.

The grandstand track was prepared with dirt mounds that were 2 to 3 feet high in singles, doubles and triples. The final 4-foot mound would send many of the trucks airborne.

“The guy with the best time wins,” Adams said, adding that five-second penalties were given to drivers who knocked over traffic cones on the course; 20-second penalties to those who went off the course.

A $3,500 purse was divided among the top 35 drivers, with the top driver taking home $300. The top three drivers also received trophies donated by Steve Hall at Radiator Service, Adams said.

“The crowd wants to see upsets or see the drivers get off course,” Adams said. “Of course, I never want to see one of my drivers upset, but it’s a crowd-pleaser when it happens.”

Jason Lindell, of Coshocton, met up with his friend, Kurt Wilson, at the contest with his rough truck, “Goodtime Tease,” a 1999 Chevrolet S10. Like his friend, he’s a seasoned rough truck driver, having placed 15th out of 63 entrants in September at the Tuscarawus County Fair in Dover.

“You have that adrenaline rush, but you also have to keep calm and keep your head clear,” said Lindell, who’s been competing for seven years.

In addition to the rush, Lindell also competes for reasons that are close to his heart, he said.

“I do it for the crowd and for the kids. I love to put on a good show for them,” he said. “I like to be a good role model for the kids.”