Roccapriores 'clean up' at Shell SuperRigs contest

Todd Roccapriore, 33, and his wife, Beth, 36, of Hebron, Conn., pictured here shortly after the awards presentation. (The Trucker: DOROTHY COX)

The Trucker News Services

6/14/2010

LEXINGTON, Va. — A contaminated dirt hauler and oil tanker driver and his high school sweetheart made a sweep of the 28th annual Shell SuperRigs truck beauty contest here this weekend, winning five different categories and then taking Best of Show, which netted them a coveted big silver cup and a $10,000 check.

Todd Roccapriore, 33, and his wife, Beth, 36, of Hebron, Conn., estimated it would take up to $400,000 to build custom what they had fabricated on their 2004 Peterbilt 379 extended hood with dark lime green and black color scheme and pointed, scalloped silver cutouts. It took them six months to build the truck and modify the trailer, with more than $10,000 sunk in materials and an estimated $15,000 to wire it by hand, Todd said.

They also made all the interior seat covers and inside trim (in the same color scheme) by hand.

Their unusual ride, which is owned by Beth's contaminated materials hauling business, Clean Slate, took first place for Best Interior, Best Theme, Best Chrome, Best Lights and Best Engine in addition to the top prize, Best of Show.

In addition to the money, they also won a case of Shell Rotella T and a Lee Hi Travel Plaza prize package, as did all the winners.

Best of Show runners-up were: 1st Runner-up, Jerry Beaudoin of Southington, Conn., for his excitingly simple black and orange 2007 Peterbilt; and 2nd Runner-up, Johathan Eilen of Hampton, Minn., for his exotic black 2010 Peterbilt 389 with undulating orange flames.

Taking Best Mural was Niel Messerley of V&M Trucking, for a train mural on the back of his 1991 Mack MH613 Ultraliner, based out of Harrisonburg, Va. The Messerley trucking family entered nine trucks in the competition.

Taking the coveted People’s Choice award, which show-goers and other contestants have a chance to vote on throughout the show, was Jerry Kissinger and his 1991 Mack Superliner.

Kissinger and his Mack also won 1st Place, Classic Division.

Other winners were:

1st Place Tractor Division ($1,500), Mike Manuel of Front Royal, Va., for his 2006 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Place Tractor Division ($1,000), Jeff Hyde of Eagle Lake, Fla., for his 20007 W900 Kenworth; 3rd Place Tractor Division ($750), Will and Joyce Shomaker of Stephen City, Va., for their 2006 Peterbilt 379 Flat Top; 4th Place Tractor Division ($500), Chad Blackwell of Greenville, Va., for his 2007 Peterbilt 379; 5th Place Tractor Division ($250) Nathan Deacon of Lexington, Va., for his 2005 Peterbilt 379;

1st Place Tractor-Trailer Division ($1,500), Scott Diller of Bethel, Pa., for his 2007 Kenworth W900L, and 2008 Mack Stepdeck trailer; 2nd Place Tractor-Trailer Division ($1,000), Chris and Denise Jones of Accokeek, Md., for their 2007 Kenworth W900 and 2006 Utility Van trailer; 3rd Place Tractor-Trailer ($750), Cecil Wolfe of Blue Ridge, Va., for his 2007 Legacy Class Peterbilt 379 and his 2010 CPS Bottom Drop trailer; 4th Place Tractor-Trailer Division ($500), Shawn and Steven Cielke of Haugan, Mont., for their 2006 Kenworth W900B and 2006 Wabash Trailer; 5th Place Tractor-Trailer Division ($250), Brian Dreher of Campbellsport, Wis., for his 2001 Peterbilt and 2000 Great Dane Trailer

2nd Place Classic Division ($1,000), Bill and Cody Warner of Circleville, W. Va., for their 1987 359 Pete; 3rd Place Classic Division ($750), M.D. Mullins Heavy Haulin of Bealeton, Va., for their 1996 Kenworth L900; 4th Place Classic Division ($500), Willard J. Good of Denver, Pa., for his 1954 LT Mack; and 5th Place Classic Division ($250), and Jerald Harris of Harrisonburg, Va., for his 1976 Peterbilt 359.

Dorothy Cox of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at dlcox@thetrucker.com.