DALLAS, Tex. — The reality TV craze of interior decorating makeovers hits the trucking industry this month as four lucky big rig owners turn their trucks over to local design students for complete interior redos.

Teams of students from Texas Christian University and the Art Institute of Dallas will each have two Freightliner trucks to redo during the event, which takes place in conjunction with the Great American Trucking Show, held at the Dallas Convention Center, and is sponsored by Freightliner Trucks.

The truck owners, who completed an online entry form to be considered for the event, each selected a theme for their cab interiors.

This year’s themes are: Beach, Kentucky Horse Racing, Patriotic and Mardi Gras. The design teams are given $1,500 to redo each rig.

The designers have three days to complete their makeovers Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 9-11, 2004. On Sunday morning, Sept. 12, judges will evaluate the trucks and first- and second-place awards will be given in the following categories: Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Budget and Most Creative. All points from each of the teams from the two schools will be tallied and the school with the most points wins a $2,000 scholarship, courtesy of Freightliner Trucks.

One team will also receive a Spirit Award, for the best demonstration of teamwork and enthusiasm.

The awards ceremony will be held at noon on Sunday in Hall D. Winners will be featured in a special section in the November issue of Overdrive magazine.

For more details, visit www.gatsonline.com