TORONTO — Participation in the record-breaking 2006 World’s Largest Truck Convoy is expected to more than double, organizers predict.

WLTC officials hope they can attract 4,000 truckers in 34 states, as well as Alberta, Ontario for the 2006 Special Olympics fundraiser, which kicks off Sept. 16, 2006. The goal this year is to raise nearly $600,000 — about $160,000 more than the 2005 convoy, which attracted nearly 1,800 drivers.

The 2005 convoy was a 40 percent increase over the previous year.
 

Stephane Gauthier worked for months making
sure he got the lead in the convoy

Truckers wanting to participate can simply donate a $100 entry fee,  send a completed registration form to their local Special Olympics Convoy contact (see website linked below), meet at a staging location and then convoy to a predetermined destination, such as a raceway, fairgrounds or a truckstop. At that destination they’ll be welcomed by Special Olympics athletes, families, friends, colleagues, law enforcement officers, the Special Olympics community, and the organizations, companies and agencies that make up the trucking industry. 

Inspired by the powerful impact Special Olympics has had on his life through his participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and Norm Schneiderhan, a corporal with the Orange County, Fla. sheriff’s department, created World’s Largest Truck Convoy.

The convoy got its start in Canada in 2004 near Edmonton. Last year, the Canadian leg expanded to Paris, Ont., where 60 trucks rolled west along Highways 403 and 401 to Putnam Ont., before turning back. The southern Ontario chapter raised proceeds of $30,000 for Special Olympics.

Stephane Gauthier had had sold convoy T-shirts and pictures of his truck for months to win the lead truck spot. In all, Gauthier raised $6,018.

Truckers or carriers wishing to have their truck in the 2006 lead spot may bid for this position.