BIG RIGS SEMIS AT THE BIG BUTLER FAIR (FRIDAY SESSION)
The famed Big Rigs Semi Trucks will make a rare appearance at the 2023 Big Butler Fair in Prospect, Pennsylvania on Friday, July 7 at 7:00pm. The Big Rigs were a fixture at the Fair during the last decade when they participated in the Saturday evening sessions. With the movement of all pulling events to mid-week a couple of years ago it became nearly impossible to slate the Big Rigs at the Big Butler Fair due to scheduling conflicts.
Jeff Lautenan from Jefferson, Ohio is the reigning champion with the Big Rigs with his CAT powered Peterbilt named “Moody Blue”. That truck has been in the top five at each event with the Big Rigs again in 2023 but has yet to garner a win. New for 2023 Big Rigs pulling is another truck from the Ashtabula County Ohio based Lautenan Pulling Team. Bob Lautenan has acquired the beautifully prepared “Grape Ape” anther Petebilt with a C-15 Caterpillar under the hood. This truck already has a top five finish this season.
One of the other favorites on Friday at the Big Butler Fair will be local competitor from Beaver County – Nate August and “Work ‘N Progress”, similarly prepared with CAT power in a fully restored Kenworth. August captured the win last month at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Brookville, Pennsylvania during the Big Rigs Power Pulls. This truck moved up from the Pro Stock PA POSSE division a year ago.
Jerry Hairhoger from Enon Valley (Lawrence County, PA) took a big win at the Bunker Hill Shoot-Out in Beloit, Ohio in early June with his “Gerry-Atricks” Kenworth. But with that victory came engine damage that held the truck out of the Big Rigs Power Pulls later in June. It is hoped that the necessary repairs to the engine will allow that former USA-EAST Champion to return to the track on Friday evening.
One of the new entries this year is the Kenworth of Bud Kronauer from Madison, Ohio. This truck (the former “Super Trooper) has a very stout KT-600 Kenworth for power and has already taken two third place finishes in 2023. And Chris Jeffries from Wyoming, New York has had two very interesting Big Rigs out on the circuit a couple of times this season. His “Bad Dog” Mack Superliner with a V-8 Mack for power has shown some good power but has yet to grab a top five position after getting a couple of runner-up spots a year ago. And Jeffries other truck, an antique 1983 GMC General Big Rig with 3406 CAT power has proven to be a crowd favorite but has not made a dent in the top five Big Rigs yet this year.
The Big Butler Fair is located just off Route 422 about seven miles east of Interstate 79. There is plenty of free parking and the open grandstand is included in the pay-one-price gate admission of just eight dollars per adult. Kids under the age of six are free of charge. Gate admission does not include carnival rides.
