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A journey that began in with an old Chevy Semi in California that progressed across the scenic back roads of Americana and ended in Mike Laribee's shop in Ohio, provided a great foundation for the future Shameless. In that shop, a transformation occurred to take the Semi off the back roads and prepare it for the dirt and clay it would see on the pulling track. With a lot of time and knowledge, Mike Laribee's nationally known Shameless Chevy Hot Rod Semi was converted into a powerhouse on the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Champions Tour. Shameless may not be the most powerful truck in the class, but the operator of it has a winning formula for success. Mike Laribee and teammate Joe Metzger began the season with a plan: be consistent and stay focused on the championship. The formula was exactly the ticket as Laribee captured his second Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Champions Tour crown.
A former champion in a Super Modified Four Wheel Drive class, Laribee decided he needed a different challenge in the sport and thus made the voyage to California to pick up his new puller. The Chevy has a one turbo set up so that Shameless can run on the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Champions Tour, as well as qualifying under the rules of his home member state, the Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association. The one turbo set up has a lower output of horsepower, but Laribee believes it is a lot easier on the wear and tear of parts. “We knew at the beginning of the season that we could not win every pull, so our goal was to leave each pull prepared to compete at the next one and be there at the end of the season,” stated Laribee.
The learning curve from the Shameless Chevy Four Wheel Drive to the Shameless Chevy Hot Rod Semi was one that Laribee seemed to make with ease.
“With the Four Wheel Drive the trick was getting hooked and putting the power to the track. With the Semi the problem is not getting hooked, as the truck weighs so much, but more getting a lot of speed built up to prepare for the sled tugging at the finish line,” commented Laribee.
In a sport where knowledge is often considered power, Laribee seems to be full of power with over two decades behind the wheel of a pulling machine.
The knowledge Laribee carries helped to construct the vision of consistency to win championships that the Shameless team carried throughout the season. That approach lead to the Shameless Truck finishing in the top five at every event except for one on the Champions Tour. The Ohio State circuit saw the same sort of success as the ole' Chevy captured the points title on the state level as well. Winning titles has not changed Laribee's passion for the sport or buoyed his desire to strive for another title to add to his resume.
“The Hot Rod Semi class is really one that I feel can take off in the sport of pulling. Lucas Oil and Pro Pulling League staff have done a fantastic job creating a premier pulling organization and I am excited to see where it goes.” According to Laribbee, another great attribute of the Hot Rod Semi class is “the level of competitiveness is so high that on any given day, anybody in the class can take home a win.”
Throughout the season, Laribee leaned on his team for their support and time over the course of both circuits. “I want to thank my family and my team so much for all they have done to help get the truck up and down the track. I also want to thank Hales Harley Davidson for their sponsorship, as well as Mosier Industrial Services for all of their efforts with the trucks. Riverside Engines has been a great help over the years and I certainly appreciate them. Finally, I want to thank General Tire, their tires have been great for both trucks.”
The future looks bright for Shameless, as Laribee plans to give the ole' Chevy a new paint job over the off season. A trip as well may be made to the Dyno, as ever puller continues to find themselves in pursuit of more power. Plain and simple, the winning combination won't change for the Shameless team as they will arrive at every pull looking to put their best effort forward in pursuit of another championship.