P.J. Hale manuevers his modified 1948 Willys pickup over a field of boulders. The Kempner resident will put his off-road skills to the ultimate test next week when he travels to Hollister Hills, Calif., for the 18th annual Top Truck Challenge. Lots of little boys love to play with their toy trucks in the mud.

Some never grow out of it.

Next week, Kempner’s P.J. Hale will be one of 10 participants in Four Wheeler magazine’s Top Truck Challenge at Hollister Hills, Calif., where getting dirty is a requirement.

Outfitted with a modified 1948 Willys pickup, Hale and spotter/codriver Doug Kahlstrom will look to win the top prize by participating in seven events meant to test the skill of some of the most talented drivers in the nation.

While it might be a pressurepacked situation to some, the competition is just good, clean fun to Hale.

“It is just one of those deals where you’re either drawn to four-wheel drive vehicles and mud or you’re not,” Hale said. “I was part of that group.

Equipped with oversized tires, custom chassis and Rockwell axles, P.J. Hale’s truck will be put to the ultimate test in a series of extreme events. “It is a good way to forget about your troubles of the world.”

Beginning Monday, Hale’s lone concern will be performing in the gauntlet of off-road events that require both precision and power from his extreme machine.

Along with his 20 years of driving experience, Hale’s specially designed 54-inch Mickey Thompson tires, Ford Mustang 302ci V-8 engine, custom chassis and dual Rockwell 2.5-ton axles all will be tested as he works his way up, over, around and through events such as the frame twister, mud pit, obstacle course and hill climb.

Events begin Tuesday and culminate Thursday with the tank trap, a muddy, boulder-littered, uphill obstacle course considered so intense it is worth double points.

It is also one of Hale’s favorite events, which means a solid showing in the first six events coupled with a strong outing in the tank trap could equal a high finish.

But the true key to success, according to Hale, is calm consistency under pressure.

“All of the big mistakes happen because [people] get too antsy or too caught up in the moment,” Hale said. “Once you get too pumped up, you’ll make a stupid mistake, and a simple mistake will put you on your side.”

If a vehicle overturns, the driver is disqualified for the round, almost ensuring his chance for the championship is ruined.

While Hale will be shooting to win it all, he hopes to finish no lower than third at the 18th annual event.

Hale began his trek to the offroad Super Bowl back in December, when he submitted a photo and description of his vehicle to Four Wheeler. A panel from the magazine then selected the top 50 entries and ran the group with a ballot in its February edition.

After receiving more than 20,000 votes, the top 10 were selected to compete.

In 2009, Hale’s copilot Kahlstrom was a participant at the Top Truck Challenge, placing fifth overall and falling just one point shy of tying for fourth.

The experience could be extremely valuable as the friends attempt to navigate their way into the top three.

“Having a competitor from last year as my spotter is going to be an advantage,” Hale said. “He gets out and makes sure I’m picking the best line to go the quickest without getting stuck or tripped up.”

If all goes smoothly, the duo just might find themselves standing in the winner’s circle.

Mud and all.