In November 2000 Steve and Wendy Maddison, were killed in a tragic accident on the A1 whilst trying to help others escape from an overturned car. Steve and Wendy had been involved and competed in many areas of off road motor sport and had turned their hobby into a successful business by founding Maddison 4×4. Steve had achieved great success in the challenge events as part of “Team Ibex” with vehicles prepared by Steve and Maddison 4×4.

The Steve Maddison Memorial Trophy was created for the event and was due to be competed for in April 2001, however, the foot and mouth outbreak made running the event then impossible and so it was that the first competition was held in March 2002.

The “Muddy Truckers” name came from the informal 4×4 “club” of friends that Steve and Wendy had had an active part in creating.