The 2019 Mitre 10 Mega Ride in a Truck Day attracted thousands of people and hundreds of trucks, all to get kids into cabs and raise some money for charity.

Photo: Buckeridge Transport was among a few fleets in attendance, showing off their support in force.

The show this year was held for the first time at the Hastings A&P Showgrounds, which turned out to be the perfect venue to host the 240 vehicles and approximately 6000 visitors that attended. According to past chairman and organising committee member Sandy Walker, the venue will host the event in future but at a slightly later time, following the Hawke‘s Bay A&P Show. With the kids lining up to jump in the cabs as the trucks continually lapped the grounds, the adults could enjoy the truck tug-of-war or walk among the show‘s exhibits. And boy, were the trucks displayed in all their splendour. Once again, the show raised funds for the Little Elms Charitable Trust and the Hastings Cancer Society Wellness Centre. This year, $20,000 was raised.

Walker explained that the event, which has been held biennially since 1992, originally started as a nationwide Ride in a Truck Day and Hawke‘s Bay is one of the regions still running it successfully. “It‘s a great chance for the industry to show off with positive community backing. The funds raised, along with some serious charitable contributions, saw the Little Elms Charitable Trust formed in 2005. The complex, built in 2008 to house families who have a very sick child in the Hastings Memorial Hospital and are in need of urgent accommodation, features six chalets, an office complex, storage and a three-bedroom respite house.” Walker expressed his gratitude for the continued support received by the event. “The organisers would like to thank the transport operators, professional drivers and the many volunteers for their continued support for such a great event.

Photo: To you this might be a Mack Super Liner but to many suffering from mental health afflictions, this is Mack the Hopeful Black Dog.

Photo: The procession of trucks circled the showgrounds almost non-stop!

Photo: Could climbing into the cab ever be any easier? The famous TR Group Anzac Kenworth K200 swaps passengers.

Photo: Over-size? This Tomoana Arocs is massive with a capital M!

Photo: But if you had to pick just one?

Photo: One of two lovingly restored Pan Pac Kenworths that were present on the day sits next to a restored NZFP unit. Wonder what today‘s kids will restore 50 years from now?

Photo: A truck show on Bathurst weekend … no prizes for guessing who the Lake Self- Loading boys were supporting.