Beautiful sun, a fantastic charity, families, and 180 trucks. What else could it be but Ashburton!

Photo: The immaculately refurbed Mack Ultra Liner from Oxford Ag won the best 750,000 –1,000,000km category.

Saturday 7 September 2019 and the day of the Ashburton Truck Show dawned with bright sunshine and blue skies. This was in stark contrast to the days leading up to the event that saw wet and stormy conditions. It did leave conditions a little slippery underfoot, however surprisingly few trucks got stuck arriving and leaving the show. For those who did find themselves in a little grief, the PTS boys were on hand with a farm tractor – conveniently part of a load – to lend a helping hand. The biennial show was held at the Ashburton A&P Showgrounds again this year and head organiser Rick Harkness was extremely pleased with the turnout of more than 180 trucks. One of the nice touches of the show is an award called the Andy Harkness Memorial Award, which is dedicated to Rick Harkness‘s late father. All truck entries are eligible for this award and what makes it even more special is that Rick‘s mother Yvonne is the person who chooses the recipient.

This year the honours went to John Webster and his black W Model Kenworth. Another nice touch was a handwritten note left on the step of Stuart Tarbotton Contracting‘s T909 Kenworth which read “Kids jump in, put ya bum on the seat (this may be the job for you)”, and with that the driver‘s door was left wide open for any kid who wanted to take up the offer – and plenty did. The entire event was very well organised and there was a pleasant, almost family feel to it. Proceeds from the show are donated to charity and the Child Cancer Foundation was chosen as the beneficiary for 2019. At the time of writing more than $13,000 had been raised. Based on the 2019 efforts, there is no doubt that everyone will be looking forward to the next Ashburton Truck Show in 2021.

Photo: Burnell and Son Transport‘s line-up of Freightliners took away the Fleet of the Show award.

Photo: Methven Trucking‘s imposing International 9870 bulk tipper.

Photo: The Andy Harkness Memorial award is in memory of head organiser Rick Harkness‘s father. Any truck at the show qualifies, and as a nice touch Rick‘s mother Yvonne chooses the award winner. This year John Webster took the honours in his W Model Kenworth.

Photo: Rossco Bobcats‘ gleaming nearnew UD Quon tipper.

Photo: Classic trucks had a large presence at the show again this year.

Photo: PTS provided a farm tractor to tow several trucks in and out of the show that had traction issues.

Photo: Hilton Haulage are ever-present supporters of Canterbury-based truck shows.

Photo: Gerald Daldry‘s superb full-scale restoration of a Burnett Motors International Acco livestock unit.

Photo: Best in the 500,000 –750,000 category was Jaden Pearson in his Western Star.

RESULTS Ashburton Truck Show 2019