More than 200 big rigs lined up for the 25th annual Newcastle Hunter Transport Awareness Day convoy and fun-filled family truck show held at the Maitland Showgrounds in November.

Photo: More than 200 trucks joined the 24km-long convoy parade.

The Transport Awareness Day began in 1994 as a way of educating the local community about the role of the transport and logistics industry. Today this awareness day and truck show is one of the country‘s leading truck shows, attracting trucks and industry personalities from around the nation, like celebrity Outback Truckers‘ Glenn ‘Yogi‘ Kendall and his wife, Amanda. The event is organised by a dedicated group of volunteers. President Ray Williams wanted to personally thank the committee members, who all worked tirelessly to make the event such a success. “For more than two decades most of these people have volunteered countless hours to make Newcastle Hunter Transport Awareness Day a leading industry event,” he said. “Each year this day has helped to promote the transport industry to the public, through fostering a greater understanding and awareness of its role in our community. “We are grateful to all the transport providers, employees and subcontractors who assemble at the event to learn more about the latest practice, network with peers, and promote safe road practices to the public.” Williams said the event presented a unique opportunity for industry employees and employers, regulators and suppliers to interact with the general public in a casual and fun environment.

“It is the largest transport industry event outside of metro Sydney and provides attendees with an improved understanding of the transport industry, and the role we all play in keeping our roads safe.” The proceeds of the day are distributed between the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Ronald McDonald House Newcastle. The day kicked off early on 10 November at the Sandgate Market where 200 trucks lined up to take part in the 24km annual convoy parade to the Maitland Showgrounds. Well before the trucks began lining up, the team from O‘Neill‘s Heavy Haulage was on hand to cook a BBQ breakfast for all the drivers, as they‘ve done every year since the event‘s inception. Once the convoy arrived at the Maitland Showgrounds, the trucks were quickly parked in neat rows and the judges began the massive task of checking over all the entries. Meanwhile, there were plenty of activities for the kids and a large selection of food vans and stalls to keep everyone fed. One of Australia‘s biggest country rock bands, Hurricane Fall, took to the main stage and belted out some top tunes, which kept the crowd entertained.

Photo: Celebrating 25 years.

The former Bandag Bullet, now called the ‘Bullet Burnout Truck‘, made a guest appearance thanks to owner Laurie Williams from Beerwah. Laurie entertained the crowd every hour or so, starting up the big V16 GM and putting on a fire show. For the younger readers who have never seen this truck in action, it set the world‘s fastest truck record on 21 July 2005, blasting down the Bundaberg Airport runway at 305.5kph – all on standard issue Bandag cold process retreads and new Bridgestone tyres. The Bullet is powered by two V8 92 series engines linked together with two superchargers and four turbochargers, which give it 24 litres (1500 cubic inch) capacity. When injected with nitrous oxide, the power is boosted to an amazing 2088kW (2800hp). The truck weighs in at eight tonnes and has some 7592Nm (5600ft/lb) of torque on tap. While there were plenty of well-deserved trophies handed out at the conclusion of the activities, the big winners of the day were the transport industry and the two charities supported by the event.

Photo: Neat Ford UTL looking distinguished.

Photo: Super shiny Cumminspowered T900 Legend.

Photo: Firestorm Fire Protection demonstrated its Fogmaker water mist protection system. The 900° diesel-fuelled fire was instantly extinguished.

Photo: Models lined up.

Photo: The Bandag Bullet, now called the ‘Bullet Burnout Truck‘, once set the record for the World‘s Fastest Truck. Today it makes flames and burns rubber.

Photo: Starting ‘em young!

Photo: This is the largest transport industry event outside metro Sydney.