At last, the sun!

5 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineFebruary 8, 2019

For sheer determination and a will to succeed, Karen Black takes some heading off, and her grit and fortitude paid off in spades at the Turners Truck and Machinery Show 2018, held on a glorious December Sunday at the Pukekohe Park circuit.


Photo: The motor racing circuit made the parade so spectacular and easy to see.

You couldn‘t for one moment argue that Karen Black‘s first two truck and machinery shows in 2016 and 17 weren‘t successful. Considering the weather that‘s attempted to dampen this gritty woman‘s resolve, the turnout at both events has been great and the spirit of all those in attendance just fantastic. Everyone knew the need for a standout show in the country‘s biggest village was long overdue, and the will to make it work has certainly been there right across the region. For the 2018 event Karen and her team moved the venue from Kumeu to Pukekohe – a generally more accessible location.
The weather forecasts on the days leading up to the event were horrific and for a moment a sense of déjà vu hung in the air. But come 2 December the gods couldn‘t have been kinder and Pukekohe awoke to sun-soaked splendour and hordes of truck junkies and public pouring through the gates.

There was something for everyone: race truck rides, wheel changing competitions, excavator competition, truck reversing,stalls, entertainment, and best of all, 171 polished, gleaming, tyre-blacked beauties. Robbie Shefford (a.k.a you know what) and his roving mic kept the crowds entertained and informed, and served to keep all the various goings on part of a single atmosphere. “The truck turnout was fantastic and they looked so good on the track,” said Karen. “I can‘t thank the NRC team and everyone involved enough, all those who volunteered and also the sponsors. Next year we‘re going to aim for 300 trucks.” Benefactor on the day was the Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade, who will receive a cheque for $2000.


Photo: People‘s Choice and best Miscellaneous/Specialised Equipment for its tanker, the Northchill T900 Legend series unit.


Photo: Local firm Riordan and West drove off with the Best Fleet prize.


Photo: Great to see the locals en masse.



Photo: NJ Wood Ltd had their next magnificent contribution to New Zealand‘s road transport history present. For the most part it was on the Prestige International Ltd stand, and certainly wouldn‘t have done their order books any harm.


Photo: from left: NRC executive officer Paula Rogers, MC on the day Robbie Shefford, Karen Black, the tireless champion of the show.
(Notwithstanding the fine chap in the middle, it‘s the old adage…if you want something done…)

Category Truck Company Driver/Owner/Rep
Best Fleet   Riordan and West Ltd  
New Truck KW K200 Aerodyne Seay Earthmovers Ltd Nathan MacLachlan
Visual Impact KW K200 Wyatt Haulage Ltd Kyle Middleton
Classic White 2066 Super Freight Ltd Lance Peach
Tractor KW K200 Northchill Ltd Neil Powell
Curtain/Flat Deck Scania R450 APL Direct Ltd Craig Fryer
Crane/Side loader Freightliner Century Cargo Plus Ltd Cyrus Sethna
Tipper Inter T-Line Luke Brinkley Luke Brinkly
Livestock/Logger Kenworth K200 On Road Transport Ltd William Garrett
Heavy Haul/Tow Kenworth K200 McRobbie Bros Ltd Craig Williams
       
Misc/Specialised      
Equipment Tanker Northchill Shane Downey
People‘s Choice KW T900 Legend Northchill Ltd Shane Downey
Company ute Holden Colorado VT Transport Ltd Nilesh Chandra
       
Wheel changing competition
1st Hamish Soppet (1 min 24 sec)
2nd Paul Price (1 min 49 sec)
3rd Shaun Reynolds (2 min 7 sec)
       
Truck reversing competition
1st Cam Vernon, Vernon Development
2nd Cyrus Sethna, Cargo Plus
3rd Shaun Reynolds, TA Reynolds
       
MIMICO excavator competition
1st Daniel Smith, DK Smith Excavations
2nd Josh Stockwell, JS Contracting
3rd Micheal White, Micheal White Contracting

Special thanks to: Turners Truck and Machinery, UDC, National Road Carriers, Mimico, Deals on Wheels, New Zealand Trucking magazine.

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