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.