For two spring days in early October, the town of Timaru was on a power trip. A horsepower trip that is!

Photo: It doesn‘t get much better for New Zealand truck enthusiasts than Phil Cassidy‘s stunning Regan Carriers reincarnation of the original ‘Cool CAT‘.

With so many events being cancelled due to Covid-19, it was extremely pleasing to see the 2020 Horsepower Rally go ahead as planned on the weekend of 3 and 4 October at Levels Raceway near Timaru. This is the second such event, with the first being held at the nearby Phar Lap Raceway in 2018. A committee predominantly made up of members of the South Canterbury Traction Engine and Transport Museum runs the event and proceeds raised will be used to help build a 70m x 20m building to house the museum‘s classic trucks. The existing truck museum building will be used to expand the present tractor and farm machinery museum. There was something for everyone at this show, with motorbikes cars, tractors, traction engines, cranes, a huge array of stalls and exhibits, and the primary reason we were there of course – the trucks.

There were more than 160 classic trucks on display, helped by the Classic Commercials Southern Circuit 2020 passing through. A large proportion of these trucks had made their way down from the North Island. There were also more than 25 late model and new trucks joining in the festivities. The atmosphere was abuzz, with smoke billowing from traction engines that circled around their allocated area. There were also many of the other exhibits that made their way out onto racetrack during both days, with the highlight being the trucks, which did several laps of the track on both afternoons. More than 6000 people came through the gates over the two days. Horsepower Rally and Museum Club president Gordon Handy was so pleased with the 2020 event that another event in 2022 is already looking promising. Based on this year, it would certainly be one to put on the calendar when the dates are confirmed.

Photo: Is it a traction engine or a truck? Or both. Whatever you like to call it, it is super cool!

Photo: Vic Draper‘s outstanding, recently restored International Paystar looked even more impressive with its loaded low-bed trailer.

Photo: Ray Reid‘s immaculate LW Kenworth ‘blowing coal‘ down the Levels Raceway back straight.

Photo: A definite crowd pleaser was Graeme Skou‘s stunning, virtually rebuilt W924 Kenworth with an extended hood.

Photo: Ray Reid‘s immaculate LW Kenworth ‘blowing coal‘ down the Levels Raceway back straight.

Photo: Jamieson Agriculture‘s smart International T-Line with precious cargo on board.

Photo: Alister Nicholson brought along his superbly restored 1942 V8 powered Ford semi unit.

Photo: Allan Harrington‘s International S Line was  restored back to its former glory just in time for the big event.

Photo: An impressive lineup of Kenworths kept in check by Dean Alderson‘s Peterbilt, ‘Blue Lady‘.

Photo: TDM Construction‘s W-model lined up beside Kaituna Haulage‘s Mk1 Mack Super Liner.

Photo: Rows and rows of classic trucks lined up alongside the raceway.

Photo: Thankfully the trucks aren‘t about to catch fire, it‘s the traction engines firing into life in the background.