Organisers shifted the Taranaki Truck Show from its usual Taranaki Anniversary Weekend date to Easter Sunday in early April on account of Covid-19. When the day finally fell, no one was disappointed with the turnout.

The weather on Sunday 4 April was kind, and the convoy of more than 128 trucks left New Plymouth’s Paritutu at 9am for Hickford Park in Bell Block, making a spectacular display.

Approaching the park, we could already see the team from Ian Roebuck Crane Hire. All those registering received a gift from McCurdy Trucks as they drove through the gate. Dennis Brown Transport brought its entire fleet up from Eltham, and Beale Trucking from Mangatainoka brought an icon of the town with them. Clive Taylor of Bulk Lines and many others added some out-of-town rigs to the many local trucks on display, such as those from G.J. Sole Transport and J. D. Hickman, among many others.

“We were overwhelmed by the support we received by the public and all those who brought a truck to the show,” says Will Bishop, one of the organisers. “A large crowd, mainly families, lined the streets from the convoy start point through the front of town to the venue.”

There was plenty at the park to entertain the kids – a bouncy castle, mini car and mini truck rides, a merry-go- round, face painting, and big truck rides – as well as a live band to keep everyone in the family entertained. The food and drink stalls were aplenty, and it was a great day for all.

A special thanks to the sponsors and organisers and everyone who took part in making this great day happen. All money raised from the show was donated to the Taranaki Community Rescue Helicopter Trust. This year the team handed over a cheque for $11,882.84.

   
                 Taranaki Civil looking good. (left)

The Mack Transport R-series took out Best Stock Truck. (left) Best Freightliner went to Beale Trucking. (right)

Taranaki Truck Show Winners

Truck of the Show: Clive Taylor | 2019 Mack Trident
People’s Choice: Jonathon Webb, TIL | Western Star
Tug o War sponsored by Uhlenberg Haulage: Michielsens | The Bulkie Boys
Best Fleet: Dennis Brown Transport
Best Logger: Bourke Hualage | Kenworth K200
Best Tanker: Ixom | Volvo FH540
Best Curtainsider: Dennis Brown Transport | 2009 Kenworth K108
Best Flat Deck: JD Hickman | 2013 DAF XF
Best Refrigerator: Dennis Brown Transport | 2013 Western Star 4884FXC
Best Bulk Unit: Clive Taylor | 2019 Mack Trident
Best Crane/Hiab/Swinglift: Roebucks | 2016 Volvo FMX
Best Stock Truck: Mack Transport | Mack R-series
Best Spreader: —
Best Transporter: Central Housemovers | Kenworth SAR
Best Recovery Vehicle: Jamieson Recovery | Mack Super Liner
Best Concrete Truck: Firth | Hino 500
Best Tractor Unit: Laurie Schreiber | 1994 Kenworth T900
Best Classic: Uhlenberg Transport | 1979 Kenworth W924 SAR
Best Vintage: Roebucks | 1936 Ford V8

Truck Winner

Best Mack Clive Taylor | 2019 Trident
Best Kenworth Bourke Haulage | K200
Best Volvo Ixom | FH540
Best Isuzu Osflo Fertiliser | 2020 CYZ400
Best Hino Firth | Hino 500
Best Cat GJ Sole | CT 630S
Best Freightliner Beale Trucking | Argosy
Best DAF JD Hickman | 2013 XF
Best Mercedes-Benz SLR Haulage, Mainfreight | Mercedes-Benz Arocs
Best Western Star Dennis Brown Transport | 2000 7584S
Best Iveco Xpress Vehicle Transport | 2020 Stralis
Best MAN TIL
Best Fuso —
Best Peterbilt Taranaki Civil Construction
Best Scania Purchase Transport, Mainfreight | R620
Best International Taranaki Civil Construction
Best Sinotruk JD Hickman
Other Q Transport | Foden

   
Roebuck Crane Hire took out Best Hiab and Best Vintage awards. (left) Express Vehicle Transport won best Iveco.(right)

   
A couple of flash Americans from Beale Trucking (left) Clive Taylor Macks looking sharp. (right)