2023 Casino Truck show claims title of biggest show in southern hemisphere
More than 600 trucks and drivers from across the country packed into Casino for the biggest trucking bonanza in the southern hemisphere. See the photos.
Lismore
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Hundreds of millions of dollars of machinery, more than 600 trucks, rolled into town as part of the tenth Casino Truck Show – the biggest trucking bonanza in the southern hemisphere.
The annual show in Casino CBD on Saturday drew more than 14,000 attendees – eclipsing all records for attendance at a single-day event in the Richmond Valley.
It included double the entrants of last year’s event, surpassing TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show in Christchurch, New Zealand for the hemisphere’s biggest showcase of the heavy machinery.
The drivers of about 580 trucks, many evidently polished to a sheen, competed for the prestigious Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show honour.
Rig of the Show went to Luke Wilson of Bulmers Transport for his T908 Kenworth with 1.9 million kilometres on the clock. He walked away $1000 richer.
Mr Wilson said he was a “little overwhelmed” to take the top prize.
Based between Kyogle and Lismore, the trucker said he has mostly worked with smaller trucks and he “feels gifted” to be driving the boss’ big Kenworth.
“All I have to do is keep it clean,” Mr Wilson said.
Darren Goodwin, event organiser and co-ordinator, said he was still in awe of the show’s stellar attendance.
He said the effort drivers and companies put in to attend does not go unnoticed.
“We are already planning to make sure our operations run smoothly in 2024 and attendees receive the best experience possible,” he said.
The show including the judging of 580 trucks, however, about 40 missed the registration deadline, despite still taking to the streets of Casino, meaning about 620 trucks were in town.
Winning entrants for the AutoSmart Australia Top Five Elite Series were Rasmussen Bulk, Aaron Reid SRV, G&D Inverno, Mark Tobin, and Taylor Holdings.
Wickhams Freightines took out first place for the Brown & Hurley Best Fleet Series, with Freds Interstate placing second and MJS third.
Richmond Valley Council director of community service delivery Angela Jones said the show had to be cancelled in 2020-21 due to the Covid pandemic.
She and the council events team is already looking forward to next year’s event – which may surpass expectations yet again.
She was pleased to see both North Coast trucking companies and trucks from across the nation in the Valley
Richmond Valley Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said the was growing and it was a significant economic boon for Casino and the wider North Coast.
“Local accommodation providers are booked out months in advance, and many attendees are overnighting in Kyogle, Lismore, even Ballina,” he said.
Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow said the show was also the biggest fundraising opportunity of the year for some community groups.
“The NCP (North Coast Petroleum) Casino Truck Show identifies with the spirit of our local area and plays a significant role in building destination awareness,” Cr Mustow said.
“It has most certainly helped raise Casino’s profile.”
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