By Bronwyn Hastings

Blue Ribbon Raceway’s inaugural Horsham Truck Show brought thousands of people to the rural city for a truck competition, convoy, country music and stalls at the weekend.

Event co-ordinator Stephen Carman said the organising committee had heard ‘only good things’ following the show.

“People said they enjoyed the whole show, from the trucks to the music and everything in-between,” he said.

“I can’t name just one part of it that stands out, it had a great atmosphere. 

“About 3000 people came from all over for it.”

The show’s convoy raised money for Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids, WACK.

“We raised $400 from the convoy – every truck entered gave $10, and we also had donation buckets at the show, which raised a further $230 for the cause,” Mr Carman said.

“Horsham Apex Club ran the bar during the weekend, and Horsham Volleyball Association ran the barbecue. The barbecue sold out both days, they had to get more supplies.”

Mr Carman said Blue Ribbon Raceway committee would meet next week to debrief and discuss the possibility of the event running again next year.

“We will likely look at different attractions and options to keep it interesting, but it’s up to the committee to decide if it will happen again,” he said.

Mr Carman said the event’s success was due to the support of sponsors and volunteers.

“We offer big thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers and people of our surrounding areas for getting behind such a good show,” he said.

“We’re all very tired now, but with heaps of good feedback, it was worth every minute.”

The two-day event attracted 138 truck entries from across Australia, from as far as Perth and Brisbane, to compete for first and second prizes in 20 categories.

The Wilken family’s Captain Cook 1988 Superliner was judged rig of the show, while the people’s choice was Whitehaul 2022 Kenworth RLW909. 

The best working rig pre-2010 was AJ Vincent TPT 2004 Kenworth XW31RU, with JR Clarke Haulage 2006 Western Star JEDI07 in second place; best working rig 2010-2015, Miles Transport 2010 Kenworth XV40DY, second David McLean 2010 Kenworth XW29CB; best working rig 2016-2021 Wilken Bulk Haulage Jeremy Jardine 2018 Mack Superliner WBH15, second Duells Furniture Removals 2020 Kenworth MOVEIT; best working rig 2022-current JR Clarke Haulage 2023 Kenworth DDG292, second Tatiara Transport Kelvin Sanders 2024 Kenworth XS85IO; best historic truck pre-1994 Colin MacDonald 1971 Atkinson XS81GI, second Leo Kelly, Kelly Transport 1984 W Model Kenworth 68893H; best restored-show open Wilken Family Captain Cook 1988 Superliner, second Colin MacDonald 1971 Atkinson XS81GI.

The best fleet of three or more was Wilken Bulk Haulage in first place, with JR Clarke Haulage in second; best custom truck, Whitehead 2022 Kenworth RLW909, second JR Clarke Haulage 2023 Kenworth DDG292; best farm truck, Colesrook MR 1999 Kenworth 71160F, second Sam Box Trucking 1979 International BOXIE3; best tipper, Annett Bulk Transport 2017 Kenworth KNW909, second R-Civil 2018 Western Star XV5BAE; best tilt tray, Modern Towing 2011 Hino TOW125, second Carman’s Towing Driver Ray 2007 Hino 1OB9FU; best tow recovery, Modern Towing 2010 Mack TOW122, second Carman’s Towing 2015 Isuzu XV36YY; best medium rigid, Colin MacDonald 1953 Morris NJ13/5, second Craig Abbey 1942 Ford Jailbar CH4838; best heavy rigid, Duells Furniture 2023 Kenworth XS48HL, second David McLean 2010 Kenworth XW29CB.

The Best original pre-2000 was Bernard Griffin with a 1987 Superliner and Matt Lambert with a 1977 Atkinson in second place. Best F truck pre-1970, Steve Thomas 1961 Ford F600, there were no entries in the best F truck 1971-1999. Best F Truck 2000-current Don Oliver 2022 Ford F450, second Jayne Oliver 2010 Ford F450; best model truck was Earnie and Janet Hastaas.

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