Event: Ashburton Truck Show 2019

By: Dean Middleton, Photography by: Dean Middleton

Date: 14.11.2019

Classic Trucks were well represented again this year

PTS were the first to get stuck in the slippery conditions. They simply unloaded a tractor off the rear of the trailer and towed themselves in. Problem solved. The PTS boys helped several other operators with a tow before and after the show.

Oxford Ag won the 750,000–1000,000km category with their stunning recently refurbished Mack Ultra Liner

Jaden Pearson won the best in the 500–750,000km category with this superb Western Star

Burnell and Sons took out the ‘Best Fleet’ category with their line-up of Freightliners

Rossco Bobcats brought along their immaculate near-new UD Quon

St Andrews Transport’s Isuzu bulkie looked like it meant business

Peter Turners White Road Boss ‘burning the coal’

Gerard Daldry had his beautifully restored full-sized replica of a Burnetts Motors International Acco livestock truck on display

Tarbottom Contracting arriving to the show in their impressive T909 Kenworth and Low Loader

Rooney Earthmovings imposing CL Mack heavy haulier

Bus Truck Recovery with their recovery vehicle line-up

Mark Amer’s spotless Mack Trident, ‘Master of Puppies’

Pye Group had two trucks on display; the Volvo took out the best in the 250–500,000km category

Johnston Trucking and Johnstone Bulk Cartage lined up together to be admired

A smart line-up from Ashburton-based Independent Distributors Limited

The near-new G500 Scania was one of several trucks entered in the show by the Talleys Group

One of nine trucks Hilton Haulage brought along to the show

The Andy Harkness Memorial award is in memory of head organiser Rick Harkness’ late father. Any truck at the show qualifies, and as a nice touch, the award is chosen by Rick’s mother Yvonne. This year, John Webster took the honours in his W-Model Kenworth.

Classic Trucks were well represented again this year

PTS were the first to get stuck in the slippery conditions. They simply unloaded a tractor off the rear of the trailer and towed themselves in. Problem solved. The PTS boys helped several other operators with a tow before and after the show.

Oxford Ag won the 750,000–1000,000km category with their stunning recently refurbished Mack Ultra Liner

Jaden Pearson won the best in the 500–750,000km category with this superb Western Star

Burnell and Sons took out the ‘Best Fleet’ category with their line-up of Freightliners

Rossco Bobcats brought along their immaculate near-new UD Quon

St Andrews Transport’s Isuzu bulkie looked like it meant business

Peter Turners White Road Boss ‘burning the coal’

Gerard Daldry had his beautifully restored full-sized replica of a Burnetts Motors International Acco livestock truck on display

Tarbottom Contracting arriving to the show in their impressive T909 Kenworth and Low Loader

Rooney Earthmovings imposing CL Mack heavy haulier

Bus Truck Recovery with their recovery vehicle line-up

Mark Amer’s spotless Mack Trident, ‘Master of Puppies’

Pye Group had two trucks on display; the Volvo took out the best in the 250–500,000km category

Johnston Trucking and Johnstone Bulk Cartage lined up together to be admired

A smart line-up from Ashburton-based Independent Distributors Limited

The near-new G500 Scania was one of several trucks entered in the show by the Talleys Group

One of nine trucks Hilton Haulage brought along to the show

The Andy Harkness Memorial award is in memory of head organiser Rick Harkness’ late father. Any truck at the show qualifies, and as a nice touch, the award is chosen by Rick’s mother Yvonne. This year, John Webster took the honours in his W-Model Kenworth.

Dean Middleton recaps the 2019 Ashburton Truck Show

The weather during the days leading up to the 2019 Ashburton Truck Show was less than ideal with heavy rain and stormy conditions, but the weather gods were kind with sunshine and blue skies for the entire day of the show.

The only downside of the previous weather was the slippery conditions under foot. In saying this, however, few trucks actually lost traction and required a tow.

Ironically, the first truck to get stuck was a PTS Kenworth, which had a load of farm tractors on-board. The solution was simple: drive the last tractor off the back of the trailer and tow the truck and trailer on to more solid ground. The PTS boys were also great in helping the other operators who ran into trouble before and after the show. 

The Ashburton Truck Show is a biannual event held at the A&P Showgrounds and is well supported by transport operators locally, as well as many that come from far and wide. There’s also traditionally a large contingent of classic trucks in the line-ups, which makes for great viewing for young and old alike.

Head organiser Rick Harkness was pleased with the turnout with more than 180 trucks coming through the gates on show day. The event was well organised again this year and maintained a pleasant, almost family feel to it throughout the day.

One of the nice touches of the show is an award called the Andy Harkness Memorial Award, which is dedicated to Rick Harkness’ late father. All truck entries are eligible for this award and what makes it even more special is that Rick’s mother Yvonne is the person who chooses the recipient. This year, the honours went to John Webster and his Black W-Model Kenworth.

Proceeds from the show are dedicated to charity and the Child Cancer Foundation was chosen as the beneficiary for 2019. At the time of writing, more than $13,000 had been raised for such a worthy cause. Based on the 2019 efforts, there’s no doubt that everyone will be looking forward to the next Ashburton Truck Show in 2020.

Ashburton Truck Show 2019 Results

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