Truckfest beats April cloudbursts
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DESPITE the atrocious British Bank Holiday weather an estimated 70,000 people flocked to the Commercial Motor-sponsored Truckfest at the East of England Showground, Peterborough,
This total is slightly down on last year's attendance but the organisers were extremely pleased with the turnout, bearing in mind the heavy rain that plagued the event on Easter Sunday and Monday.
The major concours d'elegance awards were scooped by operators of Continentalbuilt vehicles; British trucks missed all the top prizes with the exception of the award for the best vintage truck.
Commercial Motor's award for the best kept working truck went to Anderson's Bulk Haulage of Upwell, near Wisbech, for an immaculate Volvo F10 with 180,000km on the clock.
Another local operator, Ken Thomas Transport of Guyhirn, Wisbech, won the best-kept fleet award. This company fielded seven Mercedes-Benz 1625 and two Volvo F7 units.
Easy winner of the Shell International Supertruck Challenge was Svempa Bergendahl from Sweden with his magnificent Scania 142 Star Truck. This purpose-built show-truck also won awards for the best interior and best paintwork.
Mark Goddard of Southern, Warwickshire, won the best customised truck award with his Volvo F12 Globetrotter called The Beast.
The trade stands at Truckfest were well supported too. Leyland Trucks, which won the best trade stand award for •its T45 Team promotion, said it was a successful event, with T45 Team singing up 500 new members.
"We are very aware that drivers have a tremendous influence on the purchase of new trucks, both in small and large fleets."
The organisers and Commercial Motor are discussing moving the date of next year's Truckfest in an effort to avoid the April showers; the May Bank Holiday looks like being the first choice.