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ill The success of Commercial Motor Truckfest seems to have
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taken quite a lot of people by surprise—not least its organisers. According to Lye Promotions' Colin Ward: "It's amazing how the show has developed since its concept some 20 years ago. We had no idea that it would grow into the amazing event it is today which is Europe's largest trucking festival."
Just how large is emphasised by the fact that Ward
expects more than 100,000 visitors to attend the East of England Showground extravaganza. But what makes the industry want to give up a precious Bank Holiday to see yet more trucks? Ward reckons Truckfest has passed from being merely an event into an institution: "It appeals right across the board, from drivers to owner-drivers, fleet engineers and company owners.'
it's hard to challenge that assertion, because Truckfest is THE place where manufacturers try their best to woo drivers. For example, Iveco's new Stralis flagship tractor will be well to the fore on the lveco Ford stand, as will the latest EH and FM models on Volvo's.
Yet its amazing how many big fleet bosses you also bump Into at Peterborough, Barring Mercedes-Benz, all the major truck makers are exhibiting, along with trailer and engine manufacturers like General Trailers and Cummins, and a good many component suppliers.
Truckfest has long been a fertile recruiting ground for the unions—and the URTU and T&G will both be on hand.