CASINO TRUCK SHOW SMASHES RECORDS

With the doubling of entrants, the 2023 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show has claimed the title on the biggest truck show in the southern hemisphere, previously held by TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The offcial number of trucks judged was 580, however, around 40 missed the registration deadline so all up 620 bangers of all shapes and sizes flled the streets of Casino. This equates to more than $300,000,000 in value.

Calculating attendees via the density check method found the 2023 NCP Casino Truck Show has eclipsed all records for attendance at a Richmond Valley single- day event, attracting a record turnout of 14,000.

NCP Casino Truck Show Organising Committee coordinator

Darren Goodwin said he was still in awe of the record number of entrants, being acutely aware of the effort and sacrifce drivers and companies go through to attend the event, which never goes unnoticed.

Mr Goodwin said the feedback coming through was overwhelmingly positive, with many drivers planning their 2024 rosters to make sure they don’t miss what could be another history-making event.

In thanking sponsors, participants, volunteers and attendees, he said benefts to the local community from events like the Casino Truck of this popular industry event in 2021, and with the support of a

Show could be extensive, particularly when the draw was from outside the region.

WHAT a way to celebrate your 10th anniversary!

“The unwavering support from our sponsors and the broadening appeal of the NCP Casino Truck Show gives the organising team the motivation to keep going,” Mr Goodwin said.

“We are already planning to make sure our operations run smoothly in 2024 and attendees receive the best experience possible.”

Richmond Valley Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said since taking over the running volunteer organising committee, Council teams across the board came together to deliver an event growing in stature.

Mr Macdonald said delivering the event in the off-season month of August resonated strongly with local businesses and community members and provide visitors to the region a unique experience.

He said this had the knock-on beneft to not only to the Richmond Valley visitor economy but to that of surrounding local government areas.

“The event’s success proves it is a legitimate and signifcant economic driver not only for Casino and the Richmond Valley, but the wider Northern Rivers region with local accommodation providers booked out months in advance, and many attendees overnighting in Kyogle, Lismore, even Ballina,” Mr Macdonald said.

Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow said for some local community groups it was their biggest fundraiser of the year and a boon for local tourism.

“The NCP Casino Truck Show identifes with the spirit of our local area and plays a signifcant role in building destination awareness,” Cr Mustow said.

“It has most certainly helped raise Casino’s profle.”

North Coast Petroleum continued to support the Casino Truck Show as the 2023 naming rights sponsor. Highway Lights had naming rights for the truck parade, Tyrepower sponsored Airtime FMX, Robuk Engineering sponsored the band and a new category of trophies, Toowoomba Truck Centre Specialists backed the Elite Series category, general trophies were sponsored by the Brown & Hurley Group.

The Top Five Judged Elite Series awards was sponsored by the TTSC Group, and Dawson’s Haulage supported the Best Fleet Series. Truckwriters and MasterArt Designs teamed up to support the Best Paint trophies, while the Royans Group came on board to deliver the Industry Pride and Passion awards - a new category for 2023.

The premier award for the show, the Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show, came with $1000 in prizemoney along with some unique, oneoff 6061 Billet goodies, crafted by Monkey Spunk Fabrications, as well as the towering Rig of the Show trophy and the winner’s name etched on the plaque.

A late yet welcomed contributor to this year’s Rig of the Show prize package was Rocklea Truck Electrical, which kindly provided a $5000 gift voucher as well as merchandise. Truly amazing and very much appreciated.

Event Ambassador

Jon Kelly, from Heavy Haulage Assets, set the wow factor with an elaborate display of trucks. Jon has been attending the Truck Show since its inception; his support and recent promotion via his Discovery TV series, Aussie Truck Rehab, has been immeasurable.

Engel Australia donated a 40-litre, 60th anniversary fridge, valued at $1500, for the Truck Show’s online entry competition. Cummins provided prizes of an esky and merchandise.

Thank you to everyone who attended 2023 NCP Casino Truck Show this year. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.

All results are now online, click here to see https:// casinotruckshow.com. au/2023-results/

Background: The Casino Truck Show was started in 2011 by locals Darren Goodwin and the late Tiny Lollback, who both loved the industry and their hometown of Casino. The idea was borne following the demise of the Lismore Show.

The inaugural show was held in the Primex grounds and remained there for three years before moving to the town centre. Once the show moved into the CBD it just blossomed. Every year there seems to be more and more trucks and the quality just seems to get better and better. In 2022, the number hit 375 trucks, up from 251 in 2019 and 207 in 2018.