The countdown to one of Australia’s favourite truck shows is officially on, with the announcement the 2021 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show is returning after a year off due to the pandemic.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 7 in the Casino CBD.
Now in its ninth year, the popular NSW show is being coordinated by local truck driver Darren Goodwin and the NCP Casino Truck Show team, with support from the Casino Beef Week Committee and Richmond Valley Council.
Goodwin said after having to cancel in 2020 due to Covid, and aligning with public health orders this year, the NCP Casino Truck Show may look a little different but organisers were doing everything in their power to provide a day to be remembered.
He said one major change to this year’s show was that pre-registrations were essential for the show to be a success.
Goodwin said potentially 300 trucks with chrome shined to perfection and some 40 categories to be won, including the prestigious Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show, it would be a great day for trucking families and the general public.
He said exhibitors showcasing industry-related products and services would be on display, and Aussie FMX, one of Australia’s top professional freestyle motocross teams, would be back to entertain. As well, there will be plenty of kid-friendly activities such as amusements rides and face painting.
“Local trucking companies will be joined by an influx of trucks from right around Australia, all vying for more than 60 trophies for best rig,” Goodwin said.
“Exhibitors will showcase a range of vehicles including working trucks, new trucks, customised trucks, rigid trucks, fleets, and vintage and restored trucks.
“Entry is just $30 per truck and registration includes competition entry and truck parking at the event precinct in the Casino CBD.”
Goodwin believes it is the perfect time for the NCP Casino Truck Show to return, especially given the success of both the Primex Field Days and Casino Beef Week Festival.
He said everyone he had spoken with was excited about making this year’s show the biggest to date.
“Seeing how successful Primex and Beef Week were run, we started thinking about bringing back the Truck Show and once we made the decision we received an incredible response from across the country, which is so encouraging,” Goodwin said.
“We’re also delighted to again welcome North Coast Petroleum as our naming rights sponsor, and so thankful for its support over the years.”
Beef Week Festival Committee President Frank McKey said trucks from all over Australia would be attending and there would be cash prizes and trophies for the winners of all the categories.
McKey said like Beef Week, the NCP Casino Truck Show was a grassroots event at heart, and the Committee was working within Covid-safe guidelines as outlined by NSW Health.
“We really look forward to continuing to work with our sponsors, our volunteers and our community to host a successful 2021 NCP Casino Truck Show,” he said.
Richmond Valley Council’s director community service delivery Angela Jones said she was thrilled to hear the show would go ahead this year after a challenging 18 months.
Jones said droughts, bushfires, floods and the pandemic had a significant impact on our towns and villages so it was especially important to make sure cultural and community events were given the support they needed to return as quickly as possible.
She said Council recognised events and festivals as a means to revitalise the local economy and would continue to support them to grow and prosper well into the future.
“Benefits to our community from events like Primex, Beef Week and the Casino Truck Show can be extensive, particularly when the draw is from outside the region,” Jones said.
“Many of our wonderful local businesses took a real hit during the lockdowns and border closures over the past year so to be able to start bringing our calendar of events back to life will create much-needed economic stimulus.”