It would be fair to say that most things truck-show related, over the last couple of years have been somewhat thrown into chaos with Covid.
However, with more shows and rallies getting up and going again, once again all roads in the New South Wales Riverina will lead to Urana as the town hosts its annual vintage rally on the third weekend in October.
Having been a regular fixture on the heritage truck show calendar for over 20 years before going into recess during 2020 and 2021, the Victoria Park complex in Urana will again echo to the rumble of trucks and machinery on Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, with the organising committee planning a range of activities across the two-day event.
Geoffrey McDonnell is on the organising committee for the truck show and is looking forward to a healthy turnout of trucks whether they be modern or historic, with the event having in the past drawn exhibitors from as far afield as Melbourne, Sydney and right across south-eastern Australia.
With White and International having been the feature truck brand at the 2018 and 2019 events, this year it is the turn of all things Mercedes-Benz.
Having had a presence in Australia since 1958, the ‘three-pointed star’ has been a regular fixture on highways and back roads of Australia in a wide range of transport applications earning a solid reputation along the way.
Over the years the Unimog off road truck has been a popular choice of the Australian Defence Force with over 2000 units placed into service, whilst in terms of on-road application the Mercedes Benz brand earned its stripes in the late 1960’s and 1970s with the short-bonnet 1418 model.
Placed across a wide range of haulage applications from highway running to off-road and outback road train work, the 1418 and later 1419 and 1923 models ensured the brand had a solid future in Australia.
This then extended through to the cabover models such as the 2224 and 2632 in the 1980s, and the popular Actros range which has been the flagship of the Mercedes Benz model range for the last two decades.
Needless to say, many older Mercedes trucks are still out earning a dollar as a ‘farm truck’ or as a restored project and Geoffrey McDonnell is throwing out an invitation for all Mercedes Benz trucks old and new to make the trip to Urana, with the 1418 a focus.
“All other trucks are most welcome, but we are hoping to get as many 1418s as we can there on display,” he said.
The event stretches across both days with the main show day and judging for trucks across a number of various categories taking place on the Sunday.
Camping with toilets and showers is available for exhibitors and a range of market stalls and food options including breakfast will be available for show goers. Families are also well catered for with a range of free children’s activities including jumping castles, face painting and show bags available.
With Urana within close proximity to major transport routes such as the Hume and Sturt Highways, getting there and back won’t be a problem and the October weather in the Riverina is always great so get along and check out all the action this year! Admission is a very reasonable $5 for adults with kids under 16 and exhibitors free.
Further information can be obtained from the Urana Vintage Machinery Club Facebook page or Geoffrey McDonnell who can be contacted on 0429 095 296.