Wandering around the Oaklands Truck Show had everyone’s head turning left and right.
With an expectation of just over 75 trucks, organisers were enlightened to find 124 trucks lining up for their chance in the spotlight.
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Organiser Jimmy Beale says they were blown away by the attendance.
“It was a record-breaking year for us. Before this, the most we’ve had was 104, and that was before the pandemic,” Beale says.
Chopping it up to the amazing warm weather and need for sunshine, Beale says the energy was palpable.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if next year was even bigger. People loved it, and they said they’ll definitely be coming back.”
Boasting a small population of just over 300, Oaklands had attendees coming in from all over the country to join in on the festivities.
“We had some blokes come down from Sydney, and from all over,” Beale says.
“All American Custom Chrome came down in their 1967 v8 Peterbilt with a black trailer.
“You could purchase almost anything you could think from them, and they’re keen to come back next year.”
Competition was fierce this year, with many drivers’ eyes set on taking home a trophy.
Kearney Transport managed to take home Best Fleet with their display of five Kenworth’s, and 0-2 Years Best Truck.
Darryl Stelter was giddy over his win for the Lights on the Hill Memorial with their 1986 Kenworth W900 SAR, in memory of Wayne Martin.
A 1998 Kenworth T900 from Willett Transport came so close to getting the big one, taking home Runner Up Truck of the Day and Best Truck 21-26 years.
But it didn’t end there for Scott Willett, also winning Best Artistic Truck for their 2024 Kenworth 659.
The big kahuna at every show is always the Truck of the Show, this year being taken out by JDN Transport and their 2019 Kenworth T909.
A full list of winners can be found below.
But it wasn’t just trucks leaving tracks at Oaklands, with other forms of transportation coming to share in the stares.
“There were a lot of nice cars and bikes that came for it. It was really great to see.”
Beale says some of the trucks were in immaculate condition, being worth over half a million dollars.
“Some of those trucks would easily be worth $6-700,000,” he says. “One bloke had an exhaust on his truck worth over $15,000”.
“It was just amazing to see.”
Trucks weren’t the only highlight of the Oaklands event, with live music from local Albury/Wodonga band Lucey gracing the ears of the attendees.
“There was such a big crowd and everybody enjoyed it so much. It was such a treat.”
“Now we can’t wait for next year.”
Full list of winners here:
BEST 0-2 YEARS:
KENWORTH T909 2023- KEARNEY TRANSPORT/GLEN KEARNEY
BEST 3-8 YEARS
KENWORTH T909 2018- LIESCHKE TRANSPORT/DAMIEN CRAWLEY
BEST 9-14 YEARS
KENWORTH T909 2011- GRAYS TRANSPORT/RAMSEY WHEALAN
BEST 15-20 YEARS
KENWORTH T404 2004- ADRIAN TYNDALL
BEST 21-26 YEARS
KENWORTH T900 1998- WILLETT TRANSPORT/SCOTT WILLETT
BEST VINTAGE 27+ YEARS
PETER BUILT 281 1967- SCOTT McSWEENEY
BEST ARTISTIC
KENWORTH T659 2024- WILLETT TRANSPORT/SCOTT WILLETT
BEST DIRTY TRUCK
MACK SUPERLINER 2022- KRESKAS BROS/JASON BUIS
BEST LOCAL
KENWORTH W900 2022- BEALE TRANSPORT/BRENDAN BALE
BEST FLEET
KEARNEY TRANSPORT
BEST FARM
MACK SUPERLINER 1987- MADDNESS/ROBERT TRETHOWAN
COMMITTEES CHOICE
KENWORTH SAR 2023- PC FREIGHT/DAVID FREW
R/UP LIGHTS ON THE HILL
KENWORTH SAR 2023- PC FREIGHT/DAVID FREW
LIGHTS ON THE HILL
KENWORTH W900 SAR 1986- DARRYL STELTER
R/UP TRUCK OF THE SHOW
KENWORTH T900 1998- WILLETT TRANSPORT/SCOTT WILLETT
2023 TRUCK OF THE SHOW
KENWORTH T909 2019- JDN TRANSPORT
To check out even more pics, keep an eye out for the April edition of Deals on Wheels!
Are you heading to a show and want some of your pics featured in Deals on Wheels? Email us at tiarna.condren@primecreative.com.au or DM us on Facebook.
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