Due to the pandemic Truckfest 2021 was held later in the season over the August bank holiday weekend. Held on a smaller scale than usual and for those that remember more like the early days of Truckfest, no celebrity guests or live music and with reduced capacity ticket only entry the event was a sell-out. Credit should be given to the hard work from Live Promotions, The East of England Arena and the Local authorities to co-operate and get the event on at all. In line with local authority requirements there were hand sanitizer stations around the showground, around the arena the grandstand was closed and spectator areas were divided into sections with controlled entry while marshals were around the site to ensure social distancing was complied with.

Despite the smaller entry, as required by the local authority, there was still plenty of trucks on display. These included custom trucks, vintage and classic trucks, American trucks, emergency vehicles and every day working trucks. Whilst there were no manufacturer stands most were represented in a display of new trucks alongside the arena. In the main arena there was entertainment from the Swamp Thing monster truck while rides were also available in the Slingshot ride truck. They were joined by Broke FMX Motorcycle stunt team.

Monday saw a socially distanced awards ceremony in the main arena. There were local winners in the MV Commercials best vintage truck with the trophy going to Ken Thomas for their Deutz while best classic working truck went to D. Mulgrew & sons. The Premier Pits best newcomer trophy went to Lee Herbert, best international super truck to John Copelands Peterbilt and best non-working show truck to Chris Sallis Haulage for his Scania. David A Garnham & Sons took the D4Drivers best new truck and there was a double win for C. Doyle & Sons who won Atlas Cranes best kept tipper / rigid and Premier Pitts best kept fleet. M.R. Ratcliffe sponsored the best kept owner operator trophy which went to Sworders Transport along with the best kept company owned vehicle which for the second year running went to P.J. Lee & Sons Volvo from Ely driven and prepared by Chris Sallis. The final award was the big one, Atlas Cranes best kept working truck in the show and history was made as the award went to P.J. Lee & Sons Volvo, the first time the same truck has won the award two years running. Following the presentation driver Chris Sallis said he was obviously pleased with three trophies, one for his Scania making its show debut and two for the P.J. Lee & Sons Volvo. It made all the hard work worth it helped by his Dad who also drives, the Volvo would be back in the farmyard and fields the next morning doing its usual day to day job.

In all despite a smaller show the event was enjoyed and well received by the public and exhibiters during a time when most events had been cancelled all together. Truckfest will return to Peterborough during the August bank holiday weekend while other regional events are scheduled to take place around the Country. Further details and ticket information can be found by visiting www.truckfest.co.uk

 

Album One – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=2061747147426100&set=a.2865666300367510

 

Album Two – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=2061747147426100&set=a.2866328786967928

Album Three – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=2061747147426100&set=a.2866353866965420

 

Gary Malkin