HISTORY
For the past 10 years, Casino Truck Show has set the standard for events in the trucking industry. Casino Truck Show is an annual event of connecting and engaging with industry stakeholders, companies, community, and audience in worthwhile ways that enable collaboration and create history.
How it all began
The history of the Casino Truck Show can the traced back to the late 80s and early 90s. Back then it wasn’t defined in such a way, but the general consensus was not to indifferent.
Two men heavily affiliated with the local transport industry, Bob Webster and Frank Evan’s, worked together to incorporate trucks into two events in Casino; the Casino Show and Casino Beef Week.
The Casino Show had trucks on display earlier in the day then paraded the pageants for the Showgirl competition later in the evening. Trucks were used to tow floats in the Casino Beef Week street parade initially but it then became an opportunity for local and district transport operators to display and promote their businesses.
This culminated to a static display of many trucks one year in Graham Place, organised again by Bob Webster and Frank Evan’s.
Many years later and after the demise of the Lismore Truck Show, a local driver, Darren Goodwin thought it was time to fill the void left behind.
After discussing this with fellow drivers he decided to take the idea to the late, Greg”Tiny”Lollback. “Tiny” as he was affectionately known, was considered to be somewhat of a senior driver in the area, he was well known and had a wealth of knowledge of the industry in every way.
After some lengthy discussions, they concluded to move ahead with the idea. They both approached Casino Beef Week for guidance and advice, which in turn led to Casino Beef Week Promotions Committee Inc administrating the event from its inception in 2012 to 2019.
COVID 19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 event and in that interim time the Casino Truck Show organising committee moved the control and administration of the show to the Richmond Valley Council Events Team.
The first ever show drew 83 trucks for its inaugural event in 2012 held at the Richmond Valley Events Centre and in 2023, our 10th Anniversary, 620 of Australia’s finest rigs lined the streets of the Casino CBD.
2014 Primex Site
2023 Casino CBD
2012
The very first Casino Truck Show was held at the Richmond Valley Events Centre on Saturday 15 September. Over 80 trucks turned up and the streets were lined with happy spectators.
Heavy Haulage Australia took the first Rig of the Show title with their Kenworth T908 “Tri Me”.
2013
Another year at the Richmond Valley Events Centre attracting 110 trucks. On Saturday 17 September the parade rolled through the streets of Casino with National Heavy Haulage taking the title of Rig of the Show with a large C509.
2014
The event was rained out in August, but sunny skies brought it back in September. Adtrans Casino Truck Show was held on September 13 September. The fantastic event line-up did not disappoint.
SRV Freight Services blew us away with their Kenworth T950 Tradition taking our Rig of the Show award home, driven by the late Mick Powell.
2015
The first year Casino Truck Show took to the CBD. The Haultech Casino Truck Show was held on Saturday 8 August with blinged up trucks from all around Australia! Churchill Refrigerated Transport went home with the Rig of the Show title, piloted by Mitch Hargy.
2016
Over 3,000 attendees and 150 rigs attended the North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show on Saturday 6 August. Mark from Causley Transport won the legendary 2016 Rig of the Show with his red Kenworth T909!
2017
Another 150 rigs filled the streets of Casino in 2017. On Saturday 5 August the 6th annual Casino Truck Show occured. Involving many trucks and enterainment! Cody from O’Neills Haulage took home the 2017 Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show award.
2018
Saturday 4 August – more than 5,000 attendees and 200 rigs in the Casino CBD! Loads of entertainemnet, live music and even an FMX show!
SRV Road Freight knocked us all off our feet with their T900 Legend “100 Reasons”, exceptionally presented by Wayne Ball.
2019
The 2019 North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show hosted Australia’s most spectaular working, vintage and restored trucks. There were over 200 trucks attending, many prizes were up for grabs and trophies were won.
Ballinger Transport, driven by Wayne Ball won the Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show. The name says it all; Kenworth T908 ‘She’s got the look’.
2022
After missing two years from COVID19, 2022 came back with a bang. 375 trucks filled our streets and many trophies were up for grabs. Live music and entertainment did not disappoint.
MFT took home the Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show award with their Kenworth C509 “Lone Ranger” driven by Jon Fleming.
2023
Our jaws are on the floor! Our biggest show yet! 600+ trucks and 14,000+ attendees, our streets were overflowing! Over 80 categories judged and trophies awarded! Congratulations Luke Wilson from Bulmers Transport who won the Tiny Lollback Rig of the Show with his Kenworth T908!