An event that was all about the kids – Nelson’s Kids n Rigs held in February this year brought industry together with those who will drive tomorrow forward, putting on a show that would embed itself in the hearts and minds of families who turned up in droves.

“We haven’t had a Nelson Truck Show since 2019,” says co-organiser Chris Webby. The brainchild of Drummond Transport driver Darren ‘Dingle’ Letham, he and Chris got together with a posse of volunteers to put something on with a different angle. Aiming the show at the young ones and getting them up close and even inside trucks is nothing new – however, the plan was to make entry for families free, and everything for kids inside the grounds free also.

“We wanted families to come and enjoy a day out that wouldn’t hit their pockets at a time when there’s not a lot of discretionary income about,” says Darren.

“As at 1pm on Friday we had 25 trucks registered,” says Chris. “We thought, ‘Oh well, it’s the first for a while and it’ll take a year to get going’. Then by 5pm, we thought about 55 would likely show based on the phone calls we were getting, and look, there are 87 here. Now we’re running!”

Neither could the pair speak highly enough of the support they’ve received from local businesses. “Bread, sausages, water, ice creams – even infrastructure like BBQs and fridge trailers to keep it all hot and cold – you can’t overlook that,” says Chris. “The kids can have a ball and families feel they can just come along.”

Aside from the great turnout, there were endless activities, food and refreshment stalls. Local carriers provided a ride-in-a-truck fleet, a huge hit as you might imagine.

Even with the lost-cost model the committee put into action, the show was still able to raise $6000 for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Thanks team!

Darren and Chris want to thank the amazing team who came on board to help: Reuben Eggers, Tamara Eggers, and Grant Wilkins.

Show Results

Tama Solly proved that class is eternal – one of the all-time great Kenworth models, the T650, giving no hint to the uninitiated that it is in fact a classic.

Local fleets on display in front of their local communities.