This past summer won't be remembered as one of the happiest on record, but the summer shows allowed at least a few hours of relief from the economic stress. Here it is October, and we're still reporting on truck shows, there are just that many on the calendar now. This month's coverage begins in Calgary, and ends in Warkworth.
Western Canada's finest show and work trucks were treated to a weekend of sunshine, as the carefree days of summer began to wind down.
The sunshine and blue skies gave all the polished chrome - and there was no shortage of it - a real chance to shine. This year the Alberta Big Rig Weekend had more entries than ever before, as more than 100 rigs packed the tarmac of Race City Motorsport Park in Calgary Aug. 23 to 24.
As well as all the show trucks, a number of modified big rigs took to the racing oval and the drag strip, including North America's fastest trucking dragster - Gord Cooper's Smokin' Gun.
The 2008 edition of the St. Thomas All Truck Nationals drew its largest crowd ever, with more than 100 trucks on display. The show takes place at the Sparta Dragway, a few minutes south of St. Thomas, and the drag races are a big draw because the track is open to all comers. If you've ever wanted a showdown with the guy who boasts about having the faster truck, St. Thomas is the place to settle the score.
While the show and shine competition is stiff, the show is a relaxed and laid-back affair that any driver with a serious interest in the machine would enjoy. And they feature a wicked corn roast, too, with corn grown just for the event. Really, it's spectacular. The show has grown in popularity from year to year, and looks now to be a firmly established stop on the tour. Put it on your calendar next year. You won't be disappointed.
Brampton's Powerade Centre played host to the first Indian Truck Show on August 31, Labour Day weekend. It was as much a cultural fair as a truck show, and nobody went away disappointed. The one-day event offered an exciting glimpse into South Asian culture, including music, food, entertainment, and of course trucks.
Co-organizer Najib Iqbal said before the event that he hoped the show would be an opportunity to build bridges within the trucking community. "Canada is a multi-ethnic society and trucking, perhaps more than most professions, reflects that ethnic diversity," he said. "The Indian community is hosting this show, but we see it as a way to bring together the different communities that make up trucking; South Asian, East Indian, West Indian, European, and Canadian."
It was that and more. More than 2,000 visitors were at the show, and many said they plan to attend again nest year.
In an exact opposite performance from last year, the 19th annual Warkworth Show & Shine began under sunny skies, but rain began falling just before lunch and didn't cease until the party broke up at dinnertime. Still, about 50 drivers brought their rides out to the combination truck show / agricultural fair / truck pull in the tiny hamlet about 30 miles north of Belleville, Ont. The area is home to hundreds of truckers, but many came from as far away as Ottawa and Toronto.
Next year is the Warkworth Show & Shine's 20th anniversary, and organizers are promising a few surprises for attendees. If you're in the area the first weekend in September, drop by. You won't be disappointed.
We'll be out on the show circuit next year, and assuming the economy has turned around by then, we'll have a few more pages of coverage for you.
