A convoy of trucks passed over the Clyde Dam and snaked their way through Alexandra yesterday, as the Southern Classic Commercial Autumn Southern Truck Tour passed through Central Otago. 

Over 90 trucks were registered with the tour, with about 195 people riding along. 

Event organiser Fiona Vincent said the tour has been a roaring success and their drive along the Clyde Dam was a highlight for driver, passengers and dumbfounded onlookers. 

“This morning when we were on the dam, the number of people at the lookout were dumbfounded saying “what on Earth is happening?” 

“It was an absolute highlight. People were so fascinated to see so many trucks in one place.” 

Contact Energy Hydro Technical Administrator Angela Hinz hitching a ride across the Clyde Dam Photo contributed

Fiona said that back in 2007 some South Islanders came up with the idea for the truck run, and since then every few years there has been a run on the North or South Island by passionate truck enthusiasts. 

“The keyword here is “passion”, passion for the industry and passion for the trucks and remembering the good old days,” she said. 

“A lot of these trucks, they’re all older, some of them have had chassis restorations, some of them are just still going. 

“Some guys have spanners in their hands keeping them going. The camaraderie is just fantastic. 

“If someone stops on the side of the road, half a dozen trucks stop beside them.”

Trucks from around the country passed through Central Otago as part of the Southern Classic Commercial Autumn Southern Truck Tour. Photo The Central App. 

While the truck tour parades down the South Island, Fiona said people generally just look up and go “wow”.

“These things don’t come together in five minutes,” Fiona said as she explained the arduous journey to organise the event. 

“In January we had it all sorted and a plan. We wanted to put registrations out in March, and then COVID happened. 

“We had to contact everybody again and ask if it was all okay. 

“Basically, we had to organise it twice. It was a lot of work. 

“A fortnight before the run started the drop down to COVID level 1 happened and it was a huge relief. All of that stress was worthwhile.” 

Fiona said the Southern truckies picked up the North Island contingent in Blenheim on Thursday last week, before they spent a couple of days driving down to Timaru and a stopover at the South Canterbury Traction and Transport Museum for the HorsePower Rally. 

Monday the tour reached Dunedin via Oamaru, with bus trips around points of interests and a dinner at Larnach Castle. 

Wednesday they came to Central Otago via Middlemarch with a few stops on the way, with the group having an obligatory inspection of Hayes Engineering before the night in Alexandra and a drive over the Clyde Dam. 

Today, the convoy will reach Balclutha for a view of some classic trucks, lunch at the Blackhead Quarry and leisurely driving down to Invercargill. 

The crews will then head to Te Anau and the Military Vehicle Museum, then on to Wanaka for their final dinner on Wednesday October 14.

Appvertisement