Maybe you’re one of the hardworking employees who drive for one of the country’s haulage companies or maybe you just know your truck is the absolute best – whatever the case may be, if you love lorries, Truckstar Festival is the place for you. It is Europe’s largest annual trucking celebration and this year will be the 38th time it has been hosted.
It opened in 1981 and has been a hit ever since – so much that it’s expected 55,000 people from around the world will gather at this event to see the 2,200 trucks it features. You’ll see everything from thrilling contests to enthralling demonstrations. Fit for anyone with even the slightest interest in lorries (or someone who just wants an excuse for a family-friendly day out!), Truckstar is a fun-filled diesel-fuelled all ages festival with a welcoming, friendly and laidback atmosphere.
Truckstar’s Star Attractions
•Contests – Most notably a decibels contest (may the loudest lorry win) and Most Beautiful Truck of Holland contest (find out who the fairest of them all is).
•Special categories – Think your truck is something out of the ordinary? Apply to compete if your lorry is unusual (i.e. American, special paint, show etc).
•Caravan races and stunt shows.
•A big fair and a truckers’ market.
•A kids’ village.
How to Get in on the Action
This year, Truckstar Festival will take place from Saturday 28 July to Sunday 29 July in Assen, Netherlands at Assen’s TT Circuit. Ticket prices depend on a number of variables: if you purchase an early bird ticket or a normal presale ticket you’ll save a few Euros (the early bird really does get the worm in this case). Truckstar Roadcard holders benefit from discounts. There are graded price brackets if you are buying a ticket for one day or the whole weekend and if you choose to be on the circuit or not (it’s more expensive if you are). Here is a brief overview:
•Early bird prices range from €14 to €27,50.
•Normal presale prices range from €16 to €37,50.
•All children under four get in for free. Children aged five to twelve have significantly reduced ticket prices, none of which are higher than €10.
Move over haulage companies – for one weekend a year, you’re taking a ride in the backseat. The Truckstar Festival is exciting, abroad (haulier holiday, anyone?) and packed to the brim with something for every lorry lover out there. Whether you’re looking to enter your own vehicle in a contest; you’re interested in the caravan races or you just want to get a good look at all the amazing trucks, you couldn’t ask for a better event – Truckstar truly does bring out the stars of the trucking world.
Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage companies or self-employed drivers with jobs in road transport and haulage work. Over 5,300 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.
This article is copyright free.