Shiny trucks, lots of fun and a nice beer: the fortieth Truckstar Festival started today. For two days, truck enthusiasts can’t believe their luck: the most beautiful trucks are lined up at the TT Circuit or drive on the race track.
People wake up in tents along the berm of the TT Circuit. Meanwhile, the circuit is filled with enthusiastic partygoers. The French, Italian and Swedish sounds are flying around your ears. It is clear: Truckstar does not only attract Dutch fans.
The first night was great, says Robert Servaas on behalf of the organization. “We had a wonderful evening last night with nice weather. It was a big party here with lights and flashing lights. It’s just fantastic. The atmosphere is good and you can tell that everyone is excited to be here again.”
Despite the fact that noon is not yet in sight, many partygoers are already walking with a beer in hand. Other enthusiasts sit in the well-filled grandstand watching the race trucks that show what they can do on the track. “My passion for trucks, that’s what I’m actually here for,” says enthusiast Marnix van der Knijff. What’s so beautiful about it? “The construction. Scania. The sound. Interior, you can make it as crazy as you want.”
“We have not been able to organize this festival for two years because of corona, so we just had to postpone the fortieth for two years. Now we can go again,” says Servaas with a smile. “You can see that in everyone: they love being here.” According to the organizer, there are also more registrations of trucks than ever: there are more than 5,000 registrations and there is only room for 2,200 trucks on the site.
24 trucks are nominated for the election of the Most beautiful truck in the Netherlands. While the jury has already started the round to see which truck is really the most beautiful, the drivers and sometimes even entire teams are still busy cleaning the car. Tessa van Setten and Lisette van den Brink are still busy with cleaning products and cloths. “When all the spots are gone, everything shines neatly, then it’s clean for us,” says Van Setten. “Just keep brushing,” adds Van den Brink. “Don’t talk but brush.”
“We really spent almost two or three weeks cleaning together,” says Van Setten. “If you see the bulk like that and everything shines like that, we think we have a chance. We are curious. The competition is also great.” However, the driver thinks otherwise. “It’s a jury sport. I have a different car than what is average. I don’t know if they can appreciate that. I think the chance is very nil.”
The partygoers will continue today. Tonight is the ‘Dutch evening’ where various singers and bands perform. Tomorrow the festival will continue with, among other things, the stunt show and car football. The closing date is tomorrow around five o’clock: the well-known exodus.
Here’s how truck enthusiasts can indulge themselves during the Trucker Festival: