The gates of Ireland’s fastest racing circuit opened at noon on Saturday 14 June and with a brace of power washers available at the circuit the Muckle Haulage and JWM Recovery Action Vehicles supported ‘Trucks At The Track 2025’ event started to fill up fast by mid-afternoon.
Organised by Kirkistown Racing Circuit’s ‘Friends of the Track’, a committee of eight people who set about organising their very first truck show at this venue last year, the success and constant work and efforts paid off this year seeing the truck attendance more than double, from 47 vehicles last year to an amazing 111 trucks on display this year.
The Saturday night saw the restaurant and bar filled to capacity with those pre-booked for a three course meal a few beverages. When darkness fell, a spectacular light show from the trucks already inside the Co. Down circuit was witnessed by around 800 people.
The main show on Sunday, which happened to be Father’s Day, saw over 2,000 spectators through the gates of this Balloo Hire backed event. Activities such as digger driving games, TrialStar trials bike display team, peninsula bouncers inflatable kids area, a mini funfair, artisan stalls throughout the pit garages, food and drink galore, and a pit-lane track area for kids ride-on trucks all proved a massive hit.
Grant Aided by Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Tourism Department, Councillors Joe Boyle and Peter Wray gave their full support to the organisers since its inception. The event covered a large catchment, with trucks came from as far as Cork, England, and Scotland. As well as the dozens who travelled the width of the province to show their pride and joy.
Later in the afternoon, there was a sight to behold, as I’d guess that in excess of 100 motorcycles arrived into the central area of the track thanks to it being the finish point of the 5th Co Down Marshals Ride Out motorcycle run in aid of Air Ambulance NI.
Promoting mental health among men and truckers was paramount, and the Breaker Breaker Charity was on hand throughout the show, seeing over 500 people come into their trailer for a chat, a blood pressure check, and to find out more about what this great charity does for those who spend their life on the road.
A prize giving was held ahead of a planned run around the peninsula, leaving Kirkistown at 16:00. After which hundreds of avid truck fans, both young and old lined the villages around the Lower Ards to see a truck convoy head through Portaferry, Kircubbin, Ballywalter, and onto Newtownards. This run was marshalled to military precision by the Co Down Marshals motorbike outriders.
Crowned as King of Kirkistown, Kevin Mackin’s Scania Longline Edition was nothing short of breathtaking, customised both inside and out to absolute perfection. “It’s no different to any other truck, I suppose.” Said the Banbridge haulier.
“It’s one I found down in London, a friend of ours was for selling it, and we bought it. It means a lot to me this truck, because a cousin of mine was helping me with it and he died through covid and he didn’t see the lorry finished and I have his name in memory of him on the back of the truck.
“When we got the lorry we invested a lot of time and energy into it, it is a truck we do shows in, we go to Finland, Holland, and shows all over like this one. It is one of those things where we find we can take the family to, and my wife has her lorry with her today too.”
Kevin explained that events like this is a welcome release from the pressures of running a haulage business, and being able to catch up with like minded friends outside of that work is great. Commending Trucks At The Track for its venue, commending the facilities, the restaurant, and the hard standing under foot. He also remarked on the potential to build the event much further within this great location.
Commenting on social media after the event, Trucks At The Track’s Alan Finlay stated, “As I was nominated to be Events Manager for 2025 Trucks At-the Track I’d like to say a few words… Well, where do I start!
“I came into work this morning, sat down with a cuppa and looked through all the photos/videos/interviews and comments that we were tagged in so far. All I can say it was a bit overwhelming to say the least, what we as a small group of people/friends/Trucks At-the Track committee, helpers and volunteers and of course all our sponsors, we couldn’t do any of this without you.
“A massive thanks to everyone who came along and made it a great weekend. Which may I add takes a full years planning and meetings to organise… Roll on 2026… Thank you all.”
Well done to all involved, and to all of the sponsors and exhibitors without whom this event wouldn’t be the success it has proved.
