Rotorua fans appreciate the big rigs (+ pics)

Josh Macartney, 6, at the Rigs and Rides event at Arawa Park Racecourse yesterday. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Rotorua public was treated to a show of top-quality big rigs and vehicles at a charity fundraiser this weekend.

The fifth annual Rotorua Rigs and Rides charity show took place at Arawa Park Racecourse yesterday.

The event's co-organiser Geoff McCaull said it began in 2011 to raise funds for Christchurch earthquake relief efforts, but it proved so popular they turned it into an annual event, raising funds for Plunket this year.

Mr McCaull said the day was a huge success, adding that although the money was yet to be tallied up it looked as though a good amount was raised.

Image 1 of 9: Roharn O'Dell, 5, at the Rigs and Rides event, Arawa Park Racecourse. Photo/Ben Fraser

"I'm proud of what we've achieved. Big thanks to the committee, Rotary and all our sponsors for doing a great job putting it all together," he said.

With more than 2000 people attending, Mr McCaull said a great time was had by all, especially the children.

"The kids' eyes were gleaming, they were smiling from ear to ear. The lines for the truck rides were huge, we had to pull in more trucks to keep up and some of the kids went around three times," he said.

One of those excited children was 6-year-old Josh Macartney. His mother Liza said the highlight of his day was getting a ride in a truck and seeing a helicopter on another truck.

There were plenty of rigs and rides for enthusiasts to view, with 50 big rig trucks, 30 cars and 20 motorbikes from five local fleets at the racecourse.

"There weren't as many fleets as last year, but the quality was up. We usually get 10 fleets, but there was a lot of work for them this weekend," Mr McCaull said.

This year's event was Mr McCaull's last as an organiser with Mike Willoughby stepping in to run it for next year. Mr McCaull said Mr Willoughby brought a lot of skill and big ideas to the table. "After five years I've decided to take a bit of a break and let Mike take over. He's the man, he's been New Zealand's top trucker for the last five years, he'll do an even better job than we've been doing."