Crawlin’ the Hume 2018 attracted 255 trucks ranging from T Model Fords to Kenworth Aerodynes on April 14.
About 255 classic trucks traced the old Hume Highway from Melbourne to Albury for the fourth biennial Crawlin’ the Hume road run.
Organiser Rob French was impressed with the quality of restorations. Unrestored trucks were equally welcome. A 1923 T-Model Ford was the oldest truck in the run.
French says rain throughout the journey “didn’t dampen anyone’s spirit”.
Crawlin’ the Hume began at Campbellfield early on Saturday morning, April 14. The run passed through Wallan, Broadford, Tallarook, Seymour, Avenel, Locksley, Longwood, Euroa, Violet Town, Baddaginnie, Benalla, Glenrowan, Wangaratta, Chiltern, Barnawartha, Wodonga and Albury.
Drivers stopped at Winton Motor Raceway for lunch.
Geoff Rudd of Canberra drove a 1968 Dodge 760. He was sentimental about driving the Dodge on the Victorian section of the old Hume Highway 50 years after he first drove it to Melbourne.
Well known trucking identity Ian Castles proved a popular guest speaker at a dinner at the Albury Racecourse on Saturday night.
Geoff Lewington’s restored 1976 Kenworth K123 attracted much attention during breakfast at the racecourse on Sunday morning. Lewington drove the Kenworth when he was carting livestock for Lewington’s Wodonga in the 1970s. The restoration was finished about a week before the run.
Trevor Davis, who helped French organise Crawlin’ the Hume, was pleased to see truckies reminiscing about Highway 31. “They like driving their trucks but they really do like getting out and talking to people either at the start line or at Winton or at Albury.”
Crawlin’ the Hume will run again in 2020. Visit www.crawlinthehume.com or join the Crawlin’ the Hume Facebook group to stay up to date.
And join the Haulin’ the Hume Facebook group for information about a similar event planned for next year, the 2019 Haulin’ the Hume from Sydney to Yass.
See our full pictorial report in the June issue of Owner//Driver.
Photography: Tamara Whitsed | Video: Tamara Whitsed