How was Europe's largest truck festival held

Recently, about 50 thousand people gathered at the circuit in Assen (Netherlands), where the largest truck festival in Europe, Trakstar, was held for the 36th time. Photographer Sander van der Bey expected to see a standard crowd of truck lovers at the event — noisy drinkers who like to hoot loudly and have a good time. But instead, he found a nice group of amateurs and serious professionals there. Cargo transportation is still quite a serious business.

(12 photos in total)

Source: vice.com

Sander walked around the circuit, where 2,200 trucks were presented. He photographed the most beautiful cars together with their drivers, and asked them a few questions about their precious iron horses.

"I came from the UK, I hardly slept. Now I'm constantly polishing the truck, even from the bottom — you never know where the judges might look."

"I won 16 trophies, but with a different truck. I sold that one recently for $29,000. It's actually not bad."

"I've been polishing this baby since 7 a.m. Then it started to rain, and I had to start all over again."

"This whole row of trucks will participate in a loudness contest. We will pass by a special measuring machine that will assess the level of sound produced by the machine. I think I have a good chance of winning."

"I've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. I really like being here, among all these beautiful trucks."

"My cabin is decorated with guns from the movie "The Expendables". I've been trying to contact Sylvester Stallone for three years to show him the truck. But he still doesn't answer me."

"I go to festivals all the time, visiting 25 of them a year. I live on the cash prizes I have won."

"I have been coming here for 30 years on that truck that is behind my left shoulder, with flame petals. But, to be honest, I come to enjoy the beautiful nature: I like to ride a bike in the park located nearby."

"I have been participating in the festival since 2004, promoting my company. The festival is very big and cool. There is a good atmosphere for business here."

"I drive it for weeks on end for work purposes. I've been driving it since I was 18, for 18 years now. Every year I park my faithful friend here, on which I have already driven more than 2 million kilometers."

"This is my first time participating in the festival. My whole family came with me. It's fun here. I've been polishing the truck since Wednesday!"

"My whole life revolves around this truck. I even organize weddings in it two or three times a year. Of course, when people want it."