The equipment needed to succeed in motor racing and the excavation business rarely fits the bill for both, but Russell Hardy has created an exception, a crew cab Isuzu FRR 600 which doubles, maybe triples, as excavation equipment, a race car and crew transporter as well as a service vehicle.
Russell, managing director of Hardy’s Excavations and Hardy’s Motorsports, is a successful participant in both enterprises, most recently storming to second and third placing in the recent AMCA Nationals Title held in Darwin.
And it was in transporting two cars and crew from his company’s Pottsville, New South Wales base to that event, that his FRR 600 was put to its first test.
Hardy’s Excavations, founded in 1986, is a family-owned company managed by Russell, his wife, son and daughter.
The company’s 25 employees provide rock crushing services, plant screening, plant hire and underground cable installation for large road base construction companies.
Russell said he was looking for a truck that would be ideal for multi-purpose use and have the capacity to carry his race crew to and from race meetings.
“We chose the Isuzu FRR 600 because it fits the bill and eliminates the use of a second vehicle to carry my race crew," Russell said.
The truck tows a 10 tonne capacity tri-axle trailer imported from trailer manufacturer, United Trailers in Indiana, USA.
Once the trailer arrived on Australian shores, it was modified by a local Lismore body builder to include a number of cabinets and drawers to store all the necessary servicing equipment to maintain Hardy’s Excavations’ fleet of earthmoving machines.
The truck’s maiden voyage was a two-day road trip from Pottsville to Darwin for the aforementioned Northern Territory AMCA Nationals titles.
With a round trip of over 7000 km of road to conquer with two drivers, the truck was put to the test with long hours of non-stop driving punctuated by overnight camps.
According to Russell, the FRR 600 did not disappoint in its debut.
“The trailer was loaded with two race cars, including all spares necessary to maintain a two car race team, also accompanied by a two man pit crew and the truck drove without a hitch all the way to Darwin and return," Russell said.
“With its standard Isuzu Sitec 236HP engine, the truck effortlessly climbed all the hills we encountered.”
The FRR 600 joins two other Isuzu trucks, an NQR 450 and NPR 200, which are currently used as service trucks.
Russell said he chose Isuzu because he previously had a smaller Isuzu FRR 500 he used for carrying his race cars and was happy with the quality of its finish and operating comfort.
“Isuzu makes great light to medium trucks that are reliable and get the job done without a hassle,” Russell said.
“The full interior trim and padded roof lining is the icing on the cake.
“We would definitely have the Isuzu brand front of mind if we ever need another service truck or race car carrier.”
Hardy’s Excavations pays tribute for its success to its longstanding relationships with major companies like Leighton’s, Baulderstone, Abigroup Essential Energy and Boral Quarry.
Russell, managing director of Hardy’s Excavations and Hardy’s Motorsports, is a successful participant in both enterprises, most recently storming to second and third placing in the recent AMCA Nationals Title held in Darwin.
And it was in transporting two cars and crew from his company’s Pottsville, New South Wales base to that event, that his FRR 600 was put to its first test.
Hardy’s Excavations, founded in 1986, is a family-owned company managed by Russell, his wife, son and daughter.
The company’s 25 employees provide rock crushing services, plant screening, plant hire and underground cable installation for large road base construction companies.
Russell said he was looking for a truck that would be ideal for multi-purpose use and have the capacity to carry his race crew to and from race meetings.
“We chose the Isuzu FRR 600 because it fits the bill and eliminates the use of a second vehicle to carry my race crew," Russell said.
The truck tows a 10 tonne capacity tri-axle trailer imported from trailer manufacturer, United Trailers in Indiana, USA.
Once the trailer arrived on Australian shores, it was modified by a local Lismore body builder to include a number of cabinets and drawers to store all the necessary servicing equipment to maintain Hardy’s Excavations’ fleet of earthmoving machines.
The truck’s maiden voyage was a two-day road trip from Pottsville to Darwin for the aforementioned Northern Territory AMCA Nationals titles.
With a round trip of over 7000 km of road to conquer with two drivers, the truck was put to the test with long hours of non-stop driving punctuated by overnight camps.
According to Russell, the FRR 600 did not disappoint in its debut.
“The trailer was loaded with two race cars, including all spares necessary to maintain a two car race team, also accompanied by a two man pit crew and the truck drove without a hitch all the way to Darwin and return," Russell said.
“With its standard Isuzu Sitec 236HP engine, the truck effortlessly climbed all the hills we encountered.”
The FRR 600 joins two other Isuzu trucks, an NQR 450 and NPR 200, which are currently used as service trucks.
Russell said he chose Isuzu because he previously had a smaller Isuzu FRR 500 he used for carrying his race cars and was happy with the quality of its finish and operating comfort.
“Isuzu makes great light to medium trucks that are reliable and get the job done without a hassle,” Russell said.
“The full interior trim and padded roof lining is the icing on the cake.
“We would definitely have the Isuzu brand front of mind if we ever need another service truck or race car carrier.”
Hardy’s Excavations pays tribute for its success to its longstanding relationships with major companies like Leighton’s, Baulderstone, Abigroup Essential Energy and Boral Quarry.
See more about Isuzu Truck in Australia at www.isuzu.com.au
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