In the big top! - MAN inmotion

Cover Story Circus Krone
tour from April to November, which takes the circus all the
way across Europe, this extraordinary feat of logistics
happens every three to five days. Safely and reliably
transporting all these people, animals and pieces of
equipment from one venue to the next requires careful
planning and efficient operations.
The pulling power of MAN
Recently, the task of mastering this logistical feat has fallen
to seven MAN TGX 18.440 trucks. They are snow-white, just
like the stage outfits of animal trainer Martin Lacey Jr., who
is responsible for the vehicles alongside fleet manager Robert
10
inmotion
1|2012
Spectacular performances from man and beast: The elephants have been one of the highlights at Circus Krone shows
for decades now, and the incredible trapeze artists keep audiences gasping in awe as they fly through the air.
The stars behind the scenes: Recently seven snow-white MAN TGXs joined
the circus to ensure efficient transport of animals and equipment.
Fosset. With their choice of TGX trucks, equipped with
spacious cabs, TipMatic automated transmission and 440 hp
EEV-standard engines, the two men have taken the circus
forward into a new era. They have abandoned circus trucks
with solid rubber tyres and overrun brakes in favour of a
much quicker and more efficient way of managing the trek
from one venue to the next – a route that can often be
hundreds of kilometres long. Every day that the convoy sits
still and no performance takes place costs money – the
artistes still want their wages, rent still has to be paid, and the
circus animals still need feeding. The operating efficiency of
the vehicles is therefore crucial – and much more important
than it was back in the days when
Circus Krone had a chartered railway
train to take it from town to town.
Twice to the moon and back
A circus truck travels an average
60,000 km each year. That might not be
much per truck, but with a convoy of 28
trucks it adds up to almost 1,700,000 km
– the equivalent of travelling to the
moon and back twice a year. When vast
distances like these are involved, the
new MAN TGX semi-trailers really show
off their cost efficiency.
Lion tamer Martin Lacey (45) isn’t just
passionate about big cats; he’s also
been a keen fan of big horsepower