Rodney Stevens
The rumble of V8 engines reverberated around Yamba over the past week during the annual Borderline Street Rodders Yamba Rod Run, with Saturday’s Show and Shine at Ford Park attracting thousands of visitors who admired more than 500 cars worth tens of millions of dollars.
Borderline Street Rodders President Craig Nolan said the annual event began in 1991 when several cars came to Yamba for a weekend away, and since then it has grown every year, with this year’s Rod Run attracting 540 entrants from as far away as Victoria and Queensland.
“We had 440 entrants in the park yesterday afternoon and then we did another 100 odd day entries today…there’s a few people that don’t enter the whole run, they just come for the day,” he said.
Ford Park was lined with cars ranging from a 1909 Model T Ford to contemporary a Camaro muscle car and almost everything in between, Chevrolets, Chryslers, Fords, Holdens, an MG and Volkswagens.
Every year, Mr Nolan said club members look forward to the Yamba Rod Run, with some entrants making the annual pilgrimage from Victoria for many years to enjoy the camaraderie and others stay in town for two weeks.
“Yamba is just so laid back, everyone loves coming here and the Blue Dolphin where we are based is a great spot, the kids just love it, and everything is so handy,” he said.
“People can zip out to the Tavern or zip into town because everyone loves driving their cars and in Yamba everything is really close and handy.”
Over the years, Mr Nolan said the number of participants in the Rod Run has grown as the next generation of enthusiasts start bringing their vehicles.
“You see lots of generations in Hot Rodding, it’s usually a family holiday and the kids all get along and have fun, they are all well behaved because they are mixing with adults all the time and they have learned about the cars and have respect for them,” he said.
From 10am the lucky winners of the Yamba of Commerce Hot Rod Trail were announced by Raine and Horne’s Scott Johnson, sharing in more than $2500 worth of prizes.
Winners came from all over the east coast of Australia, including Bec and Jayden Finney of Gulgong, and Kerrie Schrauf of Brisbane who won the $250 Yamba Shores Tavern voucher.
Long-term enthusiast Paul Cundy of Armidale was judged the Yamba Chamber of Commerce Best Dressed Vehicle with his Ivan Milat Painter and Decorator themed 1966 HR Holden station wagon.
Mr Nolan thanked The Blue Dolphin, the Yamba Chamber of Commerce and the people of Yamba, and Clarence Valley Council for supporting the Yamba Rod Run.