A SPUR-of-the-moment hot rod rally drew more visitors, hot rods and vintage enthusiasts to Waikerie than the organisers had planned – and they are already planning another.
The impromptu rally was held at Waikerie over September 11 and 12, with over 100 visitors driving in to book out the local caravan park and show off their hot rods.
Rally co-organiser Gavin Poulish said he and fellow organisers – Ricky VanStaveren and Gary Merson – were “very surprised” at the number of hot rods that showed up to the informal event.
“The Tri State Rodders normally hold a hot rod rally in Mildura, but obviously that was cancelled because of COVID-19,” he said.
“So we thought we’d hold a rally in Waikerie, which we’ve not done before, and were expecting about nine cars to show up.
“The word spread and, despite it being a ‘fend for yourself’ weekend, about 40 hot rods and over 100 people showed up.”
The rally was held at the Waikerie Caravan Park over two nights, with a car show on Saturday morning, a drive to Banrock Station in the afternoon, and a live performance by local band Highway One that night.
Mr Poulish said due to the “huge” popularity of the event, another Waikerie-based rally is already being planned.
“We’re now looking at making this an annual event, with the last weekend of August 2021 the date we’re aiming for,” he said.
“Already, 19 people have re-booked at the Waikerie Caravan Park for that weekend, so we’re definitely going to make it happen, especially as it was mostly out-of-towners who came along.
“Everyone had a really fantastic time, and we’re stoked that the event went down so well.
“It was great being able to get together after so many events being postponed or cancelled this year.”