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Click the thumbnail to view the current
Motorfest flyer.
The flyer may be subject to changes as
event planning occurs.
 PDF
Format, 2.4MB |
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Great Lakes Historic Automobile Club's flagship car show, Motorfest, is held annually
on the Sunday of the King's birthday long weekend, at John
Wright Park in Tuncurry.
Created by the Great Lakes Historic Automobile Club some thirty-odd
years ago, this annual event has become a great day out for
families and car buffs alike, often attracting crowds in the
thousands. The Great Lakes Historic Automobile Club invites all
motor clubs to join us overlooking beautiful Cape Hawke Harbour
at Tuncurry. The club expects the event will exceed our very
successful 2023 event where we had more than 290 vehicles on
display.
Each year sees increasing interest in displays by numerous car
clubs with trophies to be awarded to 'Best Club Display' for the
winner and runner-up.
Prizes and trophies, provided by local businesses, will be
presented across a broad range of vehicles. A new category of
'Under the Bonnet' was trialled at the 2024 event and was
equally successful in 2025.
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If it's on wheels... We welcome it at Motorfest!
Motorfest is not restricted to car clubs, so motorists with
vehicles that may be of 'special interest' are welcome to join
in with fellow enthusiasts. Come on down to John Wright Park
with your vehicle between 8am to 2pm on the Sunday of the Kings
Birthday long weekend.
We are also expecting a good display of motorcycles.
Annually
featuring Veteran, Vintage & Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Muscle
Cars, Hot Rods, Stationary Engines, Street Machines and more.
Every year, our Club strives to put on a bigger and better
event.
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When you head to a classic car show, you should always expect
the unexpected - and 2025’s Mid Coast Ford Motorfest at John
Wright Park delivered that in spades!!
Organised by the passionate crew at the Great Lakes Historic
Automobile Club, the event had all the vintage metal and chrome
you could wish for. But it was something entirely new that stole
the show: Rocker Cover Racing.
 If
you haven’t heard of it before, you’re not alone. While this
quirky competition has been around in the US since 1987 - where
the first Valve Cover Nationals drew 53 eager entrants - it’s
only just beginning to rev up here in Australia. And judging by
the smiles, cheers, and laughter, it’s here to stay.
About a dozen homemade racers lined up at the start gate, each
one painted and designed to stand out. The battle down the track
was fierce, with gravity doing most of the work as these
creative machines hurtled towards the finish. In a nail-biting
final, a Ford Falcon 6-cylinder rocker cover took on a Valiant
slant-6 - and it was the Valiant that edged out the win by the
slimmest of margins
 The crowd loved it. In fact, it was such a hit that by day’s
end, car clubs were already throwing down challenges, and GLHAC
had fielded requests to hire out their track. Could we see
Rocker Cover Racing added to the Triumph Nationals next year?
It’s definitely on the cards!
And the fun doesn’t stop there. For 2026, GLHAC plans to expand
the racing action even further - including Tonka Racing for the
younger enthusiasts. Imagine the joy on the kids’ faces as their
trucks thunder down the track!
Thinking of building your own Rocker Cover
Racer?
🟢
Here are a few tips to help you clinch victory:
🏁 Weight is your secret weapon - gravity-powered means heavier
is better.
🏁 The finalists both used 6-cylinder rocker covers that maxed
out the length limit.
🏁 Both had floors fitted and hugged the track low to maximize
ground effects.
So- grab the rule book, fire up your imagination, and start
building!
Of course, none of this would have happened without the
dedication behind the scenes. The idea to bring Rocker Cover
Racing to Motorfest was born from a simple "what if?" Getting
the track built fell to Ron Pulling, with essential help from
Harvey Haworth and Tony Brogan, who put in the hard yards to
make it a reality. The committee watched cautiously at first —
but in the end, the results spoke for themselves. The track was
a triumph, the racing unforgettable, and a new Motorfest
tradition may have just been born.
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New to Motorfest in 2025 was Drive
-Thru
Presentations. We invited the winners of each of our categories
for individual cars/bikes, to bring their vehicle to the presentation
area in front of the sound shell at John Wright Park and receive their
award and have their picture taken with the award sponsor.
 The sound shell area was decked out with the
vehicles and flags of our primary sponsor, Mid Coast Ford. This style of
'show and tell' was very well received by the attendees and the public.
Many very supportive comments, and I believe is a must do for Motorfest
in the future.
The ability to do this type of presentation was
made possible by our judges completing their viewing and selections in
enough time for us to then notify the winners. Thanks to Laurie Curtin
for putting together a great group of judges and managing them on the
day. It’s a very significant part of Motorfest.
We have decided to continue Drive Thru
Presentations at Motorfest for 2026. |
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 On display also will be a very interesting array of stationary
engines from the DONK ("De Olde Nabiac Klub").
Great Lakes FM will be broadcasting
live throughout the show.
Hot food and coffee will be available.
During the day, our roving reporter will provide interesting
interviews with car owners, the public and our vendors.
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Our club is very appreciative of the vast community support we
get from local businesses, and, in particular Mid Coast Ford
- our major sponsor.
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Entry to the public is always always FREE.
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The vehicle display fee
is $15 per vehicle.
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Proceeds from
Motorfest are donated to a local charity.
The 2025 Mid Coast Ford Motorfest was a great success. Motorfest 2026 is set to be even bigger! |
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Mid Coast Ford Motorfest is proudly
sponsored by...
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