Red hot rod benefits flow into the valley this week
Published on 30 September 2026
The 48th annual Valla Beach Hot Rod Run has started, and Macksville and Bowraville have been treated to some exciting Drag-ens’ Club action already this week.
There are approximately 350 pre-1948 classic cars driving throughout the valley this week and Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee has welcomed the week-long event.
“I’ve been to Bowraville on Tuesday and the Macksville Showground today and it was a sight to behold seeing about 200 immaculate hot rods and their drivers and families,” he said.
“For 48 years our valley has hosted the Drag-ens’ Valla Beach Hot Rod Run, which provides a massive injection into our valley’s visitor economy.
“This event has created multi-generations of hot rodders who love the Nambucca Valley and travel from as far away as Victoria and Queensland to visit here for the week, every year.
“Due to these broad economic and tourism benefits, our Council has sponsored the event this year with $7000 funding.
“The club’s premiere event is on this Saturday in the heart of Nambucca Heads, the annual
Show & Shine, and I encourage everyone to come down, visit Nambucca, check out the old Fords and Chevrolets and stay for lunch.”
Drag-ens Hot Rod Club-Valla Committee Vice-President Leigh Anderson thanked Council for its sponsorship and invited the whole community to come out and enjoy the cars this week.
“Whether you live in Bowraville, Nambucca Heads, or Valla Beach, you will be seeing some polished hot rods all pre-1948 across the valley,” he said.
“Today (Wednesday 30 September) our club has done a run to the Macksville Showground where we played Cars in the Grass – a timed circuit around the ground where quite a lot of rubber was burned.
“Saturday is the main event where all of our club’s 350 hot rods will parade from Valla Beach Holiday Park at 9am, all the way up Ocean View Drive. From there we drive to Nambucca Heads town centre for the annual Show & Shine in Bowraville Street, finishing at about noon.
“So come along, check out the beauty of these old classic cars and enjoy the camaraderie.”
Motorists driving in the Valla Beach and Nambucca Heads areas on Saturday 3 October are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys and drive to the conditions. There are road closures in Bowra and Mann Streets, from Ridge Street to West Street, Nambucca Heads, on Saturday from approximately 8am to 1pm. A sign posted detour will be provided around the closures.
The Drag-ens’ Club started the Valla Beach Hot Rod Run in 1977 and just 72 cars attended this first year. Participation has steadily grown to the 350 cars registered in the event this year.
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO:
Mr David Moloney
ACTING GENERAL MANAGER
02 6568 2555
DATE: 30 September 2026