New England Rods and Customs host annual Smoke and Iron hot rod run this weekend

It's the twelfth year the club has run the event, which offers something for the whole family.

Club member Greg Love said it was a great chance for people to see unique and custom cars up close.

“We’re expecting about 140 to 160 entrants this year,” he said.

“There will be special interest vehicles, restored cars, and bikes.

“They come from all over – we’ve got people coming from Canberra to Sydney to Bundaberg.”

The event kicks into gear on Friday night with live music from 6:30pm.

On Saturday, drivers will make an observation run to Uralla before regathering at the tourist park for the highlight of the weekend, the ‘show and shine’.

The ‘show and shine’ will run from 2pm until 4:30pm and is the best chance for locals to get a close-up look at the cars.

The club will then run an auction with proceeds donated to a local charity.

The entrants’ dinner will then begin at 6:30pm and there will also be live music all afternoon on Saturday.

“The hot rods are all pre-1948,” Mr Love said,

“Then we have customs from 1948 to about 1965.”

“And there will also be special interest cars and bikes too.”

Many of the club’s members tour the region to attending events with their creations.

“It’s like a big family,” Mr Love said.

Drivers will take their vehicles to the Mann Street skid pan on Sunday for driving events.

Club member Michael Clarke said the club had a number of talented hot rod builders.

“Some of the Armidale cars have placed top 10 in other runs,” he said.

“We’ve got some pretty good hot rod builder in the club and they’re definitely up there with some of the best in the country.”

The event will wrap up on Sunday afternoon and then many of the owners will prepare for more hot rod runs throughout the summer. 

“It should be a great event for everyone,” Mr Love said.