This November, the township of Glen Innes will come alive with the sights and sounds of gleaming vehicles, from vintage hot rods to powerful bikes, as the community gears up for the “Triple Challenge Show & Shine”. The event, open to cars, trucks and motorcycles, promises a fun-filled morning for families and enthusiasts alike.
Organised by a dedicated team of motoring fans at Glen Innes Motor Sports Club, the event will be held on 1 November, from 7 am to 2 pm, starting at the TAFE-Library precinct and winding its way through the town in a celebratory parade.
The Triple Challenge isn’t just about vehicle displays; it’s a full-on community day, featuring markets, food trucks, face-painting for children, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned car buff or a family looking for a fun outing, there’s something here for all ages.
The president of the Glen Innes Motor Sport Club, Cody Hogan, has told the New England Times he’s looking forward to what is shaping up to be the biggest year for the show so far.
“This is our 5th year for the Show and Shine, and it’s just getting bigger and bigger each year. We’ve already got 40-50 trucks, 25 bikes and well over 100 cars expressing interest, and it’s really going to be fantastic this year because it’s the first year we haven’t clashed with other motoring events,” said Mr Hogan.
The highlight? A parade through Glen Innes, beginning at the TAFE-Library and sweeping through town, allowing residents and visitors to see the vehicles up close as they pass.
“We’re really excited to be able to run the parade up the entirety of the main street this year,” said Mr Hogan.
“We could only do a half street parade last year and it just wasn’t that good but being able to run the vehicles all the way from TAFE to the showgrounds this year will be fantastic.”
Mr Hogan also emphasised that, if you want to be a part of the parade, you need to be at the TAFE building by 8am with your vehicle, for a 9am parade start.
Community spirit is at the heart of the event, with local community organisations including the Men’s Shed, Lions Club and SES all on board with stalls and demonstrations for the day.
Mr Hogan tells us there will also be a raffle with some fantastic prizes as well as an auction held on the day. The proceeds of both of these will go towards funding a truck memorial, the RFS and keeping the Club going for members and the community to enjoy.
The Glen Innes Motor Sports Club is a local grassroots organisation driven by motoring enthusiasm and community spirit. Comprised of volunteers who bring together years of experience, the group works tirelessly to build not just thrilling events, but inclusive gatherings that welcome families, locals and visitors alike. From planning the morning parade through the heart of Glen Innes, to coordinating the Show & Shine entries for cars, trucks and motorcycles, they handle every detail with a passion for vehicles and a love for their town. Their aim is simple: to celebrate automotive culture, support local business, and deliver a fun, free, or low-cost day out for the whole community.
New members are always welcome.
“We have one event every month and we’ve got a great meeting venue now in the Great Central Hotel – everyone is welcome!” said Mr Hogan.
“A big win for us over the last couple of years has also been the Historic Registration – so now if you’re a member, you can get that registration for your historic vehicles that you might have in your shed.”
Another big target for the Club at present is getting drag racing reestablished in Glen Innes.
“The Drags have been gone since 2018. We’re in discussions with Council but it’s tricky because they’ve spent too much money on the airport now for us to be able to utilise that anymore. Still, we really want to bring it back to Glen Innes – it’s such a huge economic boost for the whole community, so we’d love to see it back in town,” said Mr Hogan.
So mark your calendar, on 1 November the engines roar and the fun begins. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair, browse the market stalls and soak in the atmosphere. And for anyone who’s ever thought about entering their vehicle, now’s the time.
For more information or to submit your entry, contact the organisers using the following details: for cars & motorcycles, contact Cody Hogan (0455 305 064) or Nick Ward (0402 484 078); for trucks, contact Michael Cooke (0417 640 655) or Julie Burgess (0408 326 799).
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