MORE than 400 minitruck enthusiasts rolled into the Eurobodalla this weekend for the East Coast Cruise and Minitruck Show ‘n Shine.
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A highlight in Australia’s minitrucking calendar, the cruise attracted people from almost every state and territory in the country.
A minitruck is a compact ute which has been modified and customised, often with an emphasis on achieving the lowest ride height possible.
Customising minitrucks is a lifestyle/hobby referred to as minitrucking - a trend which started in the 1980s in the USA.
The East Coast Cruise began with a cruise from Batemans Bay to Moruya on Saturday morning.
This was followed by a show n shine and games, including tug of war, at Moruya’s Riverside Park.
The event ended on Saturday night with a celebratory awards presentation night at McKay Park in Batemans Bay, where 13 coveted awards were distributed.
It is the ninth year the event has been held in the shire.
Organiser Jamie Starling said this year's event was dedicated to his brother, Laurie Starling, who passed away in July this year.
“He worked at the fabrication shop Chop Shop in Gosford and worked on many of the cars here today,” Mr Starling said.
Mr Starling said they held the event in the Eurobodalla because “it’s lovely”.
“We spent a little while trying to find a place that was accessible and had a friendly council,” he said.
“It helps bring our community together and we have a lot of fun doing it.”
Ryan Farmer of Camden travelled down in his freshly-painted Tiffany blue 1995 Holden Rodeo.
He said he attended the East Coast Cruise each year for “the scene”.
“It’s a big community, and it’s a chance for everyone to show what they’ve done, talk about it, and get ideas and try to be one of a kind,” he said.
This year was the fourth time Clinton Blaess made the trek from South Australia to the event.
And it's one he and his Western Australian friends wouldn't miss.
“It’s the biggest minitruck show in Australia,” he said.
Fellow organiser Erin Cassidy said many of those attending the event “held out all year” for it.
“It’s a chance for all the clubs to get together once a year – It’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere,” she said.
“It’s family friendly, and we always get a few locals from Moruya Country Markets coming over and having a look.”