Hot rods and cherry blossoms combine for festival

WINNER: Brent Woodcock with his Model A Woody Hot Rod, which took the title of The Best Hot Rod at the car display on Saturday. PHOTO/REBECCA SAVORY

Tauranga man Brent Woodcock took home the trophy for the Best Hot Rod at the impressive car display in Greerton Village on Saturday.

About 60 hot rods were parked up on Chadwick Rd for the annual Street Machines and Customs car show, held in Greerton for the first time in the event's 13-year history.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the cars in conjunction with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, also on Saturday.

Street Machines and Customs president Tim Wood said he could not have been happier with the turnout.

"We're all about the public enjoying the cars.

"The stand-alone car show has become a little passe now. This combination with another event is becoming very popular."

He hoped next year would attract even more cars with a capacity of more than 90.

Two guest judges and hot rod professionals spent two hours looking at the 60 cars and Mr Woodcock's yellow 1930s model was "their choice on the day", he said.

Mr Woodcock said the award came as a surprise as it was his first time entering the local event. He bought the hot rod in "a million" pieces off a garden trailer seven years ago and spent 18 months doing it up.

"I got it pretty cheap really with no motor or gear box.

"It goes good now. I drive it as much as I can."

The festival was great for families with entertainment across the whole village.