The Lake Mulwala Rod Run weekend was again an overwhelming success.
Hundreds of gleaming hot rods, packed streets and plenty of smiling faces made this year’s Lake Mulwala Rod Run one to remember, with organisers describing the weekend as an overwhelming success.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Northern Suburbs Street Rods organiser Mike Grech, who runs the event alongside Wayne Sartori, said entrants and the Yarrawonga Mulwala community responded tremendously.
“I sum it up as an absolute, total success,” Mike said.
“It was an absolute honour to be up here and to think that so many people were interested in coming to an event that we’ve organised. It means a lot to me that people want to come to our event,” Mike said.
Registrations reached a record 756, including approximately 72 second cars, with entries capped five weeks before the event after reaching capacity.
Saturday night’s popular Belmore Street cruise was again popular despite the wind.
Mike said organisers had been particularly surprised by the demand given current cost-of-living pressures and fuel prices.
“The amount of interest blew us away,” Mike said.
Entrants represented 37 different car clubs, with the Geelong Rodders providing the largest club contingent with 24 members.
Saturday night’s popular Belmore Street cruise again drew a huge crowd, helped by favourable weather and the new position of the live band.
Adding to the atmosphere, four hot rods took children for rides around the cruise route, something organisers hope to expand next year.
Sunday’s Repco Show and Shine at JC Lowe Oval was also filled to capacity.
“There wasn’t a blade of grass that wasn’t covered by a car,” Mike said.
Around 250 people also took part in Saturday’s observation run through Corowa, Rutherglen and Bundalong.
Fundraising was another highlight, with approximately $13,000 raised at the charity auction alone. Gate takings were still being counted, with the club hoping to at least match or better the $25,000 distributed to local causes last year.
After eight months of preparation, Mike admitted Sunday afternoon brought some welcome relief.
Registrations reached a record 756 vehicles for the 2026 Lake Mulwala Rod Run.
“It was like a 10-ton truck being taken off my shoulders,” Mike said.
Looking ahead, organisers believe they may have found the event’s “comfort zone”, with this year’s entrants to be given first opportunity to return in 2027.
“Thank you for trusting us to take over your town and letting us enjoy our hobby. It’s a big honour to come here and bring all our friends and our toys,” Mike said.
