Classic curves will take centre stage again this weekend as the local Oilers Hot Rod Club rev up both horsepower and heart to complete a charitable endeavour.

Transforming their passion for vintage automobiles into a force for good, the club recently organised a spectacular hot rod and classic car show at Tauranga Racecourse, coupled with a no-reserve fun auction, all geared toward supporting Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue.

This coming Sunday, December 3, club members will meet at their monthly breakfast event and during the morning, will present a cheque to the charity.

“Over 200 hot rods and classic cars turned up at our event at the racecourse,” says club member Kerrie Maddox. “And about 500 people came to bid on the auction.”

As the sunlit chrome and vibrant paint dazzled attendees, the collective goal was clear: not only to celebrate the beauty of hot rods but also to drive generosity toward the welfare of our four-legged friends.

Kerrie says a few months before, they asked businesses to donate products they could auction off at no reserve.

“We had a beautiful airbrushed Mustang bootlid done by Lovich Design which raised a cool $3000 on its own.”

Tauranga Racecourse not only donated the use of the venue for the event but also helped promote it via their electronic sign, for a week beforehand.

Miniature horses with Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue. Photo: Kerrie Maddox.

“The racecourse is awesome, they helped us all the way.”

As well as the cars on display, Kerrie says there were also food trucks, coffee carts, live music from popular band Hot Mess, and rock ‘n roll dancers from Tauranga Rock N Roll club.

“We also had trophies for a few categories of best cars.”

Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue had a stand at the event with two miniature horses, rabbits, dogs and kittens.

“By being there, Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue got their name out there, and some people even adopted some of the animals.”

At 11am, the no reserve auction began, with ultimately $9320 raised.

“We are presenting a cheque to the Vada’s Angels Animal Rescue this Sunday [December 3] at 10am at the Tauranga Crossing lower car park.”

The Oils Hot Rod Club meets on the first Sunday of each month at Tauranga Crossing for a monthly breakfast, displaying their cars in the car park.

“We usually have over 100 cars attend in the lower car park. This is open to all car enthusiasts and the public.

“We are planning to hold the charity fundraiser event at Tauranga Racecourse every year now, on the second Sunday of November,” says Kerrie.

Hot rods on display at Tauranga Racecourse. Photo: Kerrie Maddox.