The 2018 South Coast Nationals are over for another year. And what a wonderful success it was. A HUGE congratulations to all those who entered, organised, supported and attended. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the event which has grown to be a major success for Moruya and the South Coast. This year also closed the book on 25 years of history on Saturday, with the final running of the famous event at Moruya High School.
South Coast Nationals organiser Lee Pearce and wife Debbie have been the dynamos behind the event and were delighted with this year’s success knowing that it would also be the last after two and a half decades of passionate commitment. This year saw around three hundred and seventy vehicles including forty motorcycles registered for the two day with thirty to forty “elite cars” that are rarely seen at outdoor events as some approach one million dollars to build. The South Coast Nationals started in 1994 at the Moruya Showgrounds organised as a fundraiser for the SES where it remained until 1997. From there it moved to the airport for three to four years, back into Moruya to the Moruya Primary School and then on to the speedway which saw a massive growth in the event. “The event has always been about the community and right from the start we have used it as a community fundraiser with various groups coming on board” “At the speedway the Lifesavers were on the gates one year doing a gold coin in the bucket entry that pulled in five to six thousand dollars”. “Rotary have picked up over ten thousand dollars from the event as well. “Blue Mountain Support Group have also been there from the start. Back in the early days they were behind CareFlight and when that folded they moved on to support Child Flight. They also do a lot with CancerWest providing direct financial support to building accommodation wings and whatever is required making sure donations go straight to where they should”. Lee Pearce reflected back to that first event saying “We had about 40 cars and 12 bikes. We even scratched around the main street to see if we could bring some more in”. The Moruya Showground was the first of three homes for the event with it finally arriving at the Moruya High School grounds. Lee said “For the last five years we have held the event at the Moruya High School & incorporated an Automotive Trade & Careers Expo for students which has been very popular. The venue is great plenty of grassed areas as well as concrete areas and no dust. "The bulk of our entrants are from Canberra, Queanbeyan, Goulburn and the Wollongong region.There are also some amazing cars coming down from towns like Braidwood, Young, Yass and Crookwell and as far away as Western NSW around Parkes and Forbes. There are even bikes coming from as far as Queensland. The level of vehicles is at it’s peak this year for the last major sendoff,” said Lee "It is a pleasure to be support the Moruya High School & see the difference our donations have made to the school. Holding the Automotive Trade and Careers Expo as part of the event is a great opportunity for students to see what trades & careers make up the industries & speak to people involved in the trade or career they have an interest in. Even if only one student is inspired to start a career or trade from attending the Automotive Trade and Careers expo at the event it’s worth it." "We are very proud of how the event has evolved, the reputation & following the event has & that the event is a family event with something for everyone. It means a great deal to us that the event has been able to support so many charities and worthy causes over the year’s. It is a great feeling to know that we have made a difference to a variety of charities and many worthy cause that the event has been able to support.
"The biggest year of the event was 2009, we had 513 registered entrants & 584 vehicles in total, the event was huge. Now days we average around 250 – 270 entrants with many more high end vehicles attracted to the event." Lee said.
"The quality of vehicles the event was attracting is very impressive for an outdoor event and the addition of Dyno Dynamics having a Dyno at this year’s event will add another major attraction to the event which is sure to increase numbers to the event.
"Over the many years of running the event we have been very fortunate to meet many great people, make a lot of very great friends, seen some amazing vehicles & have the opportunity to be involved with some of the biggest & best events in Australia.
"There are a lot of great people who make this event happen every year, they are all like a big family (except we all get along). Our friends include some of the most credible vehicle judges and best vehicle builders in Australia, some who very kindly give their time each year to judge the vehicles at the event and the king of Street Machine in Australia Chic Henry who for many years help us & offered advised to us.
"We thank and appreciate every one that is involved with the event, from Friends and Family, Clubs, Individual’s, Sponsors, Traders & Spectators that attend the event and of course the Moruya High School for the great venue."
VIDEO: Paul Beck celebrates the annual South Coast Nationals held in Moruya, NSW with footage of the 2017 event. "Entrants came form all over to take part in the biggest car festival on the NSW South Coast. We relive the event and showcase some of the line up of cars and bikes on display!" says Paul
