A sign of the times in how well Dubbo MotorFest has grown, the organising team hosted their first-ever gala launch to this year’s spectacular.

Officially titled the “Penrite VIP Welcoming Night”, the event on Friday evening, August 28, at Dubbo Showground was a showcase of the Saturday celebration of all things motoring in style.

As well as a great way to kick-start this year’s biggest-ever motor extravaganza, the event also featured some elite legends of the motoring game.

“This is a new section we’re doing for MotorFest, it’s a prestige night as a way of welcoming our elite car and motorcycle people,” current president Steve Fieldus told Dubbo Photo News prior to the event.

“The great thing is it also is for the general public as well, to help us launch this year’s event,” he added.

Featuring as a very special guest on the evening was one of the industry’s premier restoration stars.

“We’ve got one of the world’s best-known hot rodder and custom-paint experts, Charlie Hutton,” Steve revealed.

“He’s coming all the way from the United States after an invitation from us, so we’re very thrilled to have him here,” he enthused.

Other special guests on the night included a couple of elite athletes from the fast world of production cars, he added.

“We’re also going to have the two Penrite Super Car race drivers there, Matthew Payne and Kai Allen,” Steve said.

The event was also a great occasion to meet sponsors, the special guests, and chat to media and key supporters with stories, insights, and industry experience from respected names in the automotive scene.

The unforgettable night was organised by Dubbo Motorcyclist and Driver Club, leading into one of the biggest automotive events in the region.