Bold start: A decade of Ute passion returns to Armidale, with drivers, dust, and plenty of chrome ready to roll. The Armidale Ute Show kicks off on March 7 as part of the annual Armidale Show, with utes being washed and polished in preparation for this now-celebrated milestone.
Chief steward Adam Tadman described reaching ten years as a significant achievement for the event. While there isn’t a sweeping anniversary celebration planned, a new four-wheel drive time trial adds a fresh layer of competition to the program, complementing the beloved 4WD barrels in the main ring.
“We’re launching a new driving event this year, a four-wheel drive time trial,” Mr. Tadman announced. The remainder of the program largely mirrors previous years, following the disruption last year caused by cyclone conditions.
“Last year we’d normally have around 45 or so utes, but we only had about 15,” he noted.
The Armidale Ute Show consistently draws entrants from Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, southeast Queensland, and beyond.
There have even been years when a participant traveled from Sydney, and last year one competitor journeyed all the way from Nambucca, detouring via Glen Innes to reach the event despite tough road conditions. “That’s the dedication they bring to the show,” Tadman said.
The event features a wide range of categories, from pristine street utes to four-wheel drives and well-used work vehicles. “People love utes because you can tailor them in so many ways, and every single ute is configured differently,” Tadman explained.
Street utes tend to be in immaculate condition, while 4WDs and work utes show more mud and character. In earlier years, the show even welcomed a vehicle from the 1950s.
Core categories include Holden vs Ford, Street, 4WD, BNS Bandit, BNS Wannabe, Feral, Chicks, and an open “Other” category for all remaining models. Sub-categories enhance the competition, with awards for Furthest Travelled, Most Stickers, Most Aerials, Best Camp Setup, and Classic.
Grass events will feature a Bark Off across V8, six-cylinder, four-cylinder, and diesel classes, in addition to barrel racing and the new 4WD time trial.
Major sponsors for 2026 include GME, Repco, Supercheap, and Autobarn, alongside contributions from local businesses providing prizes.
The action unfolds on Canambe Street in Armidale, with gates and registrations open from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Judging begins at 12:30 pm, followed by the Grand Parade featuring the 2026 Young Women at 4:00 pm, and the barrels event at 6:00 pm.
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About the author: Bec Gracie has spent over two decades as a country music journalist, starting with her first national newspaper story at age 15, and later covering entertainment and rural news. More by Bec Gracie can be found at the publication’s author page.
