'We don't need this on show day,” says Straw Lye. He's talking about the unrelenting rain of the last few weeks.

The organiser of tomorrow's Wheels on Mainstreet at Coronation Park from 10am-3pm wants sunshine – and lots of it.

Because hundreds of street machine-lovers are descending on Mount Maunganui – to see, dream and muse over all things with wheels. 'We had a wet one last year – so it must be our turn for sunshine,” says Straw.

Either way there will be many primed and beautiful machines glistening in the park – enough to make a man cry. If not, they'll run fingers down the paintwork in a mark of respect.

Hotrods, trucks, bikes, classics, custom cars, T-Buckets – you name it, it's on its way.

'Our first show was in 2012 – and it replaced our original Show Rods on the Waterfront,” says Straw, who is part of End Of The Road Rods & Classics Mt Maunganui Inc that is hosting the event.

'We started off showing American cars – hotrods and classics – we've expanded it to anything with wheels on. Cars, motorbikes, trucks, etc.

'And we've even got a trophy for the best Japanese Car this year,” says Straw, signalling a turn to enthusiasm for Asian vehicles at car shows here in NZ.

'It's been donated by somebody who visited the show in 2013. This is the second trophy they've donated.”

This shows just how anticipated the event is by all car-lovers from near and far. 'The first show we had 160 vehicles and we now have up to 350,” says Straw, showing the growth and the love wheeling its way to the Mount tomorrow.

But this year wheels won't turn down Mount's Mainstreet – instead they'll park bumper to bumper in Coronation Park.

Judging will commence thanks to Gold Coast's End of the Road Rods & Classics Club president Rod Brewer making the trip over to officiate.

Rod was invited after Straw and friends set up an End of the Road Rods & Classics sister club in Mount Maunganui, which took over running the Labour Weekend show from the National Street Rod Association branch club.

'And this year we've got Australians flying over just for the weekend.”

A coup compared to last year, which wasn't so good 'because we lost vehicles due to the wet weather”. So tomorrow's forecast of showers and light winds – at edition time – is being met with caution.

'We will just fill up the park on a first come, first serve basis,” says Straw. The people will come – and the magic will happen.

Wheel on Mainstreet, sponsored by Bake Shack, is on tomorrow, October 22, from 10am-3pm at Coronation Park.

Vehicle entry is $5, including passengers, and also gets the owner into the draw to win a trip for two to Brunswick, Australia.

Spectator entry is adult $5, family $10 and children under-12 gain free entry. They can also enter the Australia travel draw for $5 per ticket.

For more information, visit www.nsratauranga.com