It's just days until Wean takes on a touch of rock and roll for the annual amateur picnic races.
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Gates open at 9.30am and the first of five races will take off about 12pm. It is the 86th year the event has been held at Wean race track, 40km north-east of Gunnedah.
Race club president Les Alker said the recent rain came at just the right time.
"The course is looking very nice. It was rock hard and dry and dusty [before]," he said.
"This rain is wonderful. I think they had 18mm out there.
"The track as of [Wednesday] morning was a soft six but we expect it to be around an eight or a nine on Saturday."
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Mr Alker said the committee was hopeful the choice of a simpler dress theme would encourage more people to dress up for the day.
"When times are good, people have time to spend on their costumes so we went with a simple rock and roll theme this year," he said.
"We're expecting about 800 Elvis'."
There will be prizes for best female, best male, best couple, best rock and roll costumes and many more. There will be $300 for the best handmade rock and roll outfit from the 1950s-1980s.
Budgie Smugglers' Mike Brady and David Sleath will keep the crowds entertained but Gunnedah Shire Band won't be make its usual appearance because of the upcoming NSW State Band Championship.
Funds from this year's race meet will go to Narrabri Can Assist.
Last year, the club formed a partnership with Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, which will see buses run from Tamworth, Quirindi, Narrabri, and Moree. The funds will go towards the helicopter service.
Buses will also run from Gunnedah, Manilla and Attunga. All bookings can be made through the Wean races website.
For locals driving themselves, the cost of entry is $15 for adults, $8 for pensioners, $12 for ages 12-16 and under 12 is free.
- For more information on the Wean Amateur Picnic Races, visit http://weanraces.com.au/thisyear.html or find the page on Facebook.