From Worthington MINI to Rylstone: Celebrating 15 Years of the Rylstone Classic

A Journey to Remember

The morning began early, with engines starting and coffee brewing. Our registration desk opened at 8:00 am, welcoming a sea of vibrant colours, custom decals and automotive personality.

Following our event briefing at 9:30 am, drivers hit the road for a 400 km northern loop. Navigating from the Central Coast through the picturesque Hunter vineyards and along Bylong Valley Way, the convoy eventually rolled into the historic town of Rylstone, NSW.

Support, Community, and Giving Back: The Heart of Rylstone Classic

Beyond the open road, the 2026 Rylstone Classic proved again that it is much more than a scenic drive. It is a showcase of community spirit, and this year the Mini community channeled that passion into local support and national awareness through several standout initiatives:

Backing the Next Generation: Kariong Mountain Scouts:

Entrants pitched in $5 donations at the registration desk for a premium raffle entry featuring two luxury stays at the Crowne Plaza Terrigal, complete with a brand-new modern Mini to enjoy for the weekend. Every dollar collected went directly to the Kariong Mountain Scouts, helping fund local youth leadership, outdoor education equipment and community projects right here in our own backyard.

Driving to End Homelessness: Sleep in Your Car:

The Mini community gave up a night of comfort this year to help raise awareness of Australia’s housing crisis. Led by community members including Christopher “Champo” Hampton, the Rylstone Classic Minis Sleep in Your Car Team spent the chilly August night sleeping inside their classic Minis. The overnight effort raised funds and awareness for Mission Australia, supporting services for families experiencing cost-of-living pressure, domestic violence and homelessness.

Keeping the Culture Accessible:

True to its founding DNA, the two-day rally remained free to enter for all competitors. To keep the event sustainable for its 15^th year, participants purchased voluntary supporter tiers, with 100% of those community donations offsetting logistical costs such as road books and participant plaques. The weekend also featured a grand prize raffle for a customised Seiko GMT NH35 automatic watch valued at over $700.

Thank You:

We want to say a sincere thank you to event director Evan Redman, our co-sponsors, including Minisport, Shannons, Penrite and Kaboodle, and most importantly, our Worthington MINI community! Whether you drove a meticulously restored 1960s classic or joined the fun in a comfortable modern Mini, you helped make the 2026 run one to remember!