In a thrilling finish, the race was decided in the last few corners, with Pickering crossing the line ahead of Cessnock motorcycling legend Chris Watson and Daniel Wicks in third.

Watson and his teammate Luke Richards incurred a one-minute penalty for an excess lap, which moved the pairing of Wicks and Boyd Hollis into second place.

A record 80 teams took part in this year's event, riding a 22-lap qualifying race, with the top 40 going through to the main event.

The top three teams swapped the lead several times throughout the 90-minute final.

Pickering, a Kurri Kurri junior who just returned from the UK speedway season with the Edinburgh Monarchs, said he and Nowlan were confident going into Sunday's race.

"We knew as long as we were consistent and kept out of harm's way, there wasn't any reason we couldn't win it again," he said.

Pickering, who grew up in Heddon Greta, has ridden in the Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix five out of its six years, and said he always looks forward to the event.

"I love everything about it - it's good fun, it's close to home, and it's free," he said.

'Everyone who's into motorsport should be here."

Pickering said he and Nowlan (of Singleton) were rivals on the junior dirt track circuit when they were younger, and credits their competitive spirit as the secret to their successful combination.

"We both hated losing - this is the only event where we can team up together," he said.

Aberdare rider Keegan Pickering (no relation to Josh) won the women's race, after finishing second in last year's inaugural event.

Keegan Pickering - a Kurri Kurri junior who now competes on the road racing circuit - was thrilled to win after a poor start to the 12-lap race, which is believed to be the world's only all-female motorcycle street race.

"I was probably fourth off the line, but I pushed through and made up the gap and stayed consistent," she said.

Keegan and her brother Kyle teamed up in the main event, and missed out on the final by one spot.

Hundreds of people lined the track in the Cessnock TAFE grounds and surrounding streets for the free, family-friendly event.

Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix chairperson Dave Robinson said it was a fantastic event.

"We had record numbers competing, and the standard of competition continues to improve," he said.

"Everyone rode in such good spirit, across all skill levels.

"It was a terrific day."

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