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Show ‘n Shine to become Autofest

Posted on November 3, 2008, 5:05pm and updated on November 4, 2008 at 8:52 am

Australia’s longest running street machine event — the Mount Gambier Show ‘n Shine — will continue next year with a bigger format, a new name and a new venue.

The Show ‘n Shine will be expanded to include an Autofest at the Mount Gambier Showgrounds during the last weekend of October.

Autofest Group, together with the Mount Gambier A and H Society and the City of Mount Gambier, supported by South East Street Machines, have agreed to model the 2009 event on similar Autofests at Shepparton, Murray Bridge and Corowa.

The new Mount Gambier Autofest and Show ‘n Shine is expected to draw up to 20,000 spectators.

Mayor Steve Perryman said it had potential to become one of the biggest annual events on the city’s already action-packed calendar.

“This is great news for businesses in the city and we really want to see the community support it and maximise the benefits of the event,” Mr Perryman said.

Studies have established that Autofests inject millions of dollars into the local economy. Corowa’s event is conservatively valued at more than $3m.

The Springnats and Autofest events are all about admiring the best cars in the country with family and friends in an alcohol-free environment.

Spectators will witness some of the most powerful cars compete side by side in events such as the ‘Go-To-Whoa’ (where timed vehicles compete over 140 metres and must stop on a designated point), the Motokana (fast paced obstacle course action, set against the clock) and the Dyno Challenge (cars go through their gears in a stationary position on the dyno machine).

Organiser Les Adams said he was pleased with what the Mount Gambier location has to offer and said local stakeholders have been great to work with.

“We are grateful for the support which has made it possible. They really made us analyse every aspect of the event and applied very strict criteria,” Mr Adams said.

“We foresee our relationship with the South East Street Machines, Mount Gambier A and H Society and the Mount Gambier Council will be a long-term partnership.

“We have a long successful history with our events in other locations and the fact that there is strictly no alcohol is a major factor in that.

“Everywhere there is an Autofest they are happy to have us and we’re very pleased to be coming to Mount Gambier.”

Mr Adams said Autofest was a car festival especially for modified cars, but restored and original cars were also welcome and catered for.

“A highlight of the event would be the fiercely competitive burnout title,” Mr Adams said.

“We usually get anywhere between 50 to 100 entrants for that event alone.”

The Mount Gambier Autofest and Show ‘n Shine will be promoted nationwide in Australasian car magazines and other media.

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Comments

One Response to “Show ‘n Shine to become Autofest”

  1. Mannah on November 4th, 2008 10:26 pm 1

    now lets hope we can get the people who insist on breeding to not let their little darlings grab at touch and be too close to these vehicles that people have spent their time money blood sweat and tears into.

    I have on occasion gone to them and had to tell children to respect the cars and NOT touch them, This has put me off of ever having a car in a show and shine!