The Guyra and District Automotive Club will be looking to have a great day out this weekend as they host a show and shine event while supporting the Guyra Lamb & Potato Family Funday.

 

With the New South Wales based festival usually taking place over 14 days, circumstances surrounding COVID-19 have forced the event to change its structure, compressing it into a one-day event instead.

 

In what will be its sixth year of supporting the festival, the club will once again use the event as an opportunity to showcase its members’ pride and joys and increase memberships, which has been a successful endeavour in itself with a membership growth of up to 20 per cent occurring as a result of the event each year. 

 

While in previous years, the club has run its own mini event within the festival, the make-up of this year’s event will be vastly different as the car club display is shifted from its normal place in Bradley Street into the Guyra Showgrounds.

 

Another difference to previous years will see the club vehicles are expected to be on display in 2021, down from the 180 cars normally recorded in other years. There will also be no trophies on offer for the best cars on the day, with the club deciding to take a different approach this year to ensure they can enjoy the day under the current circumstances.

 

Despite the changes, Club Treasurer Steve Mepham believed continuing to stay active was really important for the club.

 

“It’s going to be a static display to promote the club,” Mepham said.

 

“We normally have a show and shine at this time of the year as part of the festival in the main street, but because of COVID, we were unable to do that this year.

 

“So, they’re having a family fun day under controlled circumstances and the car club was asked to support it, help promote the event and generally speaking promote people’s interest in classic cars.”

 

Missing out on the tourism normally seen in the region, the event is now being used to boost the spirits of residents who, like the rest of the country, have been severely impacted by restrictions in 2020. 

 

With the event allowed to have up to 5,000 people on the grounds at any one time, patrons will be keen to see the car club display with a mixture of classics expected to turn out.

 

“I know we are expecting a triple truck here, in addition to some B doubles as well,” Mepham explained.

 

“I am expecting a few Holden HQs to turn up as well as some Ford GTs. So, there will be a variety of classics around.

 

“We love it, we really enjoy being a part of this event and cannot wait to see what this year’s edition will provide for us.”

 

The Guyra Lamb & Potato Family Funday will be held at the Guyra Showgrounds on Saturday 23 January.

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