There was plenty to show and lots of shine at Hastings Cunningham Reserve in Mount Gambier on Saturday.
The Trident Tyres South East Street Machines 42nd Annual Show’n’Shine attracted 176 vehicles, one of the highest numbers of entrants in the event’s history.
Club member David Baudinette said in the lead up to the event organisers were not sure how many cars would take part.
“With a weather forecast suggesting heavy rain on the day plus a closed border stopping people from coming from Victoria the organisers had little idea of whether their efforts in planning the show would pay off or not,” he said.
Their fears were quickly erased as the area at Hastings Cunningham Reserve that the club had set out for the display steadily began to fill and continued to fill at a faster rate as the morning went on.
By 9am when the event opened to the public and spectators began to file in it was already at near capacity. Display vehicles continued to come in through the morning with owners doing final polishing and bug removal in the warm sunshine after driving to the event.
Mr Baudinette said ever y conceivable colour, make and model of vehicle was on display. Vehicles ranged from late model high performance cars, classic and muscle cars, street machines, hot rods and motor- cycles.
“The sun continued to shine throughout the morning and into the afternoon but as the stormy change came n organisers decided to bring the trophy presentation forward by an hour just in case the skies did open,” he said.
Trophies were awarded for the ‘Top 5 Cool Rides’ Peoples Choice, voted on by the spectators, and Entrants Choice, voted on by the entrants themselves.
Winners of the Top 5 Cool Rides were Jeremy Fitzpatrick with his Valiant Charger, Kirsty and Ryan Turner with their LH Torana, Dave Coombe with his rare ‘71 Toyota Crown Coupe, Mark Ferguson with his XY GS Ford Fairmont, and Bill Payne with his rigid framed Harley Davison. People’s Choice went to Abdullah Kamara with his Pontiac Firebird and Entrants Choice was awarded to Mel and Aaron Knowles with their Chevrolet Fleetline, while Roger Smith Auto Parts Millicent accolade was awarded to Paul Davis for his FE Ambulance.
Mr Baudinette said South East Street Machines would like to thank Trident Tyre Centre, Shannons Insurance, Cocky’s AutoPro, Spark Automotive, MG Plasterers, Gambier Kustom Autos, Avis Car and Truck Rental, Burson’s Auto Parts, 5 GTR FM, ASD Automotive, Heemskerk Security, Tonkins In-Car Solutions, Roger Smith Auto Parts Millicent and the Mount Gambier City Council.
“Without their generous support the club could not run events like this and gratefully acknowledges their assistance,” he said.
