Car enthusiasts are renowned for talking a strong game about their vehicles, and locals now have an opportunity to prove how impressive their rides are with nominations opening for the 2024 Cape York Automotive Muster.
Nominations for the third running of the event opened on 1 April, and organiser Lauren Bowyer said she expected a convoy of competitors from across Cape York, North Queensland and interstate to arrive in Cooktown chasing car show glory.
“I have had so much interest in this event already,” she told Cape York Weekly.
“I have had people from Charters Towers, Townsville, and even Barcaldine and Melbourne message me to say that they are interested in coming up for the event.
“There’s also been a few locals that have mentioned that they are interested in registering their rigs this year.”
The muster will be held on 15 June, 2024 during the Cooktown Discovery Festival, with competitors set to add a head-turning element to the festival parade before parking up to have their rides put under the judge’s magnifying glass.
The muster boasts seven categories for car lovers to nominate their pride and joy in: Best in Show, Best Flex, Best Motorcycle, Best Ladies Rig, Roughest Rig, Best Classic 4×4 Rig and Best Classic Car.
Ms Bowyer said prospective competitors could reach out to her via social media, text or email to nominate.
“I am working on an online form, so that it makes it easier for people from other areas to register for the event, however, I will have printouts of the registration forms at the front desk at the Kuku Bulkaway Gallery in Charlotte Street,” she said.
With the hunt for more sponsors still on, Ms Bowyer encouraged the Cooktown business community to help support an event that would bring additional visitors to town during the festival.
“I created this event so that the locals had something to look forward to during the Cooktown Discovery Festival weekend, since our much-loved and iconic events such as the truck pull and the billy cart race have been cancelled,” she explained.
In addition to organising the event, Ms Bowyer said she was also working hard behind the scenes to ensure her own ride – Voodoo Queen – was a standout entry on the day.
“I am flat out trying to get my car looking spiffy for the parade, as it is the official car for the Cape York Automotive Muster, so final touches and repairs are getting done as we speak, and I am sure that everyone who is keen to register for the event will be making sure their pride and joy is looking and performing to the very best of their abilities, too,” she said.
“Some of these guys throw thousands of dollars at their rigs to make them stand out, and I am really excited to see what everyone has done to their vehicles this year.”
For more information about the event, including nominating, visit the Cape York Automotive Muster Facebook page.