Vehicles will be put through their paces to impress the judges when the 2024 Cape York Automotive Muster is held in Cooktown on 15 June. Photo: Supplied.
Entrants are pulling out all the last-minute stops before their rides rev up Cooktown Discovery Festival celebrations on 15 June.
Twenty entries have been received for the third running of the Cape York Automotive Muster this weekend, with event founder and organiser Lauren Bowyer admitting she was “freaking out” as months of hard work prepares to go on show.
“I am freaking out,” she laughed.
“I swear it was January just yesterday, but everything is coming together; as always, things seem to fall into place at the last minute.
“We have 20 registrations this year and two of those are motorcycles, which is fantastic, we have a few registrations from Weipa and Bamaga, which is really exciting to see Cape York locals getting involved.”
Competitors will go head to head in seven categories in 2024: Best in Show, Best Flex, Best Motorcycle, Best Ladies Rig, Roughest Rig, Best Classic 4×4 Rig and Best Classic Car.
The vehicles will be front and centre at the festival’s grand parade on Saturday morning, after which Ms Bowyer said motoring enthusiasts could check out the offerings up close while judges decide who will get their hands on the prizes on offer.
“As always, the registered vehicles will take part in the downtown parade at 12pm, then all vehicles will line up in front of the old bank on Charlotte Street for the judges to look at and assess each vehicle,” she said.
“You will see the pink and blue Cape York Automotive Muster marquee set up.”
One eager competitor was attempting an ambitious chassis conversion to secure their third major win in as many years, but Ms Bowyer said injury had forced them to withdraw their entry.
Ms Bowyer said despite the challenges involved with co-ordinating the muster each June, she wanted to see the event make its mark as a must-see festival attraction.
“I think the Cape York Automotive Muster is definitely going to cement itself as a must-fo and must-see part of the Cooktown Discovery Festival,” she said.
“As hard as it has been to pull this together every year, it is gaining interest from people further away, and is now getting to the point where I will have to form a committee and perhaps find some sort of funding to keep it going.
“But I love it; I feel it brings back some of that small town fun for young and old locals.”
There will be plenty of prizes and bragging rights on offer at the third running of the Cape York Automotive Muster, which will be held during Cooktown Discovery Festival celebrations. Photo: Supplied.
