Major National Motoring Event for Echuca-Moama!

SYDNEY – February 12, 2010: A major national event for all motoring enthusiasts designed ultimately to attract up to 5,000 vehicles and their owners, will be staged in the rapidly-growing Murray River border town of Echuca-Moama.

CARnival, which is being organised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), will be held annually with the first event staged over the NSW Labor Day ‘long weekend’ on October 1-4 this year.

The event is fully supported by Tourism Victoria and the Shires of Campaspe and Murray and is expected to attract around 20,000 visitors in its first year.

Over a five year period, the number of participating vehicles of all makes, models and ages is expected to rise from a targeted 2,000 in 2010 to an estimated peak of up to 5,000.

Launching CARnival, the Member for Northern Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Kaye Darveniza said the event would provide a welcome boost to the economy and could bring long-lasting benefits to the region.

“This is a real opportunity for Echuca’s tourism industry and we’re thrilled that the event will be held in our region,” Ms Darveniza said. “CARnival complements the Victorian Government’s The Murray River. Wind Down campaign perfectly.”

The CEO of CAMS, Graham Fountain, said CARnival was designed for all motoring and motorsport enthusiasts, regardless of the type of their vehicle and whether their interest lay in passive or competitive activities.

“This event celebrates grass roots motoring and motor sport in a way that has never been done before,” he said. “It is designed to put the fun back into vehicle ownership and use.”

Following the formalities, Ms Darveniza was taken for a ‘lap’ of the Echuca CBD by seven-time Bathurst winner Jim Richards in his $400,000 rally-prepared Porsche GT2, followed by a Congo-line of Classic Cars and Street Rods.

Commencing Friday October 1, the unique format will allow clubs to select from a broad menu to tailor their own ‘National’ meeting from a range of static and active events.

These include

the Shannons CARshine – a huge central car show on the banks of the Murray where vehicles will be grouped by marque and models

more than 20 different club-level competition events, including motorkhanas, auto tests, speed events, a rallysprint and an off-road event – on sealed and unsealed surfaces

a twilight navigation test and a fuel economy run – both on public roads

Fun motoring events for families

a major automobilia and garagenalia swap meet

a motoring and motorsport film, photo and art festival

A highlight for visitors will be the events for club cars and celebrity vehicles held on a closed street course proposed for the Echuca CBD, including ‘hot laps’ for local charities.

It is also hoped to stage a wheel change competition amongst some the major teams making a ‘pit stop’ at CARnival on their way to the Bathurst 1000 race the following weekend.