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20 October, 2023
Elite cars win top awards at show
BETTER quality entries were the highlight of the 2023 Cairns Auto Spectacular at Cairns Showground last weekend.
Promoter and organiser Patrick Garlando said it was “a bit better than last year” with more than 150 entries.
“We probably had on par entries but the quality of cars was a lot better than last year,” he said. “We had several big names, some of Australia’s top show cars,” Mr Garlando said.
They included:
Grand champion of the show: Peter Sharpe’s 1973 Holden Monaro HQ coupe
Top car of the show: Peter Lewis’ 1977 Ford Falcon XC sedan
People’s choice: Jim Vearing’s 1972 Holden Torana LJ coupe
Top interior elite: Lincoln Stephens’ BMW 3 -Series
Top paint elite: Steven Wilkes’ VL Commodore
Horsepower hero: Dan Di Bella XB Falcon sedan (1255.8 hp).
“This year the competitors were very happy how well it was run,” Mr Garlando said.
“They were blown away how good it was. They liked the laidback atmosphere.
“The guys who travelled are happy to come back again.”
Mr Garlando said the furthest was from Taree in New South Wales.
“We kept the best cars – about 60 – for the Fred Moule Pavilion,” he said.
Mr Garlando said the charity auction raised about $2000 for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter.
He said he was aiming to bring six elite show cars to Cairns next year and guest judge Owen Webb was also returning.
‘We are so grateful for our sponsors, the Cairns Show committee, management and staff in the office and of course the competitors,” Mr Garlando said.
“It was a fantastic weekend enjoyed by all the competitors and spectators,” he said.
For the full list of winners go to www.cairnslocalnews.com.au
