Calling all utes
The Methven Ute Muster, in its 3rd year, is set to be a star attraction at this year's Methven A&P Show on March 16.
The ute muster attracts a wide array of vehicles and organisers encourage anyone with a ute or pick-up to enter, whether your vehicle is show quality or a well-worn farm truck.
"We have entries from vintage cars through to big Dodge
Rams," Methven A&P Show committee member and Ute Muster organiser Craig
Elliott says. Previous events have seen entries of classic pick-ups, new four-wheel-drives, company vehicles and farm trucks.
Some vehicles that are big on character but not on roadworthiness are transported on a trailer due to a lack of warrant of fitness or registration.
With categories that include Best Presented and Cleanest Ute and the Dirtiest, Roughest Ute; there is a category for all utes, no matter their age or state of repair.
"All vehicles will be parked up at 10 am, and judging starts
about 10:30.
"They have a prize giving around lunchtime and an opportunity to look around the other vehicles.
"It's basically like a car show," Elliott said
With $5000 in prizes up for grabs from generous sponsors, winners
are set to go home happy.
Winning vehicles also secure a spot in the Methven A&P Show grand parade.
Organisers are also planning to add a tug-of-war to the mix
this year.
"We will shoulder-tap people on the day and see if they want to do a tug-of-war.
"We will line up a few different brands of vehicles and do that in the arena, outside the bar area."
Elliott said that utes were a passion for younger generation, which has helped the event grow in popularity.
"You look around now, and a lot of the young ones drive utes instead of cars.
"It's just a good rural fun day out, basically."
Registration for the Ute Muster can be made on the day for a
$30 entry fee, which includes a driver's gate pass to the A&P Show.
Categories:
Best presented/ cleanest
Best paint job
Pre-1984/vintage
Tradies Ute
Dirtiest/roughest ute
Best sign written
Best accessorised
Best modified
Shepherds ute
American pick-up
By Claire Inkson