Laois is gearing up for annual Indoor Motor Show

THE Ballinakill Vintage & Classic Owners Club is gearing up to host the annual Indoor Motor Show in Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise on Sunday 26 October.

As usual it promises to be a spectacular display of vintage and classic vehicles from all over Ireland. A fun day out for the family is expected in this large indoor venue with plenty of parking and shopping upstairs.

The show starts at 11am and is free of charge to the general public and a bucket collection for Laois Hospice will be held on the day.

Along with some invited special features, the autojumble and antique trade stalls are expected to be the largest yet with pent up demand following a second summer of unsettled weather keeping crowds down at the field shows.

Last year’s show was a great success with a busy shopping centre attendance availing of the spectacle downstairs at -2 level of the Laois Shopping Centre car park and music provided by local band Solitaire added to the festival atmosphere.

The Ballinakill Vintage and Classic Owners Club would wish to thank its hardworking committee which keep the show rolling year on year.

The notable difference in the vehicle display last year was the presentation of vehicles by country; while daunting for the organisers to set up initially it however proved to be an easier task with exhibitors happy to participate in the exercise to line up under a country of origin flag.

As the club is a traditional vintage and classic club, the rolling 30-year rule applies for vehicle entries, single cars, bikes or clubs arriving on Saturday will be regarded as ‘pre-booked’ and can remain in position in this secure location until Monday 27 October at 2pm if they so wish.

All individual classic exhibitors not involved with a pre-booked club will be welcome. Sunday autojumble entry closes at 10am and all exhibitor vehicles at 11am. An ‘all-engines-off’ policy will apply during the static show and remain in place until 4pm on Sunday the 26th.

Worthy thanks are also due to the many individual volunteers in attendance to help organise the day’s events over a busy bank holiday period. Further assistance is provided by Order of Malta, Laois Shopping Centre staff and Timahoe Soccer Club. The club is also grateful to the volunteers with Laois Vintage Ltd who participate in the bucket collection along with Laois Lions Club.

There will be a trophy presentation for, ‘Best pre-1930 vehicle’, ‘Best post-1930 vehicle’ and ‘Best Overall Car.’ Winners will be announced at 3pm. All vehicles entering must provide their own valid insurance.

To assist in everyone’s enjoyment on the day space is limited and we would encourage all to arrive early to avoid disappointment.