New 'Motoring Festival' announced for Melbourne

The 'Australian Motoring Festival', a joint venture between the VACC and RACV, will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale, from March 26 - 29, 2015.

VACC executive Director, David Purchase, said the Motoring Festival will differ from the traditional display-style motor show, by providing visitors with multiple opportunities to interact with vehicles and vehicle technology through test drives and simulation.

"The Australian Motoring Festival is a new concept and devised to connect automotive manufacturers and distributors with the vehicle-buying public in a new and dynamic way.

"Extensive research shows that people want to be able to engage and interact with the exhibits and activities at motoring events and that's what we intend to deliver at the Australian Motoring Festival," Mr Purchase said.

To be held over four action-packed days, the Australian Motoring Festival will combine displays and exhibits with interactive on and off-road driving experiences. New and historic, cars and motorcycles will be on show.

There will also be aftermarket exhibits, a major industry conference, Australia's Best Car award recipients, the VACC Automotive Design Awards winners and family entertainment, including car-themed film screenings and numerous children's activities.

RACV General Manager Motoring and Mobility, Gordon Oakley, said RACV was delighted to be partnering with VACC to stage this event.

"Our organisations have proud histories of serving Victoria and our respective members, and we aim to deliver a world-class motoring event next year in Melbourne," Oakley said.

"The Australian Motoring Festival will provide a wonderful experience for our members and their families, with visitors of all ages treated to a vast array of memorable and informative experiences.

"This will be an entirely new event on the Australian motoring calendar and it will be a very different experience from the traditional motor show."