Motorclassica goes interactive for kids

Motorclassica for 2018 will introduce a new three-part education program for kids, when it opens at the Royal Exhibition Building in October.

The Live Restoration Theatre comprises five different workshops inside the building. Demonstration of the various tasks involved in restoring a car takes place under the guidance of restoration expert, Shepparton-based Greg Maskell.

"We want to both entertain and educate by example, so we will even have a Paint Booth set up outside the main building, with vision of the work being done streamed live to audience inside," Maskell said.

Host for the Theatre will be well known industry personality and classic car lover, Brian Tanti.

The other elements of the educational syllabus at Motorclassica this year are the Schools Program, which was launched at Motorclassica last year, and Future Lab.

While The Live Restoration Theatre brings the past to life for the young, Future Lab presents budding automotive technology and provides opportunities for the audience members to use that technology interactively. They will learn about registered training organisations, technology companies and the Formula SAE University Engineering program.

The Schools Program for 2018 will be held on the opening day, Friday, October 12. Secondary school students from around Victoria are invited to take part, learning about the vehicle restoration industry. In addition, the participants will receive guidance for careers in design and automotive trades, and advice on motoring hobbies – including collecting and motor sport competition.

"With Motorclassica now established as the premier event of its type in Australia, we are constantly seeking ways to add new elements and extra value for show goers," Motorclassica Event Director Paul Mathers was quoted saying in a press release.

"Given the event's credibility and unique status as the only annual automotive exhibition of its type in the country, we also felt that we have a responsibility to pass on the knowledge and expertise we have collectively gathered over many years, to the next generation of enthusiasts.

"Hence, we are again running our Schools Program and have added the Future Lab, both of which aim to excite and educate young people about the opportunities for careers and involvement in the automotive and restoration industries.

"Centrepiece of our education theme will be the Live Restoration Theatre which we anticipate will be hugely popular with 2018 show goers. We believe it's the first time something like this has been done at a consumer event in Australia."

"It's important that we engage and excite these young people so that we have a generation to pass the knowledge onto … these are the experts and enthusiasts of the future," Paul Mathers said.

Motorclassica this year will feature 135 cars and 50 motorcycles. The event will be heralded by the annual Tour Classica rally. Tickets for the event – which will run between October 12 to 14 – can be purchased at the venue or online.