Can a local win the Deni Ute Muster’s Ute of the Year two years in a row?
That’s what Tim Raper and Shannon Gunn are hopeful for, as the only two local entrants in the Show ‘n’ Shine this Saturday.
Tim and Shannon are not just mates.
They’re also neighbours with a similar passion for all things wheels, and they both own 1984 Holden WB Kingswood utes.
It’s these utes that will be entered in the Show ‘n’ Shine this weekend.
“WBs were not made after 1984, so these were the last of the years,” Shannon said.
“We all had them as 20 to 25 year-olds, so I guess by getting another one now we’re trying to relive our youth a bit.”
Tim added his WB to his car collection about a year ago, and got it to Deni with Shannon’s help.
“The colour is spinifex green, and I bought it from Western Australia fully restored.
“Shannon, who drives trucks, got it back to Deni for me.
“I grew up in that era, but I’m just into cars generally.
“I have done a few little things to finish it off, including some upholstery work and a general tidy up.”
Also in Tim’s collection is a Maloo, a 1929 Bentley car, a Healy Silverstone, two old Chevrolet Impalas and a few motorbikes.
The WB Shannon will enter the Show ‘n’ Shine with is one of two he owns.
“I got this one, which is Tahitian blue, from Mudgee in 2021, and I’ve tinkered around with it a little,” he said.
“I’ve had some interior work done, a re-spray and added a bull bar.”
The friends have been long time supporters and patrons of the Deni Ute Muster, and decided together to enter the competition.
As well as a chance to show off their utes, Tim said it’s just another way to support the important local event.
“We just want to get behind the Muster.
“We’re passionate about the Muster because it’s such a great thing for the town.
“We are very lucky to have the team behind the event doing what they do each year.”
This will be the first time entering the Show ‘n’ Shine for both Tim and Shannon.
They hope one of them may be able to follow Ian McAtamney’s win last year, after he claimed the Ute of the Year trophy with his 1983 Toyota HJ 47 Arkana.
But they’re both also very well aware that the competition will be fierce.
Show ‘n’ Shine presentations will be made at 10am Saturday, with cars entered on display between 8am and 4pm on both Friday and Saturday.
The Deni Ute Muster gates will be thrown open this Thursday, ahead of the festival starting Friday and continuing Sunday.
Festival general manager Vicky Lowry is anticipating a “big year”, with predictions there will be 20,000 people on site each day of the festival.