Motor Show a stand-alone hit

The show was brought forward because of the Commonwealth Games, a date that has taken it away from its regular place alongside the Australian Grand Prix.

But the timing has not hurt and even led to a first-weekend record.

Show boss Russ Tyrie of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce says: "We had a fantastic first weekend. We were up about 13 per cent on our opening weekend last year.

"By the end of Sunday night we had almost 90,000 people to the show. It's right up there with our best weekends."

Tyrie says the momentum continued through to the early days this week as people flocked to see the range of new and improved models.

"I'm not really surprised by the size of the crowds, because we have an absolutely fantastic package of vehicles at the show. We have a lot of new releases and feature cars," Tyrie says.

He also believes the date change may have worked for the show by separating it from the Grand Prix.

"We have had a strong history with the show before the days when it was run at the same time as the Grand Prix. So it's not really a surprise that the move has helped."

But Tyrie has ruled out a permanent shift to February.

"I wouldn't go that far. At this stage it wouldn't be an easy move, just in practical terms," he says.

"We have certainly proved that the show can exist and be successful in its own right. That is the main thing."

The show has received a big tick from the chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Peter Sturrock.

"It's a good-looking show. It shows the breathtaking pace of new developments in the industry," he says.

"And value. It's almost a demonstration of the pace of change.

"The end result is that buyers are directly benefiting. Buyers are the winners every time."

If the early lift in attendances continues for all 10 days of the event, Tyrie believes the record - 257,000 people in 2004 - could get a shake.

"If we can keep up this pace we'll go close. We're not sure if we can sustain the boost from the first weekend, but we're hoping," Tyrie says.

"Even if we don't break the record, we will still have a sizeable audience."

The final three days of the show include the Shannons Auction at 3pm on Sunday and the final driving displays by stunt pilot Russ Swift in his Peugeot 307.