Now in its 12th year, Melbourne Leisurefest – Australia’s biggest RV, camping and 4×4 show – will be held at Sandown Racecourse from October 3-6. Hundreds of exhibitors will showcase everything from the latest caravans, pop-tops, motorhomes/campervans, camper trailers, roof toppers, slide-ons and tents, and touring vehicles. Event sponsor AL-KO will also be conducting free ride-along demonstrations of its Electronic Stability Control (ESC) at the nation’s largest outdoor leisure show.
If you have ever wondered what an ESC activation feels like, AL-KO are offering members of the general public the opportunity to experience an AL-KO ESC activation for themselves from inside the tow vehicle. The experience sessions involves a vehicle towing a caravan being driven at speed through an ISO standard swerve and recovery test, replicating a typical avoidance manoeuvre that you may need to make on your travels.
AL-KO Marketing Services Manager – Brad Hooper said the opportunity would give caravanners an insight into how the technology could benefit them. “It is one thing to watch the demonstration video or read about the benefits of the technology, but it’s not until you’re actually inside a vehicle experiencing AL-KO ESC activate during a swerve and recovery maneuver that you really get a sense for what a significant advancement AL-KO ESC is for caravan safety,” Hooper said.
Back in May 2012, AL-KO introduced the revolutionary world-first breakthrough in caravan towing safety – Electronic Stability Control (ESC). And within the space of six years, the Australian caravan industry’s overall uptake (new and aftermarket) for this leading edge technology has been phenomenal. To read about AL-KO ESC head here: alkoesc.com.au
How to book your ESC Demonstration
AL-KO ESC Experience Sessions will be held on the front straight of Sandown Raceway during Melbourne Leisurefest from 10am-4pm on October 3-5 and from 10am-3:30pm on October 6. (Available for VIC residents only)
People interested in the demonstration can register in advance online at alkoesc.com.au/experience/ or visit the AL-KO marquee.
Sessions will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who miss out on securing a session can still be part of the action – watching from the front straight of the raceway as the experience sessions take place.
Getting There
Getting to the Leisurefest (conducted by CIA Vic) is easy by car or public transport. Sandown Racecourse (591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale) is situated 25 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
Show Times
Thursday-Saturday: 9.30am-5pm
Sunday: 9.30am-4pm
Tickets
Tickets are available to buy online or at the gate. Special prices for pensioners and concession card holders apply.
Adult: $18; Adult two-day pass: $23; Concession / Pensioner: $15; Concession / Pensioner two-day pass: $20
To book online head to: melbourneleisurefest.com.au
Parking
FREE at Sandown Racecourse, enter from Corrigan Road or Racecourse Drive.
Disabled parking available at Public entrance 1, 3 and 4.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Tim van Duyl
Coming from marine publishing Tim now oversees Caravan World and Trade-a-Boat for the Adventures Group as their Senior Editor. With experience garnered from travelling the breadth and width of his home country New Zealand in all manner of ways, his mission is to see all Australia has to offer. Having already sampled Cape York, Murray-Sunset National Park, Wilsons Promontory and the bulk of Victoria’s West, he has plans to add to the small parts of WA and NT already seen. When not on the road you can find Tim passing time at lakes around Australia or in the high country camping with his close friends and family with the Murrindindi a popular spot.