Australia's largest automotive festival has just concluded in Canberra, marking a vibrant end to its 38th iteration with an impressive showcase of vehicles, passionate fans, and an unfortunate incident that required police intervention.
This four-day extravaganza attracted around 130,000 visitors and set a new record with 3,000 participants featuring in both show car displays and thrilling stunt performances, all while attendees braved challenging weather conditions, including heat and wind.
In a striking moment of triumph, Adam Bickerstaff earned the title of Summernats Grand Champion by racing his iconic 1956 Ford F-100. Chris Orchard also took home a significant prize by clinching victory in the Pro Burnout Series, walking away with $50,000 for his efforts.
Bickerstaff expressed his disbelief and excitement over winning, describing the experience as "unbelievable" and "surreal." He added, "I cannot believe that we've come this far. We've made it. To win the sword is just next level. We never thought it'd happen."
However, not everything went smoothly. A confrontation erupted in the Burnout Stand on Saturday, prompting law enforcement to step in to manage the situation, which raised ongoing concerns about antisocial behavior. The ACT Policing confirmed that an investigation was initiated after officers were dispatched to assist the security team on-site.
Summernats managing director, Andy Lopez, explained that the conflict stemmed from a disagreement among event-goers. "It was contained reasonably quickly," he remarked, noting that security measures were effectively employed to de-escalate the situation, resulting in several patrons being removed from the venue.
Prior to the event, police had warned attendees to expect a heightened presence both at the festival and on surrounding roads. By the first day alone, they had already confiscated four vehicles due to suspected illegal driving activities.
Despite the extreme weather conditions—where temperatures soared above 35 degrees Celsius on multiple occasions—the organizers celebrated the festival's success. Unfortunately, the anticipated fireworks display for Saturday night had to be canceled due to a total fire ban in the Australian Capital Territory, marking the first such restriction in six years.
Lopez shared, "We made a lot of changes on the fly to deal with the weather that was coming," showcasing the team's adaptability.
In a move that hints at exciting future endeavors, Lopez announced plans to extend the Summernats brand to New Zealand, with the inaugural event slated for 2027. "We have announced Summernats's second international event. So we're in the USA in March, and we're going to be in Hamilton at Mystery Creek," he stated enthusiastically. "It's a 10-year dream that's coming true and we're really excited."
Additionally, the adverse weather led to the MulletFest competition being relocated indoors, where both children and adults showcased their best mullet hairstyles for a chance to compete in the national grand final in Kurri Kurri, NSW, later this year. Adult Grand Champion Migelly Shaw described the contest as "always a lot of fun" and praised it as "a real great show." Having grown out his hair into a mullet three years ago for his younger brother's wedding, Shaw has embraced the style ever since, even adding a perm to give it some wave.
Car enthusiast Adam Povey from Cooma introduced his Peel P-50, a charming three-wheeled micro-car renowned as one of the smallest production cars globally. "I was actually very nervous about bringing it. I bought it for the first time last year. It's been loved," Povey shared. He highlighted the uniqueness of the P-50, stating, "It's very different from all the cars that you see here. It's unique, it's cool. Grown men love it, grown women love it, and the kids absolutely adore it."
Having attended Summernats for 28 years, Povey cherishes the camaraderie and vibrant atmosphere of the event. "It's somewhere for us to express our hobby and share it with everyone," he remarked, encapsulating the spirit of the festival.
