Saturday reached a high of 40.1 degrees, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Photo: Photox.
If you thought Summernats was hot, car enthusiasts had another thing coming over the weekend’s Canberra Festival of Speed.
The Canberra Festival of Speed has officially weathered its hottest weekend yet, with searing heat on Saturday and rain on Sunday thinning local crowds slightly – but it seems not dampening enthusiasm from interstate and international visitors.
Now in its third year, the motorsport showcase drew 14,041 people through the gates at Thoroughbred Park, and more than 250 vehicles took part in static displays and high-speed circuit runs.
Despite the brutal heat, especially on Saturday, the event is now firmly established on Canberra’s events calendar.
The McLaren 720S from the festival’s ‘Hall of Heroes’ tied People’s Choice with a DeLorean. Photo: Photox.
Heat, rain and horsepower are a tricky combination
Saturday’s program unfolded under brutal conditions, with Canberra reaching 41.1 degrees at about 3:30 pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Temperatures were still hovering around 30 degrees at 8 pm.
Thousands braved the heat, many running to shade between the regular track sessions, before conditions flipped on Sunday. Cooler temperatures peaked at 30.4 degrees mid-afternoon, with rain passing through parts of the day.
Crowds taking refuge from the heat indoors. Photo: Photox.
Festival director Darren Pearce said fans created an unforgettable atmosphere despite the challenges.
“We want to say a big thank you to the fans who came out to support the Canberra Festival of Speed and contributed to what was a great atmosphere despite the extreme weather,” he said.
“We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, staff, sponsors, and vehicle owners and drivers who put the weather aside to make sure the fans got all the festival action.”
More visitors are travelling to the festival than ever before
Organisers say the makeup of the crowd highlights the festival’s growing reach as a national and international showcase.
About 40 per cent of tickets were sold to people from outside the ACT, with visitors travelling from across Australia and overseas. International ticket holders came from the United States, Poland, Belgium and France.
Organisers say that mix reinforces the festival’s role in “attracting visitors and driving overnight stays”.
The trend builds on previous years. Last year’s event holds the record at more than 16,000 people, almost half from interstate or overseas, while the inaugural festival in 2024 attracted more than 13,500 visitors, with up to 28 per cent travelling from outside the ACT.
Cars that stopped people in their tracks
On and off the circuit, Mr Pearce said the festival delivered what fans ultimately came for: very precious metal making a lot of noise and going very fast.
Highlights included an F1 car driven by Australian legend Alan Jones in the 1985 World Grand Prix, the new Lamborghini Temerario supplied by Autosports Group, and a broad mix of classic, modern and exotic vehicles.
The People’s Choice award ended in a tie between two crowd favourites – a purple McLaren 720s and a DeLorean (yep, of Back to the Future fame). The DeLorean drew extra attention thanks to its owners, Callum Bowen and wife, Brooke, dressing as Doc and Marty McFly.
The site’s purpose-built 750-metre show circuit in action. Photo: Photox.
Pearce said the variety on show was a hit with families in particular.
“The incredible display of exotic cars, both static and on circuit, didn’t disappoint, and it was thrilling to see so many families enjoying everything the festival has to offer,” he said.
“Our patrons are passionate about motorsport and automotive culture, and to see families across multiple generations sharing this experience together is very satisfying.”
Charity laps and celebrity drivers
Beyond the racing, the festival again raised funds for Hands Across Canberra, which used the event to launch its annual Canberra Day Appeal.
Gold Logie winner and professional driver Grant Denyer was among the celebrities taking part in charity hot laps, joined by touring car legend John Bowe, Australian Rally champion Harry Bates, and festival media host and racer Tammie Soole.
Auction winners were strapped in for fast laps of the circuit, helping boost fundraising totals across the weekend.
Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs says the festival’s organisers have been “extremely supportive and generous” to the foundation.
“It was great to mingle with everyone from the local heroes the Bates family to media legend Grant Denyer and combine the passion for cars with the desire to help our community,” she said.
Helicopter rides over the site, operated by Limitless Helicopters, added to the sense of occasion and gave spectators a bird’s-eye view of the packed circuit below.
The festival featured several food trucks and stallholders. Photo: Photox.
Looking ahead
The inaugural event received a commendation in the 2024 Canberra Region Tourism Awards as a New Tourism Business, and organisers say the weekend’s result shows the festival is quickly becoming a key date on the city’s events calendar.
This year technically marked the final of a three-year contract with Thoroughbred Park to host the show, but it’s understood this will be renewed for future festivals.
