Summernats 38 Grand Champion Adam Bickerstaff with his ’56 Ford F100. Photo: Supplied.
Summernats patrons and entrants both brought and endured the heat to enjoy all the high-octane fun on offer for the festival’s 38th year.
ACT Policing officers were also out in force, and generally happy with the behaviour of crowds within EPIC in general.
However, they were disappointed that some chose to drive dangerously on public roads, rather than confining such behaviour to the festival.
“Unfortunately, police responded to several incidents of dangerous driving across the weekend including at a gathering in O’Connor,” ACT Policing Detective Inspector Mark Steel said.
“This type of behaviour on our roads is unacceptable. If a driver loses control of their vehicle, they could seriously injure themselves and others.”
Almost 200 traffic infringements were handed out for incidents such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone behind the wheel.
Six people were arrested at the event, with another eight arrests made on ACT roads due to impaired and dangerous driving behaviour, including burnouts.
ACT Policing seized a total of 19 vehicles in the lead up to and during Summernats, including a green Holden Commodore on Saturday (10 January).
“Police observed a green Holden Commodore conduct a burnout just metres from pedestrians at the intersection of Kunzea and Dryandra Streets in O’Connor,” an ACT Policing statement alleged.
The driver, a 38-year-old Queensland man, was arrested and issued with an immediate suspension notice, suspending his right to drive in the ACT for 90 days.
He will face court at a later date, charged with aggravated dangerous driving.
More than 2,200 random breath tests and more than 100 random drug tests were carried out during the festival’s duration, resulting in 22 impaired drivers being caught, and 85 vehicle defect notices were issued.
Investigations are continuing into a brawl in the grandstand on Saturday (10 January).
“Security and police intervened and all involved parties were removed from the event and had [their] accreditations removed,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
Changes needed to be made after the festival’s exemption to hold fireworks during the territory’s total fire ban on Saturday was revoked about three hours before they were to be lit, but that didn’t appear to dampen any spirits on the ground.
“Summernats 38 has had everything you’d expect from Australia’s biggest horsepower party: an event that is full of awesome cars and amazing people,” Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said.
“I’m really proud of our team’s planning and delivery in really trying conditions. The spectators and entrants really looked after each other, and us too.
“Drivers were handing out water to the crew as they cruised around EPIC, and that perfectly captures the vibe at this great event.”
About 130,000 people walked through EPIC’s gates to see brand-new elite cars uncovered in Meguiar’s Pavilion, hear a record 3782-horsepower recorded on the dyno, witness incredible air shows and drifting, see Killing Heidi, Screaming Jets, The Living End and Peking Duk take to the stage, and watch Chris Orchard take out the Castlemaine Rod Shop Pro Burnout Series on the burnout pad in BALLISTIC.
Adam Bickerstaff and his immaculately presented ’56 Ford F100 claimed the top title and the coveted Summernats Grand Champion sword.
An estimated 30,000 people also streamed through the Braddon Fringe Festival over Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The festival’s international expansion continues with the announcement it will stage the first Aeroflow Summernats NZ at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, on 26-28 February in 2027.
Organisers have promised a genuine Summernats festival experience that includes a New Zealand Grand Champion competition, cruise route, show cars, burnouts, skid row, camping, live music and plenty of yet to be ”rev”ealed additions.
“Summernats New Zealand — how wild! There’s such a good connection between our car communities, and we’re really grateful that Kiwis have come to Canberra in such numbers as entrants and spectators every year,” Mr Lopez said.
“After nearly 10 years of talking about this with [Premier Events’] Azhar [Bhamji], it now feels right to take the next step. There are so many awesome and iconic automotive events in NZ already, and we promise that the Aeroflow Summernats New Zealand will be another genuine NZ event, built for the Kiwi car community.”
Summernats 39 tickets are already on sale, with entrant passes to be released in the coming weeks. Competitor entries and spectator tickets for the NZ festival are also due to go on sale soon.
