Summernats is one of Australia’s most iconic automotive events, renowned for its massive celebration of car culture, music, and entertainment. Held annually in Canberra, this event attracts thousands of car enthusiasts, spectators, and media from across Australia and beyond.
1. Introduction to Summernats
Summernats is a car festival that has become synonymous with Australian automotive culture. From humble beginnings in the 1980s, it has grown into one of the largest and most well-known automotive events in the Southern Hemisphere. Every year, the event brings together thousands of car enthusiasts, showcasing everything from street machines to muscle cars, hot rods, and custom builds. It’s an event that celebrates the diversity of Australian car culture and the passion that people have for their vehicles.
Held over several days in January, Summernats is a multi-faceted event that includes car exhibitions, competitive events, musical performances, and a wide variety of entertainment. It’s more than just a car show—it’s an experience that captures the spirit of Australian automotive culture.
2. The History of Summernats
2.1. The Birth of Summernats
Summernats had its beginnings in 1988 when it was conceived by a group of passionate car enthusiasts in Canberra. The idea for the event came from the vision of then-event director, and the founder of Summernats, Chester “Chet” Horner, and a group of local hot rod and custom car enthusiasts who wanted to showcase their cars and their culture in a large public forum.
At the time, car shows were becoming increasingly popular around Australia, but there was no major event that catered specifically to the growing street machine scene. The idea of hosting a large-scale festival dedicated to hot rods, custom vehicles, and street machines was appealing to both manufacturers and enthusiasts alike. After much planning, the first Summernats event was held in Canberra in 1988, attracting an impressive crowd and setting the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s largest and most enduring car festivals.
The inaugural event wasn’t without its challenges, but it drew enough attention to ensure that Summernats would return the following year. By the early 1990s, it had developed a reputation as a must-see event for car lovers, and its annual occurrence became a tradition in the Australian car calendar.
2.2. Early Years and Growth
In its early years, Summernats quickly gained momentum, drawing crowds and participants from all over the country. The event started as a fairly simple gathering of car enthusiasts, but over time, it expanded into a comprehensive festival with multiple activities and events. One of the most significant aspects of Summernats from the outset was its focus on street machines—high-performance cars modified for both aesthetic appeal and driving ability.
The event started with just a few thousand attendees in its early years, but it didn’t take long before it began attracting tens of thousands. By the mid-1990s, Summernats had become a fixture in Australia’s car culture scene, drawing an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 attendees annually.
2.3. Evolution into an Iconic Event
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Summernats truly cemented its place as one of Australia’s premier automotive festivals. Attracting a wider audience of spectators and media, it became more than just a car show. The event diversified into various aspects of car culture, including exhibitions, burnout competitions, music concerts, and more.
Summernats introduced new features, such as the Grand Champion awards and the Dyno Competition, which saw participants testing their cars’ horsepower and performance levels. These competitions became a highlight of the event, with car enthusiasts from around the country bringing their best modified machines to compete for top honors.
In addition to these competitions, Summernats began to incorporate live entertainment, such as rock concerts, making it an all-encompassing event that attracted not just car enthusiasts, but anyone looking to experience the electric atmosphere of the festival. With these changes, Summernats became a cultural phenomenon, appealing to a broad demographic of people—from families and car owners to music fans and curious spectators.
3. Key Features of the Summernats Experience
3.1. Car Shows and Exhibitions
At the heart of Summernats is the vast array of custom cars on display. Thousands of vehicles, including street machines, muscle cars, hot rods, and custom builds, are showcased throughout the event. This exhibition features vehicles from some of Australia’s most skilled car builders, as well as enthusiast-owned machines.
Participants can view the latest automotive trends, check out the cars with the most impressive modifications, and speak directly to the owners and builders about their cars. Some cars are strictly for exhibition, while others participate in various competitions throughout the festival.
3.2. Burnout Competitions
One of the signature features of Summernats is the burnout competitions. These are intense and highly entertaining events in which drivers push their cars to the limit by performing controlled burnouts in a designated burnout pad. The burnout competitions are a crowd favorite, with spectators cheering as the drivers create a spectacle of smoke and tire shredding. These competitions are not only about power and skill, but also about style and showmanship.
Some of the country’s best burnout drivers compete at Summernats, and it has become one of the most anticipated events on the automotive calendar.
3.3. Car Audio and Dyno Competitions
Car audio competitions are another key aspect of the Summernats experience. These events test the quality and loudness of car sound systems, with vehicles entering sound-off competitions to see whose system reigns supreme. These competitions attract some of the best car audio enthusiasts who spend years perfecting their systems.
In addition to the audio competitions, Summernats also features dyno competitions, where participants test the power output of their cars’ engines. This is where the true performance of a vehicle is put to the test, and it’s always a thrilling event for those who love high-powered machines.
3.4. Music and Entertainment
Summernats is more than just a car show. The event is renowned for its entertainment, including live music performances. It regularly hosts rock bands, DJs, and live performances throughout the event. The music brings an added dimension to the event, creating an electric atmosphere that keeps the crowd engaged and entertained.
In addition to live music, Summernats often features stunt shows, food vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
4. Notable Milestones in Summernats History
4.1. The Evolution of Attendance
Summernats has come a long way since its inaugural year in 1988. The first event attracted just a few thousand attendees, but as the years went on, it quickly grew in size and scope. In 1991, the event saw 30,000 people attend, and by the mid-1990s, that number had risen to over 50,000.
In recent years, Summernats has attracted an average attendance of around 100,000 people over the course of the event. This impressive growth speaks to the continued popularity of the event and its significance in Australian car culture.
4.2. The Launch of Summernats 4×4
In 2014, Summernats expanded its scope to include a 4×4 section, catering to the growing interest in off-road vehicles. This addition has helped broaden the appeal of the event and introduced new types of enthusiasts to the Summernats experience. The inclusion of 4×4 vehicles has contributed to the ongoing evolution of the festival.
4.3. The Summernats Aftermarket Expo
Another important milestone in Summernats’ history was the introduction of the Summernats Aftermarket Expo, which debuted in 2016. The expo became a significant part of the event, allowing car enthusiasts to explore the latest in aftermarket parts, accessories, and services. The expo brought together major brands in the automotive aftermarket industry, offering attendees an opportunity to see the newest products and innovations in car modification.
4.4. International Recognition
Summernats’ reputation extends beyond Australia. Over the years, it has attracted international attention, with car enthusiasts from around the world attending the event. Some international car builders and teams participate in the competition, and the media coverage of Summernats has spread to other countries, cementing its status as a world-class automotive event.
5. The Future of Summernats
As Summernats continues to grow, it is likely that the event will evolve further to meet the changing demands of car enthusiasts. One area that has already seen significant changes is the increasing presence of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles. While Summernats has traditionally focused on internal combustion engines, the future of the event may see a growing number of electric-powered vehicles competing for attention.
Additionally, the rising popularity of digital and social media platforms is allowing Summernats to reach an even broader audience. Fans from around the world can now follow the event online and engage with it via social media channels.