Meet the Summernats owner who stage-managed Billy Idol and the Pope
Events magnate Andy Lopez already had some colourful war stories before he transformed Canberra’s annual car festival from redneck “madness” to a family-oriented nationwide business.
In September 2021, Andy Lopez – co-owner and managing director of Summernats – was itching to get Australia’s biggest car festival back on the road for 2022 after a COVID-cancelled year. But after months of discussions, ACT health officials had their feet firmly on the brakes about giving the event a green light.
“I was trying to think, how am I going to spur these guys publicly, just to make it happen?” Lopez says.
Matt TefferProduction editorMatt Teffer is a production editor and writer with The Australian Financial Review, and reviews live music for The Sydney Morning Herald. Email Matt at mteffer@afr.com
