SummerNats 2023 begins in Canberra

SummerNats is back with a bang after two COVID-affected events. Here’s some of the faces you’ll see at this year’s festival.

Crowds attend the 35th annual Summernats at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Petrol and rubber fumes wafted through the air as SummerNats 2023 began in Canberra.

Thousands of car lovers flocked to Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), with car owners showing off their work and spectators in awe of the street machines.

For much of the day, Northbourne Ave was closed to the public as entrants cruised through the streets of Canberra to show off their wheels.

Siblings Jayden, 10, and Lacey, 7, from Gungahlin ACT watch cars cruise at SummerNats. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Spectators included Jayden, 10, and Lacey, 7, from Gungahlin, ACT, who were accompanied by their father who had entered his Chrysler to the festival.

“We added air suspension, wheels, a new interior,” he said.

He said he had previously been to the festival and his favourite event was skid row.

“I love getting up close to the cars and hearing their loud noise,” Jayden said.

Tim Dann says Canberrans should embrace SummerNats. “We’re not just hoons”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Tim Dann from Canberra entered his ‘59 Parkwood wagon and said he has come to SummerNats every year since he was ten.

“I’ve spent thousands of dollars on the roof and the interior,” he said.

Mr Dann said this year’s event was the largest he had seen in years.

“Its crazy, (especially) for the first day — everybody’s here, getting loose,” he said

Mr Dann said more locals should embrace SummerNats.

“It brings a lot of money to the town, all the accommodation has been booked out, everybody’s spending money.

“(Canberrans) should appreciate it more and not rag on it.

“We’re not just a pack of hoons.”

Kerry Baker from Tuggernong ACT and her Holden. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Kerry Baker from Tuggeranong, ACT, said she had been a rev head since attending Bathurst 1000 in 1975.

She entered an electric purple Holden with a whimsical car rap on the hood depicting unicorns and butterflies.

“It’s a tribute to my youngest daughter, she passed away in ‘07,” Ms Baker said

“She’s in a better place now. That’s all for her.

“She had a very strong heart.”

Ms Baker said the festival had moved on from its chauvinistic past.

“There’s no more of that ‘show us your tits’ — it’s just cars and people.”

Natasha from Central Coast NSW drives "the rat". Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Natasha from NSW’s Central Coast was seen cruising at the wheel of “The Rat”- a VH Commodore.

“We look at (SummerNats) as a family friendly event,” she said.

“Our whole family gets into it and it's good to see all the girls participate too.”

Nick, Brent and "Tim Kardashian" take their seats to watch cruising cars at Summernats. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Nick, Brent and “Tim Kardashian” from Campbelltown in Sydney were seen perched on a selection of couches atop scaffolding on the back of a truck.

The men said they’ve come to the festival “for years” and said the cars and atmosphere of SummerNats kept them coming back.

“It's in the blood- we’re born into it” Brent said.

“(During Covid-19) we were able to spend a lot more time on (our cars) that’s for sure,” Nick said.