Summernats

[oversize]

Did anyone go this year and if so what was it like?  Apparently they had 69 cars doing a combined burnout for the world record!

[Kjhall65]

I didn't go but a mate of mine posted a pic on Facebook taken from his office window in the city and it looked like smoke from a grass fire.  It was the burnout at summernats.  I'll see if I can find it and ill post it here.
Ken

[Kjhall65]

Here you go.  Not a brushfire, it's the burnout from summernats

[oversize]

WOW that's impressive!  I bet the tyre retailers were happy!!  Did you see many nice cars cruising around?  Any trouble?  Was it a big boost to the local economy?

[Tony66_au]

The Sidchrome girls had a lousy time of it.

They were mobbed by a group while cruising in a car, soaked with water, dragged from their ride and had clothing ripped off finally managing to escape by running away semi nude.

Security looked on apparently waiting for reinforcements.

[oversize]

Oh charming      I hope they called the real security....   

[Kjhall65]

Locals generally stay clear of that part of Canberra during summernats especially the female because of the behaviour.  It's not uncommon for residents around that part of town to have their wooden fences ripped down and used to make bonfires and the like.

Also any girl walking etc around the area will be verbally abused and the like most commonly 'show us your tits or how about a root'.  I would love to go and see some of the cars but generally it just isn't worth it because security isn't up to scratch.  They sell it as a family event but there is no way I'm taking my young kids to it until the event cleans its act up.

We have numerous great car shown in Canberra during the year and the kids love them.  This one isn't one of them.

It does bring in millions of dollars to the local economy and that's why the the local government puts up with the down side.

[oversize]

I agree and wouldn't take my woman until these issues are addressed.  But I won't hold my breath, because it was the same when I went for the first time way back in 1988....

[Beastie]

Yeah, from the footage I've seen on the news, the event has always seemed a tad 'rapey'. My sister and brother in law used to live in Canberra, up until very recently as a matter of fact, and I don't think they ever went to summernats. I also bought my SEL from a used car dealer in Canberra but that's neither here nor there.

When I was little younger I kinda wanted to go to summernats but my interest has waned and there's not much appeal to me anymore. I still often watch the TV specials that air each year but I doubt I'd ever actually go to it.

I like the event where you have to accelerate from a standstill and then stop with your front wheels on that white line, all in as little time as possible. That actually displays an element of car control beyond fully sick burnouts. And then there's that one where you have to navigate a small course without making mistakes. That sort of stuff elevates the whole thing above... you know, drunken buffoonery.

[oversize]

Yes I have to agree.  I've always wanted to head back and haven't been for 25 years!  It is the pinnical of Australian modified cars.  And I totally agree about the driving events.  What you describe is Go-to-whoa and Spear-a-spud.  Many of the burnouts do take great skill and excellent car control in a confined space but I don't understand why they seem determined to treat their 'pride n joy' with such contempt and destroy not only tyres, but often far more.

It's never been a family event and to me that's just wrong.  And the organizers don't help with things like wet T-shirt competitions and Ms Summernats on Saturday night....  Retaining Ms Summernats is fine but the comp should be sustantially changed so they're not parading in front of a mob of juveniles.  Don't they know that girls and bogans don't mix?!

[Tony66_au]

Oh charming      I hope they called the real security....   

They went back to work after a bit which shocked me and it was reported the following day according to the news source.

Im not a fan of Summer/Easter/Winter/Spring Nats because of the sheer number of drunken idiots and because they make car enthusiasts look bad as their actions get us ALL tarred and feathered politically.

I have been to a few very well organised muscle car events like Mopar Madness, Mopar Rumble or Chryslers on the Murray which are mostly held at licensed motorsports venues and Dragstrips over a 3 day period and I have to say that you CAN walk around the entire event at any time with your wife and kids unmolested and see better action than at "The Nats".

I have been to 2 Canberra summernats, I wont go again and im surprised the they even exist still.