Mullets and revheads descend on capital for Summernats

Luscious mullets, roaring engines and self-proclaimed bogans have descended upon the nation's capital for the infamous Summernats.

About 120,000 people who are in no way overcompensating are expected to attend the four-day car festival in Canberra, which will showcase 2700 modified vehicles ranging from classics to supercharged.

Beers were flowing, camper chairs were set up and servo pie supplies were running dangerously low before midday ahead of 500 suped-up cars parading down the main road into and through the city.

Revheads will put their engines to the test at the burnout masters event and the thousands of cars will be whittled down to about a dozen who will vie off for the ultimate prize of being crowned the grand champion. 

The grand champion will be awarded to the best car and has several criteria, including a judging panel pick, people's choice and two driving components.

"Burnouts are Australia's homegrown crazy motorsport - we're the best at it in the world," Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez told reporters on Thursday.

"It's emulated but never equalled." 

Mullet wearers at Summernats.
At Summernats mullet growers will be judged in a variety of categories.

Mullet growers will be judged in a variety of categories including grubby, vintage for those silver foxes over 50, extreme, ranga and rookie for those who've had a mullet for under a year.

"A good mullet represents your Australian ... and you're proud to wear your hair the way you love it," Mulletfest co-founder Laura Johnson said before the team whipped their majestic manes in the air in unison. 

Bucko Jackson was vying for the 'extreme' category with his 'skullet', a mullet with a shaved head at the front.

Two dozen uniquely crafted cars built from scratch will also be unveiled at this year's event, including makes that have taken decades to build. 

Daryl Braithwaite will rouse the crowd with his hit song The Horses, while Grinspoon and Hot Dub Time Machine will also rock the stage after Jimmy Barnes pulled out due to a medical emergency.

Mullet wearers ready to compete as Summernats kicks off in Canberra.
Mullet wearers ready to compete as Summernats kicks off in Canberra.

While the event brings in tens of millions of dollars for the local economy with 85 per cent of attendees being from interstate, it's not popular with all the locals who complain of burnout smoke and loud revving late at night. 

Police have warned any bad behaviour will be punished, with thousands of spots in the confiscation lot ready to be filled with fast cars.

"We don't want to seize 1000 vehicles but we will if we have to," ACT Policing Acting Superintendent Rod Anderson said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store