The roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber returned to Canberra as Summernats 38 launched on a scorching Thursday, January 9, 2026. Thousands of dedicated fans braved a blistering heatwave to witness the iconic car festival's opening day, with the ACT under a total fire ban for the first time in six years.
Heat Tests Fans and Machines Alike
As temperatures soared, visitors employed creative methods to stay cool. Children were held up in front of misting fans, drinks were consumed rapidly, and shirts were abandoned in the relentless sun. The extreme conditions didn't just punish the crowd; they also put immense strain on the vehicles at the heart of the event.
Mark Nuessler, who had painstakingly rebuilt his 1979 Chrysler Valiant after a catastrophic burnout pad explosion in 2013, faced fresh mechanical woes. A brand-new alternator in his Blues Brothers-themed car burned out after just half a lap of the show ring, a victim of engine bay temperatures he estimated at 150 degrees or more.
"You'll see a lot of cars breaking down here," Mr Nuessler predicted. "Monitor being pushed, fuel systems boiling, all cooling systems - there'll be a lot of problems. It's an amazing amount of heat and stress in a burnout, it's the hardest thing you can do to a car."
Fire Ban Exemption for Iconic Burnouts
Despite the stringent fire ban declared for Saturday, January 9, Summernats organisers secured a crucial exemption from ACT authorities. This allows the festival's signature burnout competitions and a planned fireworks display to proceed, albeit under strict conditions.
ACT Fire and Rescue acting chief officer Matthew Shonk stated the exemption was contingent on the fire behaviour index, which was expected to drop to a "more moderate level" by evening. The decision followed extensive discussions with event management.
"They are well aware that if predictions change or conditions on the ground change, we can revoke that exemption at any time," Chief Officer Shonk warned. A fire and rescue commander will be stationed at the Summernats event centre on Saturday for immediate response.
A Unique Spectacle Draws Devotees
The festival's unique appeal was a major drawcard for attendees. Craig Berndsen and Hans Bishop, who travel annually for a "boys trip," praised the event's singular character. "You just can't do this anywhere else in the world," Mr Bishop remarked. "You can't just watch cars do illegal things all day long and just get away with it."
Mr Berndsen described the iconic view upon arrival: "All you could see from up the top of the hill was a smoke cloud. You couldn't see that anywhere else in the world, just a burnout cloud above a city."
For local families like the Perrots from Macgregor, the festival is a fun, family-friendly outing. Lisa Perrot attended with her husband Brett and sons Elliot, 10, and Henry, 8, countering the event's sometimes negative reputation. "It's just a good day. I know everyone gives it a bad rap, but it's fun ... everyone's just really nice," she said.
The festival's opening day featured the popular city cruise through Braddon, with fringe festivities continuing into the night. Enthusiasts like Tuggeranong resident Andrew McCarthy showcased prized vehicles, with his metallic blue Datsun 1600 drawing attention under the fierce sun at the Canberra Exhibition Park.
