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Last year, I wrote about going back to Summernats after steering clear for many years. Later, I also wrote about what it was like when I went back.
There’s should be no doubt that Summernats is an incredibly important event on the ACT calendar, contributing something like $20 million to the local economy, in part because so many attendees come from out of state.
I also don’t think our events calendar should be limited to flowers, craft, and the high arts. There’s value in diversity, even if that diversity is loud, messy, dirty, and definitely not for everyone.
But there should be no room for an event that permits or encourages sexual harassment or risky behaviour towards women in any way, shape or form. And sadly, Summernats’ success and value as an event has long been overshadowed by its sketchy reputation.
Following the 2017 event, Summernats faced an unprecedented backlash from the community, centred on the behaviour of patrons towards women and the suggestion that organisers were – at best overlooking, at worst accepting or encouraging – such behavior for far too long.
It would prove to be a watershed moment for the event, which was celebrating its 30th birthday. I guess we all have to grow up a little bit when we hit 30, huh?
In late February, Summernats announced it would be adopting a new ‘zero tolerance’ policy toward the harassment of women.
Among the changes were an end to the controversial Puppy Wash exhibit, and the annual Miss Summernats pageant.
Just as importantly, they also backed up this decision in communication with their fans, and especially, those few who protested the new rules.
What Summernats fans really come to see.
As an aside, I’m always intrigued and mildly amused by those who swear they’ll never attend or support an event again because of a (relatively minor, in this case) rule change. Nanny state, they’ll scream. Political correctness gone mad, they’ll cry.
In reality, those people aren’t your core fan base. At risk of stating the obvious, if you’re going to Summernats for the right reasons, this policy change shouldn’t bother you. If it does, you’re probably not a genuine fan anyway (and the genuine fans have pointed out just as much).
What this policy will hopefully do, is make the event a safer and more welcoming place for a much wider group of people. Can we still run an awesome event without parading young women around and screaming at them to take their tops off? Of course we bloody can.
Not a nude woman in sight …
Ethical decisions can always be argued, but if nothing else, this is a smart business decision.
Summernats achieved its highest attendance on record last year, with around 119,000 people passing through the gates. Under new ownership since 2009, attendance finally edged past the 100K mark and has grown slowly but steadily every year.
Notably, numbers continued to grow after the notorious wet t-shirt competition was axed way back then.
So here we are. Summernats 31, the first to be held under the new policy, kicks off on 4 January. And I think we all need to throw our support behind it.
If you’ve attended Summernats previously, but stopped going because you didn’t feel comfortable there – now is the time to give it another chance.
If you haven’t been to Summernats before, this would be a great year to go along for the first time.
If you’ve ever complained about the uncontrolled behaviour of Summernats patrons, now might be the time to put your money where your mouth is.
The Summernats team has tried to do a really good thing here, by listening and responding to the concerns of the community.
What we need to do is support these moves by voting with our feet. Give it a shot. Buy a ticket, go along. If you see problems, report them, and see what action is taken.
What we don’t want to see is a big drop-off in attendance at Summernats this year, that could be linked to these new policies. To be blunt, we can’t let the bogans win!
I’m encouraging all Canberrans to go and check out Summernats this year.
Will I see you there?
Bogans will be bogans. I definitely think Summernats should continue and the over generalisation by super feminazi Clementine Ford should be widely ignored, however there needs to be more for these car enthusiasts to do outside the event hours.
There’s nothing enjoyable about seeing a seedy group of men with sh$&ty vehicles congregating in Maccas carparks or fuel stations on London circuit…
Obviously Summernats can’t control what happens outside their venue, but it’s troubling that ABC News reported that female McDonalds staff are being harassed by Summernats visitors, both at work and after their shifts finish. Troubling that McDonalds don’t seem to be providing these employees with a safe workplace.
i entered in snats 10 amd again in 30…worlds apart, a lot more user friendly these days
Please clean it up. It’s the only car show I don’t go to.
Have things changed at all? Have a look at this ABC article about a young woman’s experience in going to this years Summernats. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-06/walking-summernats-alone-as-a-young-woman/9306966
Not for me. I can’t think of a single value that Summernuts promotes that I agree with. Fortunately I now have double-glazing so the burnouts around Civic don’t cause as much grief as in the past.
I’ve been going for 13 years, all four days Thurs-Sun. All credit to the new owners. The event is very different now. Haven’t seen a single sign or heard a single chant directed at women so far this year.
Never been never cared about it
How many chances does Summernats need? It seems that every time we give them another chance and they assure us that they’ve changed and cleaned up their act some new outrage happens. Sexual harassment, hooning, violence, and last year’s piece de resistance – the death of one of the participants.
I’ve heard all the arguments in favour of it – tourism, boosting the economy etc – but it seems to me that the Summernats in general belongs to another era in Canberra history. It is out of place in this more enlightened day and age, and we should look at bringing in another type of event during the summer silly season in future.
What would you like then, extreme basket-weaving?
Time to ban that hoon show!
Why would I pay money to be harassed by Neanderthals? Gave Summernats too many chances over the years – if and when they demonstrate that they are family friendly, I might consider it. Until then, there are plenty of civilised car shows around.
Was an entrant for 21 years and worked there for i think the first 12 of them. I have ni interest in going anymore personally but i dont want to see it leave Canberra…the light rail will sure make it harder for them though this year.
Nope! Not because I have anything against summernats…I’m just a car snob (as in, I like the car I drive and that’s about it)
well thats a worthwhile comment…
Kirsten Jade might be some eligible bachelors 😂😂
Bahahaha thanks for looking out for me 😂
😂😂😂 perfect for a shire girl!
Hahaha just what I’m looking for 😂
I’m definitely going again. Mainly to check out the food, as I was highly impressed by all the offerings last year. I also need to see if I can find and try Regulators BBQ – does anyone know if they are there again this year?
Yes they are there. Very much enjoyed my lunch today and they were very accommodating chatting to me about ingredients/food intolerances too.
I’m definitely going again. Mainly to check out the food, as I was highly impressed by all the offerings last year. I also need to see if I can find and try Regulators BBQ – does anyone know if they are there again this year?
Not for me, but I’m not against it. People who don’t like it can steer clear of it, (it only comes around once a year), and those who enjoy it should be free to do so. Although, I would like to see less anti-social behaviour as has been the case in the past.
Dude it’s so beige these days, barely anything happens there.
Would’ve loved to have gone yo the supercruise. But the stupid tram has created a mess up northborne and there will be no standing room
ACT GOVT. WILL DO WELL OUT OF IT. COPS EVERY WHERE LOADED WITH DEFECT STICKERS.
No, waste of time and money.
Summernats was a macho car fest 30 years ago, I remember because I was there. It was a smaller event but still huge, it was all about the cars and good times whereas now its an extravaganza, with a ticket price to match. The original ‘behavior’ was more adult entertainment, and its degenerated over the years much like the rest of society (oh no, I sound old….) The ‘core fans’ were always about the cars and letting their hair down, so long as that remains, I’ll keep going, when I can afford the high ticket prices anyway..
Esther Yam you’re missing your favourite event back at home
Im gutted im not going this year either 🙁
Really Teusz? Cos you didn’t go last year either
I suppose im just continuing the gutting
Hope you remembered to close the windows Esther Yam
Ha ha – all the comments I’ve read have been negative; I totally agree. Just look at the interstate cars and drivers on the roads, it tells you all you need to know.
I went to every Summernats from ’95 until 2007. Main reason I stopped going was it was the same every year (like an AC/DC concert), except everything was more expensive.
Spend $92 to go with my family to see if it’s changed? Wasn’t it “changed” last year too? If the Summernats organizers are serious about convincing locals that they’ve changed throw open the doors for a few hours.
Hell no! Unfortunately as a Canberran you have to deal with it whether you go or not…
As happens with every event in Canberra.
Lee Wood totally agree. Dickson, civic & Braddon are no go zones for me after dark. I had to stop by the O’Conner IGA last year on the Friday arvo and was harassed by two men to the point that the manager was called who threatened police action. I live in the area so choose not to engage during those four days.
And even worse when you live on Northbourne ave, right Amanda?! 😱😂
^ totally agree Natalie, it’s so bad at night. Hoping to have double glazing by the time the next one comes around!
I know right, read the comments from people who live in the area and hate it, for very valid reasons. In the year of calling out sexual harassment and #metoo – what argument can trolls actually have about women saying they don’t like the harassment they get during Summernats?
Matt Treanor Agreed, They need to cut the booze entirely (unfortunately many people can’t control themselves, so everyone has to miss out), then it’d be a great event and it’d cull the abuse.
I have a 65 ford coupe falcon that I drive all year round and I certainly don’t call nasty words down the street.
Most car enthusiasts don’t. I was an official at the first 20 Summernats, and an entrant at the first 17, and didn’t even go inside the event for 18, 19, & 20 (limited my activities to scrutineering at the Racecourse). My reason for not going inside the event after the 17th was simple….too many morons.
If you look at the history of bad behaviour itis obvious that hangers on and wannabes are responsible for the majority, but unfortunately there will always be a number of entrants [quite often from interstate] that don’t think about there being consequences, and therefore don’t care.
Don’t hate on everybody who has a modified vehicle, whether at Summernats or not. the majority are no different to most non-car people, and are not necessarily going to be like those meatheads that perform the supreme acts of stupidity the media focus on.
Well…I work at EPIC, but not exactly with EPIC! Where I work is a part of the complex, but is kinda not part of the complex! The “horses” end! I only like the “supercruise” down Northbourne Ave! I guess this year will be TOTALLY different because of the bloody light rail constructions!
Wish this event would be canned for good.
I go most years, never had any problems. Will be going again this year! 👍🏻
The onus is on Summernats to show they mean business by policing their zero tolerance of abusive, bullying behaviour, not on Canberra citizens to put their faith in a a statement from Summernats that they have this policy. They need to show us first that they have definite procedures in place to ensure that the event is safe for all attendees as well as the local community and the local environment. Then you can ask Canberrans to get behind a hopefully proven better event, not before. And actually, if those not liking the new rules are as they say a small minority, their choice not to attend shouldn’t affect attendance all that much.
I know of a 20 year old female who was sexually harassed by males attending the event from the minute she walked through the gates last year until she walked out about an hour after in tears…
It hasn’t changed and won’t until those who think this behaviour is acceptable grow up and change their mindset….and that will be NEVER!
This event just brings undesirables to town.
Might now as it’s changed for the better
Definitely not my scene, but as long as it’s safe and good for the economy then why not? Being overly judgemental only makes the us vs them mentality a problem
Not me, no interest, can already see hooning on our roads
You couldn’t pay me to attend!
I would if I was in town. Went last year, and it has improved vastly.
What incased by unfinished road works. Building sites on the parking lots no turn this way no turn that followed by a dreadful drive down northbourne ave to show all our interstate visitors how to ruin a city ……wouldn’t blame the organizers for moving to another venue
It’s roadworks. Not Armageddon. Investment in infrastructure shows a city is developing, not stagnant.
But not for the benefit of all what about the rest of us ?
👆🏼I s’pose you could say the same thing about Armageddon.
Haha yeah it only stop 15k short
God no, after suffering the noise, burnt rubber smell and general harassment for years, so happy not to live near it anymore!
I used to live very close and feel exactly the same! (Was the only bad thing about living in that area though.)
Lin Van Oevelen yep- and being a retail worker who worked weekends, knowing that I got no sleep due to the extreme noise at their concerts – never mind the days the burnt rubber smoke drifted across my yard – ugh. No. Shows how the ACT ignores environmental damage as long as the $$$ are there…
Awww. Your life sounds super difficult.
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