Firstly, appologies for not getting this up earlier - we've been out the back of beyond (isn't most of Australia?), with no internet access.
Summernats report...
It was opening day at the Australian Summer Nationals for the general public – The biggest custom car show in Australia. This is one show that I have wanted to go to for many years, and this year we made it. It was a special one too – the shows 20th Anniversary.
It was everything I expected and a whole lot more. Firstly, I had no idea what half the cars actually were. Secondly, the organisation was spot on and the rules so much more relaxed than shows in the UK (Yes, you were actually allowed to drive your cars!). And thirdly, the shear size of the show meant there was no way to see it all in one day!
A huge program of events was lined up, and it was a tough decision as to what to go and see. A stroll round the main field, watching the non-stop cruising, followed by some browsing of trade stands. So much crazy stuff for sale including all manner of tuning bits, chrome bits, painting bits, tools and accessories - unfortunately, we only have a small suitcase, and an even smaller budget! You can buy bolt on superchargers and engine managment systems for most popular v8's, sixes and even some fours. I could buy a new set of carpets off the shelf for my '73 Datsun wagon. There was absolutely nothing for the Benz though - I only saw saw one Mercedes (an old 380SEL with big chrome wheels) the entire time I was there.
We watched a stop-start-stop competition where the cars are set against the clock to get their front wheels to stop between two lines 300 meters down the track. This was much more difficult than it sounded, but some people were getting it spot-on, accelerating heavily, then braking just in time to stop. Others got it very wrong!
We then headed for the main event of the day – the burnout competition. This is a world appart from the burnout competitions we have at home. There is a short road with a square of tarmack in the middle. The cars are givien 60 seconds to produce as much smoke as possible whilst performing all sorts of moves from edging the car down the track to pirouetting all over the display track. Some cars even got so hot the tyres or engines exploded in balls and jets of fire. An invisible methonol fire was a bit of scare though. We managed to find ourselves a great vantage point under cover from the 30-something degree sun and sat for several hours watching the amazing display.
The theme for most custom cars in Australia, it seems, is basically to stuff the biggest engine you possibly can into your car. If it's not a rotary, it must be a v8 and it must be supercharged. There was also competition it seemed, to get the biggest engine in the smallest car. These guys are nuts! I took over 500 photos today, and they are nearly all of cars we just don’t get (or have all rusted out and disappeared) in the UK. What a fantastic day!
The pictures... I have posted the full version of this with several hundred photos on the Retro Rides
http://retrorides.proboards86.com/index ... 1167868683 - my pics start on page 3. But here is just a sample...
Just cruising around on methonol. Not too loud then...
Loved this - bags and a blower
Holden Ute. The plate decribes the engine!
Loads and loads of Commadores (Senators). See Muz, you should have something with that one I sold you for a penny!
Another Commodore
One of my favourites
This little Mazda has to be in my top 5 cars of the show. Very tweeked rotary, and such straight paint. Perfect.
Nice blower install on this little v8
Tiny Corolla with a blown 454
Nice little Mk3.
Fantastic Mazda with twin blown v8
Nuts.
Lowriders and air
Seems lows are not popular over here, mainly on account of them being illigal to drive in most Aussie states. A few snuck through though...
WTF?
Not my bag, but it was bloody low
Excuse the skinny arse. She just wouldn't get out of the way!
Super clever air install
Shortened, Low
And a v8
The only car there with hydraulics. Pity, I didn't get a chance to speak with the owner
Bagged limo
Nice clean install
Great interior
And nice hardline install on aged Reds pumps. I think this car has been built a long time...
How big?
Smooth mini truck
20's look so small on something so big.
Lada! Fan-bloody-tastic! I bet nobody there knew what it was! Great plate too.
Other cool stuff
Drool
Black Bess. Built '79. Running 11's on the street in '83 and low 9's on the strip by '88. A famous car by all accounts
Crown wagon with turbo'd 6-pot. Of all the cars here, I think this is the one I'd like to take home the most
Why didn't Ford let us have this?
Oh this pair would look great in my barn.
Burnouts? Many more on the Retro Rides site
One of my favourite shots!
And my favourite shot after the burnout competition...
If ever a picture spoke a thousand words!
Top 60 cars
Mercules
Kadet? with super cool turbo setup
