Street Machine Summernats 2022

Australia kicks off the new year with a massive horsepower party with hot rods, muscle cars, classics, and restomods taking over the nation’s capital for a week of modded motoring mayhem.

Australian revheads descending upon Canberra were greeted with unseasonally cool weather and even occasional thunderstorms. Not that the freak weather deterred many, with sizeable crowds flocking to the venue to participate in the annual ritual.

There was no shortage of automotive candy of all kinds to satisfy even the most demanding of connoisseurs.

One of Summernats’ main attractions – Tuff Street – was buzzing (or rather groaning) with the sounds of lumpy cam rides cruising around the compound with the occasional skid or two.

The Mequiars Pavilion showcased the country’s best new builds dazzling visitors with chrome, paint and mind-blowing designs.

Our favourite (yeah, we’re biased) was Justin Simpson’s HT Holden Monaro GTS. The beast is powered by a Nitrous-fed, 615ci Big Block Chevy. The whole thing is controlled by a Haltech NEXUS VCU with Haltech’s iC-7, CAN Keypad plus a whole lot of sensors.

It turns out we weren’t the only fans of the car as Justin’s Monaro came 1st in the Competition category and 3rd in the Special Effects category.

Our other long-standing favourite was Glenn Noonan’s spectacular 1932 Ford Tudor. Now street-registered, the car makes over 600hp thanks to its Haltech-controlled, 400ci, blown, small block.

Haltech’s stand in the Rare Spares Pavilion featured Benny’s Barra-powered Mustang which drew plenty of attention.

One of the standouts outside was The Castlemaine Rod Shop’s Ferrari-powered Torana. It’s already looking great despite still being a work-in-progress. Can’t wait to hear it roar!

The Skid Row provided plenty of opportunities to shred rubber. This graveyard of tyres proved to be one of the most popular spots in the compound.

Over in the Haltech Horsepower Heroes hall, Adam and his crew from MPW were kept busy with a strong line-up of competitors keen to prove their worth on the dyno.

Henry Winter’s “FLEXEN” turbo Barra powered FG Falcon laid down 1256hp (937kW) beating Benny’s Cresta in the six cylinder class and taking the outright win in the process. Congratulations to all involved in the build!

Ben Neal from Benny’s Custom Works, walked away with the Boost Demon award for the most boost seen in any car across the weekend. His Barra-powered Cresta copped a massive 45psi and pushed out 1134hp (846kW).

Of course Summernats wouldn’t be Summernats without burnouts and this year’s event boasted the biggest Burnout Masters field ever with Tim Brown eventually taking the Champion trophy in his blown Holden Commodore.

The title of the Street Machine Summernats 34 Grand Champion went to Jason Mansweto and his ‘2ENIL8’ Ford Falcon.

Congratulations to all and see you again next year!