CANBERRA, Jan 8 (NNN-AAP) – Authorities celebrated a successful edition of Australia’s biggest motoring festival, despite safety concerns following a crowd brawl.
Organisers of Summernats, Australia’s biggest celebration of horsepower, yesterday announced a record sell-out crowd of 130,000 people, attended the 36th edition of the four-day festival, at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), beating the previous record crowd of 125,000 set in 2023.
Attendees at the festival saw 2,500 cars from Australia and New Zealand displayed, as well as, competitive driving events, music and exhibition and trade shows.
A 1968 Dodge Charger, belonging to Queensland-based collector, Joe Bauer, was named the Summernats 36 Grand Champion, which recognises modified car excellence, and Victoria’s Andrew Lynch won Summernats Burnout Masters for the first time.
However, the event was marred by a large crowd brawl on Saturday.
Videos of the altercation published on social media show a large group of men, some of whom were wearing vests marked “crowd safety,” clashing.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Policing made no arrests in relation to the brawl but said, it was investigating.
In a statement yesterday, Summernats organisers said, they, along with security contractor Red Dawn, have launched an investigation into an incident involving patrons and security staff.
“Summernats and Red Dawn take their responsibilities for the safety and security of everyone at the event very seriously,” the statement said.
It marks the second consecutive year where poor crowd behaviour tarnished the event after ACT Policing closed the cruise circuit early in 2023, due to safety concerns and criticised organisers for inadequate crowd control.– NNN-AAP
