BROADCAST

IDON’T think I realised how much I’d missed car shows until I attended Summernats Slam. It was local to me, which meant I got to catch up with a bunch of good mates who I hadn’t seen since COVID-19 flipped the world on its roof, and it reminded me that the social aspect of cars is a huge part of what drew me to the hobby in the first place.

We staged our Valvoline Street Machine Of The Year VIP party on the Friday night of Slam, and that was yet another longoverdue opportunity for a catch-up with mates, colleagues, industry players and friends of Street Machine. It was a damn good time with an awesome group of people.

Both events were certainly affected by the pandemic, with COVID-SAFE practices in place, attendance capped by government health orders, and plenty of regulars unable to attend due to border closures. Even so, it felt great to be out in the world again, doing street machine things with my street machine friends.

Summernats Slam itself was a killer event, despite the restrictions that were at play. There was always something happening, and it represented exceptional value for entrants, with almost unlimited laps of the drag strip and Skid Row, not to mention the tarmac motorkhana, which was perhaps my favourite aspect of the event. I scored a passenger ride in an Ls-swapped Skyline, and it was an absolute hoot; my only regret was that I didn’t bring my own car. I reckon the Summernats crew are onto a winning formula with Slam, and I’d like to see it become a fixture on the calendar.

We need to get along and support these COVID-ERA events whenever we get the opportunity, because nothing is certain in the current climate. While Slam was a rollicking success, around the same time we received word that Summernats Rev Rock ’n’ Roll has been cancelled, and Meguiar’s Motorex has been further postponed (News Front, p. 11). It’s a major bummer, but it’s a necessary step in order to keep everyone safe, comply

SUMMERNATS SLAM WAS A KILLER EVENT, WITH ALMOST UNLIMITED LAPS OF THE DRAG STRIP AND SKID ROW, NOT TO MENTION THE TARMAC MOTORKHANA

with government regulations and ensure that these events are viable.

Before I go, I’d just like to congratulate Aidan Donald of Aidan’s Design & Illustration on winning this year’s Laurie Starling Memorial Scholarship. I’ve met Aiden around the traps a couple of times and have been keeping an eye on his work via social media. He’s a talented and driven young bloke who always seems focused on growth and improvement. He’s also a great kid, and a deserving winner.