While the majority of North America has been suffering one of the worst icy winters in some time in contrast Australia has been hit with unprecedented scorching temperatures and catastrophic fire warnings during its summer season. The nation’s capital, Canberra, has not been immune but the recent Summernats, Australia’s largest street machine show, saw scorching action of a different kind.

Now in its 23rd year the Summernats car festival is close to being one of the largest outdoor high performance shows
outside America. Held over four days
in early January some 1750 cars,
trucks, street rods and Summernats
specials took part in this unique
acceleration circus. I say circus
because it literally is a 10-ringed
high horse-powered
hippodrome. This
sees hundreds of
entrants pitting
themselves and
their cars against
each other while
completing a myriad
of automotive
disciplines.