Back on the job and preparing for the 23^rd Summernats. More on that later. There's a couple of reasons why my blog hasn't been updated earlier. Sometimes things get in the way. The main reason is that I tend to wait a while and let things settle a bit and I can better absorb what I've seen and heard. The feedback is important and I don't want to pre-judge too soon. Anyway, here we go.

People sometimes ask me what I enjoy most about the Summernats. Above all else, it's the fact that people are able to have such a good time. We have tried to ensure that the judging categories are in tune with the changes in the scene and that the competitions themselves represent the best and fairest way to identify the best cars and that the entertainment is fun and even the cost to get in isn't too heavy. Most of all I love it when people tell me they are simply having a fantastic time. That's the best compliment of all, so even the Summernats 22 was down on numbers it was still a fantastic event.

Before I forget, can I ask you to think about the Awards and the Sponsors? The Summernats has some fantastic Companies supporting it and in turn, supporting you guys. If you are an award winner, it is a great gesture to drop them a line saying "Thanks". The public relations value is immense and besides, without them we'd have $2 trophies and no prizemoney.

Finally we have an international Entrant. The guys with the red SIKROD Camaro came across the ditch and did really well. It was a strong contender in every way and when Webby and I had to reach a decision for the PPG Supreme Award on Sunday, I came to appreciate it even more. It's hard to beat red as an outstanding colour, but Jason and his boys had created a car that was extremely functional as well as well built. The fact is, it's a pleasure looking along that row of cars, as they represent many aspects of the Summernats. There's so much good stuff there that it's quite hard to choose standout. People have so many opinions and so do I, but what's best of all, those cars represent why people come to the Summernats and I actually feel guilty that I can't give them all the PPG Supreme Entrant Award. By the way, SIKROD got it.

Every year I struggle to find something new and exciting for the primary entertainment feature. That's when I realize how small Australia really is. There's not much to choose from. ACT Fireworks always do a great job and Russell Clark from Heathcote Dragway has great jet cars. The freestyle motorcycle guys from Showtime Internationals have always created a mini Krusty Demons show plus the 'Servin It Up' stunt riders from Sydney did some cool stuff at the track.

Our big deal was to be when on Saturday night the four riders were to ride through the jet van flame and catch on fire. It had never been done before and the idea started for me with a conversation with jet bike rider Mad Ron from Darwin. I decided on using jet cars and I needed to find motorcycle riders who didn't mind being set on fire. The riders from 'Servin It Up' stepped up to the plate. Then I needed someone who could handle all of the "on fire" aspect as well as the safety. Man, I didn't want these guys to get burned. Unfortunately, it took longer to prepare the guys than first thought and that left "Racin' Jason" and out on the arena looking for stuff to say. Anyway, three of the four riders ignited and we followed up with nearly 20mins of fireworks.

The failed plans didn't stop there though. The generator providing extra power for the Masters of Rock on stage after the PPG stunt Show died. We thought it was out of fuel, but some prick had turned of the master kill switch. Back in business and when the Master went offstage to do a costume change, Dirty Pierre thought it was Wet t-shirt time and started bringing the girls onstage. Talk about confusion. Everyone was trying hard to do what they thought best and all I did was spit and snarl till I figured what had happened. In the end, it all happened ok. Saturday night is my most stressful time.

A big deal this year was to see how well girls do at the Summernats. It's not just seeing them having a great time out and around the place, it's also seeing them do well in a variety of situations. Three gorgeous girls who brought so much to the Event were Allina Leal (Miss Snats21) who brought her tough ute from Darwin to compete in the Castrol Edge Burnout Comp, Angela Dow with her totally tough Torana hatchback in Nolathane Tuff Street and Top Fuel Pilot Amanda Shephard, representing the Top Fuel dragster drivers of Australia. By the way. What an unbelievable sound when we started up all the Top Fuel cars and bikes on the arena on Sunday morning for the Shannon's Road Show.

Back to the Summernats girls. Debbie Gray in the Burnout Masters comp is bloody hard to beat at any time, but on lady who's stepped up is Jackie Tribe by winning the Go-whoa. Sensational. It's always easy to highlight the beautiful girls in the Jack Daniels Miss Summernats comp, especially the previous winners who return as JD Hostesses, but I'm caused to think about the many, many girls (ladies) who are a part of the Summernats fabric. Sure, I cop plenty from certain sections of the community and the media about the Awgasm Wet t-shirt comp and other stuff, but when I look at the number of ladies working with me year after year and when I see those partially dressed girls up on stage Saturday night and when I see mums with bubs smiling at girls going by in the Party Bus, I see a whole bunch of girls having a great time at this great event.

One person who had a great time was Troy Trepanier. I knew he would and I figured his Dad Jack would as well. I've known Troy for years and we're like brothers and that gives me a kick. In fact my son Kody reckons we'd be dangerous together. It was also neat to meet the rest of his family as well. As a promotional exercise to give Snats 22 a special feature, we couldn't have done better. Troy talked non-stop and everyone had plenty to ask him about cars he's built. The part I like the best is that the actual performance of the cars he builds play a really big part in the final result. He's threatening to come back and bring a car to do burnouts with. Now that will really be something.

Troy's visit was made easier through the efforts of certain people and Companies. I'd like to sincerely thank K&N Filters for sponsoring his visit. K&N is distributed in Australia by Motospecs. Troy also presented an award for his favourite car. Along with a framed and signed poster, USA based company KICKER provided some sensational car audio equipment for the winner, Aaron Fitzpatrick with his award winning Datto. I's also like to thank Ziggy from Ziggy's Customs for assisting with getting Kicker involved and also presenting the fabulous 1968 Mustang Fastback he is creating.

Thanks also go to Owen Webb for his advice and assistance, John McCoy Lancaster for his enthusiastic efforts in looking out for the family all the way through, Lt. Gen. Peter Leahy (retired) for being the most efficient minder all weekend and finally Robbie at Wiro Beach Caravan Park (02 4457 3035) on the NSW South Coast for his genuine hospitality. All in all, a fantastic effort from a great bunch of friends, made the visit to Australia, one that Troy and his family will remember for a long time. We're all winners and we hope Troy can come back some time soon.

Getting back to cars though, it seemed to me that there's still no shortage of enthusiasm. The economy may have had some effect and people might not be building as many of the high-end cars, but we still look for differences to give us a unique individual position. PPG painted my Camaro a combination of my two favorite colours, those being Emerald Green and Turquoise. I still haven't driven it much because the wiring still isn't complete. I do like the wheels that Showwheels fitted for me, because they give it a "competition" appearance rather then the showcar bling look. A different style what we mostly try for and I saw plenty of that in not only the use of colour etc, but the actual car chosen. Standouts to me were the single spinner Toyota Crown from Tassy and I saw a cool Vauxhall Velox getting around. There was also some great stuff in NolathaneTuff Street too and look out for the Summernats #22 DVD because the interviews that Mark "Urban Warfare" Arblaster are really great.

One thing we really noticed was that even with so-called tough times, there were stacks of blown cars getting around and that was one of Troy's first comments. No matter what, it's angry cars that grab my attention and it was easy to pick. Blacker than black Mica colour on a nice Ht Prem, the Big and Ugly injection scoop, deep dish back wheels, angry stance, even angrier sound and a number plate that said it all UCSMOKE. It got my attention. Don't get me wrong, there's a number of cool cars that grab me, but I'm into wild and crazy.

Speaking of that, how about that lower than a snake's belly rusty old hot rod getting around and the old 34 Dodge pickup that did bloody well in the burnout comp? Both of those vehicles suffered from an excess of look marks proven by the number of photos we received in the photo comp. From one raggedy pickup to another. How about Darryl Leemhuis winning Grand Champion with his red Rodeo? He's one focused guy and like Fitzy, was hell-bent on keeping his driving really tight. That award comes to those who are consistently near the top in nearly every aspect. We figured out that plan all those years back and I'm pleased to say that it still works. The other thing too is that over the years there has been a fantastic variety of cars that have won and that makes me feel good. The Summernats isn't about just one type of car.

A consistent comment made to me was that we seemed to have less f - - - wits than before and that was a good thing. The trouble has always been that a big crowd isn't always made up of the genuine enthusiasts and we'll always get badly behaved people. It's our ability to deal with them that's the biggest challenge. You can't stand at the gate and pick out people who look as though they could play up and besides, I know some very high profile people who've been guilty of going too far.

Some Entrants complain that they can't cruise around at certain times. The best idea would be to cruise earlier in the day if you're worried about the crowd. Seems to me though that the roads are always busy late arv so there's plenty who don't mind. We'll never have a big crowd who at 6pm Friday and Saturday politely stand behind the line and clap and say "Lovely car sir". They might, but when the Party Bus comes by with some girls flashin' their baps, the mob get silly again. Some things will never change and in the end, it's what makes the Summernats a lot of fun. It's up to my Security guys to stop the fun getting crazy.

I can talk on and on about stuff, but to be quite honest, there's a couple of things that are far better to describe  the special features of Summernats 22 better than I can. The Street Machine Summernats special edition in the newsagent now is the best one produced for years. It truly represents what it's all about. Sensational cars. Sensational people. Sensational attractions and biggest of all; sensational atmosphere and that's what stands the Summernats above all others. The other thing is the Official DVD. We plan to release it late April so stay tuned on that. Contact the Summernats Office to reserve your copy.

THE FUTURE.

It's no secret that I'm planning my retirement and as such am looking to pass the batton to a new owner. There's a big chance I'll stay on as Promoter to see that the many good things we've achieved stay in place. One Company has the first dibbs at ownership and hopefully we'll know an answer soon. In the meantime, it's business as usual and the new dates have been set. 7 - 10^th Jan 2010. Your best plan though is to stay connected to the Summernats website for the latest info.

I'm doing a big spring clean job of the workshop next month and will be getting rid of some of the stuff I've been hording. In April we'll have a Summernats garage sale so stay tuned for that as well. Any really special stuff may go on eBay, but if you're in the Canberra area, drop in. There'll be more deals than Las Vegas. We'll list it on our website as well and I don't mind signing stuff, but be mindful that shipping it may cost a bomb.

Gotta go.

Stay tuned.

Chic

PS, My Harley is up for grabs too. I never ride it.

Customised, high performance '88 FXR Lowrider.

Stacks of stuff on it. Hardly any miles since rebuild.

Will also sell all the other bike stuff I have too; riding gear, spares, books etc. etc.

Truck loads. I can send images. $30k ono or will swap for a good car =$$$