With 130,000 punters, 2800 entrants and $46.6M injected into the local economy there can be no doubt that Street Machine Summernats 37 was a record-setting year for the event. And with Summernats 38 looking to be just as massive, the team has been working hard to ensure that everyone gets an improved experience in 2026. Guided by feedback provided by spectators, entrants and sponsors, the team has come up with some spectacular plans, including a literal red carpet access gate for entrants. Check ‘em out:

OVERPASSES! 

One of the hottest topics in the Summernats Community Facebook Group in recent years has been the prospect of installing Supercars-style overpasses around the cruise route – allowing both the cruise route and spectator movement to flow better. Well, overpasses will now be a reality for 2026! That has to be a win for everyone and of course, there will be road crossings provided to make sure Summernats remains accessible for all 

DUAL LANE SKID ROW!

Introduced at Summernats 32, Skid Row has been one of the great innovations at Summernats in recent years, allowing entrants to safely smoke out the cruise route with impunity. But if some is good, more is better, yeah? So this year, Skid Row will have two lanes, meaning more tyres can be destroyed all weekend long. And there will be more shaded grandstand seating for spectators

SPECTATOR UPGRADE!

With more people attending Summernats than ever before, the crew are putting in a stack of work to make the spectator experience even better. This will include an extra spectator parking zone at Thoroughbred Park and a new festival-style precinct on the main arena. The latter will not only host the FMX show (led by X Games legend Corey Creed) and a Street Machine photobooth, but will feature extra covered seating and chill out zones, carnival rides for the kids and food trucks

HOT WHEELS AND FMX! 

Matt Mingay and the Hot Wheels Stunt team will be dropping in on Summernats for the first time. Beyond the thrilling stunts, the Hot Wheels Activation and Kids Fun Zone will be a haven for young petrolheads. With endless entertainment on the Hot Wheels play tables, kids of all ages can unleash their creativity and imagination

STREET MACHINE VIP ZONE

This year, we’ll be moving the Street Machine stand out of our traditional home in the Rare Spares Pavillion and into a new Superstore located between Rare Spares and the cruise route. This will include a Street Machine VIP Zone, with grandstand seating overlooking the cruise route. Stay tuned for more info on this one!