American gearheads rejoice – Australia’s favourite horsepower party is going global, with Summernats partnering with the Freedom Factory to stage the first-ever Summernats USA!

Taking place 12-14 March 2026 in Florida across two world-renowned venues – the Freedom Factory and the neighbouring Bradenton Motorsports Park – Summernats USA will feature all the ’Nats staples we know and love, including a massive cruise route, Skid Row, show cars, a Grand Champion competition, camping, a live concert, and of course, burnouts!

Add to that both drag and roll racing on the Bradenton blacktop and a whole bunch of yet-to-be-revealed additions to the program, and Summernats USA promises to be a car festival the likes of which American audiences have never experienced before.

Staging a Summernats event in the USA has been a long-time dream for the ’Nats crew. “I went to SEMA for the first time way back in 2015, and I was really surprised about how many people knew about the Summernats. They loved the vibe of our show, and plenty told me that we should bring Summernats to the US,” explained Summernats promoter Andy Lopez. “It was hard to imagine it being possible, but I’ve been inspired watching trailblazers like Michael ‘Gup’ Gilbert create an awesome Powercruise for the American market. Summernats USA isn’t an exhibition event; we and the Freedom Factory are building a genuine, long-lasting Summernats USA for the American car scene, just like the late, great Chic Henry did in Australia.”

Aussie burnout stalwart Heath Waddington of Castlemaine Rod Shop, naming rights sponsor of the Pro Burnout Series, has been instrumental in helping to get Summernats USA off the ground and establishing the relationship with the Freedom Factory. 

When the Summernats crew spoke to him about their USA plans, he shipped his WARBIRD XP Falcon Stateside to help spread the good word. Heath’s next step was to get the Summernats and Freedom Factory crews together.

“The Rod Shop has a great relationship with Cleetus McFarland and the Freedom Factory through the association we’ve had with them with WARBIRD, and I know how much Cleetus loved the ’Nats,” Heath explained. “To me, it just made sense to connect Summernats with the Freedom Factory, and what better car to promote Summernats USA with than WARBIRD? The car has an association with Summernats, but the Americans are familiar with it too due to Cleetus having driven it.”

With Heath having sampled what the US scene has to offer, he’s keen for Americans to experience their very own Summernats first-hand. “The American burnout scene is growing fast into a serious sport like it is in Australia,” he said. “With Summernats and the Freedom Factory joining forces, Summernats USA is another good thing for the American burnout scene. With such a large population base and so much motorsport infrastructure, there is massive scope to grow the sport in America.”

Cleetus McFarland, automotive YouTube sensation and owner of the Freedom Factory, is just as pumped about the prospect of the world’s wildest car festival heading to Florida.

“When I went to Australia, I was shocked by how big Summernats was,” said Cleetus. “It was a national sporting event, and that really impressed me. It also wasn’t just about cars; it was more of a festival, with massive camp sites, concerts, shows and skids – the whole nine yards. It was way bigger than any car event I’d ever seen in the US.”

Following two visits Down Under to see what the ’Nats was all about, Cleetus couldn’t be more excited that the first international Summernats event is about to go down in his backyard. 

“I love that we’re doing the first international Summernats at the Freedom Factory. I feel like that’s a big deal, because Summernats is what got me into doing burnouts, so it’s kind of full circle for us. I’m very excited about that,” he said. 

“As a competitor, I’m excited to be competing at an event that I don’t own. I’m ready to get the cars dialled in and put on a show based on the judging criteria of Summernats. I’ve really got to work towards getting my cars to run perfect for this. We’re going to go all-out.”

Summernats marketing and comms guru Adrian Hodgson said there’s already a fair bit of excitement from people he’s shared the concept with outside of the Freedom Factory and Summernats teams. “Everyone’s been really positive about it. American burnout competitors all know the Summernats name, and together with the Aussies in the US who’ve been representing the Australian burnout community for the past year or so, there’s a growing field of really good US-based drivers looking for more places to kill tyres,” he said. “But Summernats USA is more than a burnout show; it’s a festival experience like we have at home. To the US scene, we say come along, skid, race, show your car and join in the horsepower party. For those three days in March, it’ll be the funnest place on earth to be a petrolhead!”

There’s no doubt that there’s a huge appetite for a Summernats event in the US, and after 10 years of talk, it’s finally happening. Summernats USA promises to be epic, and we can’t wait! 

Competitor entries and spectator tickets go on sale 24 October. Head to www.summernatsusa.com for up-to-date info.