Street Machine Summernats 38 was a whirlwind for Michael and Matt Ellard and their Image Vehicle Manufacturing crew, with the covers coming off Matt’s insane Toyota Celica (below) on Thursday night and several customer cars entered across the Top 60 and Street class.

Michael Ellard’s own BEAMS-powered Toyota Corolla wagon did particularly well in the Street judging, winning Top Paint, Top Wagon and 3rd Top Bodyowrk. Michael then had a serious crack at the driving events in the Corolla, coming only a handful of points short of the silverware.

The Saturday afternoon awards presentation had one last curveball to throw the Ellard boys though, when Michael was announced as the 2026 recipient of the John Taverna Master Craftsman Award, named in honour of the legendary drag racer and car builder who passed away in 2013.

“Engineering is a huge part of the John Taverna Award, because that’s what John was really big on,” said Summernats chief judge Owen Webb. “The award is really, really close to my heart. John was such a good friend but he was also such an innovator in the industry – everybody would remember John’s pink Camaro or green Camira. The award celebrates people who build cars and are an active part of the industry, and give back to the industry. Mick was the perfect recipient this year. He had four cars that were all at the top of their respective classes.”

Owen’s affinity for the John Taverna Award parallels Mick’s support of the Laurie Starling Memorial Scholarship. This year, Mick and the Image crew announced they’d be stepping in to ensure the continued success of the scholarship, remembering Mick’s mate, influential fabricator and Summernats judge Laurie Starling.

“At first I wasn’t aware of the story behind the John Taverna Award,” Mick admitted with his trademarked humility. “Now hearing that it’s for a builder that’s involved and giving back to the car scene, I started to understand why I was chosen. Winning it was unreal. We put so much effort into the shows, always pushing for cars to be there, including helping other people and shops when they need it.

“Being the face of Image Vehicle Manufacturing means I get rewarded for everything, but everything I’ve learned about building cars and especially just trying to be a good dude to others is something I got from my late father Ray and my brother Matthew,”

Mick said. “The award means so much to me, because I know my dad would be proud.”