Summernats is back: Entries about to open for mini-'Nats

Summernats will run the inaugural Rev Rock 'n' Roll festival at EPIC over the Canberra Day weekend, March 5-7.

It will be a smaller event than the normal Summernats, which had been scheduled to run from January 8 to 10 and usually attracts up to 100,000 visitors and 2000 cars.

A scaled-down version, called Summernats Slam, will be held at Sydney Dragway at Eastern Creek on the same weekend, with capacity capped at 5000 spectators per day in line with COVID-safe protocols.

It's expected to return to Canberra in 2022.

The Rev Rock 'n' Roll festival, announced earlier this year, will include cruising, show and shine, the Burnout Masters grand final and a retail expo. Car entries open on Tuesday.

Festival organisers put forward their COVID-safe plan last week, gaining approval from the chief health officer, ACT Health, Access Canberra and ACT Policing.

Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said, "The Summernats Rev Rock 'n' Roll festival is one of the first major events designed to fit the current COVID-19 guidelines in Canberra.

"We're an important test case to show that private enterprise, with government support, can deliver a COVID-safe event outside of major football codes.

"It shows that genuine innovation and a proactive partnership will help get events back in business.

"We're really grateful to our fans, participants and existing corporate partners for continuing their support through this difficult period."

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Summernats was an important event on the Canberra calendar.

"It is great that event organisers have been working in partnership with the ACT government to evolve the event and operate in a COVID-safe way," Mr Barr said.

"The revised format for 2021 is a positive outcome for our local tourism industry, and we look forward to welcoming back Summernats in 2022."

The event is expected to boost Canberra's accommodation, hospitality and tourism industry.

A report commissioned five years ago found that almost a third of those who attended the 2016 Summernats said the festival and their experience while in Canberra had changed their perception of the city for the better, and two-thirds said their experience had made them want to return to see more.

Braddon United Retailers and Traders spokesperson Kel Watt said the festival would be welcomed by local businesses.

"BURT will work with Summernats, residents and the government to make it a success in 2021 so it becomes a 'must attend' each year."