Start your engines: Your full guide to what's on at Summernats 2024

The sound of rumbling engines and the scent of burnouts is back in town.

Canberra's 36^th Summernats is on from Thursday January 4, with souped-up cars and Friday night's mega Aussie rock show in for a four-hour super concert.

Unfortunately, original headliner Jimmy Barnes isn't performing, but is reportedly making good progress after open-heart surgery. In his place will be Aussie rock legends Grinspoon as the headline act.

Showers are expected on Thursday but after that the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts three dry days with temperatures in the mid-20s.

Braddon will come alive on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Summernats 36 with the Braddon Fringe Festival. Expanded to three nights for 2024, cars will be parked and cruise along the closed streets of Braddon (Lonsdale Street and parts of Mort and Elouera Streets) of an evening.

There's plenty more on. Here's your guide to 2024 Summernats:

Thursday, January 4

Lonsdale Street, as well as parts of Mort and Elouera streets shut to regular traffic during the festival, which runs from Thursday, January 4 to Saturday for the Braddon Fringe Festival. Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez. Picture by Gary Ramage

Everyone in Canberra will be able to admire the hottest and most-hotted-up cars on Thursday.

Cars will cruise along Northbourne Avenue from noon, beginning at EPIC, heading down Flemington Road, the Federal Highway and then joining Northbourne Avenue southbound, before turning back via London Circuit.

Later, the schedule begins with 1500 horsepower burnout machines burning copious amounts of rubber smoke to lay claim to kings of Skid Row.

• 11am: Public gates open
• 12pm: Summernats City Cruise
• 2pm: Skid Row, Modified lawn mower racing
• 4pm: Last Chance Shootout Wildcard Burnouts
• 5pm Braddon Fringe Festival
• 6:30pm: Top 60 finalists show
• 7:30pm: Meguiar's Great Uncover
• 10pm: public gates close
• 12am: Venue closed
• All day: Cruising, drift rides, Haltech horsepower heroes

Friday, January 5

The Burnout Championsips start on Friday. Picture by Keegan Carroll

The Summernats Burnout Championship kicks off on Friday. Each burnout period must last for at least 60 seconds, with points deducted for breaks.

Three major national acts are scheduled to perform on Friday night, including the Screaming Jets, Night Train and ex-Sherbert frontman Daryl Braithwaite, who will again belt out his singalong crowd favourite, Horses. Grinspoon headlines.

• 9am: Public gates open
• 10am: Tuff street showcase
• 11am: Burnout championship eliminations
• 12:15pm: Burnout masters qualifying ball draw
• 2pm: Burnout championship eliminations
• 5pm: Braddon Fringe Festival
• 6pm: Concert: Night Train, The Screaming Jets, Daryl Braithwaite, Grinspoon
• 10pm: Public gates closed
• 12am: venue closed
• All day: Cruising, drift rides, show 'n' shine, Horsepower heroes, modified lawn mower racing, top 60 finalists show

Saturday, January 6

Grand mullet champion Tamzyn Dowell. Picture supplied

Summernats' best mullet will be awarded on Saturday. Last year Tamzyn Dowell, 18, was the first woman to win the mane event and was crowned grand mullet champion.

• 9am: Public gates open
• 11am: Skid row, Burnout championship eliminations
• 12:30pm: Mullet Fest, Body art nationals, Fashions on the field
• 2pm: Burnout championship eliminations
• 3:30pm: Mullet Fest Finals
• 5pm: Burnout Masters - Top 10 Final, Braddon Fringe Festival
• 6:30pm: Supercruise
• 8pm: Burnout masters awards, Fireworks spectacular, Hot Dub time machine
• 10pm: Public gates closed
• All day: Cruising, drift rides, show 'n' shine, grass driving events, Horsepower heroes, modified lawn mower racing, top 60 finalists show
  

Sunday, January 7

Michelago's Livi Krevatin receives the Chic Henry grand master sword after being announced as Summernats 35 grand champion with his Porsche 911. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong

On Sunday, the Grand Champion will be announced. It's a pretty tough title to grab. Last year's winner spent more than $750,000 on a 1978 Porsche 911.

Under the strict criteria set down by the late Chic Henry, a vehicle is only eligible for Summernats grand champion if judged as an elite top 10 show car, is popular in the people's choice awards, and performs strongly in the driving events.

• 9am: Public gates open, Heads-up Go-Woah, PPG Supreme Entrant Display, Horsepower Heroes final showdown
• 10am: Modified Lawn Mower racing finals, Skid Row, Grand champion Motorkhana and Go-Woah
• 12:30pm: Grand Champion Award
• 1pm: Burnout Championship Final 40
• 3pm: Burnout Masters, ultimate redemption round
• 4:15pm: Burnout championship awards
• 5pm: Summernats 36 closes
• All day: Cruising, drift rides, show 'n' shine, top 60 finalists show