MOTOR SPORT
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On the back of an opinion piece published in The Daily Advertiser, car and motor enthusiasts from across Australia and around the world have spoken out in support of the sport they love.
Among those enthusiasts is quietly spoken 21-year-old Allan Cornish, a Sydneysider who shares a family passion for all aspects of motor sport from V8 supercars to Australia's elite street machines and events.
For a number of years the friendly and approachable young man has trekked from Sydney to Canberra for the hallowed Street Machine Summernats Car Festival.
He was among the 103,000-strong crowd that descended on Canberra's Exhibition Centre for the world-renowned event at the weekend, which boasts Australia's top street machine judging, precision driving demonstrations and a lucrative burnout battle.
In light of recent comments made about Summernats in the opinion piece on Tuesday, Cornish was eager to showcase the true side to the iconic Australian event and the value of the long-running festival.
Like many major events in Australia, and around the world, Summernats divides the public.
However, Cornish is of the belief that long-existing stereotypes and prejudices along with misconceptions of the event have resulted in misleading perceptions of Summernats.
He sought to draw attention to the huge economic value of the event, the importance of Summernats to the car and motor sport industries and give the public a look at the real heart and soul of the festival.
"Not only does Summernats bring in millions of dollars to the Canberra economy, but it brings interstate visitors and tourists to Canberra who, in turn, benefit all the local businesses they use over the three days," he said.
"But it is also so important to the car industry because if Summernats was to die than the industry that relies on it would die with it.
“This is an event that really gives back to the community.”
Contrary to common belief, Cornish wished to stress Summernats is all about the talented car builders and the skills on drivers performing feats on the tarmac.
“The way I see it, Summernats is about the people who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their cars – which are basically pieces of art – and want to show what they have done and the results of their work,” he said.
“There is no feeling like building a car from the ground up. But bringing it to a show like Summernats where people are complimenting you and saying things like ‘you have done a top job, mate’ is very gratifying.
“And it’s not just about the money and spending the most money. It is about the time and work that has gone into it, and the challenge to find the right parts because there are lots of different ways to go.”
The young man also highlighted the importance of the event from a safety perspective, saying he believes lives have been saved as a result of the popular festival.
“This is place where we can do things legally,” Cornish said.
“The event sends a message that it is OK to do these things, but there is a time and place for it and the roads aren’t the right place.
“Why should someone want to do burn out on a street when they can perform in front of thousands of people alongside some of the best drivers in the world?
“Imagine the lives that have been saved as a result.”
Cornish revealed he hopes to enter Summernats as a competitor next year, but, in the past, he has been satisfied to sit back and watch the action, and entertainment unfold.
“You don’t have to be an expert on cars to appreciate everything at Summernats,” he said.
“It is also about the entertainment.”
