226 replies to this topic

[orangeLJ]

How many times have we heard the old addage "time and place"

I think what many here need to realise is that summernats is that "time and place"

There had been MANY burnouts on Tuff St all day long, that was probably one of the safest on video. People stand on Tuff St expecting this type of thing, no one goes there and hangs around (Especially this late at night) thinking "I might just hang here and watch the priuses cruise past at walking pace"

To compare it to the topfueler display in the states that killed people is ridiculous. That was a 1000hp+, 500kg vehicle, on slicks, doing a burnout at 60-100km/ph for a length of 500m.

This was a 400-500hp 2t vehicle doing a slow speed, on the brake, first gear burnout behind concrete barriers.

At that speed, no barriers were going to topple (seriously, if you had been there, they were wired together and were frOcking huge) and the worst that could be hurt is the owners pride and ego.



Like I said in a post before, I used to sit back and say "Summernats is #@$^%&, full of wankers doing dangerous things"

UNTIL I WENT!

Totally different opinion now.

Would I take my pride and joy? hell no!

Would I build a summernats special?

HELL YES!


People need to get off their high horsies, realise this is nothing new and if there were more cameras back in the 80s, there were probably just as many burnouts on the cruise route (from some of the pictures, probably more!)

I dont get why this becomes a big "high and mighty opinion" issue from people. Like Matt said (and dont worry, when I was telling Karlie this on Saturday, it surprised me too!) there havent been any serious injuries or deaths at the Nats. It may only be a matter of time, but isn't that true for any event or motorsport?

[DanWA]

I agree Hawk. This forum is getting very bitchy and for no real reason. I haven't been spending much time in here because of it, not because of anything said to me but just the demeanor of some of the wanker comments that I feel are unecessary.

I hope it changes though as this was once an awesome forum!

As for the VL in question well Brendyn is keen to build another one so hopefully after having one mint car stolen and another destroyed he keeps the passion alive. Remember we're a minority and need to stick together and not fight over such petty crap.

Rant over : )

Now let's see who bitches at me for saying that??!!

Lost many decent members over the years for the exact reason... usually the same old members who think they are gods doing it to, hope you stick around so we can all keep following your awesome builds.

How many times have we heard the old addage "time and place"

I think what many here need to realise is that summernats is that "time and place"

There had been MANY burnouts on Tuff St all day long, that was probably one of the safest on video. People stand on Tuff St expecting this type of thing, no one goes there and hangs around (Especially this late at night) thinking "I might just hang here and watch the priuses cruise past at walking pace"

To compare it to the topfueler display in the states that killed people is ridiculous. That was a 1000hp+, 500kg vehicle, on slicks, doing a burnout at 60-100km/ph for a length of 500m.

This was a 400-500hp 2t vehicle doing a slow speed, on the brake, first gear burnout behind concrete barriers.

At that speed, no barriers were going to topple (seriously, if you had been there, they were wired together and were frOcking huge) and the worst that could be hurt is the owners pride and ego.



Like I said in a post before, I used to sit back and say "Summernats is #@$^%&, full of wankers doing dangerous things"

UNTIL I WENT!

Totally different opinion now.

Would I take my pride and joy? hell no!

Would I build a summernats special?

HELL YES!


People need to get off their high horsies, realise this is nothing new and if there were more cameras back in the 80s, there were probably just as many burnouts on the cruise route (from some of the pictures, probably more!)

I dont get why this becomes a big "high and mighty opinion" issue from people. Like Matt said (and dont worry, when I was telling Karlie this on Saturday, it surprised me too!) there havent been any serious injuries or deaths at the Nats. It may only be a matter of time, but isn't that true for any event or motorsport?

Well said, sadly the old timers will always frown upon events like this because they arent treated as gods there... no cups of tea and scones,,, old aged armchair experts are the worst

[MRLXSS]

How many times have we heard the old addage "time and place"

I think what many here need to realise is that summernats is that "time and place"

There had been MANY burnouts on Tuff St all day long, that was probably one of the safest on video. People stand on Tuff St expecting this type of thing, no one goes there and hangs around (Especially this late at night) thinking "I might just hang here and watch the priuses cruise past at walking pace"

To compare it to the topfueler display in the states that killed people is ridiculous. That was a 1000hp+, 500kg vehicle, on slicks, doing a burnout at 60-100km/ph for a length of 500m.

This was a 400-500hp 2t vehicle doing a slow speed, on the brake, first gear burnout behind concrete barriers.

At that speed, no barriers were going to topple (seriously, if you had been there, they were wired together and were frOcking huge) and the worst that could be hurt is the owners pride and ego.



Like I said in a post before, I used to sit back and say "Summernats is #@$^%&, full of wankers doing dangerous things"

UNTIL I WENT!

Totally different opinion now.

Would I take my pride and joy? hell no!

Would I build a summernats special?

HELL YES!


People need to get off their high horsies, realise this is nothing new and if there were more cameras back in the 80s, there were probably just as many burnouts on the cruise route (from some of the pictures, probably more!)

I dont get why this becomes a big "high and mighty opinion" issue from people. Like Matt said (and dont worry, when I was telling Karlie this on Saturday, it surprised me too!) there havent been any serious injuries or deaths at the Nats. It may only be a matter of time, but isn't that true for any event or motorsport?

Well said Chris!

[hawk]

Orange i agree i didnt watch the video and havnt been to the nats i was stating that accidents can happen when people do the wrong thing, on the pad or behind barriers is a different story. I actually do hope to attend the event at some stage as i live a lot closer now

[Mort]

I seem to recall this thread being about an accident involving a VL Walky not about drunken louts, burnouts or how #@$^%& up Summernats is.

Maybe there should be another thread started for all the shit, hang on I think there are multiple threads on the Summernats trials and tribulations.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion about everything, just start another thread about it and not use someone else's.

[Statler]

Scan the interweb for the same topic.

All the forums have degraded in the same way. What makes you think that GMH-T would be any different?

[Stinga]

Shame about the Vl I went down this year and I think it was tame compaired to the other years I've been anyways I had a mad time and atleast if they ban the booze I'd have a spare 400 in my pocket :s

at $4.50 for a small bottle of water, you probably wouldn't save that much!

[enderwigginau]

Like RED and many other, I stopped going many years ago.
Never entered a car.
I also I don't drink. I was only there to see the cars and the events.

If you dont like what goes on don't go, it's your choice. I just dont agree with banning alcohol for the 99% of people who do the right thing. I am sure it is a family event but that doesn't mean certain age groups are not allowed does it. Fact is organizers just need to get tougher on these people so it doesn't ruin it for the rest of us.

I dispute this "99% of people do the right thing" - that is no where near my experience in the past.

I probably wont go again. However I was not aware of exactly what went on until I attended. Now I scratch my head at how this event has been allowed to exist for 26yrs.

It has been hanging by a thread many times......it's only held up by the money that Canberra businesses make out of it.

If you don't like it don't go, no one will care if you don't go.

Until it's JUST drunken morons and nothing else eh? It's a carshow, not a boozefest - try and remember that. Why should polite appreciative car fans be literally forced to stay away from what is touted as the biggest event on the calendar. There is no way I'd take my 7 yr old son anywhere near the place.

Im not sure if you are saying that the money comes from alchol sales at the event and/or from sponsorhip.
Its often the thought of organisers that their event will disappear unless they keep with their current sponsor, well that's only if its a crap event and the event is being used more as a way for the sponsors to get to their target audience then they could by other means. It is also a case of the organisers couldnt be bothered doing the hard work and securing new sponsors.

Cigarette company sponsoring of sporting events comes to mind, tennis, golf, motor racing - when actual direct advertising of cigarettes was banned. All the organisers claimed their sport would die if they did the right thing and get rid of sponsors which were quite clearly morally wrong, well what happened when the sponsorhip was effectively outlawed by government....... other sponsors were found and the show went on!

We may disagree on many things, but on this I wholeheartedly support you.

Seriously, it's a car show/event. In what respect does that give anyone the right to think they can go and get shitfaced, esp. the ones who are sauced up before they even hit the gate.
If you think that you have a right to have heavies and spirits just because you want them, then how about you not go and the rest of us can take our families to a safe, friendly event with only light or mid strength beer and perhaps even limits. How's ten cans a day sound? Or is drinking so much more important to you than the event.

Not enough people actually complain about the issues they have, so the "minor" incidents get swept under the carpet.
The security used to spend half their time drinking and looking at the cars in years past.
And I know many people personally who have had to beat a hasty retreat from situations over the years, and those who decided once their daughters hit 10yrs old, that they wouldn't be going any more........why should anyone have to do that because of a car event?

Plenty of things that could and need to be done, but the promoters need to be commited to it and the alcohol companies need to commit to responsible drinking - neither should solely commit to maximum dollars to the detriment of any patron.
FYI, if you have an issue with anyone being drunk at Summernats, RSA rules kick in - make a formal complaint to Liquor Licencing and after three complaints severe restrictions can be placed on the licensee........the ONLY alchol meant to be within the fence is sold onsite, so the licencee is responsible for any issues related to it.

Grant..

[orangeLJ]

How long ago did you stop going Grant?

I'd happily take kids along, BUT I would definitely be leaving straight after the supercruise and avoiding areas like tuff St (lunatic lane was TAME) after about 4-5pm.

You'd take your kids to sydney, but you wouldnt walk them through kings cross after dark.... same thing applies IMO.

[orangeLJ]

and for all those who didnt go...

http://www.gmh-toran...es/#entry723862

[RIM-010]

Well said up there Chris...

Can people stop for a sec and think that the drinking etc IS a big part of summernats? How many of you went to church on Xmas day, or Easter? It may be a car show, but the partying/concerts etc etc that go along with it may be just as important or more to some people...

I'll never take my Torana or Prem, but I've got full intention of filling my VB wagon with swags and stockies and making the journey soon

[tinkers]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, dont believe everything you read. You need to experience the Nats for yourself to be able to judge it!

You are doing the same thing the media do, take a small portion (usually the worse part) of what goes on and running with it.

I have been going for years both with and without my kids,(daughter & 2 sons) and now this year with my 15mth old grandson, also staying off site and camping. Since we had the youngin as well this time we stayed off site. If you have been before you know where to go and where to avoid at certain times of arvo/night. It's called commonsense, if you dont like the drunks or rowdy people where you are standing, move away, there is plenty of places to watch the track.


Now back to Brendyn's VL........ from his facebook page.
Just want to let everybody know I'm ok, and I had 1 mate in passenger side, both just a bit sore, few little cuts and bruisers, really want thank everybody for there support and concerns, heart breaking shit, but had 2 younger mates in back seat, only just got out minutes before, so glad they got out, they would much harder to deal with, thanks again everybody, truly fkn hard luck story, won't be last time you'll be seing me on the car seen!!!!!

And on that note, we will be going again (minus toddler and daughter due to other commitments around the same time,) hoping next year with one of the cars entered, if not just spectating like we always do.

[tinkers]

This is from the Summernats FB page.

Question: where should people direct their complaints so they will be listened to, especially regarding your "Event Management" staff. email address or inbox?


SUMMERNATS Adam, you're welcome to send an email to [email protected]
It will help to type "complaint" in the subject line as well.

If you were there and wish to make a complaint there is the email address to do so.

[orangeLJ]

"I saw videos on youtube and read things that were bad at summernats, please take my suggestions..."

sound right? lol