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‘Sea of people’: SpringNats revs the weekend away

Get your motor running: Burnouts, screeching tyres and doughnuts were on display over the weekend at the Showgrounds. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Drivers from across the state showcased their perfect doughnuts and drifting skills at Spring Car Nationals at the Shepparton Showgrounds over the weekend.

SpringNats operations manager Les Adams said the event lived up to his projections that it would be louder than the Bathurst 1000 at Mt Panorama.

Mr Adams said the three-day event attracted more than 37,000 people, with more than 6000 people attending on Sunday.

“It is probably the biggest weekend we have had at the Showgrounds, with just a sea of people watching Saturday night,” Mr Adams said.

Arms in the air: The event attracted more than 37,000 people. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We have minimal dramas and everyone has been well behaved.”

Mr Adams said Saturday’s street parade was “incredible”.

“Everywhere, all the way down, people were lined up from the exit of the Showgrounds to Corio St, to people being out the front of the Shepparton Brewery where people were drinking and watching the cars go past,” he said.

Shepparton residents Mitchell Bassett and Seth Wilson were enjoying the action on the tarmac, with both labelling the three days of burnout action as “unreal”.

“It has been eventful day and bit of a carnage, which we like to see,” Mr Bassett said.

“It has been good so far and a pretty eventful day, and it brings the community together,” Mr Wilson said.

Hanging out: Shepparton residents Mitchell Bassett and Seth Wilson enjoying the cars on track. Photo by Patrick Morrow

Geelong driver Amber Davey, who was among a small contingent of women competing over the weekend, said she encouraged more girls to get involved in SpringNats.

“I’ve been doing it for 10 years with my dad and we travel all around the country. I love it,” Ms Davey said.

Benalla driver Jacob Drain, who was driving for the third time in a row at SpringNats, said it is a great occasion.

“It is only up the road and it is awesome and I love it because it has a big pad to show off the moves,” Mr Drain said.

Jacob’s mum, Wanitia Drain, was proud of her son’s efforts.

“It was great and good handling of the wheel from Jacob and it was a real crowd-pleaser,” Mrs Drain said.

Souped up: Geelong driver Amber Davey had great fun competing in Shepparton. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Rock on: Aaron Douch and Tyson Douch show their skills. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Vantage point: People in the stands get a good view of the action on the tarmac. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Having a blast: Teagan Lambie and Craig Dowler showcase their vehicle to the crowd. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
On the move: Drivers combined colour with their drifting skills. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Thumbs up: Brodie Parrent off to do some burnouts. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Reaching new heights: Jordan Cowley, Ellie Lee and Jackson Callaghan watch the burnouts. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Blown out: A ute is towed off the burnout pad. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Tyres gone: A driver pushes his car off the pad. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Drifting away: A super-charged Holden burns some rubber. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Raw power: A Holden Commodore screams along at the Showgrounds. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Giving a wave: A driver pumps up the crowd as he shows off his drifts. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Pointing to the sky: Graham Longhurst and Dakota Whitfield salute the crowd before heading to the tarmac. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Father and son: Rodney Simpson and son Thomas Simpson enjoy the efforts on the tarmac. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Orderly queue: Cars line up before hitting the tarmac. Photo by Rechelle Zammit
Revved up: Drivers Jordan Good and Blake Kurowski in front of their pride and joy. Photo by Rechelle Zammit