ABC The 2013 Summernats city cruise attracted 30,000 spectators.Canberra's annual car festival Summernats will kick off today with a cruise through the CBD.
A convoy of 200 street machines and custom cars will depart Exhibition Park at midday and cruise down Northbourne Avenue to London Circuit and back.
Summernats organiser Andy Lopez says the cruise will also feature some non-street legal V8s that are temporarily allowed on the road.
"It's not just the best of the best or the shiniest or the loudest the 200 cars are across the whole spectrum," he said.
"We kind of see that as our opening ceremony.
"It's also a nice thing that we like to say to the Canberra community, 'thanks for having us', here's a really fun, fab, free event for the Canberra community to get out and have a look at."
Thousands of people are expected to line Northbourne Avenue and gather in the city centre to watch the drive by.
Last year more than 30,000 spectators turned out to see the some of the best Summernats entrants.
Bren Birkavitz from ACT Roads says traffic lights down Northbourne Avenue will remain green for about 15 minutes to allow the cars through.
"We're expecting motorists that are trying to cross Northbourne Avenue will experience delays of between 10 and 15 minutes," he said.
"So consider taking a different route."
Police are urging people to keep off the Northbourne Avenue median strips.
Four-day festival brings car lovers together
The 27th Summernats is expected to attract 100,000 people over four days with car entries predicted to top 1,800.
"It brings together more people from different car communities than any other event in Australia," Mr Lopez said.
"It's something that's on everyone's calendar, it's like the creation of a country town every year, where everyone gets together, tells stories, shows off what they've been working on throughout the year.
"I think that's what sets us apart."
A new world record for the largest simultaneous burnout was set last year.
This year, Mr Lopez says highlights include four-days of burnouts and live music featuring The Living End and The Potbelleez.
"And some of the most beautiful and crazy cars that you'll see in Australia," he said.
Mr Lopez says the event is a real festival experience for the whole family.
"The event is safe and well-controlled," he said.
"I think Summernats has always had a perception that has far outweighed the reality of it.
"As the year's have gone by, we've got a great security team, we take a really sensible approach to the service of alcohol. The people that come to Summernats are here to have a really good time, they're not here to cause trouble."
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