Canberra's legendary Summernats festival is set to reach new heights in 2026, with the skies above the event becoming as thrilling as the action on the ground. The high-octane car show will feature a spectacular aerial display from one of Australia's top aerobatic pilots, Paul Bennett.
Sky-High Performance Above the Burnout Pads
From January 9, attendees are being urged to look up, as Paul Bennett Airshows takes over the Summernats airspace. Bennett will be piloting his one-of-a-kind Wolf Pitts Pro biplane, an aircraft reported to be the only one of its kind globally. This remarkable machine is engineered to withstand extreme forces of over +12 and -10 Gs and can reach speeds exceeding 400 kilometres per hour.
The displays promise to be a breathtaking addition to the festival's trademark blend of horsepower, live music, and car culture. Bennett's routine will feature a series of intense manoeuvres rarely seen at motorsport events, including loops, rolls, hammerheads, forward flips, and dramatic smoke-trailing passes. These performances will soar directly above the burnout pads, show cars, and packed crowds at the Epic showground.
An Intensive Schedule of Aerial Adrenaline
The airshow commitment is significant, with the team scheduled to perform up to six high-energy displays each day across the weekend. This amounts to around a dozen performances in total, marking one of the most intensive schedules for Paul Bennett Airshows.
"Solo displays allow us to push the aircraft to their limits, but flying together in formation takes it to another level," Bennett said. He expressed particular excitement about returning to Summernats, noting the unique atmosphere. "There's nothing quite like flying above a sea of cars, burning rubber and festival goers. It's fast, intense and incredibly precise, and we can't wait to bring that experience to Summernats fans."
A Festival That Continues to Evolve
The inclusion of a major aerobatic display is another sign of Summernats' ongoing evolution. While the festival maintains its spiritual connection to Braddon, the days of street parades and drag races on Lonsdale Street are officially in the past. The event has increasingly positioned itself as a more family-friendly affair during daylight hours, a shift from some of its earlier, more risqué traditions.
Yet, the core essence of raw power and automotive passion remains unmistakable. The roar of engines from the ground will now be complemented by the scream of a specialised aerobatic engine in the sky, amplifying the sensory overload that defines the Summernats experience. For fans in Canberra this weekend, the action will truly be 360 degrees.
