Record crowd and car entries at 2025 Canberra Festival of Speed
01/28/2025 03:00 PM
The largest crowd yet gathered in the nation's capital as a record number of cars were showcased in ideal conditions on Australia Day weekend.
The 2025 Canberra Festival of Speed saw a record crowd in only the second running of the event which took place on the Australia Day weekend.
Organisers confirmed 16,317 people attended the 2025 event, with almost half (49 per cent) coming from interstate to watch a record number of entrants at the Thoroughbred Park in Canberra.
The date change from early March to the Australia Day weekend – running on the Saturday afternoon into the evening, with Sunday the second day – appears to have paid off and may be repeated in 2026.
"This year saw significant growth in almost every area of the event, and we're only in our second year, so we're still developing even better ideas as the event gains momentum and a proper following," Canberra Festival of Speed Director Martin Tanti told Drive following the event.
"The variety of vehicles also drew in a large crowd, and we saw families enjoy the event in a great, safe yet exciting atmosphere, with our cars and stars showcased across multiple generations."
The total of 250 entrants, up from 149 last year, included local rallying royalty Neal Bates, Lewis Bates and Harry Bates – the Toyota drivers having eight Australian Rally Championships between them – complete untimed exhibition laps around the purpose-built short course.
The variety of cars on show included exotic supercars, open-wheel racers and historical supercars, both on static display as well as hitting the course, which was widened in places after feedback from competitors last year.
This included three ex-Dick Johnson Racing cars – a pair of exquisitely restored 1993 EB Ford Falcons and a 1984 Group A Ford Mustang – and a 1977 Holden Torana A9X previously raced by Peter Brock and his brother Phil at Bathurst.
This year's event was also the stage for the first livery reveal ahead of the 2025 V8 Supercars Championship, with Canberra driver Cam Hill pulling the covers off his Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro design.
Australian brand Spartan won the People's Choice Car of the Festival for its high-performance two-seat track car.
Further improvements for the second year of the event included the introduction of day tickets, which attendees could choose to use on either day of the festival.
Two new pedestrian bridges allowed access to the infield of the track layout to add even greater, up-close access to the cars on the circuit.
Guided tours for families supported by Canberra charity and community organisations were also carried out, the festival raising funds for Hands Across Canberra.
The timing of the event was also carefully considered to avoid clashes with other events in the Australian Capital Territory over the Australia Day weekend.
The Canberra Festival of Speed began with a three-year deal, the 2026 event another opportunity for organisers to consolidate on the success of the event over the last two years.
Dates for the 2026 Canberra Festival of Speed are yet to be officially announced.
The post Record crowd and car entries at 2025 Canberra Festival of Speed appeared first on Drive.
