At a time when the biggest burnout competition in the country and an extreme fire danger are uneasy companions in Canberra, the reigning Summernats burnout champion says he completely understands people's concern.
Jake Myers, 23, is from Wagga Wagga and drove through the thick smoke haze to get to Summernats on Thursday ahead of Sunday's big competition and his looming title defence.
A country-born-and-raised signwriter now based in Melbourne, he drives the 12 hours up the Hume Highway to work on his car each weekend at his parents' place.
"I get sponsor products that I can use in my car building but from a cash perspective, I'm still on a signwriter's wage," he said.
"Any prizemoney I win from burnouts goes into my car."
He hadn't been aware of the disagreement over the burnouts which had flared on Friday between Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez.
In announcing a state of alert across the ACT on Saturday as the territory braced for high temperatures and strong wind, Mr Barr expressed his "very strong preference" that the Summernats burnouts be rescheduled for the following day.
He said there was a community expectation that the event would be cancelled and delivered a veiled warning that the government had the capacity to intervene if required.
Mr Lopez disagreed and vowed to press on, declaring the event to be "safe and well-managed".
The threat of bushfires is one which Mr Myers, the youngest ever Summernats burnout champion and the son of a former three-time Burnout Masters champion, well understands.
"I know a fair few blokes back in Wagga Wagga who are firies and RFS volunteers," he said.
"It's a very touchy subject and I completely get the fact that people are concerned about holding the burnouts on days like this.
"But the decision is not mine to make. And in fact, if they didn't hold them because of the fire danger, then it wouldn't worry me greatly.
"But I guess it's easier for me to take that position than the people I'm competing against because I hold the title."
As the fierce 44-degree heat baked Exhibition Park yesterday, Summernats fans sought out the shade wherever they could.
One of the cooler places for fans to gain a respite was the judging pavilion where the country's best examples of the automotive artform were finally unveiled to the public on Friday night.
Leading up to that point, it had been an intense 48 hours for the judging team which this year again included Rachael Durbidge, from Wanneroo, in Western Australia.
Ms Durbidge, 32, is the specialist paint judge for the elite category this year.
An experienced panel beater and spray painter, her journey in a male-dominated trade has been one of earning respect through "just being good at what you do".
"I was the only woman panelbeater and spray painter in my year," she said.
"But regardless of the type of trade, I think you earn respect through the quality of your work.
"I love art and by having a particular interest in paint and colour, it's always incredible how the right colour choice and execution can transform a car into an amazing work of art, and there are many examples of that here [at Summernats].
"Judging here is a tremendous privilege.
"You're working with a great team of people who really know their stuff, whether it's vehicle engineering, or bodywork or interior."
Only those owners of the top elite cars will qualify for the Summernats Grand Champion award.
Queensland's Jason Behan, who has two stunning cars in the top 10, is rated as a strong chance for the title.
