EVENT INFO
The AutoFest is on the move! We’re shifting gears and heading to the stunning Bay of Plenty – one of NZ’s must-see destinations!
NEW LOCATION: Mercury Baypark, Mt Maunganui
NEW DATE: 4 October 2025 (Gates open from 2pm till late)
BETTER VIBES! BIGGER ENERGY!
Get ready as we transform a massive car park into a night to remember! From roaring engines to showstopping rides, this year promises MORE action, MORE entertainment and LOTS more! Features include:
– Burnout Competition
– ‘Light em up’ Lane
– VIP grandstand seating
– Outdoor Show & Shine
– Cruise Route ‘The Loop’
– Truck Show (feat. Night Glow display)
– Exhibitors
– Live DJ/Music
– Bar will be open
– Night Cruise
+ MORE!!!
Downtime Entertainment
Jacanna Global Logistics
Meguiar’s New Zealand
NZV8 Magazine
NZ Performance Car
Speedfactor Ltd
SPECTATOR TICKETS
SPECTATOR TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Limited VIP tickets available online only (NO VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DAY!). VIP Tickets include VIP Express Lane (quick entry into the event), VIP grandstand seating, ‘best seats in the house’! Early entry to event (1 hour earlier).
NOTE: Pass outs with VIP tickets only! No grandstand access with GA tickets.
BURNOUT COMPETITION INFO
Every year the AutoFest showcases the toughest line up of Burnout cars NZ has to offer and in 2025, we turn up the heat! For 2025, to maintain the integrity of the event, all burnout competition entries are by application only (Limited to 50 cars). The competition is a single ‘all in’ class, no separate classes. There will be trophies/prizes for the top placed Blown V8, N/A V8, 4/6 cylinder & Rotary. Once again Downtime Entertainment is sending a container of cars across the ditch to compete at the highest level.
PRIZES
WINNER:
- Jenn Ireland Memorial Cup
- SUMMERNATS 38 Pro Burnout Series Qualifying Ticket **
- Surface shipping for the vehicle **
- Downtime Downunder Perks (TBA)
RUNNER UP:
- SUMMERNATS 38 Pro Burnout Series Qualifying Ticket **
- Surface shipping for the vehicle **
- Downtime Downunder Perks (TBA)
- Runner Up Trophy
3RD & 4TH
- SUMMERNATS 38 Pro Burnout Series Wildcard Invitation **
- Downtime Downunder Perks (TBA)
- Trophy
** Conditions apply
NOTE: The surface shipping is attached to the Pro Burnout Series Qualifying tickets, so if you have earned a Pro Burnout Series Qualifying Ticket from another event either in Australia or New Zealand, you cannot win the same ticket (and the attached prizes) at the AutoFest, however, the Jenn Ireland Memorial Cup will still be awarded to the winner regardless!
The 2025 AutoFest Burnout Competition stakes just got higher. We’ve sweetened the prize pool and are going all-in!
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WINNER & RUNNER-UP will also score themselves a BURNANZA Burnout Masters Grand Final qualifying ticket** PLUS.. we’re stacking the pot with return flights to Sydney for the drivers**. No bluff, we’ve got you covered! The cars will already be in Australia so we’re upping the ante!
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ALSO… 1 lucky wildcard car from the finals field will be dealt the ultimate opportunity: A seat at the Burnout Masters Game table, joining the 6 NZ legends already locked in! That’s a full house of Kiwi power played by the legions of fanatical fans worldwide.
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All of this and more up for grabs. The stakes have never been higher! Get your expression of interest in now! Burnout glory awaits!
** Conditions apply
The 2025 AutoFest burnout comp just got even better!! The Rapanats Burnout Competition team are sponsoring $1000 CASH for the ‘BEST TIP IN’ continuing our 5 year relationship with these legends.
SAVE THE DATE 2026 Rapanats Saturday 4th April 2026 Masterton Motorplex International Dragstrip.
JENN IRELAND MEMORIAL CUP
Who will be taking home the Jenn Ireland Memorial Cup this year at the 2025 AutoFest? Congratulations to Shaun Jury BARELY, the first recipient at the 2024 AutoFest.
Jenn Ireland was our first SUMMERNATS judge setting the standard of things to come. Jenn was inducted into the John Peterson Burnout Hall of Fame at SUMMERNATS 36. Your legacy lives on Jenn, Rev in peace!
ENTRANT INFORMATION
All burnout competition entries are by application only (Limited to 50 cars) via the expression of interest form (below). There will be trophies/prizes for the top placed Blown V8, N/A V8, 4/6 cylinder & Rotary. We will be processing applications immediately and will start notifying everyone via email from 25th July 2025. For those that have been confirmed, an email will be sent providing a method of payment. Payment must be made within 10 days to secure your spot, otherwise your spot will be put back into the pool and allocated to other drivers that have submitted an expression of interest. The cost to enter the burnouts is $180 includes car + driver. Drivers will also be able to partake in the ‘light em up’ lane sessions throughout the day as well as the cruise route.
REGISTRATION + SAFETY CHECK TIMES
Friday 3 October 2025 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Saturday 4 October 2025 from 7:00am – 9:00am (Gates open to the public from 2pm)
Once drivers have gone through registration, drivers can set up in the pits. Tow vehicles are allowed inside the venue during pack-in only to unload. Only enclosed trailers are allowed inside the pits. All other trailers and tow vehicles must go into the designated Tow/Trailer parking area.
NOTE: There is no camping but competitors can set up at the venue on the Friday.
FORMAT
All drivers will get 1 practice skid and 1 qualifying skid. The top 20 finalists will also get a finals skid. There may be ‘open pad’ time after the competition if time allows. Drivers will also be able to partake in the ‘light em up’ lane sessions throughout the day as well as the cruise route.
VEHICLE SAFETY CHECK
Vehicle safety check will be done in the pits. The team will make their way around the pits and will scrutineer your car in place.
- Brake lights (must be in working condition).
- Noise limit (All venues have noise limits and you are to obey by these limits. If your car exceeds the limits then you will be asked to rectify this and if still persists then you won’t be allowed to take your car back out).
- Fuel system has to be fully sealed from drivers compartment.
- Battery clamps (must be secured and not able to move, even if it’s in a battery box).
- All cars with a modified engine must have an overflow bottle and oil catch can if one isn’t already fitted.
- Secured seats.
- Secured seatbelts.
- Secured wheel nuts.
- No fuel leaks.
- No oil leaks.
- No water leaks.
- No structural damage.
- No sharp objects that can cause injury.
- No wheel weights on rims.
- No alloy rims. Steel rims only.
It’s the drivers responsibility to ensure the vehicle is up to standard.
DRIVER/PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS
- Seatbelts (No seatbelt, No burnout).
- Enclosed Shoes.
- Race suit is preferred (mandatory if running Methanol/Ethanol) OR long sleeve shirt & pants.
- Motorsport helmet.
- Zero blood alcohol.
- All drivers must attend the compulsory drivers briefing and sign a driver indemnity form.
- Breath testing may be conducted for all drivers and passengers.
- Driver must hold a minimum of a valid current ‘Restricted’ driver license or ‘Full’.
- Each driver will be responsible for the conduct of their passenger.
- Seat belts/harness must be always worn by driver and passenger while the vehicle is moving.
- Directions and requests by officials must be obeyed. Each driver is required to always behave in a safe and responsible manner.
- Passengers ONE passenger only (must be 16 years or older). Each time, passengers will be required to hand a passenger form to our team just before entering the pad. All passengers must be wearing the same safety gear as the driver. Passenger indemnity forms can be collected at Drivers Briefing. Please note: No signed passenger form, no passenger entry.
BURNOUT JUDGING INFORMATION
Our 3 x SUMMERNATS burnout judges Kev, Matt and Hannah are back to ensure the drivers are given the best/fairest chance to compete at the highest level. The judge’s decision shall be applied as a ‘Judge of Fact’ and is considered final. No protest may be made regarding the decision of the judges. Judging is completed by assessing criteria of skill on a points system out of 100 points.
JUDGING CRITERIA & POINTS ALLOCATIONS
INSTANT SMOKE – up to 10 points
Vehicles that produce tyre smoke immediately at the commencement of their burnout are allocated more points than those who do not.
CONSTANT SMOKE – up to 20 points
The vehicle must smoke its tyres from the very start to the finish without interruption. Hesitation for direction change or any other cause will result in loss of points.
VOLUME OF SMOKE – up to 20 points
The volume of smoke produced is also taken into consideration. Judges are mindful of any varying wind conditions.
DRIVING SKILL – up to 50 points
The driver must demonstrate skill and control at all times, using as much of the competition area as possible.
POINT DEDUCTIONS
Judges will deduct points for the following, per incident:
- Reversing – 10 points
- Stopping or Stalling – 10 points
- Contact with a barrier – 10 points
- Failure to drive off the pad – 10 points
- Large Fire – 10 points
- Tyres Still Inflated – 5 points per tyre
- Time penalty – 10 points
BURNOUT TIME
The minimum burnout time is 60 seconds. A burnout deemed to have been completed in fewer than 60 seconds will receive a points penalty. A deduction of 10 points for each 5-second period less than 60 seconds will also apply (to a maximum time deduction of 40 points).
DID NOT FINISH (DNF)
Additional DNF criteria for each event may be covered in the drivers briefing, but will include items like:
- Body parts other than the arm outside the vehicle
- Touching the throttle when outside of the vehicle
- Failing to come to a complete stop for the fire crew to assess the vehicle when directed
- Ignoring instructions from officials
- Seat belts/harness must remain on both driver and passenger while the vehicle is exiting the pad
COMPETITOR CODE OF CONDUCT
All competitors are required to comply with the competition rules and regulations including those delivered during the compulsory drivers briefing. Competitors must treat staff, officials and judges with respect and follow their instructions at all times. Abusive or aggressive behaviour of any type towards staff, officials or judges from competitors, passengers, crew or individuals associated with a burnout competitor will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action to be taken including the entrant being disqualified from the competition and banned from future events. By participating, competitors agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and any additional rules or regulations set forth by the event organisers.
BURNOUT PAD BOSS
Having a great Burnout Pad crew is equally as important as having an epic field of drivers and an experienced judging team. These are the legends on the ground keeping the pad safe, clean and ready for action so every driver gets a fair shot to showcase what they’ve got.
For the 2025 AutoFest we’ll be bringing in Steve Rowland (Rollo) to help take the AutoFest to the next level! Steve has been working the SUMMERNATS pad for 25+ years and was inducted into the John Petersen Burnout Hall of Fame at SUMMERNATS 36.
The AutoFest burnout pad is absolutely stacked with experience ready for the drivers to ‘Send it’.
DOWNTIME DOWNUNDER AUSTRALIAN BURNOUT TOUR
The first Downtime Downunder Australian Burnout Tour has been one for the history books! November 2024 the cars of the 2024 AutoFest winners were loaded up at Jacanna Customs & Freight to embark on a journey unlike any other, a 6 month tour of tyre frying madness in Australia with our drivers going up against the best in the world. We had an awesome crew of Kiwi’s for the 1st stop of the Downtime Downunder Australian Burnout Tour at SUMMERNATS 37 consisting of family, some of our own crew, our drivers and their support crew. Bring on SUMMERNATS 38! We’ll be announcing some awesome Downtime Downunder perks for the drivers for 2026, stay tuned.
AUTOFEST TRUCK SHOW
INTRODUCING… The 2025 AutoFest Truck Show. Brought to you by the creators of The Nationals Truck Show (formerly The Mount Truck Show). Get ready for a truck showcase like no other! Also, watch the rigs come to life after dark in an epic ‘Night Glow’ display.
AUTOFEST SHOW & SHINE
INTRODUCING… The 2025 AutoFest Outdoor Show & Shine featuring the Meguiar’s ‘FAB FOUR’ SHOWDOWN! It’s more than just a static display, it’s a full-on experience! Show off your pride and joy, where attention to detail, presentation and overall style are judged, but that’s not where the story ends…
All show cars are invited to hit the AutoFest cruise route and bring the noise, colour and personality to the event. This is your chance to show how it looks, sounds AND how it moves! Be seen. Be heard. Be part of the action. All show entries are by application/invitation only (Limited spaces available). Each of the Meguiar’s NZ FAB FOUR will receive… cash, a prize pack, trophy and a free-standing banner put next to their car (like previous years). The judges will also award trophies to a number of ‘stand outs’.
All successful entrants will be notified by email. There is no cost for entry (driver + car only). Car club enquires to pare@downtimenz.com.
VICLA ALLEY
INTRODUCING… The all-new Vicla Alley at the 2025 AutoFest – a dedicated space celebrating NZ’s growing Vicla scene! It’s not just a static display, the Viclas will be hitting the cruise route adding a whole new flavour to the AutoFest atmosphere.
NZ Viclas
THE LOOP (THE 2025 AUTOFEST CRUISE ROUTE)
INTRODUCING… ‘The Loop’, the 2025 AutoFest cruise route. Get ready to fire up your engines and cruise in style! The Loop is the heart of the action at 2025 AutoFest – an epic, dedicated cruise route inside the venue designed exclusively for entrants to bring the noise, colour and personality to the event. This is your chance to show how your car looks, sounds AND how it moves! Be seen. Be heard. Be part of the action. There will be allocated slots throughout the day, more info to come!
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