EVENT INFO
Downtime Entertainment presents… 2026 AutoFest. AutoFest is returning to Mercury Baypark Saturday, 26 September 2026! The Mount turned it on last time and 2026 is gonna be even BIGGER! Mark your calendars, book your accommodation, rally the crew, you won’t want to miss this one! We are celebrating 10 years of the AutoFest!
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WHERE: Mercury Baypark, Mt Maunganui
WHEN: 26 September 2026 (Gates open from 12pm till late)
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Features include:
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– Burnout Competition
– ‘Light em up’ Lane
– VIP grandstand seating
– AutoFest Truck Show (feat. Night Glow display)
– Exhibitors + Stalls
– Food Vendors
– Night Cruise
– Bar
– Night Cruise
+ MORE!!!
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All exhibitor/sponsorship enquiries to alan@downtimenz.com
BURNOUT COMPETITION
Every year the AutoFest showcases the toughest line up of Burnout cars NZ has to offer and in 2026, we turn up the heat! To maintain the integrity of the event, all burnout competition entries are by application only. We’ve designed the AutoFest Burnout Competition to create a clear pathway for drivers to develop their skills and progress through the ranks on the big stage.
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RISING STARS
We’re giving the next generation of drivers their moment to shine. Rising Stars is a competition designed for young, up-and-coming talent aged 13-17, ready to step up and show what they’ve got in a legal, safe and controlled environment. A platform for young drivers with a current MSNZ/SNZ license to showcase their skills, represent the future of the scene and be part of something bigger. It’s the perfect opportunity to gain experience in front of a large crowd, learn from experienced competitors and take the first step towards becoming a serious burnout driver. This class is limited to 10 entries.
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OPEN CLASS
Open Class is where drivers build their reputation. Whether you’re new to competition burnouts or a seasoned local competitor, this class rewards commitment, car control, entertainment and consistency. Limited to 30 entrants.
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PRO CLASS
This is where the country’s best burnout drivers go head-to-head. Bigger horsepower, bigger smoke, bigger risk and bigger rewards. These are the drivers battling for major prizes and AutoFest glory. Limited to 60 entrants.
PRIZES
WATCH THIS SPACE… TBA
BEST ‘TIP IN’
Just like previous years, the Rapanats Burnout Competition team are sponsoring $1000 CASH for the ‘BEST TIP IN’ continuing our longstanding relationship with these legends.
JENN IRELAND MEMORIAL CUP
Who will be taking home the Jenn Ireland Memorial Cup this year? 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!
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2025 – Hayden Wilby NUTOUT
2024 – Shaun Jury BARELY
BURNOUT MASTERS GAME
The AutoFest doesn’t only provide pathways for NZ burnout cars to shine on the international stage but also the virtual world stage. Only through the AutoFest can NZ drivers get their car into the Burnout Masters Game for mobile devices played by the millions of fanatical fans around the world. Drivers in the game receive royalties for downloads. It’s the ultimate prize that keeps on giving! Build it. Rev it. Send it! Will there be a new NZ car added to the game? watch this space!!
2025 AutoFest – GHOST
2024 AutoFest – VIOLNT
2023 AutoFest – BARELY
NZ cars already in the game: NUTOUT, EV1L69, DSPRNG, FULLON
NEW FOR 2026
BATTLE OF THE REGIONS
Something fresh and exciting for the 2026 AutoFest. The NZ burnout scene spans the entire country and now it’s time to represent. Entrants won’t just be driving for themselves… they’ll be flying the flag for their region, going head-to-head for ultimate bragging rights and regional supremacy. This is more than just a burnout comp, regional pride is on the line. More details to come!
REGIONS:
03: South Island
04: Wellington Region
06: Lower/Western North Island (including New Plymouth, Hastings, Napier, Palmerston North, Wanganui)
07: Central/Eastern North Island (including Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga, Waikato, Bay of Plenty)
09: Auckland and Northland
RISING STARS
Another new initiative for the 2026 AutoFest. We’re giving the next generation of drivers their moment to shine. Rising Stars is a competition designed for young, up-and-coming talent aged 13-17, ready to step up and show what they’ve got in a legal, safe and controlled environment. A platform for young drivers with a current MSNZ/SNZ license to showcase their skills, represent the future of the scene and be part of something bigger. The future starts here!
DEDICATED ‘LIGHT EM UP’ LANE
For 2026, we’re bringing a dedicated ‘Light em up’ Lane to the 2026 AutoFest! another NZ first and we’ll be bringing the crowd even closer to the action! ‘Light em Up’ Lane will be running throughout the day giving drivers multiple opportunities to put on a show while keeping the main burnout pad focused on competition action.
ENTRANT INFORMATION
All burnout competition entries are by application only via the expression of interest form (below). We will be processing applications immediately and will start notifying everyone via email from 24th July 2026. 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, $40 for the Rising Stars class. Drivers will also be able to hit ‘light em up’ lane throughout the day.
REGISTRATION + SAFETY CHECK TIMES
Friday 25 September 2026 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm
Saturday 26 September 2026 from 7:00am – 9:00am
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 (Pro Class), top 10 (Open Class) and top 5 (Rising Stars) will also get a finals skid. There will also be ‘open pad’ time at the end while the judges deliberate before prizegiving. Drivers will also be able to partake in the dedicated ‘light em up’ lane sessions throughout the day.
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 (No MotoX Helments, No Skull Caps)
- 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 2026 Steve Rowland (Rollo) returns 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 2025/2026 Downtime Entertainment Downunder Australian Burnout Tour’s have been life changing experiences giving NZ drivers the opportunity to drive amongst the best in the world at many of Australia’s burnout competitions e.g. SUMMERNATS, Burnanza, Good Fryday, Rockynats, & Brashernats! Thanks to Jacanna Customs & Freight.
AUTOFEST TRUCK SHOW
The AutoFest Truck Show returns in 2026. Watch the rigs come to life after dark in an epic ‘Night Glow’ display.