KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 — Australia’s biggest car festival is going international, with a Malaysian SummerNats event planned for this year, said JPM Motorsport (JPM) founder, JP Chin.

He said the festival would be held from Aug 29-Sept 1 at the Sepang International Circuit.

“SummerNats Malaysia is going to be the start of a huge annual pilgrimage for car and motorcycle lovers.

“This is the first international debut for SummerNats and it is going to be big,” he said at the launch of the event here today by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Chin said SummerNats Malaysia was envisioned not only to become Malaysia’s largest car event but a regional attraction for the Asean car market.

“The event will also serve as a large commercial and marketing platform for car manufacturers, exhibitors of car products and accessories to display and promote their products to Malaysians,” he said.

Earlier, Nazri said the hosting of major and prestigious international events in the country has contributed significantly to the tourism industry. 

“JPM’s envision of growing SummerNats Malaysia into a regional attraction for the Asean car market is very much in line with the government’s efforts to give a further boost to in-bound tourism, as well as growing regional trade in the car sector,” he said.

SummerNats Australia General Manager, Russell Avis, said the annual car festival was the brainchild of car enthusiast Chic Henry who started the first event in 1988.

“SummerNats was voted as Australia’s Favourite Event in 2013 and in 2014, attracting a total of 103,437 spectators,” he said.

The event will see hundreds of vehicles on display consisting of American and European classic, sports and muscle cars, some of which are collectibles from JPM’s very own car museum. 

Also on display will be thousands of custom-made two wheelers and exotic super bikes.

Tickets are priced at RM100 for four days, and are available online from the JPM/SummerNats website at www.summernats.com.my or via appointed ticketing agents. — Bernama