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Summernats 2021 cancelled due to EPIC being used as a COVID-19 testing facility
By Isaac Nowroozi 4 hrs ago

Every year more than 100,000 people and 2,000 cars gather at Exhibition Park in Canberra for Summernats — but not in 2021.

Summernats has become yet another coronavirus causality, cancelled because the EPIC centre that hosts the event is being used as a COVID-19 testing facility until the end of November, and there is no guarantee that will not be extended.

"Not knowing if we had access to Exhibition Park was a big part of the decision about how we even try to adjust the event to fit within the restrictions," Summernats managing director Andy Lopez said.

"Adding that to protocols where events of over 5,000 people would not be considered it made the pathway to Summernats impossible for 2021."

The decision will also have a significant effect on Canberra's economy — Summernats is the single biggest financial injection in the ACT, bringing in more than $30 million every year.

'COVID-safe' event set to be staged in Canberra in March next year
Summernats organisers are working with the ACT Government to bring something else to car enthusiasts in Canberra in 2021 — though it will be nowhere near the size and scale of its normal main event.

Dubbed the "Summernats Rev Rock 'n' Roll festival", a maximum of 5,000 spectators and participants will hopefully still get a car show over the Canberra Day long weekend in March, at Exhibition Park.

Plans for the two-and-a-half day event include a burnout competition, cruising exhibition, brand exhibits, unveilings and a show.

"It will be within the guidelines have a 5,000 person capacity and will be only in the top half of Exhibition Park," Mr Lopez said.

"We have designed the event to sit within all of the restraints so we are planning on the testing facility still being there and it is safe for us to use the northern end of the park.

"We have done those walkthroughs and tests already."

Organisers are also planning to hold a "Summernats Slam" event at the Sydney Dragway on the traditional Summernats weekend of January 8 to 10, 2021.

The ACT Government said it was "great to see Summernats working in partnership with the ACT Government to evolve the event and operate in a COVID-safe way".

"Summernats is an important event on the Canberra calendar, bringing tens of thousands of visitors each year to town who support local businesses," ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

"We look forward enjoying the different event in March 2021 and to welcoming back Summernats in 2022."

Clark Middleton, the actor, director and producer who starred The Blacklist, the reboot of Twin Peaks and Kill Bill Vol. 2, has died at the age of 63.

His wife Elissa confirmed that he died after contracting West Nile Virus.

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of a life eminently worthy of celebration: Clark Tinsley Middleton, 63 – beloved actor, writer, director, teacher, hero, husband, beacon, friend,” she said in a statement.

“Clark transitioned on October 4th as a result of West Nile Virus, for which there is no known cure. Clark was a beautiful soul who spent a lifetime defying limits and advocating for people with disabilities.”

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Clark Middleton arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Hulu's "The Path" season 2 held at Sundance Sunset Cinema on January 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)View photos

He began acting in New York in the early 80s, making his debut on Broadway with Denzel Washington in The Iceman Cometh, and wrote about growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in his own one-man play Miracle Mile in 1997.

Later, he played forensics specialist Ellis in Law & Order, and also scored the recurring role as tracker Glen in NBC crime series The Blacklist.

Co-star Amir Arison called Middleton ‘a true gem’.

“No words. In shock. Beyond Devastating. This guy was a true gem,” he wrote.

The show’s writer Jon Bokenkamp added: “I’m heartbroken. Besides being a truly unique and gifted actor, Clark was simply an incredible guy in every way. He was a whip-smart film nut. He loved his work with a passion. And he was insanely generous of spirit … I know his entire family at The Blacklist is devastated by this news. Clark was one of the good ones, and we lost him way too soon.”

Middleton also worked with a host of A-list Hollywood directors, landing roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 2, Bong Joon Ho's Snowpiercer, Sin City with Robert Rodriguez and Taking Woodstock with Ang Lee.

He also appeared in Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Oscar-winning Birdman, and then in David Lynch's revival season of Twin Peaks in 2017, he played Charlie, husband to Sherilyn Fenn's Audrey Horne.

As well as appearing on screen, Middleton also taught acting for more than 20 years, as a lifetime member of the revered Actors Studio.