Ford Australia is heating up for summer by becoming the first Australian automotive manufacturer to sponsor the annual Summernats.

Traditionally a Mecca for the totally committed "rev-head", the 2001 Canberra Summernats will feature six unique Ford display vehicles, including the XR8 Xplód, Mustang Showcar, Laser Panther, TE50, Cougar Eibach, and Venom Ute.

Ford's sponsorship will see the brand named as the "Official Car of the Summernats", as well as sponsoring four special vehicle awards, including:

• Most Outstanding Ford – Elite
• Most Outstanding Ford – Street
• Most Outstanding Ford – Tough Street
• Most Outstanding Ford – Show & Shine

"Summernats is a great event for Ford to be involved in," says Falcon Brand Manager, Roger Gray. "No matter what make or model claims the heart of the enthusiasts who attend, everyone there has an overriding passion for one thing – fantastic cars.

"The six cars we'll have on display will show to the crowd that Ford is serious about getting closer to our customers and providing them with more dynamic and inspirational vehicles."

The Canberra Summernats is expected to attract more than 110,000 people over four days. Over its 10 year history, the Summernats has become known as the place to find highly customised, modified and faithfully restored cars – from early model street machines through to the cutting edge, late model "techno" cars.