Summernats street machines will parade along Northbourne Avenue for the first time since violence and anti-social behaviour led to a similar convoy event being abolished in the early 1990s.
After an 18-year hiatus, a convoy of 200 of Australia's best muscle cars will grunt their way from Exhibition Park to Civic and back.
But the new Citycruise will bear little resemblance to the infamous parades of yesteryear, Summernats organisers say.
The Supercruise was cut from Summernats after crowd violence in 1993.
In that year, up to 100,000 people lined Northbourne Avenue to watch the Supercruise before spectators reportedly became angry when the cruise was diverted.
A traffic light was destroyed and police arrested 78 people for offences ranging from dangerous driving to missile throwing.
Workers from the ACT litter patrol collected about 130 tonnes of rubbish from the 13km stretch the next morning.
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said the new event would differ in its placement and timing.
The Citycruise will take place at lunchtime on the first day of Summernats, as a curtain-raiser for the 25th anniversary celebrations.
The convoy has been the result of months of planning with ACT Policing and Roads ACT to ensure minimal disruption to road users and residents.
The convoy will be managed by 30 police officers on bikes, paid for by Summernats. Police will also be present at intersections to ensure the convoy is well controlled.
''Myself and the other owners have been talking about doing this since the moment we bought the Nats,'' Mr Lopez said. ''It's a great celebration of the Summernats in the ACT, and it's cool that our convoy is going to drive past the hotels, restaurants and retailers to whom the Summernats bring so much business.''
An ACT Policing spokesman said the event would be closely controlled by police, who would escort the convoy for the entire route between Civic and Exhibition Park. ''ACT Policing has worked closely with Summernats organisers to ensure this event is trouble-free,'' the spokesman said. Police have warned that anyone who misbehaves will be immediately dealt with. ''ACT Policing, along with the Summernats organisers, would like to remind everyone that this is a family event and the planning into this is to ensure a safe environment for everyone, ''the spokesman said.
Summernats will run from January 5 to to January 8 at Exhibition Park.
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