She has gone one better than last year, when she came second in the contest.

Miss Summernats "brings together the most beautiful, fun loving, car savvy women you'll ever meet", according to the car festival's organisors.

Runners up were Sandra Horne from Narre Warren South in Victoria who was second and Kali Shaw in third from Tumut, NSW. Ms Shaw was also in third place last year.

Ms Wardell will represent the car festival for the coming year, and her prize also includes a photo shoot with a car magazine.

"I'm very proud to be crowned Miss Summernats as are my parents who are massive car enthusiasts themselves. I was brought up around cars and share their passion. I'm looking forward to representing Summernats throughout the year," she said in a statement.

Summernats contestants are told to wear "summer time casual/formal" clothes for the elimination round, where they have "approximately two minutes on stage to parade and present to the crowd and judges".

They then answer several questions, such as whether they can repair a car or need to call the NRMA, and what they favourite event is.

"Vulgar or indecent behaviour on stage is not tolerated and instant disqualification will be at the discretion of the event organiser," the rules state.

Ten women are selected to then take part in the final, when the process is repeated, although finalists are required to wear a supplied piece of clothing.

Ms Wardell takes over from Amanda Beattie, a second-year animal science student, who was awarded the title last year. In 2016 the award was taken out by a Canberran for the first time in five years.

"I love cars, I don't know as much about them as I'd like to, but the aim of the game is to take apart an engine and put it back together myself," Ms Beattie said at the time.