Red CentreNATS celebrates 10 years in style

Thousands of rev heads and car lovers put the pedal to the metal and showed off their wheels over a glorious Father’s Day weekend in Alice Springs at Red CentreNATS (RCN) as part of the Ultimate Festival of Wheels 10-year celebration.

The jam-packed program over the Father’s Day weekend, Friday 30 August to Sunday 1 September, had something for everyone from family-friendly fun to high-octane drags and burnouts. Entrants competed for a record share in more than $55,000 prize money with the Pro Burnout Series winner Christopher Smallmon taking home $15,000.

More than 800 souped-up vehicles descended on Alice Springs, Northern Territory, as part of the event to celebrate a decade of tyre-shredding and, heart-thumping action. The event drew more than 10 000 attendances.

The Red Centre welcomed representation, of both entrants and spectators, from every state and territory in Australia. The action-packed program included drags, burnouts, the Great Northern 4WD Course, Show ‘n’ Shine, grass driving and Lasseters Tarmac Time Trial.

Summernats Co-Owner Andy Lopez said it was an amazing time celebrating 10 years of Red CentreNATS.

“The cars and bikes have been amazing, the weather was perfect, and the passion and enthusiasm the town extends for the event each year is incredible. It’s been extra special to see so many entrants, their mates, and their families who have been to all of the ten years, including past champions, come and celebrate with us,” Mr Lopez said.

“I would like to thank the Alice Springs community who once again have welcomed visitors and entrants from all over Australia to enjoy this very special event. We can’t wait to get back to the heart of Australia on Father’s Day weekend next year and celebrate 11 years of the Ultimate Festival of Wheels.”

Vehicle enthusiasts enjoyed a trip down memory lane with the Hall of Fame – 10 Year Anniversary display, Desert Wheels Expo, 2024 Remote Control NT Titles and tested their knowledge in the RCN Trivia. Australia’s largest street parade of its kind, the Yeperenye Shopping Centre Street Parade, saw hundreds of vehicles, from hot rods and motorbikes to elites and vintage rides, cruise through the packed town centre on Saturday afternoon.

The Fringe Festival, on Thursday evening saw around 200 cars and hundreds of people gather in Todd Street Mall and on the Alice Springs Town Council lawns for an informal show ‘n’ shine, live entertainment, and family fun.

Sunday saw Thomas Warr and his 1974 Holden HQ Ute crowned Red CentreNATS 10 Champion, while the 1987 VL Calais of Lee Povey, won the coveted People’s Choice Award.

Thomas Warr brought his late father Nigel Warr’s Red CentreNATS 8 (2022) winning 1974 Holden HQ Ute back to Alice Springs for the event that he loved the most, in a year that saw three former RCN Champions return to celebrate a decade of Red CentreNATS.

Red CentreNATS 11 is set to take place from 5–7 September 2025, and Early Bird Entrant tickets are already on sale. For more information, visit www.redcentrenats.com.au