Rev heads and automotive lovers descended on Alice Springs for the 11th edition of Red CentreNATS (RCN), celebrating Father's Day weekend with Australia's Ultimate Festival of Wheels.
From Friday, 5 September to Sunday, 7 September, Alice Springs came alive with a jam-packed program featuring everything from drag racing, burnouts, and street cruising. Entrants battled it out for a record prize pool of more than $55,000, with the Pro Burnout winner taking home a massive $15,000.
More than 650 entrants descended on Alice Springs in a storm of chrome and rubber with a combined spectator attendance of 12,000 at festival precincts. Huge crowds enjoyed free public programming such as the Yeperenye Street Parade and the Alice Springs Town Council RCN Night Markets & Fringe Festival.
Enthusiasts from every state and territory made the journey to the Red Centre, confirming RCN's reputation as a must-do event on the national motorsport calendar.
Festivities kicked off early with the RCN Night Markets & Fringe Festival on Thursday, 4 September. Led by local car club Aces and Eights, more than 200 cars rolled into town for a show 'n' shine on the Alice Springs Town Council lawns as a squadron of motorbikes rode through Bojangles Hotel in a nod to the iconic Fish's Run. The RCN Night Markets & Fringe Festival lit up with live music, DJs, drag car start-ups, food vans and free mullet cuts.
New for 2025 was the festival hub at Lasseters Centre of Entertainment and the Alice Springs Convention Centre, transformed into a buzzing precinct of live entertainment, interactive competitions, family-friendly activities, food and beverage stalls, and relaxed chillout zones.
The Lasseter's Hub also featured the Street Machine Elite Shed and Jetcor Bike Show which were packed with amazing show cars and custom bikes. Spectators also enjoyed the Shannons Show 'n' Shine, Mulletfest returned to crown new champions, while dads kicked off Father's Day with a high-skill spectacle of the Lasseter's Motorkhana time trial.
Roll Racing at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID), Dirt Drags at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, and jaw-dropping FMX High Air stunts also joined the program for the first time.
A highlight was the fantastic Yeperenye Shopping Centre Street Parade, one of Australia's largest of its kind. Hundreds of street machines, show cars, motorbikes, burnout cars, drag cars, and vintage rides cruised through a packed Alice Springs town centre on Saturday afternoon.
Motorsport fans were treated to a clash of dynasties as 11-time champion John Zappia and his 19-year-old nephew Brodie took on WA husband-and-wife duo Lisa and Daniel Gregorini in the Top Doorslammer Family Feud. The weekend's high-stakes action also included the Heavy Hitters drag racing event, a no-holds-barred contest that thrilled the crowd.
Sunday saw Jim McLaren's spectacular HQ Monaro GTS 'ENVIE' crowned Red CentreNATS 11 Champion, while Jamie Irwin's immaculate Datsun 1200 Ute took the coveted People's Choice Award.
The future of Australia's ultimate festival of wheels is locked in for the next five years, securing the event in Alice Springs through to 2030. Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government and delivered in partnership with the Out There Group, the team behind the Summernats, Red CentreNATS will return for its 12th year from 3 - 6 September 2026.
Early Bird Entrant tickets are on sale, and with more than 100 entrants locking in for next year's festival, Red CentreNATS 12 is shaping up to be another fantastic event. Visit redcentrenats.com.au [http://www.redcentrenats.com.au] for details.
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company Executive Director Aimee Luxton:
"For 11 years, this event has been a powerhouse, driving thousands of visitors to the heart of Australia and showcasing the Territory's unique outback spirit. It not only delivers an unforgettable experience for motorsport fans, but also provides a significant boost to local businesses, tourism operators, and our economy.
"This weekend it was very exciting to announce a five-year extension for Red CentreNATS, securing its future for years to come. This event is a shining example of how major events put the Territory on the map and keep visitors coming back year after year."
Quotes from Summernats Co-Owner Andy Lopez:
"We're absolutely stoked to lock in Red CentreNATS for five more years, and a massive thank you to the NT Government for their continued support of this great show and the community it's for. Red CentreNATS keeps getting better, with new elements like the Lasseter's Hub, dirt drags and roll racing building on what we love about this great event - the street parade, burnouts, show cars, custom bikes, drag racing, and of course, seeing wild, heavily modified cars rumbling the streets of Alice Springs."
"Red CentreNATS us an automotive festival unlike anything else in the country, and it's much more than the cars and bikes on show. Red CentreNATS is about the people, the place, and this incredible community. Red CentreNATS was purpose built for Alice Springs, and it lives strong right here in the heart of Australia. Bring on 2026."
