The future is bright for Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels, Red CentreNATS, with Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) securing another four-year agreement with event partner Summernats.
Red CentreNATS, which takes place in Alice Springs each year, draws thousands of entrants and spectators to the stunning heart of Australia for all things automotive. It is the only place in the country where entrants can legally drive their highly modified unregistered vehicles on the streets, thanks to a temporary permit system.
NTMEC delivers the event on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said securing the event for another four years provides certainty to the thousands of Red CentreNATS fans who make the pilgrimage to Alice Springs each year.
“This is a unique event in a unique location that draws a dedicated crowd year upon year,” he said. “Even during a COVID-affected 2020 we had 750 entrants showing off their pride and joy, and more than 10,200 attendances across the weekend. In great news for the local economy, almost 40 per cent of attendees came from interstate.”
The packed program includes burnouts, grass driving, Garrett Advancing Motion Heavy Hitters Drag Racing, Great Northern 4WD course, Shannons Show N Shine, Lasseters Motorkhana, the famous Yeperenye Shopping Centre Street Parade and the Thunder Run motorcycle parade. The 2021 event began today and concludes with a Podium Party on Sunday, 5 September, featuring Sneaky Sound System.
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said the event sees Alice Springs buzzing with activity across three venues.
“Everyone’s working to have their rides ready to cruise, race, show, burnout or just hang out,” he said. “The sight of burnout beasts and drag cars rumbling on the roads is incredible. The love entrants and spectators have for RCN shines through in how far so many of them travel to be part of it. We’ve seen seven incredible Red CentreNATS events in Alice and now we’ve got four more years.”
Red CentreNATS is a high-octane event, with 180 tyres sent to meet their maker in last year’s burnout competition alone, and a quarter of a million horsepower on show. The popularity of Red CentreNATS is clear, with five million minutes of video from the 2020 event watched via official live streams – that’s nearly 10 years of viewing.
Red CentreNATS is on now until 5 September 2021. Tickets cost just $30 for a day pass or $50 for a three-day Chrome Pass. To find out more, visit www.redcentrenats.com.au
