Engines On: Red CentreNATS Ignites Alice Springs this Weekend

Red CentreNATS roars into Alice Springs this Father’s Day long weekend, unleashing a turbo-charged program of cars, cruising and fierce competition from Friday, 5 to Sunday, 7 September.

Australia’s ultimate festival of wheels will have a new base in 2025 at Lasseters Centre of Excellence and the Alice Springs Convention Centre. The precinct will transform into a hub of live entertainment and family fun for rev heads of all ages, featuring DJs, tattoo comps, rides, food trucks and chill-out zones.

Fans can get up close with elite builds at The Shed, admire classic machines at Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine, or check out custom, classic and performance bikes at the Jetcor Bike Show. Mulletfest returns to crown fresh champions across multiple categories, while dads can kick off Sunday with a hearty Father’s Day Breakfast at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID) before enjoying the skill and spectacle of the Motorkhana time trial.

The three-day festival again takes over Alice Springs, with Blatherskite Park hosting the form-up and finish line for the iconic Yeperenye Street Parade. New for 2025, fans can experience Roll Racing under lights at ASID, Dirt Drags at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, and jaw-dropping stunts from FMX HighAir.

A clash of racing dynasties will unfold at the Dragway on Saturday night with the Top Doorslammer Family Feud. WA’s husband-and-wife duo Lisa and Daniel Gregorini will face off against 11-time champion John Zappia and his 19-year-old nephew Brodie in a rare battle of generations and family pride. The spotlight will also be on the Heavy Hitters drag racing event — a no-holds-barred contest with a $20,000 prize pool, with the Zappias headlining a stacked field of contenders.

Festival fun kicks off early this year with the RCN Night Markets & Fringe Festival in the Alice Springs Town Centre on Thursday, 4 September, featuring live music, food vans, car displays, free mullet cuts, plus the Aces and Eights Cruise and Bojangles Saloon bike ride-through.

“We’ve been celebrating our shared love of horsepower in Alice Springs for more than 10 years now,” said Summernats CEO, Andy Lopez “The enthusiasm and love people have for the event is incredible.”

Red CentreNATS remains the only event in Australia where approved, unregistered vehicles can cruise public roads through the nation’s iconic Red Centre.

The event is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Major Events Company, presented by new naming rights partner LMCT+, and delivered in partnership with Summernats.

Get your tickets now and check out more of the program at: redcentrenats.com.au