Red CentreNATS


Red CentreNATS is an annual event that takes place in the Alice Springs in September. It began in 2015 and is ongoing. The car enthusiast festival involves an annual street parade, burnout competitions, dirt drag-racing, motorbike rides and several competitions for both attendees and vehicles.
The festival is co-run by Car Festivals Pty Ltd, the owners of Summernats, and the Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC). It has become a key driver for the town's economy, boosting tourism to the region.
The event is reported to have the only permit in Australia to allow unregistered and highly modified vehicles to be driven on public roads for its street parade.

History

The first Red CentreNATS in 2015 had 300 entrants.
More than 900 cars competed in events during the 2021 festival.
In 2022, there were 1,043 entrants with more than 10,000 attendees. The travelling Mulletfest competition, as well as a round of the Top Fuel Championship were added to the program. The festival also invited more than 20 indigenous school students and community members to restore and decorate a collection of vehicles.
2023 saw a substantial drop in entrants, with approximately 600 vehicles entering.
The festival was reported to have generated $6.79 million in expenditure stimulus for the Northern Territory in 2024. With $5.1 million included as new money directly into Alice Springs. There were more than 800 cars and motorbikes who took part with more than 10,000 attendances recorded. The festival also delivered 14,284 visitor nights, filling hotels and accommodation across the town.
In 2025, new elements were included in the program which included dirt drag-racing and a motorbike ride through the Bojangles hotel. The burnouts, show'n'shine and annual street parade, with more than 500 cars, remained. Following the event, a five-year extension was announced. A police traffic enforcement operation was conducted during the event, with more than 2,100 alcohol and drug road tests administered, resulting in eight positive alcohol readings and four positive drug tests. The operation led to dozens of traffic charges, the issuing of 160 speeding infringements, and the seizure of five vehicles for hooning offences. Police also reported that 77 vehicles were stopped, 27 infringement notices were issued, 13 notices to appear were issued, and two drivers were arrested at the scene.

Incidents and controversies

2017: Fireball incident

In September 2017, a major incident occurred during a burnout competition, when methanol fuel ignited and a fireball injured spectators. At the time, it was reported that one person was left in a critical condition and 10 others injured. The Royal Flying Doctor Service attended. The competition was ceased at the time. A fire and police investigation commenced. It was later reported that there was a total of 13 people requiring treatment for burns, including 4 whom needed to be flown to an intensive care unit in Adelaide.
In 2019, Car Festivals Pty Ltd and NT Major Events committed to a combined total of $1.2 million to improve safety at sports events as part of an NT WorkSafe investigation into the incident.
In late 2019, the event organisers were sued by 12 people.
In 2021, the Motor Accident Compensation Commission initiated a civil case in the NT Supreme Court. Under NT legislation, people injured in a motor vehicle accident, including spectators, are unable to sue for damages under common law however they can seek compensation for medical costs and loss of earning capacity under the NT's Motor Accident Compensation Scheme.
In September 2022, the federal court approved a $3.2 million settlement. The payout included $1 million in legal fees.

Awards

Throughout the competition, there are many awards. These include:
EditionYearWinnerCar
12th2026
11th2025Jim McClarenHQ coupe ENVIE
10th2024Tom Warr1974 HQ ute
9th2023Brent MurrayDodge Dart
8th2022Nigel WarrHQ Holden Ute
7th2021Billy SheltonVL Commodore - Sickest
6th2020Grame MillerEH Holden Sedan
5th2019Brent MurrayEVL68 Dodge Dart
4th2018Troy DavidPrimed FJ Holden Ute
3rd2017Layton CrambrookHumble HQ GTS Monaro
2nd2016Gregg FossXP Fairmont
1st2015John Curwen-WalkerFX Holden