Central Australia is preparing for a busy weekend of automotive action and colour with the return of Red CentreNATS (RCN) from 1-3 September 2023. This unique event is the only place in Australia where car fans can legally drive their highly modified vehicles on certain routes during the event, thanks to a special permit system.
Motor enthusiasts, who travel from around the country to take part, enjoy a packed program featuring all the favourites – including burnouts, drags, Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine, Great Northern 4WD Course, grass driving, Lasseters Motorkhana and the famous Yeperenye Street Parade. The parade is the largest of its kind in the country and sees hot rods, burnout cars, vintage and elite vehicles cruise through the town as people line the streets.
New this year and kicking off the action on Thursday, 31 August 2023, is the Fringe Festival. Taking place from 6pm-9pm, blue and green permitted vehicles can cruise into town and park up around the Alice Springs Town Council Lawns for an informal show ‘n’ shine. The evening will include food stalls, music and a pop-up cinema.
Also new this year is the Motorvation Supercruise, which allows entrants of any level to send it down the dragstrip and try their skills on the burnout pad in front of a packed crowd.
RCN, known as the Ultimate Festival of Wheels, takes place across Blatherskite Park, Alice Springs Inland Dragway and Lasseters Centre of Entertainment. There will be plenty of family friendly fun across all three. This includes Mulletfest, a Desert Wheels Expo, Father’s Day BBQ breakfast, laser tag, a pit-stop challenge, rides, reptile petting zoo and racing simulator. The fun will wrap up with a Podium Party on Sunday evening at Lasseters, featuring Angels tribute band Face to Face.
