Everything you need to know
2026 Red CentreNATS | 3 - 6 September
Meet us in the middle for Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels, set right in the heart of the Outback from 3 to 6 September 2026.
It’s four massive days celebrating everything on wheels. From street machines and show cars to hot rods, classics and bikes, Red CentreNATS is where the country’s best meet the red dirt for an unmissable weekend of burnouts, cruising, show cars and mateship.
Entries are on sale now. Spectator Tickets will go on sale in July.
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Getting started
How to enter
2026 entries are now open.
- Click here to enter
- Log in. If you've never entered a RCN event before you'll need to register as a new user
- Choose Red CentreNATS12 event
- Complete the application form, remember to save as you go
- Submit and make payment
It's that easy to enter the Ultimate Festival of Wheels.
Podium Party
The Perfect Ending to An Epic Weekend
After four huge days of cruising, racing, burnouts and good times, the Podium Party is where the Red CentreNATS community comes together to celebrate the weekend that has been.
Held on the lawns of Lasseters, we'll recognise the standout drivers, riders and vehicles of 2026 before settling into a relaxed Sunday Session surrounded by mates, machines and plenty of stories from the weekend.
Expect live music, a cash bar, great food and a crowd full of enthusiasts soaking up the atmosphere as the sun sets on Red CentreNATS. Whether you're collecting a trophy, cheering on the winners or simply enjoying one last catch-up before heading home, there's no better way to wrap up the event.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Sunday 6 September, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Bojangles Pub Ride Through - Australian Record Attempt
THIS IS A FREE EVENT
We're not just cruising the streets, we're breaking records!!!
We're aiming to make history by setting a new Australian record for the most motorcycles ridden through a pub.
On Thursday, be part of a truly one-of-a-kind Red CentreNATS moment as Bojangles Saloon becomes the stage for one of the wildest spectacles of the weekend as riders line up to take part in this unique record attempt. Expect plenty of bikes, plenty of atmosphere and a record attempt you'll be talking about long after the weekend is over.
If you've got a bike, you're invited to be part of it. Register for Red CentreNATS and join fellow riders, make some noise and help write a new chapter in Red CentreNATS history.
Venue
Bojangles Saloon (Pub Ride-Through Location)
Date & Time
Thursday 3 September, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Street Cruising
The streets of Alice Springs roar to life every day with Street Cruising.
For four days, the streets of Alice Springs come alive with a constant stream of horsepower, chrome and cruising culture. Street Cruising puts the vehicles where they belong… out on the road, turning heads and creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Australia.
Thanks to temporary permits supported by the Northern Territory Government, participants can legally cruise vehicles that may not otherwise be road registered, making Red CentreNATS one of the few events in the country where you'll see such an incredible mix of machinery sharing the streets.
From wild street machines and tough classics to custom bikes and elite builds, every lap brings something different. Find a spot along the route or join the cruise and experience the sights, sounds and energy that have made Street Cruising the heart and soul of Red CentreNATS.
This is what Red CentreNATS is all about.
Date & Time*
Wednesday 2 September, 4:00pm - 10.00pm
Thursday 3 September, 8:00am - 10:00pm
Friday 4 September, 8:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday 5 September, 8:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday 6 September, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Venue
Alice Springs and surrounds
*This depends on your car’s noise, visibility and ground clearance. There are extended cruise routes throughout Alice Springs. Cruise Routes are being finalised and will be released soon!
Roll Racing
Forget the standing start. This is all about the chase.
Roll Racing brings a different kind of drag racing to Red CentreNATS, with competitors going head-to-head from a rolling start before unleashing everything, they've got down the Alice Springs Inland Dragway strip.
Roll Racing is where power; traction and driver commitment combine in a spectacular test of speed. Built for close racing and big-speed battles, the knockout format means every run matters. Win and move on. Lose and you're done. It's simple, fast and guaranteed to create some unforgettable matchups as drivers fight their way through the field.
One lane. One rival. One winner. One epic event on the strip.
Venue
Ford 0870 Drag & Burnout Precinct
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Bike Show
Two Wheels. One Epic Display.
From sleek SuperSports and chrome-laden cruisers to custom builds and hardcore off-road machines, the Bike Show brings together an incredible collection of motorcycles in the heart of the Lasseters Precinct.
With bikes from across Australia on display, it's the perfect place to check out the craftsmanship, individuality and engineering that make motorcycle culture so diverse. Wander through the display, meet the owners and get up close to everything from immaculate show bikes to purpose-built machines designed for adventure.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Dirt Drags
Welcome to the Dust, the Noise, The Knockouts
This isn't polished strip racing. This is full-throttle, red-dirt desert drag combat. Dirt Drags throws cars, bikes and off-road machines head-to-head down a purpose-built 1/8-mile dirt track in a winner-takes-all battle.
From tough 4WDs and purpose-built dragsters to bikes, buggies and side-by-sides, every run is a chance to advance or go home. No second chances. Just elimination racing, flying dirt and big prize money on the line.
$12,000 Prize Pool on the line!
Who Can Enter?
Cars, bikes and off-road machines are welcome. Pick your class, roll to the start line and send it.
Venue
National Transport Hall of Fame
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday 6 September, 10:00am - 2:00pm
2026 Prize Pool
OVER $130,000 in Prize Money and Awards
We are raising the stakes with over $130,000 in prize money and awards up for grabs across burnouts, drag racing, dirt drags, show and shine, and the prestigious Grand Champion title.
Includes:
- Over $55,000 Pro Burnout Series purse
- $30,000 Wild Bunch National Titles,
- $21,000 Heavy Hitters Drag Racing
- $12,000 Dirt Drag Racing
- $7,500 Red CentreNATS Champion, plus more!
Think you've got what it takes? Check out the full prize pool breakdown and start planning your run at Red CentreNATS.
Fringe Festival
THIS IS A FREE EVENT
A party to start the party!
As the sun goes down, the Alice Springs CBD comes alive with the Fringe Festival, bringing together local entertainment, parks ups and a preview of what’s to come.
The Fringe Festival includes the Bojangles Saloon World Record Attempt Motorbike Ride Through and the Aces & Eights Park up.
This event is proudly supported by the Alice Springs Town Council.
Venue
Alice Springs and surrounds
Date & Time
Thursday 3 September, 5:00pm - 8.00pm
Burnouts
This is where legends are made
Burnout action at Red CentreNATS brings together everyone from first-time competitors to the biggest names in the sport for a weekend of tyre-shredding entertainment. With a packed field of entrants and some of the toughest burnout cars in the country, the pad is never short of action.
As an Official Pro Burnout Series Qualifier Event, the stakes are high for Pro Class competitors, with a $50,000 prise purse up for grabs plus, Summernats 39 qualifier tickets and wildcard entries up for grabs. Winner will take home $30,000 – paying down to 5th place.
The Open Class is where future stars are born, giving newcomers, Pro-Am drivers and experienced competitors alike the chance to put on a show and make their mark. Every skid is an opportunity to impress the judges; fire up the crowd and prove you've got what it takes. Open class prize purse is $3,500 plus wildcard entries to Summernats 39.
Expect Australia's elite drivers to push their machines to the absolute limit as they battle for points, prizes and bragging rights.
Venue
Ford 0870 Drag & Burnout Precinct
Date & Time
Friday 4 September, 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Sunday 6 September, 10:15am - 1:45pm
Standley Chasm Thunder Run
The Ultimate Sunday Bike Cruise
Fire up the bikes and hit the open road for one of the most iconic motorcycle experiences of the Red CentreNATS weekend. The Standley Chasm Thunder Run sees a pack of bikes rumble out from Lasseters and cruise through the spectacular landscapes of Central Australia to the breathtaking Standley Chasm.
From cruisers and customs to classics and modern machines, riders come together for a road trip that is as much about the journey as the destination. The sound of hundreds of bikes echoing through the Red Centre creates a spectacle that's impossible to ignore.
At Standley Chasm, riders can relax, grab a bite to eat, check out the bikes on display and soak up the unique atmosphere before joining the return cruise back into town.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Sunday 6 September, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Grudge Drag Racing Sessions
Settle It on The Strip
Grudge Racing is all about fun, friendly rivalry and sending vehicles down the strip without the pressure of formal competition.
Open to a wide range of vehicles, Grudge Racing delivers plenty of action as cars and bikes go head-to-head under lights in a relaxed, spectator-friendly atmosphere. Expect tough street cars, custom bikes and plenty of spontaneous matchups as competitors settle scores and create new rivalries.
No points. No championships. Just bragging rights and good entertainment.
Venue
Ford 0870 Drag & Burnout Precinct
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 9:00am - 11:00am
Heavy Hitters
Where horsepower meets head-to-head competition.
Heavy Hitters is dragging racing at its rawest, bringing together some of the toughest machines at Red CentreNATS for a night of heads-up racing, big horsepower and high-stakes competition. With a massive $51,000 prize pool on the line, every pass down the strip counts.
The action starts with qualifying to set the field before competitors go head-to-head through a series of Chicago Shoot Out rounds, building towards the finals under lights in front of a packed crowd. Expect hard launches, close racing and no shortage of rivalries as drivers chase their place in the winner's circle.
Heavy Hitters delivers the speed, noise and spectacle that make drag racing one of the highlights of the Red CentreNATS weekend.
This year we are running 6-12 second Heavy Hitters and the Wild Bunch National Titles.
Venue
Ford 0870 Drag & Burnout Precinct
Date & Time
Friday 4 September
Saturday 5 September, 1:30pm - 10:30pm
Lasseters Elite Hall Show
The best of the best shine in the Elite Hall.
The Lasseters Elite Hall is home to the finest vehicles at Red CentreNATS, bringing together an incredible collection of elite cars, custom bikes, show-winning builds and meticulously crafted machines all under one roof.
This is where craftsmanship meets competition, with entrants chasing major awards, category honours and the coveted Red CentreNATS Champion title. Every detail matters, from paint and panel to engineering, presentation and innovation.
Whether you're chasing trophies or inspiration for your next build, this is where the best come to shine.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Friday 4 September, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Saturday 5 September, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Shannons Show 'n' Shine & Judging
The Best Builds in the Red Centre
From tough cruisers and weekend warriors to wild custom builds, classics, bikes and everything in between, the Shannon’s Show n Shine takes over Lasseters Precinct with hundreds of vehicles competing for trophies, awards and bragging rights.
From elite street machines and immaculate classics to custom bikes and show-winning restorations, the Lasseters Precinct becomes home to hundreds of vehicles competing across a huge range of judged categories.
This is where the best builds come to be seen.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Yeperenye Street Parade
The Red Centre Stops to Watch
The Yeperenye Street Parade is one of the most iconic moments of the weekend, as hundreds of cars and motorcycles roll through the heart of Alice Springs in a celebration of automotive passion, craftsmanship and community.
From hot rods and vintage classics to burnout beasts, custom bikes and elite show cars, the parade showcases the incredible diversity that makes Red CentreNATS unlike any other event in Australia.
Fire up, roll out and be part of a Red CentreNATS tradition that announces to the Outback that we've arrived. Big crowds, incredible machines and plenty of noise make the Yeperenye Street Parade a must-see event for participants and fans alike.
Venue
Alice Springs Parade Route
Date & Time
Saturday 5 September, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
*Form Up begins at 3:00pm
SKID ROW [NEW]
A Straight Shot to Tyre-Smokin’ Glory
A fan favourite at NATS events around the country, Skid Row gives entrants the chance to fry their tyres in front of a huge crowd and be part of the action at Red CentreNATS.
Unlike traditional burnouts, Skid Row is all about laying down smoke in a straight line, making it the perfect introduction for drivers looking to experience the thrill of smoking up the tyres without the pressure of the burnout pad.
Expect everything from tough street cars and cruisers to unexpected crowd favourites taking their shot at filling the air with tyre smoke. For spectators, it's a chance to see even more of the incredible vehicles entered in Red CentreNATS and experience the sights, sounds and horsepower up close.
Venue
Ford 0870 Drag & Burnout Precinct
Date & Time
Friday 4 September, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Scrutineering
THIS IS A FREE EVENT
Watch the Red CentreNATS lineup roll in!
Scrutineering marks the official start of the Red CentreNATS weekend.
For entrants, it's where vehicles are checked, stickered and cleared for action before a huge few days of cruising, competition and entertainment.
From elite street machines to tough bikes, you'll see them all gathered in one place before they hit the streets and venues across Alice Springs.
Venue
Lasseters Precinct
Date & Time
Wednesday 2 September, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday 3 September, 9:00am - 4:30pm
Friday 4 September, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Please note, if you are an entrant, you will be allocated a scrutineering date and time.
Motorsports Australia/ANDRA
Event Regulations
We are a Motorsport Australia and ANDRA sanctioned event. This means we operate under their safety and competition regulations.
Motorsports Australia
Any entrant that wishes to take part in the event must comply with the Motorsport Australia standards. You can read all about those here.
In addition, we have some event-specific regulations for the event. The Red CentreNATS12 Supplementary Regulations will be finalised soon. To give you a heads up, here are the RCN11 regs that you can read here.
ANDRA
Any entrant that wishes to take part in the drag racing must comply with the ANDRA standards.
Download the the ANDRA guide that details ANDRA’s requirements for vehicles and racers. The Red CentreNATS12 Supp Regs will be finalised soon. Check out the RCN11 Drag Racing Supp Regs here.
ENTRANT TERM & CONDITIONS
Can be found here.
Fuel & Trailers
FUEL SUPPLIER
Recharge Petroleum
Email: alicesprings@rechargepetroleum.com.au
Phone: 08 8952 0333
Pre-ordered methanol, E85 and Unleaded 98
TRAILERS
Planning on dropping the trailer and making the most of cruising your entrant vehicle at RCN?
We’ve got you covered, with plenty of trailer parking available at Blatherskite Park and ASID (if you’re a burnout/drags entrant). Overnight security will be provided, however please ensure your trailer is secured.Â