Sitting in the passenger seat as her dad lined up in his classic Ford Falcon XC 393 Stroker to drag race at the 12th annual Red CentreNATS, Montana Taylor looked jubilant, and proud.
The teen and her dad, Ben, had travelled from South Australia to be a part of the festival that celebrates all things horsepower.
“I love it so much, I’m so glad I get to come and experience this,” she said, with a massive grin.
Ben and Montana Taylor travelled from South Australia to be at the Red CentreNATS. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
She said she could not wait to drive her dad’s car.
“Maybe one day,” Mr Taylor said.
The Red CentreNATS is held over four days. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
The event has been part of the Alice Springs calendar for 12 years. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
The Taylors are among the 700 registered entrants into this year’s Red CentreNATS — more than half of whom come from interstate, boosting the local economy by about $5 million each year.
The weekend’s program was huge, featuring street cruising, show and shines of the incredible array of vintage and new muscle cars, drag races, burnout competitions and a street parade that stopped the town.
The event drew about 700 entrants this year. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Labours of love
A pale blue 1984 Holden Kingswood ute shone bright against the red-brown of the dirt dragway.
It was right at home — it had been in Alice Springs its whole life, according to owner Paul Totani.
Paul Totani enters his Kingswood in the Red CentreNATS every year. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Mr Totani, whose family has been in town since the 1960s, is a licensed aircraft engineer and pilot. But on Saturday he swapped the sky for the dirt, tearing down the drag strip, dust flying.
“It’s a family heirloom. It will go to the kids later on, but we get it out once a year for Red CentreNATS,” he said.
People of all ages attended this year’s Red CentreNATS. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Drag races were a popular event. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
At the show and shine car display, dozens of automobiles sparkled in the sun and inside the Alice Springs Convention Centre.
Proud owners stood beside their lovingly cared-for cars, excited to share their stories.
Heather and Laurie, pictured at the show and shine display, love their car. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Spectators also enjoyed the action from the stands (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Parading the past
Sitting on the back of utes, in deckchairs and on car roof-racks, Alice Springs turned out in force and lined the streets for the annual Red CentreNATS street parade.
It was a perfect day for the parade in Alice Springs. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Australian and Northern Territory pride was on show. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
Hundreds of cars rolled around the town’s largest roundabout at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges, which glistened in the afternoon sun.
Plenty of old utes were on display. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
These kids watched the parade from a good vantage point. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
It was a family affair for many locals watching the parade. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
One of the spectators was Alice Springs local Lisa Morgan, who said events like the Red CentreNATS helped Alice Springs to shine.
She has volunteered for the event for years.
“Everyone bands together for the excitement, and the rumbles,” she said.
Lisa Morgan loves volunteering for the Red CentreNATS. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)