The Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) and Central Australia Drag Racing Association (CADRA) are pleased to release details of the first two rounds of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series calendar for the 2026/2027 season.

The new season action will now kick off at the Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID) with a ‘Desert Double’, with Desert Nationals to play host to rounds one and two of the championship across Saturday August 29 and Sunday August 30.

Packing these two rounds into one spectacular weekend offers racers the opportunity for double points – including bonus points (as per the ANDRA rulebook) – as well as double ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies, and double prize money. Points for the NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series will also be on the line, and with the (non-championship) Red CentreNATS 12 – including the Wild Bunch as part of the Heavy Hitters program – coming to ASID the following weekend (September 3–6), it promises to be a massive 10 days for drag racing in the Red Centre.

The Desert Nationals and Red CentreNATS will ensure Alice Springs Inland Dragway is the place to be (Pic above: Street Machine. Pic at top thanks to Josh Kutlin/Canoli Photography)

While pleased to announce the opening rounds at Alice Springs Inland Dragway, ANDRA is hopeful of a return to Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip in future seasons.

The change to the original draft calendar was made after all avenues to remain in Darwin were exhausted over the last ten days.

“While we are disappointed we cannot visit Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip this year, after working through the process with Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association (HVDRA) I am pleased to say both parties are hopeful of a return for future seasons,” ANDRA Chief Executive Officer, Tim McAvaney, said.

“For the 2026/2027 series, we are very proud of what we’ve achieved with the commitment of the CADRA to host the extended two-round Desert Nationals, and believe this ‘Desert Double’ is a perfect way to open this new season alongside Red CentreNATS 12.

“Entries for the Desert Nationals open this Sunday at www.cadra.com.au, and I am happy to announce also that ANDRA has secured complimentary competitor entry to the Red CentreNats 12 for any racer who competes at the Desert Nationals!”

From the Northern Territory, the series heads to regional Victoria, with the Sunset Strip in Mildura to host the juniors-only Junior Nationals (September 11–13) followed by the all-brackets Sunset Nationals the very next weekend (September 19–20).

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigated the complex process of putting the opening schedule together, and we believe it presents a great opportunity for competitors to travel to the Northern Territory,” ANDRA Chief Executive Officer, Tim McAvaney, said.

“We are looking forward to sharing the rest of the calendar with you shortly.”

2026/2027 ANDRA SPORTSMAN SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING ROUNDS:

  • August 29, 2026 – Round one – Desert Nationals, Alice Springs Inland Dragway (NT)
  • August 30, 2026 – Round two – Desert Nationals, Alice Springs Inland Dragway (NT)

2026 Red CentreNATS 12

  • September 3-6, 2026 – Alice Springs Inland Dragway (NT)

For event information and to enter the Desert Nationals, visit www.cadra.com.au.

For event information and to enter the Red CentreNats 12, visit https://redcentrenats.com.au

For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au.