NORTHERN NATS
Far North Queensland’s fifth running of the three-day horsepower extravaganza
SPRINGMOUNT Raceway, host to Northern Nats 5, isn’t an easy place to reach. Circled by mountains, the Far North Queensland strip is over an hour by twisty road from Cairns, itself some 1700km from Brisbane or 2500km from Sydney. Sure, it’s a sunny escape as winter arrives, but the event still needs a substantial dangling carrot to attract the big guns from down south.
The answer lies in cold, hard cash. At Northern Nats, there’s gold in them thar skids. Across the three days of competition, $25,000 in prize money is on offer – the sort of cash you’d otherwise only see at Summernats for Burnout Masters. The winning skidder finds a $15,000 cheque heading their way, while seconds takes home $4000, third $3K, fourth $2K and fifth $1K. Best Modified Burnout grabs $500, while the same amounts go to the weekend’s Powerskid Champion and Car of the Show. We know most only do it for the love, but hey, a decent wedge of cash on top doesn’t hurt.
Northern Nats is the biggest horsepower festival in this tropical region, featuring drags, roll racing, powerskids, go-to-whoa and show ’n’ shine. Around 500 cars entered this year, with many coming from interstate despite the ever-bubbling threat of COVID restrictions. Most of the competing Pro Burnout cars had travelled mighty distances, but it made for a high-calibre line-up over three sessions – the highlight being Saturday night in front of some 10,000 spectators. “The standard’s as good as you’ll find anywhere,” said organiser Lee Harvey.
It takes talent and consistency to come out top dog. Burnout scores are combined over the Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon sessions. “It’s like a marathon and not just a single burnout to win it,” Lee said. “You really have to perform, and it shows how well your car is set up. The drivers love it. They’re pushed in three burnouts, and if you miss one and don’t score then you won’t win.”
Most drivers we spoke to agreed. Defending NN champ Rick Fuller, performing in his LSONE VK Commodore, said the three-day format suited him: “My car and driving has always been pretty consistent, so I like it.” The other preevent favourite, Jake Myers in his blown, 302 Windsor-powered S1CKO ’66 Mustang, was
AT NORTHERN NATS, THERE’S GOLD IN THEM THAR SKIDS, WITH $25,000 IN PRIZE MONEY ON OFFER