AFTER some 25 years, the Northern Territory Sprintcar Title is set to makes its return to Alice Springs for the 2023 running of the event at Arunga Park Speedway.
With Sprintcar racing being the strongest it has ever been for the Northern Territory, the return of the Northern Territory Title to the Alice Springs is a massive boost for the whole territory.
The year 1996 was the last time Arunga Park Speedway hosted the Northern Territory, as it was held as part of the Red Centre Shootout, and on this occasion, it was won by Darwin’s Peter McIver who defeated local and one of the main Red Centre Challenge organisers Dave McFadden and South Australian visitor Mark Gilbert.
Fast forward to now, some 26 years later, the 2023 running of the Northern Territory Title is going to be an open event that is aiming to attract 410, 360 (Pro Sprints) and LS competitors from all over the country.
“The Northern Territory is currently in a really good place for Sprintcars, and here in Alice Springs, we have 10 registered cars, and it’s been a very long time since we have had car registration numbers in double figures,” commented Matt Phillips from the Arunga Park Speedway Club.
“We are going to be promoting the upcoming Northern Territory Title as an open Sprintcar event, as we are wanting to attract a range of Sprintcar competitors, and the current Arunga Park Speedway surface has proven to be quite the equaliser, as it isn’t a horsepower sort of track.”
Arunga Park Speedway committee, the organisers of the upcoming Northern Territory Title, are hoping to attract in excess of 30 competitors.
“To have a major event like a Northern Territory Sprintcar Title back at Arunga Park Speedway is a major boost for the entire speedway community here in Alice Springs,” enthused Phillips.
“In recent years, Arunga Park Speedway has held the Dance in the Desert event, which has been held just after the Chariots of Thunder Series in Darwin, so we are wanting to try and attract some of the country’s best Sprintcar racers to Alice Springs for the Northern Territory Title.”
The 2023 Northern Territory Title is going be held on the ANZAC Weekend, with the Friday night (April 21) being the Prelude to the Title and the Saturday night (April 22) being the Northern Territory Title.
In terms of the Northern Territory Title sponsors and the total prize pool, it is all going to be revealed in the not too distant future.
For more information about Arunga Park Speedway, visit their website www.arungapark.com, LIKE their Facebook- Arunga Park Speedway Official page or email them at [email protected].
Photo: Bec Thompson Photography
