The burnout pad in Alice Springs is set for fireworks when reigning Pro Burnouts champion Chris Smallmon rolls into town for Red CentreNATS, presented by LMCT+, from 5 to 7 September.

The 41-year-old from Junee in New South Wales is the defending Pro Burnouts Champion and will once again be behind the wheel of his unmistakable Commodore VY, BLWNVY.

With its LS 360 engine and Chris’s raw, aggressive driving style, BLWNVY has become one of the most recognisable cars on the circuit.

Smallmon enters this year’s competition with momentum on his side after a remarkable victory at Tropical Meltdown in Cairns earlier this month. Against a stacked line-up of national talent, he came out on top in the Pro Class, claiming $10,000 of the $25,000 prize pool and securing a Pro Burnout Series Qualifying Ticket for Summernats in Canberra this January.

It was no easy road to get there. The journey north brought plenty of headaches, and Smallmon admits he and his crew had serious doubts about even making the start line.

“Honestly, there were times during the trip we thought the car wouldn’t even make it to the competition, let alone do three skids in a day,” he said.

“We had trouble with suspension, fuel lines, headers and the starter motor, all while travelling to the show and on the day. To deal with all that and take home the win at our first ever Queensland competition was a good feeling.”

The triumph in Cairns was about more than just prize money and silverware. For Smallmon, it was validation of the countless hours poured into his machine.

“To win a Pro Burnout Series entry to Summernats is something that always gives you a sense of worth, that you’re doing something right,” he said.

“Personally, it means I get to skid with my mates on the big stage and, regardless of which one of us places where on the day, it’s a feeling of achievement.”

This relentless drive is what has made Smallmon one of the most respected names in the burnout scene. Having already captured the Burnout Championship at Summernats 36 in 2024 and last year’s Red CentreNATS title, he knows exactly what it takes to perform under pressure.

“Yes, we are heading back to Red CentreNATS this year,” he confirmed.

“It will add pressure because we did well last year and took out first place. The game plan will be to just take it as it comes and hope for a good result. I’ve been around skid competitions long enough now to know anything is possible on the day.”

What sets BLWNVY apart, Smallmon explains, is the bond between car, driver, and community.

“What makes BLWNVY special to me is that, personally, when I have the car out and about, it generally means I’m with friends and family. To drive the car is a mix of emotions, from the highest highs to the lows. Things don’t always go to plan,” he said.

“I’d like to think the fans like the aggression of the car and the way I drive it. My favourite is the noise, the smoke and the smell of methanol. Seriously, the best part is being with family and friends while seeing our great country.”

Smallmon’s journey from Cairns to Alice Springs within weeks of each other highlights the dedication it takes to remain at the top of the sport. Fans in Alice Springs can expect nothing less than a high-octane show as the Junee local looks to defend his crown.

The Red CentreNATS weekend will showcase more than just burnouts. Across three massive days, Alice Springs will come alive with drag racing, Shannons Show ‘N’ Shine, street cruising and a host of other automotive spectacles, making it one of the biggest car and bike festivals in the country.

The 11th annual Red CentreNATS, presented by LMCT+, takes place in Alice Springs from 5 to 7 September 2025.Visit www.redcentrenats.com.au for tickets, entry details and more info.