Australia’s favourite sprintcar event, Chariots of Thunder, gets pulses racing each year in Darwin. For anyone keen to take part or watch the action from the sidelines, tomorrow is the day, with nominations open and tickets on sale.
In great news for motorsports fans, this year’s event includes some exciting program changes. They include a revised three-day format, with the event also set to take place later in the year, from 12-14 September 2024, at Darwin’s Northline Speedway.
Next year the Mitchell Street Motorcade and Fan Appreciation Night will be combined into one spectacular twilight event for the whole family on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, and tweaks to the on-track programming mean fans will get to witness more sprintcar action than ever this year. Tweaks include a revised two-heat format, the introduction of passing points, a first-place feature prize each night and a showcase of the sport’s peak sprintcars.
The much-loved Pole Shuffle Challenge returns and, for competitors looking to add a couple of extra laps under their belt, a double header is scheduled the week before from 6-7 September, 2024.
The changes are in response to extensive feedback and consultation following the highly successful 2023 event, which attracted 16,644 attendances from almost 6,000 people. More than 56 per cent of those who attended were from interstate, and the event generated a total expenditure stimulus of $10.3 million.
Tickets go on sale and nominations open tomorrow at 8am. Visit www.northlinespeedway.com.au here.
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop:
“The Territory is home to some of the most unique and diverse events in Australia, many of which garner national attention, like Chariots of Thunder. People travel from all over Australia to take part, and nominations sell out quickly as demand is so high.
“Independent research shows the 2023 event generated more than 38,000 visitor nights across the NT. As a massive driver of interstate visitation, Chariots is great news for our tourism and hospitality sectors.
“Racing fans, drivers and their support teams descend on the Top End to immerse themselves in Darwin and its beautiful surrounds. Then we all get to benefit from a quality motorsports spectacle.”
Quotes from Northline Speedway President Caleb Gotts:
“Chariots of Thunder is the biggest weekend of motorsport action for sprintcar drivers in the Northern Territory, and it keeps getting bigger each year.
“Next year’s program features more sprintcar racing than ever and provides an opportunity for aspiring junior competitors to participate in a high-profile event, and our local drivers to gain exposure to national level competitive racing right here in Darwin.
“Our revised three-day format also gives more competitors the chance to snap up prizes on each night and compete for a share in $130,000.”
