Red CentreNATS, the Ultimate Festival of Wheels, went full speed ahead in the heart of the country this weekend, attracting a record 1,008 entries.
This is the biggest year yet, with huge increases of people making the pilgrimage to the Red Centre from South Australia (up 165%), Western Australia (up 170%) and Queensland (up 50%). In total, the event attracted 13,484 attendances across three days.
Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) delivers Red CentreNATS on behalf of the Northern Territory Government in partnership with Summernats. NTMEC chief executive Tim Watsford says the future of the event looks exciting, with 233 people already entered for Red CentreNATS 2022 and the Northern Territory Government signing another four-year agreement with Summernats to secure the event until at least 2025.
“This has been an amazing year for Red CentreNATS, with record entry numbers and huge increases in the number of people travelling from interstate to attend,” Tim says.
“This is especially impressive when you consider the difficulties in place when it comes to travel at the moment.
“We opened entries for next year on Saturday, and already we’ve seen 233 people sign up. This is the kind of event that lures people back year after year, and we have a growing army of fans keen to make the pilgrimage to the Red Centre, where they help boost our economy.”
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said the event continues to develop each year: “Red CentreNATS has been an incredible festival. Record entrant numbers have seen more than a thousand cars and bikes rumble into the Alice. The best thing about Red CentreNATS this year is the joy we’ve experienced out here in the middle of Australia.
“The announcement that the NT Government has committed to the festival for another four years has given hope and optimism for the future. We’ll be back next year – bigger, shinier and noisier.”
The Northern Territory is the home of unique events, and Red CentreNATS is the only place in Australia where you can legally drive your highly modified vehicle on the streets, thanks to a special permit system.
This year’s event ran from 3-5 September 2021. To find out more, visit www.redcentrenats.com.au
