2022's Red CentreNATS was a huge success, with independent research highlighting the many social and economic benefits the Alice Springs event delivered for the region.
The research found Australia's Ultimate Festival of Wheels generated a total expenditure stimulus in the Northern Territory of $6.9 million. A huge 90 per cent ($6.2 million) of this was new money that would not have been injected into the Territory economy if the event had not taken place.
The research also shows Red CentreNATS 2022 was responsible for more than 20,000 visitor nights across the Territory. Additionally, more than half (70.5%) of entrants said they were very likely to return to next year's event. Attendee satisfaction was also high, with spectators surveyed rating the event 8.3 out of 10, on average.
The motoring extravaganza has become an annual pilgrimage for car and motorbike lovers across the nation. Each year, thousands of people descend upon Central Australia for the unique festival, which features everything from drags and burnouts to 4WDing, the famous street parade and more.
Last year's event drew a record-breaking 1,044 entrants, with almost 5000 individuals (almost half from interstate) notching up more than 13,500 attendances across the festival. Red CentreNATS took place at three venues; Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID), Blatherskite Park and Lasseters Centre of Entertainment.
This year's event will be a more complete, with the new Ride to the Red Centre leading into the event making for a greater road journey for motorists to enjoy thanks to the event.
The trip takes place in the last week of August leading into the start of the Red CentreNATS, with participants able to join specific legs if they can't make the whole journey. Each rider will also receive a Ride to the Red Centre tee and bike patch.
Red CentreNATS will return to Alice Springs over Father's Day weekend in 2023, from 1-3 September. The Red CentreNATS festival offering has grown exponentially over the last eight years, and organisers will be announcing new and exciting attractions over the next couple of months that will help grow the event and bring significant economic benefits to Alice Springs and the Territory.
