Red CentreNATS Wraps Up With Big Numbers

The close to doubling of entrant numbers and 14,008 spectators has cemented Alice Springs’ Red CentreNATS as one of Central Australia’s major events. As gates closed on the third and final day, 723 entrants had brought their vehicles to the Red Centre Capital, giving the event the right to claim success.

“What an amazing three days! The increase in both entrants and spectators has genuinely exceeded all of our expectations. If there was any doubt that Red CentreNATS would be supported, those thoughts can well and truly be discarded now”, said Andrew Hopper, NTMEC’s General Manager.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of the 723 entrants, who many have travelled significant distances to be here. Last year we were thrilled to have 456 vehicles, to have increased that number by almost 300 to 723 is just fantastic.”

“To the Alice Springs community, a big thanks for all your support and the thousands of spectators that travelled, spent their hard earn money in Alice Springs and enjoyed all the Red CentreNATS had to offer, I’d also like to applaud you for what you have helped us achieve this weekend.”

“Lastly we couldn’t run this event without the great support from the team at Summernats,” Hopper added.

As the huge numbers came through the gates over the past three days, there has been a number of all-important competitions running in amongst all the bling. It was a fierce battle, especially in the showcase Grand Champion and Burnout Master awards. Winners of the main awards are:

-Grand Champion Gregg Foss 1965 Ford Fairmont
-Burnout Master Darren Williams 1991 Ford XF Ute
-People’s Choice Malcolm Apps 1959 Holden FC

Many of the event’s judges praised the quality of show cars and competing cars at Red CentreNATS this year. The general sentiment was the standard was on-par, at least, with the major car shows across the country. In just its second year, Red CentreNATS has become a destination for the best of the best in the Australian street machining community.

“The Red CentreNATS is legitimately inside the top five car shows in Australia now,” said Andy Lopez, Summernats Co-owner.

With a minimum of a further five years left on the contract for Red CentreNATS, combined with this weekend’s solid results, event organisers are now planning for the long term growth of the event. The dust has not yet settled but additions, improvements and even greater excitement are already in the wings for 2017.