NT Major Events Company, Executive Director Amy Luxton says more than 36,000 people attended the Darwin Supercars and almost half were from interstate and while the numbers were slightly down on last year it’s likely due to Nitro Up North being made a standalone event in August

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
A massive weekend at the Supercars, and we know that
Supercars Championship leader brock Feenie has gone three wins from
three starts on pole position in the top end to
become just the third driver in history to claim the
Darwin triple crown. It was a massive weekend on and

(00:20):
off the track. I've had a lot of people contact
me as well or talk to me over the last
couple of days to tell me how good the pilot was,
that we'd interviewed on Friday as well doing those tricks,
and that it was just amazing stuff. Now joining us
on the line for a wrap up of the Supercars,
it is indeed nt major Events Company's executive director, Amy Luxton,

(00:45):
Good morning to you, Amy.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Good morning Kat, Thank you for having me.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
Oh Amy, massive weekend. How did the event go?

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Oh, it was so fantastic and yes, thank you for
your comments there. It was such a great vibe from
everything that we've seen and heard speaking to people on
the ground, they really really enjoyed it. Like you said,
from a sports perspective, couldn't be, you know, fairy tale. Really,
you know, brock feeni being called King of the Valley

(01:16):
after winning the triple crown, the elusive triple crown with
a clean, sweet so fantastic.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Yeah, it was awesome. Now, in terms of how many
people attended, how did those numbers look?

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, it looked really good. We saw more than thirty
six thousand through the gates this year. You know, that's
a number we're really happy with. Over half or nearly half,
sorry that the attendees were from outside the territory, which
is a massive win for local businesses. Yeah, everyone having
a really good time.

Speaker 1 (01:46):
Over half the attendees from outside the territory. Is that
fairly like in line with what we've seen in previous
years or is that sort of bigger It is?

Speaker 2 (01:55):
No, nearly half sorry, Kay, that was nearly half, So
about forty nine percent from outside the territory, which is fantastic.
And yeah, this event really does deliver great economic impact
for the territory. You know, talking to lots of people
who drive up here with their caravans every year. People
love this round and love to visit Darn at this time.

(02:16):
So yeah, they're really really strong numbers.

Speaker 1 (02:19):
And in terms of the thirty six thousand people attending,
is that fairly on par with what we've seen in
previous years as well.

Speaker 2 (02:26):
We're happy with the numbers. It is a little bit
down about six percent from last year, which you might
remember we do. We've had the night Troup North event
as part of the Supercars weekend for a little while
and for that event to be the absolute best it
can be. It's very exciting that we'll be a standalone
event now happening in August over two days, so you

(02:46):
know that will generate its own crowd. So overall, yeah,
we're really happy now.

Speaker 1 (02:50):
I know that there was so much happen off the
track as well. Up in the air, there was so
much going on, like what's being the feedback?

Speaker 2 (02:59):
I think that was such a great addition to the program.
People were loving that plane. The wolf hit the plane.
It was incredible what they were doing. I was sort
of holding my breath most of the time I was watching.
It was fantastic.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
It was very cool. I mean, I interviewed the pilot
on Friday and I thought to myself, I reckon, I'd
have a heart attack if I even considered being in
that play.

Speaker 2 (03:21):
Oh my goodness, I felt the same way. And everyone
was just standing and staring and like is he supposed
to be doing this? Like I'm sure he is this. Yeah,
it was so good. We had quite a few things
that I was Yeah, it was lots of sort of
stunts and cool stuff for people who are into that
with the FMX, you know, the big inflatable jump that

(03:42):
they were doing, and the things that those guys door
is incredible, and the Harley stunt drivers and the drift
cars pizzas. Yeah, numble biting stuff.

Speaker 1 (03:51):
That's something for everybody. I think, like my producer Crystal,
you know, she absolutely loved it. Then my son who's
not quite a teenager, came home and was you know,
I kept talking about everything that he'd seen. So I
think you had something for everybody.

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Amy, I'm so glad to hear that, because we had
we had skateboarding for kids this year, which was really popular,
and the super Kids Activation, which you know, we've wanted
to get up here for ages where the kids can
drive the little cars themselves and do all those sorts
of things. Yeah, we were hearing really good feedback on
that one.

Speaker 1 (04:20):
And does the planning start now for next year's Supercars.

Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yes, it absolutely does. I think I've probably had five
meetings already just over the weekend talking about the twenty
eighth year, So absolutely it does. We look for you know,
we do lots of research. We look forward to hearing
what everybody thought of the music and all the extra
activities when we start to plan all of that sort
of fan experience the next year too. So yes, work.

Speaker 1 (04:45):
Doesn't stop, No, it truly doesn't. And particularly for NT
major events. I mean, what's next, what's next on the calendar?
Is it Territory Day?

Speaker 2 (04:53):
It is, which I can't believe is almost is you know,
almost a week away now, So yeah, it's a Territory Day,
which I I'm super excited about too, So yes, we've
got that, and then Red Center that's coming soon after that,
and then obviously MXGP so heap for people to get
to be part of.

Speaker 1 (05:11):
Yeah, so much happening. Well, wonderful to talk to you
this morning, and I hope that everybody there at NT
major Events has an extra large coffee this morning to
get you through and to get you through the next.
I mean, the whole year is busy for major events.
It doesn't stop.

Speaker 2 (05:28):
Really, No, absolutely no, there's a lot of coffee over
here today. I can say that.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
Yet there would be welcome to major events companies executive
director Amy Luxton. Good to catch up with you this morning.
Thanks so much for your

Speaker 2 (05:40):
Time, you too, Katie, thank you, thank you,