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Red Dust Revival gets funding boost to support vintage motor racing showcase

Headshot of Amber Lilley
Amber LilleyKalgoorlie Miner
Red Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli.
Camera IconRed Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli. Credit: Sharon Smith/Red Dust Revival/Supplied

The 2022 Red Dust Revival will receiving a funding boost from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to help make the return of the vintage motor racing event bigger and better than before.

Last held in 2019, the unique Kalgoorlie-Boulder event attracts motor enthusiasts from across WA and celebrates the golden years of motor racing from 1914 to 1939.

Hosted about 40km out of town at Lake Perkolilli in September, this year’s event is expected to host more competitors and even more spectators than in previous years.

Red Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli. Picture: Sharon Smith/Red Dust Revival.
Camera IconRed Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli. Credit: Sharon Smith/Red Dust Revival/Supplied

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With a successful funding application of $100,000 — $20,000 of which will be provided by in-kind support — the new event plan aims to better accommodate the crowds who attend the event.

Councillors were told the 2019 event attracted 1500 spectators and 300 participants, and is expected to draw an even bigger crowd this year.

A report to Monday’s meeting said day passes would be available to the vintage racing showcase and create an income stream for the event, with 5000 tickets expected to be sold, along with bar sales.

Event organisers have also partnered with Variety Goldfields who will help support the event and provide volunteers, with all proceeds to go back to the club to donate to a local charity of their choice.

Cr Amy Astill said the event’s uniqueness made it a no-brainer to support.

“The Lake Perkolilli Red Dust Revival is such a unique event to the Goldfields — you can’t have anything like this anywhere else in the world,” she said.

“By virtue of that it makes so much sense for the council to provide a contribution to this amazing event.”

Cr Glenn Wilson said updated event statistics showed more than 800 people had already registered to camp at the site, with “300-odd” participants keen to attend.

To accommodate them, event organisers have implemented a plan to provide increased services and facilities to comply with health and safety regulations, which will now be supported by the City funding.

Organisers also applied for $20,000 of in-kind support that includes the hire of equipment for roadworks undertaken by the City, which was also approved.

Red Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli. Picture: Sharon Smith/Red Dust Revival.
Camera IconRed Dust Revival at Lake Perkolilli. Credit: Sharon Smith/Red Dust Revival/Supplied

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor John Bowler praised the collective efforts of local community members and groups helping to deliver this event at a high standard.

“I grew up on my father’s knee hearing stories of Lake Perkolilli and the amazing flying machines,” he said.

“It’s very exciting to have the return of a signature Kalgoorlie-Boulder event being made possible through the collaboration of many stakeholders in our City.

“I’m pleased that council is providing additional funding to the Red Dust Revival as this is yet another opportunity to showcase the best of ourselves and our region to visitors from across the country.”

Lake Perkolilli was home to motor racing from 1924 to 1939 and is acknowledged as one of the oldest motor racing tracks in the world.

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