Joel and Bonnie Sykes are heading to the Red Center to get married next month after being selected from hundreds of entries in a nationwide competition. Photo: Delivered.
The nation’s Red Center will shine with a shimmer of white amid burnouts, drag racing, grass driving, and road crossings – plus a whole lot of glitz over the next month as a Canberra couple celebrate a different kind of competitive win.
Car enthusiasts Bonnie and Joel Sykes almost fell from their seats when they were told they were the winners of a one-of-a-kind wedding at the Red Center.
Performance car events are a family affair that includes five-year-old Noah and nine-month-old Chloe. Photo: Delivered.
Not just any Red Center wedding – they get tied up at Red CentreNATS.
The couple, who have been together for 12 years and engaged for six years, are parents to two beautiful children – five-year-old Noah and nine-month-old Chloe.
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Bonnie never thought they would get married, so she legally changed her name to Sykes.
However, when the couple heard of the chance to win a one-off wedding at such an iconic motorsport event and venue, Bonnie couldn’t resist and put in a hilarious entry.
The Tik Tok video, titled “12 years old, 2 kids, 6 performance cars, hundreds of motorsport events and still hasn’t married me,” was shot in her own performance car.
“I kept it pretty simple,” said Bonnie. And it just works.
The winner was the $ 15,000 wedding package and the chance to celebrate the two greatest loves of your life – her other half and her car.
The wedding contest drew participants from all over Australia, with couples of all ages vying for a chance to win an ornate, automobile-inspired wedding in one of the most picturesque locations in the country.
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“They told us that we were in the last three submissions and that we needed to attend an interview,” she said.
“So there we were all lined up at home in front of the computer when we were told that we had actually won the wedding.”
“I was shocked,” she added.
Joel expected tears.
Thanks to their winning entry that highlights their pride and joy on four wheels, Bonnie and Joel won a ceremony, celebrant, reception for up to 20 people, bachelorette party, flowers, cake, photography, videography and more.
“We were so excited when we found out that we had won – we are absolutely over the moon. It is such a great opportunity and we are very grateful.
“We are very happy that we are finally getting married and can hardly wait to take part in this year’s Red CentreNATS. It is also huge to be able to lead the street parade, we are so excited. “
One of Joel and Bonnie’s performance cars at the Yarragundry Test and Tune in 2020. Photo: Delivered.
This is the second time the family has traveled to Alice Springs for the festival and they will be the first couple to officially get married at the event. The ceremony will take place on Saturday 4th September and the reception on Sunday 5th September.
The newlyweds will also lead the popular street parade on Saturday, September 4th, when thousands of onlookers will cheer the couple through the streets of Alice Springs.
Both Bonnie and Joel hope friends and family can attend too.
The Red CentreNATS wedding is a unique draw for a car festival in the heart of Australia and is seen as a fitting addition to the program after numerous couples have become engaged and had children from meetings at previous events.
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This year marks the seventh annual Red CentreNATS in Alice Springs and has become an annual pilgrimage for dedicated interstate auto enthusiasts and their prized possessions joining hundreds of territories to participate in the event in a variety of categories.
The event features everything from Show & Shine, Australia’s largest street parade, grass rides and motorkhana to drags, burnouts and more, and also features a popular podium party where some of Australia’s greatest musicians perform on stage.
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez congratulated Bonnie and Joel on winning the competition.
“This wedding is going to be epic. In the past we’ve seen couples get engaged and then have children at Red CentreNATS, but this is our first wedding, ”he said.
“We couldn’t be happier to see two of our great attendees make their love official at Australia’s Ultimate Festival of Wheels.”
To learn more, buy tickets, or attend the event, visit www.redcentrenats.com.au
