Rebuilding a 1993 Suzuki Sierra might sound like a passion project to most, but for Alice Springs local Ben Crawford, it became a lifeline.

After suffering a stroke that left him needing to relearn basic motor skills, Ben turned to his love of cars to help retrain his brain and rebuild his life, one bolt at a time.

Now, that same Sierra is set to make its debut at this year’s Red CentreNATS, presented by LMCT +, with Ben proudly behind the wheel.

It is not just a car revival story. It is a powerful tale of resilience, recovery and rediscovering purpose through grease, grit and gear changes.

“A couple of years back I had a stroke. It really knocked me around. I had to basically retrain my brain from scratch,” Ben said.

“To help with the recovery I threw myself into pulling apart and rebuilding my old Suzuki Sierra. It became my way of learning everything again. How to use tools. How to focus. How to problem solve.

“I stripped it right back and rebuilt it from the ground up. Every nut, washer and bolt. It was not just about fixing the car. It was about fixing myself too. I had a heap of fun doing it.”

Ben first started working on the Sierra before the stroke, but the project quickly took on new meaning during his rehabilitation.

“I started the project before the stroke, just trying to get it roadworthy. But after everything happened, I really got stuck in. Finding parts online, doing the research, learning again,” Ben said.

“It gave me something to work towards. Every time a package rocked up at the house it was like bloody Christmas morning.”

His passion project is now ready to roll.

“It is a 1993 Suzuki Sierra. A three door, four-wheel drive with a little 1300cc engine,” Ben said.

“Nothing fancy, not a supercar or anything like that, but it is a fun little rig and I am proud as punch of what I have done with it.

“The body has got a bit of rust. It has spent its whole life here in Alice Springs. But she is ready to roll and show off at this year’s Red CentreNATS.”

The Sierra is not just for show. Ben also puts it to work during one of the other iconic motorsport events in Central Australia, the Finke Desert Race.

“I use it as my workhorse at Finke. I am a spectator marshal out there and the Sierra is perfect for getting around the sand dunes, checking on race needs and making sure vehicles and people are doing okay. It is tough, light and reliable. Does the job every time,” Ben said.

Ben has been involved in the Red CentreNATS since day one, whether entering, spectating, volunteering or even sponsoring the event in the past.

“I have been around cars my whole life. My old man was a motor mechanic, so I grew up with grease on my hands. This build really brought me back to those roots,” Ben said.

“I was born and bred here in Alice. Watched this place grow and I have always been into motorsport, especially Red CentreNATS and the Finke Desert Race. I have volunteered at the NATS, even sponsored it in the past. Just love being part of it all.”

He says nothing beats the community spirit of Red CentreNATS.

“My favourite part of the Red CentreNATS has to be the Street Parade. I love seeing the old school cars from the seventies cruising by. Half the time I am pointing and going, ‘I remember that one’ or ‘I used to have one just like it’,” Ben said.

“Best bit is the vibe. Seeing families lined up on the streets, people waving, cooking up a barbecue, laughing, having a yarn. The whole town gets behind it. It is just a bloody good time.”

For Ben, the Shannons Show ‘N’ Shine and burnouts are also a must see.

“After the parade, I usually head over to check out the burnouts and the Show ‘N’ Shine. It is awesome seeing the hours of work people put into their cars. You can really tell who has put in the hard yards,” Ben said.

Ben’s message to anyone thinking about entering or attending Red CentreNATS this year is simple – just do it.

“Whether you are chasing your own dream build, coming back from adversity or just love a good day out surrounded by car culture and community, Red CentreNATS is where you will want to be,” Ben said.

The 11th annual Red CentreNATS presented by LMCT + will take place in Alice Springs from 5 to 7 September 2025.

Visit redcentrenats.com.au for tickets, entry details and more information.