(Event release) After a hugely successful inaugural event in 2021, the Rare Spares Rockynats 02 festival had big shoes to fill in 2022. Yet with a record 1468 cars and bikes having taken to the streets of Rockhampton during the three-day festival, event organisers, entrants and spectators alike can attest that event indeed returned bigger, better and arguably even more successful than ever.

Attracting a record total of 52,060 patrons through the precinct gates over the course of the weekend, a 15% increase on last year’s figures, the festival proved to once again be a hit for families and die-hard motorsport enthusiasts alike. Many of whom, like Toowoomba resident and drag entrant, Heath Lebsanft, have returned for the second year running, and now consider themselves Rockynats loyalists.

“I think the whole event is a great concept and that it’ll only continue to get bigger,” he said. “I’ve already noticed that there’s a lot more entrants in each event and spectators in the stands compared to last year, which is awesome to see.”

“Everywhere you went people were willing to help you out, which just made the atmosphere awesome,” he continued. “You could see the community really appreciates the event being here and all the business it brings into town.”

Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager, Greg Bowden, said patron and entrant numbers weren’t the only records that Rockynats 02 broke in 2022, with ticket sales and street parade participants also reaching record highs.

“We sold a total of 19,000 tickets this year, which shows that support for the event is continuing to gain momentum and attracting more and more traction among motorsport enthusiasts each year,” Greg said.

“We also had 1152 cars and bikes participate in the CANNA Street Parade on Good Friday, making it the largest street parade of its kind to ever be held in Australia,” he explained. “It’s stats like this that will help cement Rockynats and the city of Rockhampton as the place to be over the Easter long weekend for years to come.”

With lots of high-octane action on offer across the weekend from the hotly contested Burnout Master championship to drifting exhibitions and drag racing, there were plenty of records broken on the track. Sunday saw Rockynats’ first six-second pass in the drags with now two-time Rockynats Pro champion, Shane Page, laying down a 6.95 second run in the heats. With 328 cars testing their speed over the 1/8th mile riverfront strip, amounting to approximately 1200 drag passes, the event also now proudly holds the title of the biggest drag racing event in the country.

Image at top – two-time Pro Drags winner, Shane Page. Above: Street Drags winner, Heath Lebsanft (Images supplied by RockyNats)

A total of 93 cars took to the Northside Burnout Precinct in this year’s burnout competition, laying down over 200 burnouts collectively. The prestigious Show ‘n’ Shine competition also attracted in excess of 1300 entries from car and bike enthusiasts across Australia.

The off-the-track action was yet another aspect of the event to reached new highs in 2022, with the line-up expanded to include the largest Rockabilly Pin-Up Pageant, the Redback Ink Tattoo competition and the inaugural Rockynats Mulletfest, which saw over 25 adults and kids vie for mullet glory. The competition also raised thousands for the Mark Hughes Foundation in support of brain cancer.

Summernats co-owner and key event organiser, Andy Lopez, said he was blown away by the incredible response the Easter long weekend event received.

“The quality of the vehicles we’ve seen this year has been incredible and the feedback we’ve received from everyone has been fantastic,” Andy said. “We’ve got so many people who are keen to come back again year and the year after which is a testament to how, in just two events, the Rare Spares Rockynats has established itself an automotive event in its own right.”

“It’s right up there with Summernats and the Red CentreNATS as one of the not-to-be missed motorsport events in the country!”

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams, said he couldn’t be prouder to see the city once again take the stage for such a significant community event.

“It’s been fantastic to see how the community and all our local businesses have stepped up to support it for the second year in a row. Hosting this high-octane event right on our doorstep is not only fantastic for local motorsports fans but brings in visitors from across the country to visit our beautiful region,” Mayor Williams said.

“We’re looking forward to announcing dates for next year’s event in the near future.”

Rare Spares Rockynats 02 Official Results

DRAGS

Street Bike

Garry Gibons – 2002 Boss Hoss 502

 

Pro Bike

Andrew Hof – 2020 Harley Davidson Breakout

 

Street Cars

Runner Up – Jamie Freeman – 1972 Holden HQ Kingswood Sedan

Winner – Health Lebsanft – 1971 Holden Monaro Coupe

 

Pro Cars

Runner Up – Luke Rosadi – 2012 Holden HSV Maloo Ute

Winner – Shane Page – 1988 Holden Calais Sedan

 

DYNO

Highest Horsepower 4 Cyl

Peter Smith – Datsun 120Y Coupe

 

Highest Horsepower 6 Cyl

Jason Hack – 1978 Ford F100 Ute

 

Highest Horsepower 8 Cyl

Jamie Mier  – 1971 Holden Monaro Coupe

 

Rev Monster

Jamie Freeman – Holden HQ Kingswood Sedan

 

Highest PSI Boost

Liam Edwards – Holden VL Calais

 

Naturally Aspirated with Nitrous (Spray & Pray)

Andy Vencen  – 1976 Holden LX Torana

 

Torque Titan

Mark Johnston – Ford Capri Coupe

 

Dyno Champion

Jamie Mier – 1971 Holden Monaro Coupe

 

BURN OUTS

Skid Freak

Damian Stockham – 1973 Holden VB Commodore

 

Fastest Tip In

Nathan Lewis – 1973 Holden HQ

 

Crowd Favourite

Hayden Winnett – 1981 Toyota Corona

 

Burnout Competiton

3rd – Kyle O’Neil – 1981 Holden One Tonner WB

2nd – Jeffrey McDonald – 2003 Holden SS Ute

Winner – Nathan Lewis – 1973 Holden HQ

 

Burnout Masters

3rd – Kyle Douglas – 2004 Toyota Hilux

2nd – Warren Gersekowki – 1971 Holden HQ

Winner – Jake Myers – 1966 Ford Mustang

 

STREET AWARDS

Top Exhibition

Graham Dilley – 2017 Cobra

Top Engine Bay

Regan Burgees – 1976 Holden Kingwood One Tonner

 

Runner Up Top Interior

Michael Sullivan – 1934 Chev Coupe

 

Winner Top Interior

Phil Kirby – 1968 Ford XT Fairmont

 

Runner Up Top Body Work

Jason Mansweto – 1969 Ford XW Falcon

 

Winner Top Body Work

Davo Tennyson – 1954 Holden FJ Sedan

 

Runner Up Top Paint

Brendan Sainsbury – 1978 Holden HX Sandman

 

Top Paint Winner

Jason Mansweto – 1969 Ford XW Falcon

 

Top Engineered

Jason Mansweto – 1969 Ford XW Falcon

 

Top Hot Rod

John Zammit – 1934 Chev Tudor

 

Top Original Restored/Unrestored

Andrew Jamieson – 1956 Holden FE Ute

 

Top Muscle Car

Jason Mansweto – 1969 Ford XW Falcon

 

Top Sedan

Davo Tennyson – 1954 Holden FJ Sedan

 

Top Coupe

Aaron Hill – 1976 Holden Torana Hatchback

 

Top Convertible

Ross Mylrea – 1957 Mercury Montclair Convertible

 

Top Station Wagon/Van

Graham Miller – 1946 Holden EH Panel Van

 

Top Ute/Pickup

Anthony Brooks – 1974 Holden HQ Ute

Top Comp

Craig Barrass – 2004 HSV GTSR Concept Coupe

 

Top Custom Winner

Andrew Long – 1978 Holden HK Wagon

 

Top Japanese

Martin Sedgman – 1974 Mazda RX4

 

Top USA

Stephen Marino – 1961 Chev Apache

 

Top European

Jessi Agius – 1963 Morris Major Elite Sedan

 

Top Ratter

Murray Hanifin – 1954 Chev Pickup

 

Best Presented 4WD

Dale Reimers – 1981 Toyota Landcruiser

 

Best Presented 4WD Off Road

Cameron Small – 2001 Nissan Patrol

 

Rare Spares High Achiever Award

David Roberts – 1980 Holden Commodore

Jason Steamson – 1985 Holden VK Sedan

Liam Edwards – 1987 Holden VL Calais

Neil Edwards – 1984 Holden V8 SLE Commodore

Shane Page – 1988 Holden Calais Sedan

 

Top 20 Street Awards (listed in Alphabetical Order)

Arron Hill – 1978 Holden Torana

Andrew Long – 1978 Holden HK Wagon

Anthony Brooks – 1974 Holden HQ

Brendan Sainsbury – 1978 Holden HX Sandman

Craig Barrass – 2004 HSV GTSR Concept Coupe

Davo Tennyson – 1954 Holden FJ Sedan

Graham Miller – 1964 Holden EH Panel Van

Graham Dilley – 2017 Cobra 427 SSR

Ian Wicks – 1928 Ford Tudor

Jason Mansweto – 1969 XW Ford Falcon

John Zammit – 1934 Chev Tudor

Kevin Cooke – 1972 Ford XY Falcon

Les Llewellyn – 1971 Holden HQ Coupe

Mark Levigne – 1967 Valiant VC Sedan

Paul Connolly – 1947 KB2 International

Paul Surmon – 1975 Ford XB

Phil Kirby – 1968 Ford XT Fairmont

Stephen Marino – 1961 Chevrolet Apache

Shaun Holman – 1971 Ford XY Falcon Ute

Warren Burggraaff – 1935 Chev Truck

 

ELITE AWARDS

Top undercarriage/driveline

Warren Burggraaff – 1933 Crosley Roadster

 

Runner Up Top Engine Bay

Dean Rickard – 1969 Holden HT GTS Coupe

 

Winner Top Engine Bay

Judith Menso – 1977 Holden Torana LX Hatchback

 

Runner Up Top Interior

Cory Phie – 1969 Holden LC GTR Torana

 

Winner Top Interior

Dean Rickard – 1969 Holden HT GTS Coupe

 

Runner Up Top Bodywork

Charles Harley – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

 

Winner Top Bodywork

Warren Burggraaff – 1933 Crosley Roadster

 

Runner Up Top Paint

Billy Shelton – 1987 VL Commodore

 

Winner Top Paint

Dean Rickard – 1969 Holden HT GTS Coupe

 

Top Engineered

Billy Shelton – 1987 VL Commodore

 

Top Custom/Classic

Charles Harley – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

 

Top Hot Rod

Warren Burggraaff – 1933 Crosley Roadster

 

Top Restored/Unrestored

Andrew Borg – 1970 Plymouth Cuda Coupe

 

Runner Up Top Resto Mod

Robert Mcvicker – 2021 FJ Holden Concept Coupe

 

Winner Top Resto Mod

Darryl O’Sullivan – 1968 Holden HK Ute

 

Runner Up Top Elite Bike

‘Baldy’ – 2011 Harley Davidson Deluxe

‘Veeks’- 2008 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic

 

Top 10 Elite Cars (listed in alphabetic order)

Billy Shelton – 1987 VL Commodore

Charles Harley – 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air

Corey Phie – 1969 Holden LC GTR Torana

Darryl O’Sullivan – 1968 Holden HK Ute

Dean Rickard – 1969 Holden HT GTS Ute

Judith Menso – 1977 Holden Torana LX Hatchback

Matt Olver – 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe

Michael Hearne – 1936 Chevrolet Tudor

Shannon Chrisyoffel – 1977 Holden Torana Sedan

Warren Burggraaff – 1933 Crosley Roadster

 

High Achiever Awards

Judges choice – Mick & Kylee Mathews – 1968 Ford Fairmont

Judges choice – Sam Gravana – Holden HK Monaro

Judges – Shane Reid  – 1975 Holden LH Torana

 

Meguiar’s Super Star (Qualifiers for MotorEx 2022)

Cory Phie – 1969 Holden Torana LC GTR

Warren Burggraaff – 1933 Crosley Roadster

 

Officials Official

Sam Kele

 

People’s Choice

Darryl O’Sullivan – 1968 Holden HK Ute

 

Grand Champion

Billy Shelton – 1987 VL Commodore