PREVIEW - 2022 Rare Spares Rockynats
Photos: Courtesy of Rockhampton Regional Council
Planning and hosting any event has been tough in the past two years, even moreso when the event’s completely new. As such, the organisers of the first Rare Spare Rockynats deserve a huge round of applause for not only getting an event done under the cloud of COVID-19, but getting it done successfully. So successfully, in fact, that it’s coming back to Rockhampton this Easter…
After the Red CentreNATS in Alice Springs, it made perfect sense to look north to Queensland for the next step in the Summernats expansion plans.
“There are so many passionate car enthusiasts in Queensland but there was nothing like the Summernats experience close to them,” explained Summernats co-owner, Andy Lopez.
“While we see hundreds of Queenslanders and their cars at our other events around the country, Rockynats offers all the things that Summernats fans have come to love with some key additions that set it apart from any other automotive festival.”
The first event of its kind – and on this scale - to be held in Queensland, last year’s Rare Spares Rockynats combined cruising, a show ‘n’ shine, bikes and burnouts with drifting, dyno challenges and street drags - all smack in the middle of Rockhampton.
Rocky 01
While a number of Queensland cities could have hosted a Summernats-style event, Rockhampton’s “central” position (7 hours north of Brisbane, 8 hours south of Townsville) was a plus, with all the facilities required to host a street party-style automotive event in close proximity, too.
Straddling the Fitzroy River, Rockhampton’s riverfront precinct saw the Rockynats burnout competition held on one side of the river, with drifting on the other. Street drags were also on the riverfront, with the dyno challenge, show 'n' shine, motorbike display and cruise route all within a block or two of each other.
With the nearby Rockhampton Showgrounds hosting elite show cars, trade stands, live music and kids’ activities, everything was within walking distance.
Planning for the first Rare Spare Rockynats began back in 2019, with the event to take place in 2020, but COVID-19 led to a postponement, which Andy said upped the anticipation.
“It was originally a 12-month process to plan and then stage the event, but with COVID delays, it ended up being much longer. That made entrants and spectators even more excited at the opportunity to have a great automotive inspired weekend with their mates when Rockynats finally happened last year.”
First-Up Success
Held over the 2021 Easter long weekend, the first Rare Spares Rockynats attracted close to 1,000 car entries and more than 300 motorcycle entries, while 45,000 spectators over the three days ensured the second Rockynats got a green light before the first one was even finished!
“It was exciting to see the city buzzing with awesome cars and bikes and full of people,” Andy recalled. “The streets and the venues on both sides of the river were pumping. The vibe was great, and the entrants and spectators enjoyed the activities we planned for them. We’ve had lots of positive feedback since then.”
New for 2022
Given the first event was such a hit, not too much will be changed for Rare Spare Rockynats ‘02’.
“We’re keeping all the things that entrants loved about the first event, but making improvements to all of them,” Andy explained. “And then we’re adding some new things to the mix.”
The eighth-mile street drags – unique to the Rockynats - will definitely be on this year’s program, along with the burnouts, street parade, cruising and drifting.
At time of writing, the cap of 1,500 entrant vehicles had almost been achieved, so the show ‘n’ shine area is being expanded to suit.
Motorcycles are getting more love this year, too, as Andy explains.
“[The bikes] participate in almost all the same things that car entrants do and have some activities, like the Thunder Run, that are exclusively for them.
“Rockynats 01 saw more than 300 bike entrants race, cruise, show and more, so we’re doing more with the bike program this year.”
A ‘Miss Rockabilly Nats’ pin-up competition and professional wrestling will be new additions to the Rockynats 02 program, too, while Andy cryptically adds “there’ll be somewhere for everyone to turn tyres.” Sounds intriguing!
What’s On
Kicking off on Good Friday (15 April), Rare Spares Rockynats 02 runs to Easter Sunday (17 April), with plenty for revheads to enjoy over the three days.
Outside of the event, Rockhampton has lots to offer, too, so if you’re thinking of extending your stay, go to: www.explorerockhampton.com.au for other things to see and do.
Here’s the rundown on everything planned for Rare Spares Rockynats 02.
Street Parade
Officially kicking off Rare Spares Rockynats 02, the Street Parade will see more than 1,000 cars and bikes form up at the Rockhampton Showgrounds on Good Friday morning for a slow-speed (30km/h max) cruise through the CBD and along Quay Street before returning to the showgrounds.
The Street Parade is open to all Rockynats-registered entrants.
Street Drags
Unique to the Rockynats, the 1/8th mile strip on Quay Street features Street Outlaws-style, no-prep drag racing. Open to street driven cars and bikes only (no sub-6.37 second cars under ANDRA rules), starters can enter Super Street and Grudge Racing classes.
Qualifying is on Easter Saturday and racing on Easter Sunday, with $30,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.
Burnouts
On a skidpan on the north side of the Fitzroy River, tyres will be fried each day, with some big names locked in, as this event will be an official qualifier for the 2022 Burnout Masters Series.
A second-tier Burnout Championship will run on the same skidpan, with finals for both classes on Easter Sunday. There’s $15,000 on offer for the Burnout Master and $5,000 for the Burnout Champ, along with additional cash and prizes.
Drifting
Drifting at Rare Spares Rockynats 02 is an invitation-only event, where some of the big names in Aussie drifting will go head-to-head.
For those that like a sideways slide, the crew from Drift Cadet will be providing passenger rides across all three days.
Cruising
A dedicated Cruising loop along East St, Derby St, Bolsover St and Denham St (one block down from the Street Drags and Show n Shine) will run from 9AM to 5PM on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
Open to all Rockynats entrants, the cool thing with this closed course is that it will be open to unregistered vehicles, too. Registered vehicles can travel outside the loop, with ample parking throughout the adjoining event precincts.
Show ‘n’ Shine
Due to popular demand, the Show ‘n’ Shine precinct is being expanded in 2022. Open from 9AM to 4PM on Saturday and Sunday, the static display space now takes in Quay Street from Fitzroy St (Fitzroy Bridge) to William St, as well as sections of Denham St and East St, meaning you can pull out and cut a few Cruising laps, too.
Elite Section
High-end show cars will be taking over the Rockhampton Showgrounds, where new cars and bikes will be making their debuts, vying for awards in multiple judging categories. The Judge’s Choice winner at Rockynats will gain entry for their vehicle to Summernats 35 in 2023.
Bikes
Motorcycles were a bigger part of Rockynats 01 than anyone expected, so there’ll be more display space this time, with bikes welcome in the Burnouts and Elite Section, too.
The Thunder Run on Easter Sunday is a bikes-only event, taking registered entrants on a route out of Rockhampton and back.
Miss Rockabilly-Nats Pinup Competition – NEW!
Open to ladies of all shapes and sizes aged 18 and over, the first Miss Rockabilly-Nats Pinup Competition will be hosted by CQ Pinups, with cash and prizes on offer.
Pre-registration for the Pinup Competition is essential and terms and conditions apply.
2022 Rare Spares Rockynats
Location: Rockhampton CBD, Showgrounds and riverfront precincts
Dates: 15 to 17 April
Times: Various – see website for drags, burnouts, cruise schedules
Vehicle Entry: From $175/vehicle, $155/vehicle for car club entrants
NOTE: Ticket prices rise from 1 April, so purchase now at rockynats.com.au to save.
Public Entry: Adults from $35/day, Youth & Concession from $23/day, Family (2 adults, 2 youth) from $75/day, Kids (up to 12yo) FREE. 2-day, 3-day, gold and platinum festival passes are also available.
NOTE: Ticket prices rise from 11 April, so purchase now at rockynats.com.au to save.
More Info:rockynats.com.au
