Reigning Rockynats burnout champion looking to make it two in a row
Published on 01 April 2022
There aren’t many people that can say they’re one of the best in the country at their chosen sport but Toowoomba-based motorsport legend, Warren (Waz) Gersekowski, is certainly one of them.
Having won the inaugural Rockynats Burnout Masters title in 2021, along with two previous Red CentreNATS Burnout Masters titles, both of which are part of Australia’s most elite burnout championship series, Waz sure knows his way around the burnout pad.
“I went to watch my very first Summernats event in Canberra 13 years ago and it looked like so much fun that I built my own vehicle in just 12 months and have been travelling the country to compete in different Summernats events ever since,” Waz reflects.
“I love the horsepower, the adrenaline rush and the atmosphere,” he says. “Plus, you’ve got just 60-80 seconds of fame to make it count on the day…there’s no other sport like it.”
Despite the high-stakes and fierce rivalry on the track, Waz says that the high level of camaraderie in the sport is also a major highlight.
“The competition might be tight, but everyone is good mates out of the car,” he assures. “We all get on well, take a dig at each other and just have fun. It’s a great atmosphere to be a part of.”
When asked what he believes makes the burnout competition such a drawcard for spectators, Waz says you can’t go past the noise, smoke, and bit of carnage.
“With burnouts, you never know what’s going to happen, but you almost guarantee there’ll be noise, smoke, fires, carnage and people hitting walls,” he says. “It’s a high-action sport and everyone always loves a good blow up!”
After finishing on top of the podium at Rockynats last year, the Rockhampton-based event holds a special place in the memory books and Waz is looking forward to coming back and seeing if he can make it two from two.
“Being a part of Rockynats last year was awesome and to walk away with the inaugural win was just the icing on the cake,” he says.
“All of the other competitions are over twelve hours away from Toowoomba and Rockhampton is just seven, so we see it as our local event and there’s no way I was going to miss it!”
With spectators able to get up close to all the action and the event’s family-friendly atmosphere making it suitable for all ages, Waz says it’s the perfect event to make the trip up north for.
“Every event is held on the street…the burnouts are on the boatramp with the river in the background, the drags are held on the main street in front of the local pub. Where else can you go and see and see that normally?” he says. “It’s also a great local event that supports the whole community, so I’d really encourage people to get out, have fun and support it.”
Waz and his fellow burnout competitors are among more than 1300 cars and bikes that will converge on the Capricornia capital for the three-day festival, held over the Easter long weekend.
With over 45,000 people having poured through the gates during last year’s inaugural event, held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams, says this year’s event will be even bigger and better than the last.
“We had a lot of entrants and spectators who couldn’t make it to the event last year because of COVID that are just itching to be a part of it this year,” Mayor Williams says. “We’ve also added a lot more events on and off-the-track to the festival program, making it an even bigger drawcard for families and holiday-makers looking to make the trip up north for the event.”
“We’ve got people coming from all across the country for the event…from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville, Canberra, Darwin and more, which is really fantastic to see!”
For those yet to purchase their tickets, Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager, Greg Bowden, says there’s still plenty of one, two and three-day passes available, however people should get in quick to avoid missing out.
“All of the Platinum Passes are already sold out and both Gold and General Admission tickets are selling quickly,” Greg says. “Accommodation options in the region are also starting to fill up fast, so if you’re thinking of coming to Rockynats, I’d suggest getting tickets sooner rather than later!”
The 2022 Rare Spares Rockynats will be held in Rockhampton from April 15 -17. Adult General Admission passes start from just $35 with kids under 12 able to enter for free with any adult ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.rockynats.com.au/Get-Tickets
The Queensland Government is proud to support the Rockynats Car Festival through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Destination Events Program and it is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.