Full Throttle Awards Crown Champions at Rare Spares Rockynats 05
Published on 07 April 2025
After a weekend of show stopping action, the Rare Spares Rockynats Full Throttle Awards celebrated the best of the best across all disciplines, from Street Awards and the Elite Show to Drag Racing, Burnouts, Bikes, and Dyno. With so many hotly contested categories, the awards night proved to be the perfect culmination of yet another successful Rockynats event.
Held on Sunday evening, 6 April, at the Showgrounds Stage, the awards honoured the standout competitors who left their mark on the 5th instalment of Rockhampton’s premier automotive festival.
Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams, congratulated the winners, saying that they should be incredibly proud of their achievements and have cemented their place in Rockynats history.
“The Awards are all about celebrating the dedication, passion, and skill that make this event a must-attend on Australia’s motorsport calendar,” Mayor Williams affirms. “The level of quality that we’ve seen on display at Rockynats 05 is a testament to the quality of the event and is something that all of our entrants and winners should be extremely proud of.”
The most prestigious title of the night, the Rockynats 05 Champion, was awarded to Joe Bauer and his 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe, which also took home the People’s Choice award. As the event’s highest accolade, the Rockynats Champion award recognises the best ‘all-rounder’; requiring the vehicle to excelled across multiple categories, including build quality, popularity, and performance on both the burnout pad and street drags.
Rockynats Chief Judge, Owen Webb, was clearly excited by the standard of the competition at Rockynats 05.
“Every year the quality of cars at Rockynats just gets better and better and the competition for the show awards gets tougher. The entrants are really passionate about their cars and bikes, and picking the winners is a difficult task for the judging team. We had 12 drivers competing for the top award – Rockynats Champion – with the winner doing extremely well in judging, People’s Choice voting, and the hard-fought driving events on the burnout pad. They were all beautiful cars but that didn’t stop them from driving them very hard on the drag strip and burnout pad. Joe was a very deserving winner.”
ROCKYNATS 05 BY THE NUMBERS:
- 1105 street parade participants
- 1800 entrants
- 64,388 total attendees across the weekend
- 127 of competitors at the Burnouts competition, sending 3 pro winners to Summernats
- 337 burnouts completed at the Buddy’s Fire Burnout Precinct
- Over 600 tyres destroyed on the burnout pad
- 1200 drag passes down Quay Street’s 1/8th mile drag strip (that's one every 48 seconds during competition)
- 200 Show N Shine entrants
- 7 vehicles unveiled at the Lawrences Motors Elite Show
ROCKYNATS 05 AWARD RECIPIENTS
ROCKYNATS 05 CHAMPION
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
JUDGING EXTRAS
RARE SPARES JUDGING AWARD (sponsored by Rare Spares)
Sam Gravagna |Milano Red 1967 HK Monaro Coupe
Jason Steemson |Alpine White 1985 HDT VK Group 3 Sedan
Seith Ramke |1978 Holden Torana Hatchback
Peter Robson | 2008 Holden Commodore Ute
Michael Pedrana | 1976 Ford Xb Coupe
Nicole Jaggs | 1975 Holden LH Torana Sedan
Chris Fitzhenry |1972 Holden HQ Premier Sedan
Jaiden Scicluna|2008 Holden Senator Sedan
Bruce Black |1957 Chevrolet 3100 Step side
Craig Casella |1985 Holden Commodore VK Sedan
SPIRIT OF THE EVENT (sponsored by Autoglym)
Warren Burggraaff | Ego 1934 Chev Truck Step Side Pickup
BEST ROCKY ENTRANT (sponsored by Bill Blokker Spray Painting)
Jessica Agius | 1963 Morris Major Elite Sedan
JUDGES CHOICE (sponsored by Autoglym)
Peter Robson | 2008 Holden Commodore Ute
PEOPLE’S CHOICE (sponsored by Rare Spares)
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
OFFICIALS CHOICE (sponsored by The Frenchville Sports Club)
Pat Maloney - Head of Fire Crew
MEGUIARS SUPERSTARS QUALIFIERS (sponsored by Meguiars)
Matthew Dixon | 1971 Ford Fairlane Sedan
Seith Ramke | 1978 Holden Torana Hatchback
James McLaren | Custom 72 Holden Monaro 2 Door
Steven Harper | 1977 Holden Torana Sedan
ELITE SHOW CAR AWARDS
TOP UNDERCARRIAGE/ DRIVELINE (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Luke Mitchell| 1974 Holden Torana Coupe
TOP ENGINE BAY (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Luke Mitchell | 1974 Holden Torana Coupe
TOP INTERIOR (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
TOP BODYWORK (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
TOP PAINT (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Mike Davison | 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe
TOP ENGINEERED (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
TOP RESTORED / UNRESTORED (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Jason Steemson | 1985 HDT VK Group 3 Sedan
TOP RESTO - MOD (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Clayton Gow | 1980 Datsun 1200 Ute
TOP CUSTOM / CLASSIC (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
David Barry | 1959 Chevrolet Apache Pick up
TOP HOT ROD (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Warren Burggraaff | 1934 Chev Hotrod
TOP ELITE BIKE (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Jason Buckley | 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage Custom
TOP FINISH (BIKE) (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Jason Buckley | 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage Custom
TOP DISPLAY (BIKE) (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Jason Buckley | 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage Custom
TOP CUSTOM BIKE (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Mike Ridings | 2005 Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe Motorcycle
TOP 10 ELITE (in alphabetical order) (sponsored by Lawrences Motors)
Joe Bauer | 1968 Dodge Charger Coupe
Shannon Christoffel | 1976 Holden Torana Sedan
Mike Davison | 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air Sports Coupe
Matthew Dixon | 1971 Ford Fairlane Sedan
Clayton Gow | 1980 Datsun 1200 Ute
Steven Harper | 1977 Holden Torana Sedan
Bruce Knight | 1977 Holden Torana Hatch
James McLaren | 1972 Holden Monaro 2 Door
Luke Mitchell | 1978 Holden Torana Hatchback
BURNOUTS
BURNOUT OPEN CLASS (sponsored by Buddy's Fire)
Winner: Michael Genrich |1992 Holden Commodore Ute
2nd: Kyle O'Neill |1981 Holden WB 1 Tonner
3rd: Aaron Hearn | 1979 Toyota KE55 Sedan
BURNOUT PRO CLASS (sponsored by Summernats)
Winner: Russell Harris |1987 Holden Commodore VL Sedan
2nd: Warren Gersekowski |1971 Holden HG Ute
3rd: Ryan Lofts |2002 Holden Calais Sedan
DRAG RACING
PRO STREET (sponsored by Garrett Advancing Motion)
Winner: Paul Butler| 1975 Holden Gemini TX Sedan
2nd: John Vesnaver | 1967 Holden HR Ute
SUPER STREET (sponsored by Garrett Advancing Motion)
Winner: Wayne Colley| 1984 Ford XE Falcon Wagon
2nd: Brodie Gregson-Sleight| 2014 Ford Falcon FG
STREET (sponsored by Garrett Advancing Motion)
Winner: Matt Sparks | 2002 Holden Monaro CV8 Coupe
2nd: Nathan Kele | 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Sedan
BIKE (sponsored by Garrett Advancing Motion)
Winner: Bailey Peacock | 2013 Yamaha Mt09 Naked
2nd: Nathaniel Lehr | 2014 Yamaha MT-09
DYNO
REV MONSTER (Highest RPM) (sponsored by Insane Performance)
Ben Eales| 2010 Mazda RX8 Sedan
BOOST DEMON (Highest PSI forced induction) (sponsored by Insane Performance)
Connor Manthey | 2012 Ford Falcon G6E Turbo Sedan
TORQUE TITAN (Highest Torque) (sponsored by Insane Performance)
Daniel DiBella | 1974 Ford Falcon Sedan
DYNO CHAMPION (sponsored by Insane Performance)
Daniel DiBella | 1974 Ford Falcon Sedan
BIKES
BEST SOFTAIL
Tim Horwell | 2014 Harley Cvo Breakout Cruiser
BEST DYNA
Jarrod Roberts | 2017 Harley Davidson FXDB Dyna Cruiser
BEST MODIFIED (BIKE)
Adam Brinsley | 2008 Harley Davidson XLC
BEST TOURER
Justin Staier | 2012 Triumph Roadster Rocket Cruiser
BEST VINTAGE
Ron McGowan | 1993 Harley Davidson FLSTN Motorcycle
BEST AMERICAN
Mick Roberts | 2001 Bon Trike Hs3 3 Seater
BEST JAPANESE
David Spreadborough | 2008 Suzuki Gsxr1300 Hayabusa Sports Bike
PEOPLES CHOICE
Chris Van Echtelt | 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide CVO Bagger
STREET AWARDS
BEST PRESENTED TRUCK (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Gary Aguis | Mack Superliner
TOP EXHIBITION (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Elizabeth Mielczarek | 1948 Fiat Toppolino Custom Hot Rod
TOP ENGINE BAY (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Wade Watson | 1964 Holden EH Sedan
TOP INTERIOR (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Winner: Davo Tennyson | 1954 Holden FJ Sedan
2nd: Luke Mitchell | 1970 Holden Kingswood Sedan
TOP BODYWORK (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Winner: Davo Tennyson | 1954 Holden FJ Sedan
2nd: Jaime Cramp | 1970 Ford XW Falcon Panel Van
TOP PAINT (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Winner: Susan Burggraaff | 1974 Holden LH Torana 4 door sedan
2nd: Mark Johnson | 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
TOP ENGINEERED (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Thomas McManaway | 1980 Datsun 1200 Ute
TOP HOT ROD (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Winner: John Zammit | 1934 Chev Tudor Tudor
2nd: Mike Barnes | 1940 Ford Delux Sedan
TOP ORIGINAL RESTORED / UNRESTORED (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Armond Keshishian | 1968 Holden Monaro Coupe
TOP MUSCLE CAR (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Bradley Paton | 1986 Holden SS Group A Pluspack Sedan
TOP SEDAN (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Davo Tennyson | 1954 Holden FJ Sedan
TOP COUPE (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Leroy Day | 1971 Ford XA Coupe
TOP CONVERTIBLE (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Ross Mylrea | 1960 Plymouth Fury Convertible
TOP STATION WAGON / VAN (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Jaime Cramp | 1970 Ford XW Falcon Panel Van
TOP UTE / PICK UP (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Jacinta Locke | 1973 Holden HQ 1 Tonner
TOP COMPETITION (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Luke Mitchell | 1970 Holden Kingswood Sedan
TOP CUSTOM (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Jason King | 1946 Bedford Rat Ratrod
TOP JAP (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Rhett Bryant | 1990 Suzuki Sierra Hardtop
TOP USA (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Mark Johnson | 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
TOP EUROPEAN (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Naomi Ritchie | 1967 Vw Beetle Coup
TOP RATTER (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Richard Butler | 1941 INTERNATIONAL KB UTE
BEST PRESENTED 4 WHEEL DRIVE (sponsored by SWL Racing)
Robert Morris | 2009 Toyota Vdj79 Ute
TOP 20 STREET in alphabetical surname order (sponsored by Finch's Mitre 10)
Susan Burggraaff | 1974 Holden LH Torana 4 door sedan
Jaime Cramp | 1970 Ford XW Falcon Panel Van
Leroy Day | 1971 Ford XA Coupe
Gavin Fazel | 1971 Ford XY Sedan
Gavin Hall | 1973 Ford Falcon XA Sedan
Aaron Hill | 1957 Chevrolet Belair 2 Door Sedan
Paul Jaggs | 1968 Holden HK UTE
Mark Johnson | 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
Jacinta Locke | 1973 Holden HQ 1 Tonner
Stephen Marino | 1961 Cheverolet Apache Pickup
Luke Mitchell | 1970 Holden Kingswood Sedan
Kim Moran | 1955 Chevrolet Belair Sports Coupe
Robert Morris | 2009 Toyota VDJ79 Ute
Bradley Paton | 1986 Holden SS Group A Pluspack Sedan
Gary Francis Stronach | 1974 Holden Torana Sedan
Davo Tennyson | 1954 Holden FJ Sedan
Joe Thring | 2015 Holden VF Ute
Wade Watson | 1964 Holden EH Sedan
John Zammit | 1934 Chev Tudor Tudor