IT'S ON AND IT'S GONNA BE LIT!

Published on 31 March 2024

Rare Spares Rockynats will return in 2025 locking in its place as Queensland’s largest car and bike festival.

In 2025, the event which has grown every year since its creation will be held during the Easter school holidays from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April and will see popular  competitions and events like the street parade, drags and burnouts return over the 3-day period.

This builds on the success of Rockynats 04 which has seen a record numbers of entrants, visitors and programmed entertainment.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams, said Rockhampton Regional Council and Summernats had built a truly fantastic event which had grown from strength to strength over the past four years.

“Rare Spares Rockynats is our region’s premier event and draw card and we are proud of the partnership we have built with Summernats, competitors and the broader community,” Mayor Williams said.

“I want to see Rockynats continue to grow long-term and see even more people participate in the fun and excitement this event brings.

“Rockynats brings thousands of people to our region each year and energises our city and I want to see that benefit going back into local jobs and local business.

“We know that many local hospitality and retail businesses are choosing to shut over the long weekend and therefore are missing out on that economic activity.

“Seeing Rockynats return in 2025 with new dates during the Easter school holidays but outside the long weekend will mean they see the benefits of those thousands of visitors coming into the region and those visitors in turn will have even more options and opportunities to enjoy our local cafes, restaurants and retail.

“I have no doubt that Rockynats 05 can be bigger and better yet again, and I personally can’t wait to see the event back in Rockhampton in 2025.”

Advance Rockhampton Tourism and Events Manager, Zac Garven, said patrons can once again expect an epic program of high-octane awesomeness and stellar off-track entertainment.

“The feedback we have received as we wrap up this year’s event has been outstanding; therefore, the public will be able to enjoy the return of our RockabillyNats Pinup Competition, stunt shows, 4x4 display, live music and more; there’s a huge amount of variety and something on offer for everyone,” Mr Garven said.

“One of the key things we want to do is create a great event for visitors, competitors and the local community that is sustainable long-term.

“We have listened and learned from running the event for four years. Operating a major event across multiple public holidays creates supply challenges and cost increases for critical infrastructure and staffing required to run the event. It also limits the number of hospitality venues available for visitors to our region,” Mr Garven said.

“We are committed to working closely with residents and businesses to mitigate as much disruption as possible while maximising opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the increased visitation in the region during the full Easter holidays, not just the long weekend.

“With over 60,000 visitations expected for the 05 event, the festival is anticipated to be bigger and better than 2024, and we are looking forward to continuing to success of the event for years to come,” he said.

Summernats Co-Owner, Andy Lopez, said he is excited to work with Rockhampton Regional Council to deliver yet another successful year.

“We are pumped to continue our partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council. In four short years, Rare Spares Rockynats has become a major event on the national motorsport festival calendar,” Mr Lopez said.

“1600 entrants in regional QLD! Legal drag racing on the street, Pro Burnout series on the river, the biggest street parade in Australia, and the CBD full of beautiful cars, drifting and cruising – Rare Spares Rockynats is simply amazing," he said.

Rockynats is a bespoke event created in partnership between Rockhampton Regional Council and Summernats.

The event is delivered by Advance Rockhampton with support from Summernats, sponsors and partners.

For more information on Rockynats 05 including FAQ’s, visit https://www.rockynats.com.au/faqs.

Ticket details will be available on the Rockynats website, www.rockynats.com.au.