Robson ready for euphoric Rockynats ride
Published on 19 March 2023
Steve Robson and his impressive 1957 Chev known as SPOTTO57 is ready for what he calls a euphoric ride at Rare Spares Rockynats 03 this Easter, following early departures at the first two instalments of the event.
Robson is one of more than 1,500 competitors who are counting down the days until the sound of revving engines once again fill the streets of Rockhampton for the ultimate Easter motorsport spectacular, expected to host more than 15,000 spectators from April 7-9.
The elite level burnout competitor has never missed a Rockynats since the inaugural 2021 event, and he’s hoping it will be a case of third time lucky for SPOTTO57.
“We have been to every Rockynats in the Pro Burnouts Class. In the first year we broke a steering box and so we had no steering coming off the pad, and in the second year, we had a huge fire which caused damage to all of the rear quarter panels of the car,” Robson explained.
“It’s safe to say, this year we are hoping to not have any dramas!” he laughed. “We are just going to send it and see how it goes – go as hard as we can, with what we have!
“I want to wish everybody that is heading to Rockynats good luck. You know, we all come to events like this, and we put everything on the line, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
“But at the end of the day while we are all competing against each other, we are all friends at the same time and that is pretty important when you are doing what we do.”
Even though the first two instalments have not gone his way, Robson cannot be stopped from waxing lyrical about how much he loves Rockynats.
“The best part of it for us is that it is up here in Far North Queensland. It is great to have a show like this up here and for us, being from Cairns, it is only a full-day drive instead of a three-day drive like all the other shows,” he explained.
“I think for both us and the fans, it is a great event because it is really about the cars, it is really about that grassroots passion.
“My favourite part is being able to share the car with everybody else in the street parade – that is by far the best feeling to be able to cruise around and have everyone admire and appreciate not only our car but everyone else’s car as well, without any competition – it just about everyone being out to have a good time.
“Having said that, when it comes to performing in the burnouts, it is a euphoric feeling for sure.
“Another thing I love about it is the fact that unlike any other motorsport other than rallying, you can take a passenger. My wife Helen and I do it together, but it is also great to be able to take other people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to go in a car like ours.
“We auction rides for charity regularly, and at Rockynats 03 we will be taking one of the fire marshals who has given decades of service to the sport, so it is great for us to be able to give back in that way.”
Robson is quick to point out that delivering three-days of high octane Rockynats action, complete with three different precincts, a show pavilion, an entertainment stage, markets, and various other off-track events happening across Rockhampton, is a huge group effort.
“The volunteers really make the event, and the Rockynats crew. They make it as best as possible for us and the fans, and you can’t fault them. For instance, when we had the fire last year, they were in action as soon as I made eye contact and basically saved our car,” he said.
“It is so important to me that we thank all of the thousands of volunteers of this huge event as well as the Rockynats crew, Andy Lopez and his team, and the Rockhampton Regional Council and Rockhampton Police Service for all they do collectively to put on this event and bring it to life.
“I also want to thank my wife Helen, Nathan and Mary from Knight’s Body Works, Bobby and Vanessa from Cairns’ Performance Parts, Burson Auto Parts, and my own business, Advanced Property Services.
“Speaking of the Rockynats crew, to have our car on the Rockynats merch for the second year in a row this year is just mind blowing for us – we are so proud and so happy that they would see fit to showcase our car in that way.”
Rare Spares Rockynats is proudly brought to you by Rockhampton Regional Council and presented by Advance Rockhampton in association with Summernats.
With ticket sales moving fast, out-of-towners wishing to attend the event are encouraged to act now. Platinum tickets are already completely sold out, with Gold and General Admission tickets still available but selling fast. Accommodation for the long weekend is also sellin quickly.
Spectators can choose from a range of ticket options, including one, two or three-day passes, family tickets, concession, or youth passes. And the good news for parents is that all children under 13 can attend Rockynats completely free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
A General Admission Adult one-day pass for Saturday or Sunday is only $35 if purchased before the event weekend, available from www.rockynats.com.au/GetTickets.
Rare Spares Rockynats is supported by event partners, Buddy's Fire, Finch’s Mitre 10, Garrett Motion Pty Ltd, Millennium Comics and Collectables, Autobarn, Stockland Rockhampton, Bob’s Bulk Booze, CANNA, Rev's Paint Supplies, Burson Auto Parts, Total Tools, Dobinsons Spring and Suspension, Helifish, Haltech, Johnson's 4x4, Aeroflow, Lacey's TJM, Black and White Cabs, Insane Performance, SWL Racing, CQ Today, Channel 7, Galactic Donuts Rockhampton and Triple M.
For more information, visit www.rockynats.com.au or to access the Rockynats program, download the official Rockynats app – search for ‘Rockhampton Events’ in your app store or download for Android or iOS at www.rockhampton.eventapp.com.au