Shane Page is hoping to maintain his status as the only person to have ever won the Garrett Advancing Motion Street Drags Pro Class category in Rare Spares Rockynats history with a third-straight victory in Rockhampton this Easter (April 7-9).
Page has blazed through to victory in his 1988 Black VL Calais ‘ENVYY’ at both the inaugural event in 2021 and the second instalment in 2022 and has undertaken a complete overhaul of his winning racer as he looks to lock down a trifecta of victories.
“The competition is definitely ramping up as the event grows. The first year was great as the event got underway for the first time, and from there it has just grown – in the second year there was a lot more cars and this year it has grown even further, the competition is continually getting more and more fierce,” said the 47-year-old from the Sunshine Coast.
“All I am hearing at the moment is that everyone is out to get me, so there is going to be a tonne of cars, a lot of quick cars, and I will have my work cut out for me.
“Having said that, I am still feeling fairly confident. I have done a lot of work on the car between last year and this year and it is now a totally different set up, so I am hoping I can better my times and come out with the number one once again, but time will tell.
“If I can do it, it would absolutely be amazing. I have always wanted to go for three in a row, and I have put a lot of time and money into the car to try and make that happen.
“Thank you to Burson Auto Parts Rockhampton for coming on board as part of our pursuit of the 2023 win, and also to Ricky at Tuned by Ricky, Scott from Gazzard Brothers, Ryan from Elite Fabrication, Geoff at Caloundra Engine Centre, and all the boys from Race Car Engineering who have really helped me get the car where it is ready for this year’s event.
“We have had it apart the whole time since last year’s event working on it to put our best foot forward this Easter, aside from a trip to Summernats where we entered it in the cruise and made the top 30 in Street. We have been throwing everything at it.”
Page – who owns and runs mechanical shop Complete Automotive Caloundra – is one of more than1,500 competitors 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 across April 7-9.
“The event is just great, it is really family orientated and the whole community joins in,” Page said.
“You can really tell how enthusiastic people are when you are out there doing the cruise; everyone is out on the street checking out the cars and everyone is so friendly and so involved. The atmosphere is just awesome.”
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 selling 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 4×4, 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
