Rockynats 02 is run and done, having delivered an epic bonanza of horsepower to locals and visitors alike.

Day three opened with high stakes to the street drags, as the Grand Champion contenders motored from the hall for eighth-mile trials. Entrants didn’t hold back either, despite the unprepped track and looming barriers.

Billy Shelton blazed his VL’s tyres for almost half the track on his first run, despite having turned the car down to around 700hp. “You’ve just got to pedal it so much,” he laughed.

The drag racing finals followed, which saw Shane Page’s VL claim the honours in the Pro class with a 7.2 ET. Luke Rosadi was hot on his tail in the final, crossing the line just three tenths of a second later in his VE maloo.

The Street class had a distinct HQ flavour, as Heath Lebsanft’s Monaro edged out Jamie Freeman’s Kingswood. All up, just over 1200 drag passes were made over Saturday and Sunday – a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the strip crew.

Jamie Meier held onto the top rung in the dyno hall with the 1128hp from his Monaro.

Runner-up Mark Johnstone took home Torque Titan with his Capri as a consolation prize.

Grand Champion hopefuls didn’t let up when they descended upon the Drift Park for some fancy steering. The elite-grade cars copped a hiding around the obstacle course, with some (like Shane Reid) even lifting a wheel or two.

The Burnout Masters final capped off a huge three days across the river at the burnout pad. Kyle Douglas ended up in third place thanks to his efforts in his LUXIFER Hilux, claiming the first ticket to the Street Machine Summernats 35 final.

Rockynats ‘21 Burnout Master Warren Gersekowki slotted into second place after laying down a truly impressive smokescreen with his purple HG ute.

Jake Myers started his skid by piloting S1CKO right up the exit lane at full noise. The Mustang almost wound up stuck against the wall, but the young maestro powered out brilliantly, earning him first place in Burnout Masters.

Rockynats 02 culminated in Billy Shelton claiming Grand Champion with his VL, scooping up plenty of tinware from the judging panel in the process. Aside from the coveted prize, he earned Top Engineered and 2nd Top Paint in the Elite category.

Billy, who debuted the VL at Rockynats 01 and won Grand Champ at RedCentreNATS 2021, is rightly stoked with the result. “I came at it with everything this year,” he said after the presentation. “It’s not easy though – you can have all the money in the world and the most power in the world, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to win it. But the other guys are all your mates at the end of the day!”

He and his crew high-tailed it back to Brisbane following the ceremony in readiness for a shot at Willowbank’s Kenda 660, which starts on Wednesday.

We’ll bring you a full results list and even more pics soon, so keep your eyes peeled!