Rockhampton’s Cr Elliot Hilse has a need for speed

A Rockhampton councillor does more than desk work; he is a petrol head at heart with the need for speed. Now he can rev his engine again now council has secured the next five events.

Rockhampton’s Cr Elliot Hilse had a need for speed with his Valiant at this year’s Rockynats 2025.

Rockhampton Councillor Elliot Hilse is a man dedicated to his car and his drag races.

The Rare Spares Rockynats 05, Queensland’s biggest car and bike festival, saw Cr Hilse swap the business shirt for the helmet as he took part in the drag racing events in his trusty Valiant.

“I had a little bit of work done to the engine to try and bring it to a level where I am competitive,” he said.

“I really enjoy going into the drags however my car is really slow compared to all the other cars but I really enjoyed being part of the event and having the opportunity to race down Quay St was great.”

Cr Hilse said he has always had an interest in cars and the three-day festival between April 4 and 6 isn’t the first drag racing event he has ever competed in.

“My first car was a Holden Gemini Wagon back in the 90s which I loved and had for many years,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to have a Valiant Charger so about 10 years I bought an old Valiant – not a Charger, it is a four door - but it has a similar engine.

“I’ve been doing it up slowly and it used to be my daily driver, as well.”

Rockhampton’s Cr Elliot Hilse had a need for speed with his Valiant at this year’s Rockynats 2025.

Work on the car included cutting out rusted parts and replacing it with steel, replacing the head of the engine, getting a new camshaft and a new Holley 4-barrel carburetor (where the fuel air mixture enters the engine).

“She runs quite nicely now,” Cr Hilse said.

Cr Hilse said doing up cars to take part in drags is an expensive hobby but said there were a lot of benefits as well.

“It’s a good hobby for kids to do because it gives them something to do with their hands. Gets them outside, off their computer and their phones.

“And at the end of the hobby you have something really good to show for it.”

The Rockynats drag race course is an eighth of a mile or 208m in length and racers take under 10 seconds to complete the course.

“It’s the best 10 seconds you can get… it’s very fun,” Cr Hilse said.

“It’s a bit hard in these older cars because we have to wear personal protective equipment – long trousers and a long sleeve shirt plus a helmet – and the windows have to be up and if you don’t have any air-conditioning it can be hot.”

“But when you’re on the line and the light tower starts going down the adrenaline that you get just can’t be beaten.”

Cr Hilse can average 112 km/h on the eighth mile but said it isn’t uncommon for cars to get up over 160km/h.

Cr Hilse admitted he always got nervous before events and last weekend’s festival was no different.

“My first run down the drag strip (on Saturday) my accelerator cable slipped off my carburetor and I lost all power halfway through it,” he said.

“I just had to coast without any control and that was a bit scary but I managed to park it up and jerry rig it (the car) back together and then went for my second run which I won.

“But I only won it because the other car had a false start.”

Cr Hilse is hoping the Rockhampton area will eventually get its own drag strip and motor precinct.

As for the 2025 Rockynats overall, Cr Hilse said it was a positive event.

“The event was great,” he said.

“We had more numbers this year than we have had any other year, more entrants and more tickets sold… all in all it was a great event and I think the community really enjoyed it.”

In fact, this year’s Rockynats drew a record-breaking 64,388 patrons through the gates over the weekend, and it has been officially renewed for a further five years to 2030.

The announcement comes as the 2025 instalment of the event, Rockynats 05, boasted an impressive 12.4 per cent increase in attendance and an event-best 1800 entrants.

“Rockhampton Regional Council is extremely proud of our partnership with the Summernats team and are committed to ensuring this world-class event remains in our region,” Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams.

“The entrants love it, the spectators love it and the community loves it, so locking the event in for a further five years ensures that Rockynats will continue to deliver an action-packed weekend of entertainment well into the future.”

The Rockynats 06 will take place on 17-19 April 2026, during the Easter school holidays.

Summernats director Andy Lopez said Rockynats had become one of the most significant events in the Aussie automotive scene.

“It was created specifically for this amazing town, with on-street drag racing, burnouts and drifting by the river, the stunning Show N Shine in historic Quay Street, and Australia’s biggest automotive street parade,” Mr Lopez said.

“When the street machine and bike community come to Rockhampton, we are welcomed with open arms. “

Advance Rockhampton’s Tourism and Events Manager Zac Garven said each year the event gets bigger and better, attracting thousands of visitors who not only enjoy the spectacle but also inject millions into the local economy.

“Hosting an event of this calibre not only puts Rockhampton on the national stage but also provides incredible opportunities for local businesses and motorsport enthusiasts alike,” Mr Garven said.

“Rockynats is here to stay, and we’re looking forward to an even bigger and better event in 2026.”

Originally published as Rockhampton’s Cr Elliot Hilse has a need for speed