Get Ready To Burn Rubber

by Victoria Velton

Luke Rosadi is no stranger to speed, but this year, he’s trading the drag strip for the burnout pad in his biggest motorsport leap yet. Known across the North Queensland car scene for his high-powered Maloo ute, Legless, the Ingham local is now stepping into a brand-new chapter with his first ever burnout competition.

After sustaining a spinal injury in a motocross accident in 2010, Luke became a paraplegic but he was determined not to let his new reality slow him down. In 2013, he bought his beloved V8 ute and began racing competitively, eventually taking out the top drag racing prize at Northern Nats in 2024. Now, after more than a decade on the strip, Luke is fired up to take on the burnout arena with a custom-built 1981 VC Holden Commodore named Disabled.

The car, once just an empty shell, has undergone two years of meticulous work to become competition-ready. Modified with hand controls and built-in safety tech, it’s been tailored specifically to Luke’s needs. But burnouts bring a new kind of challenge as it’s loud, smoky, and brutal on tyres. That’s why local sponsor Steve from Ingham Tyrepower stepped in, donating tyres and backing Luke in this demanding sport.

“I get so excited doing skids and going super fast,” Luke says. “Burnouts are something I’ve always wanted to try. I used to ride along with my mates during events and the thrill stuck with me.”

His first event is just around the corner at Springmount Raceway’s Northern Nats from May 16–18. Both Legless and Disabled will be in action with drag racing by day and burnouts by night.

Luke is ready to put on a show and it’s clear he’s locked in. With a powerful new car, unwavering community support, and the same fierce determination that’s defined his journey so far, Luke’s next chapter promises to be as bold and unforgettable as the burnouts he’s about to unleash.