The Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) acknowledges the release this afternoon of a vision statement for a new proposed series, under the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) banner.
The NDRC concept is being driven by Andy Lopez and Nathan Prendergast, the team behind the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, who are also the holders of the licence to run the Australian Drag Racing Championship (ADRC) established by ANDRA at the beginning of the 2021/2022 season.
This vision proposes the retiring of the 400 Thunder brand and championship, and a new, national championship under the NDRC banner, for both Group 1 and Sportsman level racing. You can learn more about the proposed plans by clicking here.
ANDRA Caretaker CEO, Ian Brown, makes the following comments regarding this afternoon’s release.
“We have had preliminary discussions with Andy Lopez re this vision statement, which was released by the NDRC this afternoon,” Ian said.
“As agreed prior to the release with Andy, ANDRA will be undertaking further discussions with the NDRC team regarding the finer details of this concept, both overall and in particular, in regard to sportsman racing, calendars, regulations and so forth.
“Before such discussions are conducted, it is too early for ANDRA to make any statement regarding potential impacts of NDRC on our Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series.
“ANDRA and Summit Racing Equipment have delivered a comprehensive national sportsman series to the ANDRA membership for a substantial period of time, and plans for our 2023/2024 season are well-advanced.
“The dates for rounds one and two have already been publicly confirmed, with entries now open via the respective host tracks, and a 12-round calendar is close to completion (see below for the draft dates).
“As soon as more information is available, ANDRA will issue an update to its membership regarding its position in relation to the NDRC and any possible impacts on the upcoming 2023/2024 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series.”
DRAFT 2023/2024 SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT SPORTSMAN SERIES DATES:
• July 14-15, 2023 – Hidden Valley Drag Strip, NT Nationals – entries open now at www.hiddenvalleydrags.com
• July 22-23, 2023 – Alice Springs Inland Dragway, Desert Nationals – entries open now at www.cadra.com.au
• September 16-17, 2023 – Mildura’s Sunset Strip, Spring Nationals
• October 20-21, 2023* – The Bend Dragway, Spring Nationals
• November 24-25, 2023 – Perth Motorplex, Goldenstates
• December 2-4, 2023 – South Coast Raceway, South Coast Nationals
• January 6-7, 2024 – South Coast Raceway, South Coast 660
• February 3-4, 2024 – South Coast Raceway, event name TBC
• February 18-19, 2024 – Mildura’s Sunset Strip, Twilight Nationals
• March 2-3, 2024 – Perth Motorplex, Westernationals
• March 9-10, 2024 – Mildura’s Sunset Strip, Ken Scroop Memorial
• April 2024 (exact date TBC)* – The Bend Motorsport Park, Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Grand Finals
*Final date confirmation discussions underway with The Bend Motorsport Park currently
