Day two of the Burson Auto Parts 50th annual Goldenstates has been run and won, with ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship fans enjoying a tremendous day and night of sportsman racing in the West at the Perth Motorplex on Saturday, 23 November.
A field of more than 170 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship competitors certainly impressed across the day, picking up where they left off on Friday night with the completion of qualifying ahead of a full afternoon and evening of racing.
With near-perfect weather conditions, sunny blue skies gave way to a clear evening, delivering plenty of hold-on-to-your-hats moments across the day. Lining up alongside Top Doorslammers and Top Fuel Motorcycle brackets, the Sportsman racers kept those watching trackside and on the Motorplex’s livestream entertained with plenty of two- and four-wheeled action as they battled it out in the chase for valuable 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship and NDRC Aeroflow Sportsman Series points.
When all was said and done, it was Daniel Natalotto (Lectron Australia Competition Bike), Doina Day (Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws), Alby Bakranich (Top Sportsman Competitors Top Sportsman), Michelle Morrison (Modified), John Szabo (Super Sedan Competitors Super Sedan), Paul McNamara (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike), Craig Caton (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Tahlia Martin (Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster), Rob Gaikhorst (Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing Super Stock), and Jon Ferguson (Competition Eliminator) who took out the prestigious Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies.
Taking out the runner-up spots were Brett Ghedina (Lectron Australia Competition Bike), Kasey McClure (Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman Competitors Top Sportsman), Michelle Morrison (Modified), Denise Downe (Super Sedan Competitors Super Sedan), Christopher Fryer (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike), Carlo Antonelli (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Brock Ferguson (Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster), Andrew O’Sullivan (Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing Super Stock), and Rick Johns (Competition Eliminator).
Also celebrated at the end of day presentations were those who won the Top Qualifier Medallions presented by New Gen Business Park, with Chris Allen (Lectron Australia Competition Bike), Doina Day (Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman Competitors Top Sportsman), Michelle Morrison (Modified), Tony Miskelly (Super Sedan Competitors Super Sedan), Ashton Kilvington (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike), Gavin Donnelly (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Cooper Plummer (Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster), Rob Gaikhorst (Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing Super Stock), and Jett Martin (Competition Eliminator) taking out this prestigious honour for their respective brackets.
In the non-championship Junior Drag Bike sportsman bracket also on track this weekend, Tyler James claimed not only the Top Qualifier honours, but also went on to win the event over runner-up, Seth Jarvis.
For Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster, it was a special win for Tahlia Martin, who was also presented with the prestigious Anita Board Memorial Trophy by the West Coast Junior Dragster Association and the Board Family following her victory.
Tahlia Martin took the win over runner-up Brock Ferguson after having battled it out over three earlier rounds of racing while also enjoying a bye – getting the best of Jack Costello (round one), Lachlan Taylor (round two), and Brock Furlanetto (round four) with a bye in round three. Ferguson, meanwhile, took wins over Jesse Martin (round one), Luca Lamattina (round two), and Nathan Townsend (round three) before a win over his sister Belle Ferguson in round four. Top Qualifier Cooper Plummer made it through two rounds of racing with a bye in round one and a win over Demi Van Dongen in round two before being knocked out by Furlanetto in round three.
“To win this year’s 50th Goldenstates is a surreal but amazing moment. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family,” Tahlia Martin said.
“To win the Gold tree is a privilege – to have that is rare and it doesn’t come around that often. Also, winning the Anita Board Memorial Trophy was a very special award that words can’t describe, and it feels great to have my name on it, along with my brother Jett, who won a couple of years ago.
“I would like to say a massive thanks to my sponsors Penrite, Harris Engines, The Fairyshop Dance Academy and Seaspray Electrical. Also, a huge thanks to mum and dad, Nan and Pop and to Jett for tuning the car and also the board family and Brock Ferguson for a really good race.”
In Lectron Australia Competition Bike, Daniel Natalotto made it all the way to the end following three rounds of shootout-style racing to take the win over runner-up Brett Ghedina in the final. Natalotto had earlier enjoyed a bye in round one and wins in rounds two and three over Morry Canterella and Jaxan Standen respectively. Ghedina, meanwhile, also enjoyed wins over Morry Canterella (round one), Jaxan Stadan (round two), and Wayne Gummow (round three). After claiming the Top Qualifier Medallion, Chris Allen ran into mechanical issues and unfortunately took no part in the racing runs.
It was indeed an impressive run of eliminations for Natalotto, who qualified second and made the most of his strong starting position.
“We went out there and managed to qualify second but were bumped to the top spot (in the racing seeding) after Chris Allen, who Top Qualified, had some mechanical issues and wasn’t able to get back out for the elimination runs,” Natalotto explained.
“We managed to win our three from three races and take it to the finals and get a win – it was nothing too crazy, it was pretty straightforward, and it is always good to be at the pointy end.
“It was getting quite cold Saturday night; we were pretty rugged up, but overall, the conditions were pretty good. It wasn’t a particularly fast night. I don’t know how to explain it, but we landed in the finals so we’re happy with that.
“I would like to thank my sponsor, Motorcycle Bazzar, for supplying my leathers for the weekend and my partner, Tash. She’s been by my side every round for the last few seasons and seems to bring me some good luck.”
In Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws Victorian Donia Day got the best of runner-up Kasey McClure, who was looking for a fourth consecutive Goldenstates win over the weekend. To get to the final, Top Qualifier Day took a win over Peter Appleby in round one before enjoying a bye in round two. Local racer McClure, meanwhile, successfully faced off against Vince Belladonna and Mike Evans in rounds one and two, respectively.
“The weekend was fantastic, and everyone here in Perth is so friendly and welcoming; they are just absolutely lovely people. Even down at the end of the track, the volunteers were right there when I got out of the car to hand me a glass of water. It’s why we come back, everyone is just so lovely,” Day said.
“The competition here is very tough. My lights haven’t been very good lately, and I needed to sharpen my pencil – so about three weeks ago I started practising. Kasey (McClure, runner-up) is an amazing racer, and so is Peter Appleby. Peter did an awesome job, and if you’re not on your game (against these people), you’re going to lose.
“I would like to thank John Drysdale, who has sponsored me since I started racing in Supercharged Outlaws in 2006. And also, my husband Peter, who tunes my car, and Swarf King Engineering for their support.”
In Competition Eliminator Jon Ferguson got the best of runner-up Rick Johns to claim the round win Saturday night. Ferguson earned his way to the final after taking wins over Russell Ladbrook in round one and Madison Brown in round two before enjoying a bye in round three.
Meanwhile, Johns enjoyed a bye in round one before winning against Brett Glover and Connor McClure in rounds two and three, respectively. After Top Qualifying earlier in the afternoon, Jett Martin was unfortunately unable to line up for the elimination runs.
The weekend started with a bang for Jon, who needed to replace the engine after the first qualifying runs on Friday night, but it is safe to say that the crew did an excellent job to turn their fortunes around.
“It was a big weekend; we destroyed an engine on Friday night and went and got a spare one on Saturday morning, chucked it in and just made it out in time,” Ferguson said.
“After that, it all went pretty well. Me and the young bloke (Jon’s son Brock Ferguson, Junior Dragster) both made it into the finals again for the second year in a row and he got runner-up, and I won again.
“I would like to give a big thank you to the crew and family this weekend. We had some big days, and I couldn’t do it without them. I would also like to thank (sponsor) Westfill, and also the Motorplex for a great weekend of racing.”
In Modified, Top Qualifier Michelle Morrison proved to be unbeatable, going on to claim the win against runner-up Andrew Frost. Morrison successfully raced her way through two rounds of eliminations, taking wins over Paul Garbellini in round one and Rachel Gannaway in round two before lining up against Frost in the final. Meanwhile, Frost also took wins over Monique Ambrousi (round one) and Nicholas Wroe (round two) to get to the final match-up against Morrison.
“We had some challenges with preseason testing and starter motor issues at the season opener. During Wednesday’s testing, we tried a new part, but it didn’t work as expected. By Friday, though, we had solid qualifying runs, which put my mind at ease. I could focus on driving, knowing the car was performing well,” Morrison said.
“I even hit my personal best 60-foot time during Friday’s qualifying—a 0.984—which was quicker than my previous personal best elapsed time of 7.02.
“In round one, I faced Paul Garbellini. He’s a fierce competitor and consistently strong, so to be able to eliminate him in the first round, I knew I had the best opportunity to catch him in the points and make strong headway in the season ahead.
“We have great camaraderie in Modified and for the final, I couldn’t have asked for a better opponent than Frosty (runner-up Andrew Frost). I’ve been racing with him since 2009, so I have a lot of love for him and his team. He ran exceptionally well all weekend.
“I’d like to thank my husband, Trent. And also Trevor, and Ethan; my daughters, Luna and Cleo—they were awake in the staging lanes but asleep by the time I hit the track for the final on Saturday night. They’re four and five, and they did really well all weekend! I also want to thank Chris from Dimoff Transmissions and my dad, Roger, for their support.”
In Super Sedan Competitors Super Sedan John Szabo got the best over runner-up Denise Downe in the final round of racing on Saturday night. Szabo had earlier successfully dispatched Kathy Regan in round one, Tyron Begg in round two, and Luke Guppy in round three before enjoying a bye in round four ahead of his finals match-up against Downe. Meanwhile, Downe won over Ned Karanovic and Paul Mobilia in rounds one and two, respectively, before prevailing over Top Qualifier Tony Miskelly in round three and Josh Roe in round four.
In Top Sportsman Competitors Top Sportsman Alby Bakranich found success at the end over runner-up and Top Qualifier, Valdo Turic. Bakranich raced through the first two rounds of eliminations, taking wins over Brock Moresby in round one and Mick Wormall in round two before lining up for a successful run over Turic in the final. Turic, meanwhile, enjoyed a bye in round one thanks to the Top Qualifier honours before going on to dispatch Roger Moorhouse in round two and Geoff Chaisty in round three to get to the final against Bakranich.
In Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike, Paul McNamara got the better of runner-up Christopher Fryer in the fifth round final match-up on Saturday night. In the earlier rounds, McNamara took wins over David Partington (round one), Tony Ambrosini (round two) and Bryan Finn (round three) before dispatching Top Qualifier Ashton Kilvington in round four. Fryer, meanwhile, raced through the first three elimination rounds against Sean Hart (round one), Connor Wood (round two) and Brian Hotker (round three) before a bye in round four.
In Goodyear Racing Super Street, it was a battle of the Holdens when winner Craig Caton in the Monaro lined up against runner-up Carlo Antonelli in the Commodore in the final round of racing. To make his way to the final match-up, Caton took wins over Jason Ludlow (round one), Dean Burtoft (round two), Michael Jennings (round three) and Andy Oorschot (round four). Likewise, Antonelli made it to the final with a round one win over Zachary Giles and wins in rounds two and three over Chris De Bruin and Richard Stevens respectively. Meanwhile, Top Qualifier Gavin Donnelly found himself out of the running in round one, with Oorschot taking the win in that battle.
In Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing Super Stock, Top Qualifier Rob Gaikhorst prevailed over runner-up Andrew O’Sullivan, with the pair finding themselves in the finals after two earlier rounds of shootout-style racing. Gaikhorst proved unstoppable this weekend, with wins in both rounds one and two over O’Sullivan as well as in the final round.
The ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship racers weren’t the only ones chasing championship points in the West this weekend either, with the Burson Auto Parts 50th annual Goldenstates event also hosting racing for Top Doorslammer and Top Fuel Motorcycle as part of the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) and local championships. When all was said and done, it was Russell Taylor (Top Doorslammer) and Wayne McGuinness (Top Fuel Motorcycle) who claimed the A-Final victories over runners-up, Brodie Zappia and Benny Stevens.
For results from Saturday’s action at the Perth Motorplex, please click here
ANDRA thanks the Perth Motorplex management and all of its volunteers and sponsors for an outstanding racetrack and a well-run event.
The next round of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship Series will be held at Portland’s South Coast Raceway next weekend across December 7 and 8. For event info, go to www.southcoastraceway.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
