Cooper Plummer has tasted plenty of success in Junior Dragster in both the ANDRA and NDRC sportsman championship ranks and is now turning his talent towards a new goal: the first ANDRA Junior Drag Bike Championship.
That pursuit will start this weekend with round one of the 2025/2026 ANDRA Sportsman Series – Nitro Up North at the Hidden Valley Drag Strip – which will be followed swiftly by round two at Alice Springs Inland Dragway – the Desert Nationals – on Wednesday September 3.
Plummer will be at both events, looking to apply the winning tenacity he has been known for in his Junior Dragster to two wheels as the Junior Drag Bike bracket enjoys the beginnings of its first season as an official ANDRA Championship bracket.
“I am quite excited about Junior Drag Bike becoming a championship bracket for ANDRA, there are a couple of people I know in this class who are so good at what they do but haven’t been able to win Christmas Trees previously as it hasn’t been a championship bracket for ANDRA – now that all changes!” Plummer grinned.
“We are definitely going to be chasing the championship – it is the first season, so why not give it a crack!”
Plummer has taken wins at both the Hidden Valley Drag Strip and Alice Springs Inland Dragway with the ANDRA championship in the past.
“I don’t want to say that I am confident, but I think I can come out on top for both events,” Plummer said.
“Racing the bike is very different to the dragster, and certainly very exciting while sometimes challenging, but my approach to these events will be the same as always – just try and qualify well and then bracket race!”
Plummer and his family have travelled from South Australia to take part in the ‘northern swing’ this weekend, which is also complemented by the ANDRA-sanctioned Red CentreNATS in Alice Springs across September 5-7, including Heavy Hitters Drag Racing on Saturday September 6 at ASID.
“It is a beautiful trip up here and the events are well worth it,” Plummer said.
“The vibe is less business like than at some other events, it is very chillaxed, and I think it is awesome.
“I can’t wait to get into it!” he concluded, while thanking his mum Janelle and dad Craig; his friend and fellow bike racer, Lucas Bergamin; and his sponsors Sock Lyf, Bridgestone Select Aberfoyle, PK, Maxxi, Westside Hydraulics, SA Truck Tarps, Audisound, Highbury Automotive, HB Racing, Revolution Racegear, SADRA, DRASA and David Collis.
Nitro Up North will be held at the Hidden Valley Drag Strip on August 29 and 30 – for event info, go to www.hiddenvalleydrags.com.au
The Desert Nationals will be held at the Alice Springs Inland Dragway on September 3 – for event info, go to www.cadra.com.au
Red CentreNATS will run across September 5-7, including Heavy Hitters Drag Racing at Alice Springs Inland Dragway – go to www.redcentrenats.com.au for more information.
For more from ANDRA, go to www.andra.com.au
