A big two weeks at the Atlantic Oils Sunset Strip is coming up for Junior Dragster racer Paige Harvey, with the 15-year-old signed up for both this weekend’s Sunset Nationals (September 20-21) and next weekend’s Nitro Golf Centre Junior Nationals (September 26-28).
Both events form part of the 2025/2026 ANDRA Sportsman Series, with the Sunset Nationals a championship round for all brackets, while the Junior Nationals will see the Junior Dragster and New Gen Business Park Junior Drag Bike racers score points towards their respective ANDRA championship chases during the Saturday proceedings (September 27) of the three day event.
Paige heads into these back-to-back weekends of racing full of anticipation and with plenty of experience at the Atlantic Oils Sunset Strip behind her.
“My experience at the Mildura Atlantic Oils Sunset Strip so far has been incredible. I was proud to finish as runner-up at the 2024 Easter Supercharged Shootout, and even more honoured to receive the Best Presented Junior Dragster award at the 2025 event,” she said.
“I am really excited for the upcoming Sunset Nationals! My main goal is to keep the car consistent and nail some good reaction times. I have been putting in the work, so hopefully it all comes together on race day.
“The Sunset Nationals always is an awesome event, and it is great to be racing with so many talented drivers. I am just looking forward to having fun and seeing how far we can go this time around!
“I am also really looking forward to the Junior Nationals this year – it is always such an exciting event with great competition and an amazing atmosphere. Hopefully, we can put everything together and get some solid results over the weekend while learning and improving along the way.
“It is a great weekend just for the Junior racers where kids can be kids off the track and hang out with their racing friends. The club also puts on a great night on Saturday night with a dinner in the marquee along with auctions and the presentations, and this year it will be even more special being that it has been made as an ANDRA championship round.”
Having the chance to race back-to-back weekends while gathering points in the ANDRA Sportsman Series is something Paige is excited about.
“It is a great chance to pick up some valuable points for the ANDRA Championship and continue building on the progress we have made,” Harvey said.
“I am feeling confident and ready to give it my all. The Sunset Nationals is shaping up to be a massive event with over 140 racers entered, so I’ll be up against some tough competition and it is definitely time to lock in and focus if I want a shot at bringing home a tree.
“It is also awesome to see the Junior Nationals now part of the ANDRA Championship, it is such a great recognition of the future of the sport. No doubt it will be a challenging weekend, but I’m ready for it!”
Harvey is a third-generation racer, following in the footsteps of her grandfather Grant Harvey and dad, Michael Harvey, as well as her brother, Zac.
“I got into drag racing through my Poppa and my dad; it is something that has been in the family for generations. I was born into the sport and I am proud to carry on the Harvey family legacy and committed to keeping the tradition alive and continuing to represent our name in the world of drag racing,” said the Year 10 student from Happy Valley in South Australia.
“I love how much I have learned through junior drag racing not just about cars and racing, but also about discipline, focus, and responsibility. It has helped me grow so much as a person, both on and off the track, and all the lifelong friendship that are made along the way.”
For Harvey, the chance to carry on her family’s tenure in the sport is something she takes very seriously.
“Drag racing has been part of our family for over 60 years with my Poppa involved in the commencement of the Whyalla Steel City racetrack,” she explained.
“Poppa raced for many years before dad took over his car and then raced an Altered in Top Alcohol for several years. When Zac was old enough, he started racing in Juniors and then is when I fell in love with the sport.
“Racing isn’t just a sport to me; it is a passion and something that has become a big part of my life. Every time I get behind the wheel, I am focused on pushing myself to do my best and keep improving.
“I’m proud to represent my family, team and sponsors, and their support means a lot to me. I also want to give a big shoutout to my friends who always have my back and cheer me on it really makes a difference.
“I can’t wait to see what this season brings!”
As she gets ready for round 3 and 3.5 of the ANDRA Sportsman Series in Mildura, Harvey has a number of people she would like to thank.
“I want to take a moment to sincerely thank all of my incredible sponsors: Outlaw Speed Shop, WP Engineering, Just Muscle Cars, Sunraysia Mower Centre, GTR Supplies, and Adelaide Locksmiths. Their support has been crucial in helping me compete at this level, and I am proud to have them behind me,” she said.
“I am also extremely grateful to my family: my mum Simone, my dad Michael, and Zac for always being there, helping behind the scenes, and making sure I get to every race meeting. I could not do it without them.
“Thank you also to the staff and volunteers at the track, they put in countless hours preparing the track and pit area to make sure the race meeting runs smoothly and ensure they are enjoyable for everyone.”
“And lastly, I want to say a big thank you to Rob Camilleri. He has been a huge influence on my racing, always offering advice, sharing his knowledge, and helping me continue to grow and improve. His support means a lot.
“I honestly wouldn’t have been able to race at these two meetings without Rob’s help – with my dad recovering from surgery and unable to travel or tow the trailer, things were looking tough. Rob stepped in and offered to meet us, take the trailer home, and even tow it out to Mildura for the events. I am super grateful for his support, it means a lot.”
For Sunset Nationals and Nitro Golf Centre Junior Nationals event information, visit www.sunsetstrip.org.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
