The ANDRA Grand Final at Dragway at The Bend across April 25 and 26 will bring to a close the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship in spectacular style at what is shaping up as THE sportsman event of the year.
Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies will be on offer at the event for both championship wins and event victories across 11 brackets, including Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster.
In this bracket which showcases the next generation of Australian drag racing stars, there is an extremely tight battle for the championship win, with Taylor Horton (260 points) and Bailey Hawke (250) separated by only 10 points heading to the finale. Brock Furlanetto (210), Cooper Plummer (200) and Todd Wagner (180) are all also a chance of challenging for the end of season honours with 100 points on offer for victory at the event.
For 14 year old Horton, of Lethbridge in Victoria, his chance to win the title comes in only his second year of racing.
“It feels great going into the ANDRA Grand Final in contention in my second year of racing,” Horton said.
“I think it is going to come down to the wire – it is going to be so close and a great battle.
“To win the championship would mean the world to me – I have worked really hard to get where I am in this championship and coming home with the trophy would be epic.
“To think about possibly winning the title and the event, well that would just be the perfect way to top off a fantastic season. I would be ecstatic to bring home double gold as would my family – they put so much into this so my sister and I can go racing, so it would be a win for my whole family.
“Heading into the event I am feeling really confident and I will go into event the same way I would any event and whatever happens, happens – but hopefully things will go my way!
“The car has been running consistently so we won’t be making any changes.
“I would like to thank mum and dad for making the sacrifices they make for our racing to happen and for driving me all over the country; my sister Lily; Moto Works; Sparkle ‘N’ Shine Housekeepers; and United Signage,” Horton concluded, while adding, “I would also like to wish all of my fellow JD competitors the best of luck going into the Grant Final.”
Like Horton, 13-year-old Hawke of Moonta Bay in South Australia is enjoying being in championship contention in the early days of her racing career.
“I am excited and confident but also a little nervous for the championship battle. I really hope it all goes well,” Hawke said.
“I have just completed my first year of racing, so it would mean a lot to take out the ANDRA Regional Sportsmanship Championship trophy.
“It would be so cool to get double gold trees – I am feeling pretty confident for this meeting, but nervous as well. I just really hope I can do well.
“We have changed my gear ratio in preparation for the event, so I am hoping that makes some stuff a little more easy for me.
“I would like to thank my mum and my dad for everything they do for me and also my family for their support; and also my amazing race friends. I would also like to say a massive thank you to Lachlan Walker: thank you for supporting me through everything. I cannot thank you enough for your support and guidance; you mean a lot to me and I will always look up to you.”
The ANDRA Grand Final for the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship at Dragway at The Bend will be held across April 25 and 26. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au/dragway
The ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship is proud to have the support of series bracket sponsors Gallagher (Modified), the South Australian Drag Racers Association (Super Gas), Top Sportsman Competitors Group (Top Sportsman), the Super Sedan Competitors Group (Super Sedan), Lectron Australia (Competition Bike), Goodyear Racing (Super Street), Langtree’s Machinery Services (Junior Dragster), Huntsman Racing (Supercharged Outlaws); Ballistic Performance Parts (Modified Bike), and Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing (Super Stock); as well as Top Qualifier Medallion sponsor, New Gen Business Park. If you are looking for business opportunities within the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, please email info@andra.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
