Racers Bring The Heat To Close Out Alice Springs Toyota Desert Nationals
Round two of the 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series and the second half of the Alice Springs Toyota Nationals double-header has been run and won at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID) today (Sunday 30 August).
Day two of the ‘Desert Double’ opened with qualifying, seeing Bailey Paul (Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike), Dean Jamieson (Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike), and Edge Mallis (Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike) take out the Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier Medallions, while Jorja Stefanopoulos (South Australia Drag Racers Association Super Street), Steve Nusbajtel (Super Sedan), Adriana Cartledge (Gallagher Modified), Vlado Turic (Top Sportsman), and Ava Walker (Junior Dragster) claimed the New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier honours.
The hunt for valuable championship points and ANDRA Christmas Trees then began, with Cooper Plummer (Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike, runner-up Nevaeh McDougall), Dean Jamieson (Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike, runner-up Greg Oberti), Joe Khoury (Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike, runner-up Cheryl Beddoes), Neil Mellett (South Australia Drag Racers Association Super Street, runner-up Michael Bridges), Michael Vlasakakis (Super Sedan, runner-up Peter Furlanetto), Matt Forbes (Gallagher Modified, runner-up Josie Hodgins), and Taylor Horton (Junior Dragster, runner-up Cody Hunt) taking home the coveted event-winning ANDRA Christmas Trees. Following overnight works to improve track conditions for the high-powered brackets, Top Sportsman completed qualifying but did not race past round one.
Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike
In Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike defending champ Cooper Plummer went all the way to victory over runner-up Nevaeh McDougall in the final. Plummer first edged out Lawrence Raschella in round one, and did the same to Kobe Ashelford in round two to make it to the final. McDougall sent Aliza Harris packing in round one and Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier Bailey Paul in the second round before the final run.
Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike
In Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike Dean Jamieson not only took out the Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier honours, but the Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree as well over runner-up Greg Oberti. Round one saw Jamieson take victory over Bryan Finn, while in round two it was Jason Rattray’s turn to be sent home. Oberti had earlier claimed victories over Dazz Scott and Wayne Patterson to get to his finals match-up against Jamieson.
Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike
In Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike, Joe Khoury met Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes in the final after three rounds of all-run racing. The victory completed a perfect day for Khoury, who defeated Leith Darrach in round one, Corey Read in round two, and Ken Colin in round three before taking the final. Beddoes meanwhile also had a perfect rounds scorecard in the lead up to the final with victories over Colin, Darrach, and Read. Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier Edge Mallis didn’t meet either Khoury or Beddoes, but took wins over Read in round one, Colin in round two, and Darrach in round three.
Also on track today was the non-championship Street Car bracket, with Michael Jury turning Top Qualifier honours into the overall win over runner-up Katrina Read.
For results sheets from today’s running, please go to www.andra.com.au/series/results/
Saturday – Round 1
ANDRA Racers Light Up The Desert As New Title Chase Begins
The 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series opened today at the Alice Springs Toyota Desert Nationals at Alice Springs Inland Dragway (ASID), with round two to swiftly follow on Sunday August 30.
The first half of the ‘Desert Double’ double-header launched the new season for Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike and Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike.
When all was said and done, Dazz Scott (Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike) and Bailey Paul (Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike) lifted the event-winning ANDRA Christmas Trees.
Also recognized at the end of the event presentations were the Alice Springs Toyota Desert Nationals round one top qualifiers, with Bailey Paul (Modified Bike) and Dean Jamieson (Modified Bike) each recognized with Top Qualifier medallions presented by Nitro Voodoo.
Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike
In Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike, winner Dazz Scott went all the way over runner-up Derryn McGregor to hoist the winning ANDRA Christmas Tree high in the air. Scott set to work in round one with a victory over Greg Oberti before going on to take a win from Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier and defending champ Dean Jamieson in round two, paving the way for the finals matchup with McGregor. McGregor began the day with a round one win over Tyson Gaghan, before sending Jason Rattray away wanting in round two.
“I am really excited because I honestly didn’t expect it. I do this on a beer budget because I love the atmosphere and the people and the riding. I am a little bit overwhelmed, this is not something I planned on or thought was going to happen,” grinned Scott.
“Everything went better than planned, obviously! I come and race for the grin, not the win, so to get a win is a bonus.
“I am certainly looking forward to tomorrow, and after today I am looking forward to the rest of the season!” he said, while thanking Combined Demolition, Maxi Equipment Hire, Kiwi Rossiter, and Susie Cameron for their support.
Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag
In Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag, Bike Bailey Paul and Cooper Plummer lined up for the bracket’s final showdown of the day, with Paul ultimately claiming the chocolates over runner-up Plummer. With the Nitro Voodoo Top Qualifier Medallion already secured, Paul enjoyed a bye in round one before dispatching Aliza Harris in round two to meet defending champ Plummer in the final. Plummer meanwhile raced through the first two rounds, first defeating Lawrence Raschella in round one, and then Kobe Ashelford in round two.
ANDRA championship brackets Top Sportsman, Gallagher Modified, South Australian Drag Racers Association Super Sedan, and Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike were also scheduled to compete today, however when it became apparent during qualifying that the track conditions were not suitable for these high powered vehicles – and without the time to safely rectify the surface within today’s schedule – the decision was made that these brackets would take no further part in Saturday’s racing. Track works will be completed overnight, and ANDRA is hopeful that all scheduled brackets will be able to run in Sunday’s round two. Please note, points from today’s running will not count towards the John Storm Memorial.
For results sheets from today’s running, please go to www.andra.com.au/series/results/
For event information, visit www.cadra.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
2026/2027 ANDRA SPORTSMAN SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR:
- August 29, 2026 – Round one – Desert Nationals, Alice Springs Inland Dragway (NT)
- August 30, 2026 – Round two – Desert Nationals, Alice Springs Inland Dragway (NT)
- September 11-13, 2026 – Junior Nationals* – Sunset Strip, Mildura (VIC)
- September 19-20, 2026 – Round three – Sunset Nationals – Sunset Strip, Mildura (VIC)
- October 10, 2026 – All Bike Nationals** – Dragway at The Bend, Tailem Bend (SA)
- October 23-25, 2026 – Round four – Spring Nationals – Dragway at The Bend, Tailem Bend (SA)
- November 20-21, 2026 – Round five – Goldenstates – Perth Motorplex, Perth (WA)
- December 5-6, 2026 – Round six – South Coast Nationals – South Coast Raceway, Portland (VIC)
- January 2-3, 2027 – Round seven – South Coast 660 – South Coast Raceway, Portland (VIC)
- January 23, 2027 – Round eight – ANDRA Drag Racing Masters – Sydney Dragway, Sydney (NSW)
- February 19-20, 2027 – Round nine – Event name TBC – Perth Motorplex, Perth (WA)
- February 27-28, 2027 – Round ten – Westernationals – Perth Motorplex, Perth (WA)
- April 23-24, 2027 – Round eleven – ANDRA Grand Finals – Dragway at The Bend, Tailem Bend (SA)
The Australian National Drag Racing Association Ltd, or ANDRA for short, is the drag racing sanctioning body of Australia. The organization was created in 1973 from a more drag racing oriented faction of the Australian Hot Rod Federation. Today ANDRA sanctions races throughout Australia and throughout the year at all levels, from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster, on everything from temporary regional tracks to international standard facilities in capital cities. ANDRA and its members make drag racing a family-friendly, safe sport. So come along as a spectator or bring your street car to an “off-street” event and enjoy the excitement that is Australian drag racing. www.andra.com.au
