The Sunset Nationals at the Sunset Strip
September 16-17, 2023

ANDRA: Sun Sets on Epic Sportsman Show in Mildura

The Sunset Nationals have well and truly impressed in Mildura, with an action-packed day of racing ensuring plenty of happy campers at the Sunset Strip today.

When all was said and done, it was Lucas Neagoe in Modified Bike, and Joe Khoury in Competition Bike who took out the prestigious ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies.

COMPETITION BIKE

In Competition Bike, reigning Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Competition Bike Champion, Joe Khoury, took the win over Rob Church in his Harley VRod Destroyer following a three-round Chicago Shootout. To secure his place in the final, Khoury had secured wins over David Willis, Nick Thompson and Mark Habel, while Church notched up victories over Nick Thompson, Mark Habel and Archie Fabian. The Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier was Locky Ireland.

“To get the win was a good follow up from winning the championship least season, this is my first ANDRA event since then, and pretty much stamps my authority on Competition Bike in my class I think,” Khoury said.

“I can’t wait to head to Portland to do it all again hopefully! This weekend, it was great, a great track, a great facility. I have always been pretty successful here and I love it. Thanks to my crew and also to my sponsors Twin Tune Dyno Tuning Australia, VP Racing Fuels, and Joe Khoury Motorcycle Transport.”

MODIFIED BIKE

Modified Bike saw Lucas Neagoe take the win over Derryn McGregor in his Suzuki GSXR 1000, following a round one win from Corey Gathercole, a round two bye, and a semi-final victory over Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier, Sean Ricketts.

McGregor meanwhile had taken on Cheryl Beddoes and Dean Jamieson, before a semi-final bye.

For full results from the Sunset Nationals, please visit www.andra.com.au/series/results/

ANDRA thanks the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association and all of its volunteers and sponsors for an outstanding racetrack and a well-run event.

The next Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series round of 2023 will be held as part of the Spring Nationals at the brand-new Dragway at the Bend across October 21 and 22. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au

Qualifying

More than 160 racers took to the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association’s Sunset Strip in Mildura today to undertake three rounds of qualifying for the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series’ Sunset Nationals.

When all was said and done, it was the following racers who claimed the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier Medallions for their brackets were Sean Ricketts in Modified Bike, and Locky Ireland in Competition Bike.

MODIFIED BIKE

Ricketts took out the Modified Bike victory the last time the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series visited Mildura for the 2023 Twilight Nationals earlier this year, and is hoping his top qualifying performance is the first step in a repeat performance.

“The weather has absolutely come out for us this weekend, there is not a cloud in the sky and all day it has been brilliant, and warm but not overly hot. So, the conditions have been fantastic, and the track prep has been A1,” Ricketts said.

“For me to get Top Qualifier is something I don’t think I have ever had before so that is good. The bike is running pretty quickly so I am happy with that, and it should give us a bye run in the morning with a nine-bike field.

“I think the conditions tomorrow will be pretty similar, so the numbers we ran today should hold for tomorrow and we like our chances of being successful here. We have gone well here in our last couple of meetings so we are really confident we can go well.

“I have had some good times here and good memories, I really love coming here – it is a long trip, but well worth it,” he concluded, while thanking Mick and Allison from Heavy Duty Magazine for their support and friendship.

COMPETITION BIKE

Locky Ireland in Competition Bike took home the Decoglaze Glass Splashbacks Top Qualifier Medallion.

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