"VAN" (Sports Desk - 04.10.2025) :: The SPRY Spring Nationals at Dragway at The Bend is well underway, with day one at Dragway at The Bend now complete.
The first of three days of running for this event featured the first two qualifying sessions for round four of the 2025/2026 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series, as well as test runs for the Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, and Pro Mod competitors also taking to the track this weekend.
At the close of Q2 for the ANDRA racers this afternoon, Cooper Plummer (New Gen Business Park Junior Drag Bike), Taylor Horton (Junior Dragster), Luke ‘Tex’ Griffiths (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Michael Riches (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike), Rob Camilleri (The South Australian Drag Racers Association Super Sedan), Adriana Cartledge (Gallagher Modified), Jake Hamilton-Moderate (New Gen Business Park Competition Bike), Darren Whitford (Top Sportsman), Doina Day (New Gen Business Park Supercharged Outlaws), and Ve Venice Mameledzija (Super Gas) were leading the way in their respective brackets, with further qualifying to be held today's morning before racing kicks off in the afternoon.
Goodyear Racing Super Street competitor Tex Griffiths has travelled 15 hours from his home in New South Wales to compete at Dragway at The Bend this weekend.
“I am really happy, the track is in terrific condition as always and all the racers are having a good time,” Griffiths said.
“The weather is pretty good, even though it is a bit windy today. A bit of a crosswind knocked the car off a bit in the first qualifier.
“We went quicker in the second pass and the Plymouth is hauling arse. It is going to be hotter tomorrow so it might slow down a bit.
“It will be all about having the game face on and going rounds. If we can go rounds, it will take care of itself.
“I can’t believe what a great crowd we have had here today for a Friday, and I am always amazed at the enthusiasm of the local fans here. I really love it and having (US drag racing announcing legend) Alan Reinhart here calling – how cool is that; it feels like we are on the world stage!
“Thank you to Tex’s Automotive and Faber Vineyard and Winery in the Swan Valley, and to my wife Julie and my son Jett.
“I travel with a few guys and we all have a good time racing together – I just think it is great and while I can do it, I am going to do it – none of us are getting any younger after all, so let’s go racing!” he grinned.
In South Australian Drag Racers Super Sedan, Rob Camilleri is leading the way so far after a good day at the track.
“It has been a pretty good day; an easy day. My wife is here as my crew and it has been good,” he said.
“The track is absolutely sensational. It is just great. It is so smooth and the track surface and the facilities are just excellent. It is world class – I have raced overseas in America at a range of places and this racing surface is by far better than some of the stuff I have seen over there.
“We will see how we go for the rest of the weekend. We have 40 cars in our field, a lot of cars, so we will be giving it our best shot,” he added, while thanking Sunraysia Mower Centre, Oz Mower Spares, and Pro Race Engines for their support.
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