"VAN" (Sports Desk - 10.04.2026) :: The final stand of the 2025/2026 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship will ignite Dragway at The Bend on Saturday April 18, with more than 150 racers set to do battle.
From event honours to championship glory, and more than 20 coveted Gold ANDRA Christmas Trees as well as the prestigious John Storm Memorial Award, there will be plenty to play for at this highly anticipated season finale.
After a season that has stretched across the Northern Territory, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales – including rounds at Hidden Valley Drag Strip, Alice Springs Inland Dragway, Dragway at The Bend, Mildura’s Sunset Strip, Portland’s South Coast Raceway, and Sydney Dragway – the Gallagher Modified championship chase arrives at Tailem Bend as one of the most fiercely contested of the year.
Three racers enter the decider on the maximum 300‑point cap, while another two are firmly still in contention on 280 and 270 points respectively, with 100 points available for a win.
Northern Territory racer Dan Hodgins leads the tally after capping out early and holding the top position since the opening round in Darwin.
Despite his season‑long lead, Hodgins remains grounded about the challenge ahead.
“As much as I have led the points chase from the first round in Darwin, I still feel like the underdog with some great racers in the hunt for the championship,” he said.
“To take home the gold would be such an honour when you know these guys and girls are in the other lane.
“After coming off a win at Dragway at The Bend’s Track Championship event in early March, it has built some confidence, but I’m sure the competition will be intense.
“I am looking forward to having some fun with our awesome crew and supporters who help me chase down the dream.”
Joining him on the 300‑point cap is Adriana Cartledge, who has delivered a standout season in her first full championship campaign.
“I’m pretty excited to see how we go at the Grand Finals,” she said.
“We wanted to give a full season a good crack, so it is exciting to be heading into the final on max points with a few other Modified racers.
“The day of racing is going to be tough with some really competitive racers who always put down good packages on track.
“We’re hoping for a good day and to hopefully turn some win lights on. I just need to focus and not let the nerves get the best of me.
“It would be a dream come true to take the title of Australian champion, it is something I’ve wanted since I was 13, and this is the first year we’ve decided to give it a real go.”
Also capped on 300 points is Kenny Stewart, who thrives on the challenge and atmosphere of racing at The Bend.
“We are so looking forward to this meeting – racing at The Bend is always exciting with great facilities and atmosphere,” Stewart said.
“I think you have to be confident going in, but there are some really great and skilled racers entered as well, which will make it challenging.
“I’ll have to bring my A‑game, try my best, and see how it all pans out. Being capped on maximum points will help, but there are a few others capped as well and some with a mathematical chance, so depending on how the cards fall or who goes the furthest will be holding up a Christmas Tree.”
Still firmly in the hunt are Derek Wills on 280 points and Fiona Crisp on 270, and both are more than capable of capitalising should the capped trio falter early.
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