By successfully claiming the 2022/2023 Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series Australian Championship in the Competition category, Craig Geddes continued to write his name in the history books as ANDRA’s most successful sportsman competitor.
This latest accolade is made even more impressive by the fact that it marks seven titles in a row for the Victorian – and he already has title number 10 in his sights!
This ninth national championship, and seventh in a row, sees you further establish your status as the most successful ANDRA sportsman competitor in history. How do you feel about that and what does it mean to you?
It is an absolute honour to be recognised as ANDRA’s most successful sportsman racer. We go out there every year just trying to promote ANDRA drag racing as best we can and do our absolute best while having a great time. I’m still as proud and motivated with this one as we were with our first. We are so passionate and want to do our best.
Is there anything that you did differently in 2022/2023 compared to previous years, that you think contributed to bringing home yet another championship? Or did you keep things status quo and if so, why do you feel that approach leads you to such success?
We have a formula that seems to work for us – the biggest thing for us is preparation and being organised. If you can turn up ready to go, it takes a lot of pressure off everyone in the team and things flow much nicer. Of course, things go wrong from time to time, but most times we can get it sorted without too much stress. We also have a never say die attitude, so even when it looks like we are out of the race, we dig deep and more times than not, we can turn the win light on.
Number 10 is a nice round number, and in your post Grand Final interview, you said it was already on your mind. What can you tell us about your 2023/2024 season aspirations?
I am really excited for the 2023/2024 season, as we all know ANDRA has the best Sportsman series in the country and that is about to get even better with the introduction of extra events for us at the soon to be completed Tailem Bend Motorsport Park Dragway. We will ensure we are prepared to give a 10th Championship a good shot.
Obviously, you have a winning formula down pat, but is there anything new or different for your upcoming season plans? Why/why not?
In the dragster we have a few classes we can run, B/D with the 335 and E/D with the 285 – there is just something about the desire to set records and be successful at big events, like the grand opening of the Bend. We will turn up with our best combination, looking to put in a strong performance at the opening event and our name into the record books.
How confident are you of being able to secure a tenth title, and eight in a row?
In all honesty I think this season will be a challenge. I am predicting larger fields and stronger performances across the board as other racers get on board with the ANDRA expanded series. With new staff filling key roles at ANDRA, it is going to be an exciting time and I’m really looking forward to it.
While you took out the title at the ANDRA Grand Final, you were forced to settle for the runner-up honours for the event – tell us how you felt about that and your thoughts on that final.
Going into the final I knew we would have a tough run against Michael (Buckley). He can run under the record and is a great competitor. I didn’t want to red light and waste an opportunity, but I ended up cutting a terrible light, whereas Michael did his job with an excellent light and a PB record run to put us on the trailer and get himself a well-earned win and a Gold ANDRA tree.
What was your favourite event of the 2022/2023 season and why?
I would have to say I equally enjoyed both the Mildura and Portland eighth-mile events. The guys do an amazing job at organising the events and preparing the tracks. It is such a pleasure racing there. The success we have is just a bonus.
What was the highlight of your season aside from taking out the title?
The highlight of the season would have to be running our personal best time of 6.84 at the Perth Motorplex. It is not an easy thing to do with a naturally aspirated smallish 335 Small block Chevy. We tried some changes on that run and it stuck.
Alongside your hugely successful exploits in the Competition ranks, you have also recently taken steps into the Pro Stock ranks – how have you found it so far and when can we expect to see you in action with that car at an ANDRA event?
Yes, we have put together a Pro Stock package which we hope will run in the 7.0 range once we learn some more about it. It is a new challenge and something me and the team have wanted to try for a very long time. At this stage we will just run at selected events, more than likely alongside the Top Fuel Series.
Who would you like to thank for the roles they have played in your title season?
I would like to make mention of the following:
- Summit Racing Equipment for their support of the ANDRA Sportsman Series
- Rob Martin for his endless team support.
- My Family: Amanda, Laura, Jesse, Charlie and Alexander.
- Our hard-working Crew
- Rob Martin
- Darryl Hepworth
- Ethan Wright
- Jesse Geddes
- Matt Forbes
- Beau Sweeney
- Laura Geddes
- Adam Geddes
- Rob Behrtel
- David Sandwith
- Our amazing sponsors:
- DecoGlaze Glass Splashbacks
- Quicks Freight Express
- Jax Tyres and Auto
- Hudson Ridge Builders
- Kitchens U Build Ballarat
- Barn Door Builders
- Light Vehicle Solutions
- Fast Lane Speed Shop
- Ballarat Bolts and Fasteners
- CHS Broadbent Grain
- Crane Cams
- Patterson Elite USA
- CAE Performance Products
- Bullet Race Engineering
- Custom Engines
- Ridgeway Motorsports
- Vinyl Wraps and Graphics
- Skinners Plaster
Unfortunately, this season we say goodbye to one of our great business partners and sponsors in Quicks Freight Express. Ross and Deb Quick have been instrumental in our success in many ways and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
Given your enormous success in the sport, what advice would you offer anyone contemplating getting into the sport?
My advice would be the same no matter what class or category you have chosen. The beauty of drag racing is there is a class for all ages and budgets. It is an amazing sport to be involved with and a great platform to proudly showcase your vehicle and race craft.
You must do 99 percent of the work in the shed before even leaving home. And you must be prepared when you arrive at the track. This ensures you have the best chance of having an enjoyable day and the least amount of issues as possible.
Always have your race vehicle and team well-presented and clean. Treat all the other racers, officials, sponsors and fans with the utmost respect. A good turn you can do for someone else will come back 10-fold in the future.
Be patient as success can take some time to come but above all, enjoy your time around people with the same interests. Treat every outing as an adventure.
For the complete listing of ANDRA champions, please click here