There was no shortage of ANDRA Gold Christmas Trees at the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship Grand Finals held at Dragway at The Bend last weekend.
The prestigious trophies were awarded to championship winners and event winners alike.
While the title winners have understandably been the subject of much of the post-event fanfare, the event wins were just as hotly contested as the championship battles across April 25 and 26.
Taking out the ANDRA Grand Finals event winner trees were Dean Cleary (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Robert Kardum (Super Sedan Competitors Group Super Sedan), Anton Krajina (South Australian Drag Racers Association Super Gas), Bob Sherry (Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws), David Foster (Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman), Derek Wills (Gallagher Modified) and James Barlow (Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster).
Championship winning racers Rick Johns (Competition/ Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing SuperComp), Rob Cassar (Lectron Australia Competition Bike) and Dean Jamieson (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike) also hoisted the event winning trophies alongside their championship trophies at the end of the event.
There was also a Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree awarded to the winner of the non-championship Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Drag Bike bracket in recognition of their growth across the year and pending championship status, with Lucas Bergamin taking out that honour.
Also recognised at the presentations was Craig Plummer for his win in the Scootaround Sales and Hire Scooter class, presented with a special event trophy for his winning efforts.
Please read on for comment from each of our non-championship-winning event winners from the 2024/2025 ANDRA Grand Finals. For comment from Johns, Cassar and Jamieson, please click here.
Derek Willis – Gallagher Modified winner
Derek Wills knocked New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier and championship runner-up Kenny Stewart out in the final run after a bye in round two and a win over Dan Hodgins in round one. Stewart meanwhile had enjoyed a bye run in the opening race ahead of victory of Gallagher Modified championship winner, Cory Dyson, in round two (semis).
“It was obviously a great event and everything ran well, the car ran perfectly, and the crew did their job, I was over there with my two daughters and their mate and we had a great weekend,” Wills said.
“This is our first Gold Christmas Tree so it is a big deal for us.
“The win was very exciting, I have had a few runner-ups in my day, so it was nice to finally get the monkey off my back.
“Like I said to someone at the weekend, you just have to keep putting yourself in the mix and eventually things will go your way and that is exactly what happened. I was able to keep Kenny behind me in the final and then jump on the anchors at the end to make it nice and safe and take the win.
“Thank you to Viper Safety, Eastern Property Services, Paul Rogers Performance Transmissions, and Supa Trik differentials. Thank you also to our bracket sponsor, Gallagher.
“I also want to send a shout out to my mate, Andrew Francis – he always crews for me but he couldn’t come this weekend but thank you to him for all his help across the season.”
Anton Krajina – South Australian Drag Racers Association (SADRA) Super Gas
Anton Krajina took the win over Darryl Stephen for the SADRA Super Gas event win at the ANDRA Grand Finals after having earlier dispatched SADRA Super Gas championship winner and New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier Adrian McGrotty in the first round ahead of a round two bye and a semi-final win over Warren Bull. Event runner-up Stephen meanwhile had made it to the final with victories over Tony Romeo (round one) and Rob Bergamin (round two) before enjoying a bye in the semi.
“I am speechless, I am still freaking out,” laughed Krajina the day after the event.
“This is our first Christmas tree after racing for about 30 years, so this is amazing.
“The weekend went well, we ran a triple zero light on the Friday so our lights were good, and the car went well, thanks to all the crew and the boys getting the car sorted.
“I want to send my thanks to JC Race Stuff and Bob Maslin Race Cars for an awesome car and also to my crew: Peter, Tony and Maurice.
“I also want to shout out to Flynn, my little boy who was there this weekend.
“Thank you also to Dragway at the Bend, ANDRA, all the Super Gas guys – they are a good bunch of guys – and also SADRA for sponsoring the bracket.”
David Foster – Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman
David Foster proved victorious in Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman for the event, taking the race-winning honours over runner-up Sam Cardinale.
To get to the final, Foster knocked out Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park recipient Darren Whitford in the semi-final – with Whitford having earlier eliminated Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman championship winner Leon Davies in the opening round.
Foster had earlier taken wins over Stuart McBain in round two and George Moshakis in round one. Likewise, to reach the final, Cardinale first sent Dean Tassone packing in round one, before doing the same to Chris Farrugia – who eliminated title runner-up Vlado Turic in round one – and Darren Parker in rounds two and three.
“It was obviously very exciting to get the win, there were some of the toughest racers in the country at this event and there were no free rides, it was all hard work,” Foster said.
“The car was on point all weekend and the crew are just awesome – they are the best crew you could ever have.
“I am very proud for everyone concerned to get the win, and to get it alongside my father-in-law Bob Sherry (Supercharged Outlaws winner) who also got the Gold Tree is really special indeed. I feel very honoured.
“Thank you to my awesome wife Lisa, my crew Alex and Brent for all the data work that was absolutely perfect, Tom and Aaron for doing everything without being told, they are so switched on, and Scotty and Leanne for all their awesome efforts.
“I also can’t thank my sponsors enough: Spry Civil Construction, Burson Automotive Murray Bridge, Flat Out Freight, Patio Coffee Roasters, Sherry Competition Engines, Valvoline Australia, and Nance Automotive and Machining.”
Robert Kardum – Super Sedan Competitors Group Super Sedan
Super Sedan Competitors Group Super Sedan championship runner-up and event winner Robert Kardum had been locked in a four-way battle for second in the championship coming into the weekend.
Kardum faced off against Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park recipient Steve Paech in the final, to successfully claim the event win, after getting the better of Michael Tuddenham (round one), Wayne Couzner (round two), Joe Cutri – who took the win over Super Sedan Competitors Group Super Sedan Champion Tony Miskelly in round one – (round three) before a bye in the semi-final. On his way to the final, event runner-up Paech had a bye in round one, and wins over Dan Oxton, Lance Larcombe, and Chevy Taylor in rounds two, three and four respectively.
“That is my first Tree that I have won in ten or eleven years of racing, so to win two – the event win and the title runner-up – is pretty special. I was excited to win one, but to win two is pretty good!” Kardum grinned.
“It was a good weekend, all the runs were good, the reaction times were good, it was good all around.
“I want to thank Dandy Engines who do all my engines, SpeedPro, and Nathan Higgins.
“I also want to say a special thank you to my missus, Brenda, we drive all around Australia and race in more than 30 events a year, and I appreciate her support.
“Thanks also to my grandkids – Allirah, Nikyah and Shantaya who all race and also my grandson Robbie.
“And of course, thank you to Dragway at The Bend – we have raced there since they opened and they have been spectacular.
“When I got the win and was on my way back to get my ticket it was so amazing to have a whole group of Super Sedan guys waving and congratulating me. I am Victorian and there were all these SA guys coming up and giving me hugs. I was just speechless; it was so nice.”
Dean Cleary – Goodyear Racing Super Street
Dean Cleary took the win over runner-up Tony Antonino in a double red light race.
Cleary had found his way to the final after getting the best of Bradley Hicks in round one, Roc Piscioneri in round two and Victor Romeo – who dispatched championship runner-up Michael Bridges in round two) in round three, before a bye in the semi-final.
Antonino also enjoyed a bye in round three and had successful wins over Rob Ashman in round one and Chicka Waight in round two, while in the semi-final he dispatched Goodyear Racing Super Street Champion, Michael Jennings. In the previous round (round three), Jennings had put New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier Kevin Cooper on the trailer.
“It was awesome to get the win. It was just a great weekend, and everything worked out perfectly,” Cleary said.
“The car was reasonably consistent, and my lights were okay apart from the red light in the final, but I still won – Tony red light first, which was lucky.
“I was running solo at the weekend as none of my mates who would normally come and crew with me were available, and I went and won a Gold Tree! So maybe I should run solo more often,” he laughed.
“On a serious note, I want to thank everybody that helped out with the event, Dragway at The Bend, ANDRA for putting on the series, and Goodyear Racing for supporting the bracket – they make great tyres!”
James Barlow – Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster
James Barlow took the ANDRA Grand Finals event victory over Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Dragster Champion Bailey Hawke.
Right before the final, Barlow dispatched Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park recipient Cooper Plummer in the semi-final. To get there, Barlow first took a win over Angelina Kondilis in round one and Toby Beasley in round two.
Hawke meanwhile had raced through to the final by taking victories over Charlize Grivell in round one, Brock Furlanetto in round two and Deklan McGregor in round three. Championship runner-up Taylor Horton was eliminated in round one by Ava Walker.
“I was kind of in shock when I realised that I had won – I saw the win light, but it took me a couple of seconds to realise I had won the event,” 14-year-old Barlow said.
“That final race was really close, the hardest out of all of them, against Bailey who won the championship.
“We had a fair bit of trouble in qualifying, but on race day, everything just worked. Now I want more!” he laughed.
“Thank you to my mum and dad (former Modified champion, Simon Barlow), to everyone that helps out at the track, to all the volunteers, Young Guns Speed Shop, and also the bracket sponsor, Langtree’s Machinery Services.”
Bob Sherry – Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws
Bob Sherry took the Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws event victory at the ANDRA Grand Final over event runner-up, Tim Stewart.
Sherry had earlier taken win over Brendan Carr (round one), and championship runner-up Shane Baxter (semi-final) before facing off against Stewart in the final.
Stewart meanwhile had taken on David Pessios (round one) and Huntsman Racing Supercharged Outlaws Champion and New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier Doina Day in the semi-final to earn his place in the final.
“It was really good to get the win,” Sherry said.
“I am very proud for the team, it is a lot of work to keep both cars running (Sherry’s and the car of his son-in-law, Top Sportsman winner David Foster), we are just the drivers really!” he laughed.
“The teamwork was really good and I am very happy and feel blessed that I could win a meeting with most of my family there.
“This is my third race win in a row, so I am absolutely exhausted! It was a real honour too to win a Gold Christmas Tree with ANDRA written on it, and it was a great weekend all round, very enjoyable.
“I want to say thank you to my grandson Alex, my daughters Lisa and Leanne were here working hard, and the crew Tommy, Brent, Aaron, Scotty and Allan, and also Distinctive Homes and Valvoline Oils.
“The Monza will be garaged now as I build my new Supercharged Outlaws car, the ‘Maltese Falcon’, which will come out in time for the new season.”
Lucas Bergamin – (non-championship) Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Drag Bike
While a non-championship bracket for the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Drag Bike will carry title status for the coming 2025/2026 season.
In recognition of the bracket’s growth across the season, the winner was presented with a Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree trophy, with Lucas Bergamin taking out that honour over event runner-up, Cooper Plummer.
“I am very proud of myself with this achievement, I have always wanted a Gold Christmas Tree so to get one for myself is pretty great,” Bergamin said.
“I had a really good time at the event, the weekend went smoothly, the bike was running well and really consistently, and I was cutting good reaction times too.
“There was a lot of people around me that were helping me and I want to thank them for their support, including my crew, my family, and mum and dad.
“Thank you also to ANDRA, bracket sponsor Langtree’s Machinery Services, and Dragway at The Bend.”
Craig Plummer – (non-championship) Scootaround Sales and Hire Scooter
The popular Scootaround Sales and Hire Scooter bracket was taken out by Craig Plummer over event runner-up Vlad Ostashkevic.
On his way to the final, Plummer enjoyed a round one win over Michael White, a round two bye, and a semi-final win from Neil Mellett. Ostashkevic meanwhile had faced off against Sarah Tanti (round one) and Ryan Lee (round two) before enjoying a semi-final bye run.
Supported by Scootaround Sales and Hire at the ANDRA Grand Finals, as the winner Plummer received not only a special event trophy but also a $200 cash prize.
“Even in a class that is there just for fun, you still have that desire to win,” Plummer said.
“The weekend went pretty well – we had three good runs in qualifying, I won the first round due to a break out in the other lane, on the second round I had a bye run so was able to ride it out the back door and get a good guess on the dial-in for the next round, and the next round I treed Neil Mellett for a winning margin of .008.
“In the final against Vladamir, I won that race on the tree too, he managed to break out, and I came away as the champion! And it felt very good!
“I think the scooter racing is a great idea, giving people who normally just to get to watch other people race a feel for racing. It is a fantastic little class and getting bigger and better every time.
“I would like to thank Jake and Beth Hamilton-Moderate and their business Mod Con Civil for the use of the bike. Thank you also to ANDRA and Dragway at The Bend, Summit Racing Equipment, and also Scootaround Sales and Hire for their sponsorship of the bracket this weekend.”
For full results from the ANDRA Grand Finals, please click here.
The 2025/2026 ANDRA Sportsman Championship will kick off with back-to-back events in the NT, starting at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Drag Strip on August 29-30 with Nitro Up North, ahead of the Desert Nationals at Alice Springs Inland Dragway just days later on Wednesday September 3, with these two events preceding the (non-championship) Red CentreNATS in Alice Springs. Further details about the 25/26 season will be released soon. In the meantime, ANDRA members with questions should email info@andra.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au