Father and son Ian and Kobe Ashelford are ready to take on this weekend’s All Bike Nationals (October 10) at Dragway at The Bend, a vital points-scoring opportunity for the two-wheeled racers of both the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series and the National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC).
Kobe heads to Dragway at The Bend with two-straight NDRC wins behind him which have positioned him as the championship leader in that title chase, which concludes later this month at the SPRY Spring Nationals, also at Dragway at The Bend.
The 14-year-old is hoping to extend to a three-peat at what is the penultimate round of the NDRC title chase, while adding points to his 2026/2027 ANDRA series Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike tally – in which he is currently placed 3rd.
Ian meanwhile will be lining up in NDRC Top Fuel Motorcycle, and while he isn’t in championship contention, he will be keen to challenge for a prestigious event win at the Tailem Bend facility.
“In the ANDRA series I enjoyed heading to the double header in Alice Springs, and I certainly wouldn’t mind gaining a bag of points at the All Bike Nationals to move myself further up in that title chase,” Kobe smiled.
“Hopefully the stars might align, and I can keep my NDRC winning streak going and improve my ANDRA standing at the same time!
“I am feeling pretty confident for the All Bike Nationals, but only time will tell how I go on the day. To get the win at this event would be pretty cool for me. To win three events in a row would be awesome – I haven’t done that before, so I am excited to see how it goes.”
The bike-only meeting is one Kobe rates highly, both for what it offers the junior classes and for the atmosphere around it.
“I think the event is great. I really enjoy coming over to Adelaide – it is a nice place and the track is good, and it brings more exposure to the junior bikes and just drag bike racing all together,” Kobe said, while thanking the Attitude Racing team and its sponsors – Metro Liquid Waste Services, Hi-Tech Oils, Dananni Hotshots, Shock and Thaw Sports Recovery and Fussy Meats – before adding a message for home: “lastly, I’m 14 and keep getting told to get a job from mum. Love you mum.”
Ian will arrive at the All Bike Nationals just as determined, only his purpose for this event is measured in seconds, with the Top Fuel Motorcycle rider wanting to get his bike back into ‘the sixes’ before it comes apart for a rebuild.
“Recently I have had a few troubles with the bike that just keep coming back. We have plans for a new ignition for the bike that we will be testing next season, but for these last two meetings at Tailem Bend the ‘Maggys’ will have to do,” Ian said.
“For this meeting I will be trying to sort this bike out and hopefully get it back to running sixes before we rebuild the bike and put this new ignition on, so I know it is where I need it before next season.
Asked about how he would feel about the prospect of both Ashelfords taking an event win, Ian was adamant it is a result that is most certainly coming soon.
“I started in this sport watching the drags at Ravenswood with my dad back in the day, so to now be racing alongside my son is pretty special,” Ian said.
“For us to both get the win, side by side, at the All Bike Nationals – that would be really great. It would be a first for both me and him, and if it doesn’t happen this meeting, it will happen soon,” he grinned, while thanking “my boys for helping me with everything, my crew who always work hard at the races, and my sponsors Hi-Tech Oils and Dananni Hotshots for the support.”
Nitro Voodoo Junior Drag Bike and Top Fuel Motorcycle will be joined at the All Bike Nationals by Nitro Voodoo Modified Bike, Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike, and Motorcycle Transport and Repairs Extreme Bike, as well as Pro Stock Motorcycle. Also on-track will be racing for Street Bike, Scooters, and Street Registered Harleys. For event information, go to www.thebend.com.au/dragway. For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au