Benny Philips will open the New Year with the January 2/3 South Coast 660 at South Coast Raceway, and the continuation of a pursuit he has been on for many years – to win an ANDRA Christmas Tree at the Portland venue for his late Nana, Heather.
“It would mean the world to me to win the South Coast 660. I have been trying to win my Nana an ANDRA Christmas Tree there for many years,” said the local racer who will line up in The South Australian Drag Racers Association Super Sedan bracket this weekend.
“Sadly, she passed away seven years ago. She was my biggest supporter and never missed a meeting at South Coast Raceway – she was always the first there on the hill and the last to leave. She is dearly missed at the track.”
The event marks round six of the 2025/2026 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship and like round five, the South Coast Nationals held in December, it will take place at South Coast Raceway – from which the long-time racer lives just a few kilometres away.
“I have been involved in drag racing for 30 years and racing for almost 20 with a number of different cars, and I have been fortunate to have many memorable moments with family and friends drag racing across that time,” he explains.
“I have raced in Super Street, Super Sedan, and Top Sportsman over the years. A couple of years ago I sold off my Top Sportsman S10 racer, deciding that cheaper and easier fun was to be had with our family’s Street Cruiser,” he laughs before adding, “of course, it has evolved a little since then! We are having tons of fun with it.”
At the South Coast Nationals, Phillips had a focus on consistency – a focus he will be continuing into the South Coast 660 event in his HK Holden.
“My season just kicked off basically and it is going well so far – I was the runner-up at the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association’s Chicago Shootout event in Mildura, and at the South Coast Nationals I felt quite confident, but unfortunately, I turned the light red by .001 in round two!
“And that was after the semis at that same event last year saw a .001 red – very frustrating!” he chuckled.
“Hopefully we can avoid the reds this weekend!
“At the South Coast Nationals I was trying to reduce my reaction spread, to react more consistently, and so far I am quite pleased with how that is going.
“Being a small tyre street car, I am always trying things to make the 60-foot repeatability the best it can be.
“I really find it interesting to learn and try new things, and I will keep doing that – for the 660, the weather conditions can change quite often in Portland so I have a couple of changes ready to try and help the car not shift as much if conditions call for it throughout the weekend.”
Phillips’ passion for South Coast Raceway is obvious, and unsurprising, given he is a proud Executive Committee member and volunteer for the track.
“We have an amazing passionate group of people running and supporting the venue. I live a couple of kilometres from the track so I’m truly lucky,” he said.
“What can I say…everyone loves everything thing about South Coast raceway. It is forever developing and supporting racers and fans.
“We can’t wait for the South Coast 660, and we also encourage people to come and check out the track’s 20-year Anniversary Show on February 7, which will feature Phil Lamattina doing some passes in his FUCHS Top Fuel Dragster. There will be a class for everyone and some great food and live entertainment as well.”
As he gets ready for this weekend, Phillips urges his fellow racers to get behind their local clubs.
“I would like to say thanks to ANDRA and all of the supporting bracket sponsors for the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship,” he said.
“At the end of the day, we are all in this together – the future of our sport lies with us all. A series is nothing without tracks and their small bunches of volunteers doing the best they can to put on the best for everyone, and I urge anyone interested in getting involved with a club to do so, there are jobs and fun to be had for all ages and abilities.”
He was also quick to point our a few key supporters: “I want to send a shout out to my fiancée Simone, my daughter Amelia (5) and my son Hartley (3) for their support. Our children love going to the drags and may well be part of the next generation of drag racers. The rest of this race season is really busy, and we hope to be there all together for each meeting.”
For South Coast 660 event information, visit www.southcoastraceway.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au
Image thanks to Michael Walker