Junior Drag Bike will be one of the categories to watch when the Alice Springs Toyota Desert Nationals opens the 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series this weekend, with several of the bracket’s leading young riders returning to resume a rivalry which delivered an intensely close championship fight last season.

Now entering its second championship campaign under the ANDRA banner, the bracket arrives in Alice Springs with no shortage of storylines after an ultra-close 2025/2026 which saw Cooper Plummer, Aliza Harris, Lawrence Raschella, Riley Kilvington, and Bailey Paul locked together at the top of the standings heading into the final round.

Plummer ultimately secured both the inaugural ANDRA Junior Drag Bike championship and the prestigious John Storm Memorial Trophy, while Bailey Paul finished second in the title chase and Aliza Harris claimed third overall.

Alice Springs will provide the first chance for that fight to resume, with Plummer, Harris, Raschella and Paul all entered for the Desert Nationals. When the bracket last raced there in 2025, Harris took the event win, while Plummer was the top qualifier and runner-up.

With rounds one and two of the new 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series to be contested across the Alice Springs double-header, along with bonus points, the Desert Nationals presents an important early chance for the category’s front-runners to build momentum in their latest title campaigns.

“It meant a lot, to be the first Junior Bike to win the John Storm Memorial, and the first Junior in 11 years, and to win the title. I worked hard for it, I had been chasing an ANDRA title for six years, and to finally get it was a dream come true,” Plummer said.

“I am feeling decently confident heading into the Desert Nationals as Number 1. Last year was a lot of fun, even if it was a little bit of a bummer for me being runner-up! Hopefully I can go one better this time around,” he smiled.

“I am expecting an even more competitive championship this year. Last season was only the first full championship season for Junior Drag Bike, so now everyone has a bit of practice under their belt, we are expecting more people coming in, and I think it is going to be even closer and more fun this year. I can’t wait to get going into a new title fight in Alice Springs.”

Plummer’s breakthrough campaign last season established him as the rider to beat, but the closeness of the championship battle means there will be no shortage of challengers as the new season gets underway.

“I am very excited to return to Alice Springs after winning there last year in what was my first final,” Harris said.

“I was very happy with placing third in the championship in my debut season especially as I was still learning as I went. To come as far as I have already has been a massive achievement for my race team and I.

“I am looking forward to seeing where the 2026/2027 season goes. I think it will be a very competitive and interesting season, and getting a good start in Alice would be important not just for my ANDRA campaign, but also because it would be great to mark my second visit there with hopefully another win.

“I really grew to love the track last time I was there, and I am looking forward to seeing how we go this time around.”

Harris heads back to Alice Springs with the benefit of proven form at the venue, while Paul and Raschella will also be looking to convert last year’s pace into a strong opening result.

“When they called my name as runner-up, I was in shock. I knew I had an okay season but I’m still new…I was so very happy…coming runner up in my debut season is awesome,” Paul said.

“This season, my focus is on being more consistent with my lights and my times. And obviously, I would love to win it this year. To get myself on the podium at Alice Springs, especially if I can do it twice in the one weekend, would be amazing and the perfect way to set up a good season. I will be doing all I can to make it happen.”

“I am always excited to be heading to Alice Springs, and I am leading the NDRC points chase for Junior Bike at the moment, so hopefully I can add a few more points there while starting the new ANDRA season with a win or two!” Raschella said.

“My Harley Davidson made its debut there last year, and we have made a few changes since them, so I am keen to see how it performs.”

For event information on the Alice Springs Toyota Desert Nationals, visit www.cadra.com.au

To learn more about ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au