Championship Showdown Delights at The Bend
Championship Showdown Delights at The Bend
The final 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship showdown delivered no end of exciting racing and on-track action at Dragway at The Bend across 25-26 April.
LECTRON AUSTRALIA COMPETITION BIKE
Championship and event winner and Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park recipient: Rob Cassar. Championship and event runner-up and John Storm Memorial Trophy recipient: Edge Mallis
With Rob Cassar, Edge Mallis and Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes all on the points cap, and one in line for the John Storm Memorial Trophy, the Grand Final weekend was always going to be a nail-biting affair.
In the end, it would be Rob Cassar who would clean sweep the weekend, taking not only the Lectron Australia Competition Bike championship title, but also the event ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree and the Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park, all while resetting the AA/CBN ET and TS records in the process (ET to 7.008s and Top Speed to 186.45mph).
Championship and event runner-up Edge Mallis had an extra reason to smile when he was presented with the John Storm Memorial Trophy at the presentation ceremony after the final runs on Saturday. “Winning it is an honour, as it truly rewards dedication and consistency in the sport,” Mallis said
Cassar enjoyed two byes before a win over Callam Godeassi in round three to get to the final pairing against Mallis, while Mallis also had byes in rounds two and three, after a win over Rob Church in round one.
Cassar couldn’t have been happier with how the weekend unfolded.
“We got the championship, the event win, two national records, top qualifier – it has been a very good weekend at Dragway at The Bend for us, that is for sure,” grinned Cassar.
“I am so happy with how this has turned out – it is a very special achievement to win my third national championship – this is my second in Competition Bike, and I have the one in Top Fuel Motorcycle also. Maybe I should try and get one in Modified Bike now,” he laughed.
“It has been a fantastic event here this weekend, the track was great and we had an amazing time.
“I would like to thank my wife Katie Cassar for all of her support and all she does for me.
“I would also like to thank Lectron Australia for their support of the bracket, ANDRA and the ANDRA Board for listening to the racers, Amanda Cobb for all the media stuff she does, and our sponsors: Ballistic Performance Parts, Powerplus Race Fuel, Denso Auto Parts Australia, Shinko, and Lucas Oil.”
BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE PARTS MODIFIED BIKE
Championship and event winner and Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park recipient: Dean Jamieson. Championship and event runner-up: Peter Bartlett.
Dean Jamieson was equal second in the championship points coming into the Grand Final weekend, but went on to secure the title thanks to an event-winning performance that also saw the Victorian claim the Top Qualifier Medallion presented by New Gen Business Park.
Jamieson started Saturday’s racing with a bye, before ousting Geoff Bergamin in round two and Michael Cristoforo in round three. He would then line up against eventual championship and event runner-up Peter Bartlett to seal the deal and secure the win.
Bartlett, meanwhile, took the win over Bryan Finn – who was the championship leader at the time – in round one before a bye in round two and another successful run in round three over Brock Richards to get to the final.
For Jamieson, the championship win is going to take some time to sink in, but he’s thrilled with the result.
“I am a bit speechless, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Jamieson said.
“I am obviously thrilled to win the championship – we knew going into the weekend that we were going to be right up against it as we were trailing in the points and needed a few things to go our way.
“Thankfully, during the day things started to go our way and we had a bit of luck.
“We put a lot of effort into what we do, so this is a real reward for the effort that we have put in.
“We top qualified and got the bye for the first round, which was pretty invaluable, and then there was some really tight racing through the rounds.
“The championship wasn’t decided until the final was decided, and that is a testament to the group of Modified Bike riders we have, that the racing was just so close.
“Going into the final race, I put a fair bit of pressure on myself, it was right up there. I have raced Peter before and he has got me, so we are one-all now.
“I want to thank my fellow racer Gavin Dohnt for his help and guidance, the input he has had into my racing and letting me bounce ideas around is very much appreciated.
“I also want to thank my daughter Marissa; my sponsors Casterton Motorcycle and Top Shop Casterton; and also bracket sponsor Ballistic Performance Parts, for all of their support.”
Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Drag Bike
Also taking to the track at Dragway at The Bend this weekend were the non-championship Langtree’s Machinery Services Junior Drag Bike and fan-favourite Scootaround Sales and Hire Scooter Scooter brackets.
Lucas Bergamin and Neil Mellett and Cooper Plummer and Vlad Ostashkevich took out the event winner and runner-up honours respectively.
John Storm Memorial Trophy
It was a big weekend, and indeed a big year for Mallis, who not only claimed the Lectron Australia Competition Bike championship runner-up and event runner-up honours this weekend, but also the John Storm Memorial Trophy.
Commissioned in memory of Mr John Storm, the first National Director of ANDRA, the John Storm Memorial Trophy is an annual national award made to the competitor in Group Two, Three or Four who scores the highest total overall points from all rounds of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, including the final event.
“As someone said to me today, there are 11 champions but only one John Storm Memorial Trophy, so yes it was very important to us.
“It feels awesome to win it, it has been a big effort – I have been in every final bar one all year and had two runners-up and all the rest were wins, so it was going to be hard for anyone to beat me.
“It is very rewarding definitely, I am having a great year!
“When it comes to who to thank, I seriously have had so many crew this year, and no one could do what we have done without all of their efforts, so thank you to everyone who has crewed throughout the season.
“Thank you to Blazecraft (Blaze Hansen and Gavin Hansen), my son Jeram, Mick Donahoue, Daniel Fox, Heather Hall, Max Theocharides, Nathan Stone, Mathew Stone, Joe Khoury, Cheryl Beddoes, Jake Hamilton Moderate, all of my fellow racers in our class, Mr Six Second Luke Crowley and Donna Marie Balmer, Jay Gardner and Patrick Honan, Aaron Kilderry, and Simon Allinson – none of this would have been possible without them.
“I also must make special mention of my life partner Letishia for her unwavering support; ANDRA for this series; CIM Wellness Centre; and Brock’s Performance USA; and bracket sponsor Lectron Australia.”
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
Intense Lectron Australia Competition Bike Final Battle Set To Thrill at Grand Final
Pre-Event Report
This weekend’s final stand for the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship at Dragway at The Bend is shaping up to be THE sportsman event of the year.
Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies will be on offer at the April 25/26 event for both championship wins and event victories across 11 brackets, including Lectron Australia Competition Bike.
The fight for the title in this bracket is one of the tightest of the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, with three racers on the maximum points cap heading to the grand finale: Edge Mallis, Robert Cassar, and Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes.
Mallis has claimed two victories so far this season including one at Dragway at The Bend and is also in the picture for the coveted John Storm Memorial Trophy.
“It has been an incredible season, with us making the final at every meeting this year,” Mallis said.
“The bike is performing exceptionally well, and we are really pleased with the under-1000cc package we’ve built with Blaze (Hansen).
“We’re feeling confident heading into the Grand Final and excited for the championship battle ahead at the Grand Finals.
“Winning the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship would be the ultimate reward after an incredible season and years of hard work.
“It has been a five-year journey with this bike, and the dedication of my crew has been instrumental in getting us to this point.
“With my 65th birthday just a week before the Grand Final, taking home the trophy would truly be the icing on the cake after such a fantastic year.
“Of course, nothing is guaranteed in racing, and we know that. Our goal is to claim both trees and the John Storm trophy, which would add to my biggest haul in my 45th year of drag racing. Taking out both would be a massive achievement in any sport, but especially in the ‘Sport of Kings.’
“As we get ready, I have a long list of people I want to thank, including Blazecraft (Blaze Hansen and Gavin Hansen), my son Jeram, everyone who has crewed throughout the season, Mick Donahoue, Daniel Fox, Heather Hall, Max Theocharides, Nathan Stone, Mathew Stone, Joe Khoury, Cheryl Beddoes, Jake Hamilton Moderate, all of my fellow racers in our class, Mr Six Second Luke Crowley and Donna Marie Balmer, Jay Gardner and Patrick Honan, Aaron Kilderry, and Simon Allinson.
“Each of these people have played a crucial role in helping us achieve this result, and it wouldn’t have been possible without them. I also want to thank my life partner Letishia for her unwavering support, patience, and holding the fort while I chase this ultimate goal; ANDRA for listening to the needs of Sportsman Racers and putting on this standalone series; CIM Wellness Centre; and Brock’s Performance USA.”
Cheryl Beddoes, who many know as Cheryl MsVrod, has put in an impressive performance so far this season to be in title contention in her first year in Competition Bike.
“I am feeling extremely excited and nervous all in one. The championship battle has been extremely tough as this is my first year riding in Comp Bike and only my second year racing,” she said.
“I am up against some extremely experienced riders in Edge Mallis with 45 years of experience and Rob Cassar with 30 years’ experience, and also Joe Khoury with 20 years of experience; all on fast bikes that are consistently under the index. For me to be in third place going into the Grand Final is just amazing.
“It would mean the absolute world to me if I was to take out the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship trophy, it would be a dream come true, and to win both trophies would see me feeling nothing short of euphoric.
“I have confidence in the consistency of my bike and also in my ability as a new rider, but this is an extremely tough field of great racers, so I will be praying for a great outcome.
“I would like to thank my sponsors Joe Khoury Motorcycle Transport, Edge Creative Printing, and Jimmy from Twin Tunes Performance Centre; as well as my employer Westpac, my family – including my drag racing family – my friends and fans.
“I also want to make a special mention of my partner Joe Khoury for setting my bike up, keeping me safe and always believing in me. I would also like to acknowledge and thank ANDRA for a great series, and the management, staff and volunteers of Alice Springs Inland Dragway, Mildura Sunset Strip, South Coast Raceway Portland, and Dragway at the Bend – all of which are fabulous tracks with great facilities.”
Rob Cassar already has an ANDRA Championship tree to his name, taking out the Competition Bike honours in 2019.
“If we can get the motor to live through the weekend, I am hoping we should be okay to take out the Lectron Australia Competition Bike title in the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series this weekend,” Cassar said.
“We have damaged two motors over the last two events, and it has been a race against time to get the parts to have it fixed up ready for this weekend, but we have made it happen.
“There is no doubting how important a Gold ANDRA Championship Christmas Tree Trophy is to ANDRA racers, and to claim a second one would be something I would be very proud to do.
“To be able to do so while also taking out the event-winning Gold ANDRA Tree would be pretty fantastic, especially as I am the sponsor of the Competition Bike bracket through the Lectron Australia brand, and this is definitely my aim at Dragway at The Bend.
“I am feeling pretty confident that we should be able to qualify number one, and I am going out there to give it my all, to smash records, and hopefully take wins. We go out there meaning business every time we hit the track and this will be no different.
“I have been very pleased to see how this ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship season has unfolded and as both a competitor and bracket sponsor, it has been great to see how the battles in Competition Bike in particular have played out – I am pretty stoked that it is such a close battle for the win, and I can’t wait to give it our all.
“If we can make it happen, it will be thanks in large part to our amazing group of sponsors, Ballistic Performance Parts, Powerplus Race Fuel, Denso Auto Parts Australia, Shinko, and Lucas Oil; and of course, I also want to recognise Lectron Australia and all of the sponsors who support the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship.
“And most importantly, I must say thank you to my wife Katie Cassar for all of her support. Good luck to everyone heading out there this weekend, let’s have an epic weekend of racing to close out this season in the best way possible.”
The Australian National Drag Racing Association Ltd, or ANDRA for short, is the drag racing sanctioning body of Australia. The organization was created in 1973 from a more drag racing oriented faction of the Australian Hot Rod Federation. Today ANDRA sanctions races throughout Australia and throughout the year at all levels, from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster, on everything from temporary regional tracks to international standard facilities in capital cities. ANDRA and its members make drag racing a family-friendly, safe sport. So come along as a spectator or bring your street car to an “off-street” event and enjoy the excitement that is Australian drag racing. www.andra.com.au
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