ANDRA drag racers have turned it on under beautiful blue skies at South Coast Raceway today for the first day of ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship competition for 2026.
The South Coast 660 across January 2 and 3 marks round six of the 2025/2026 season for the championship chase and is hosting a record number of South Coast 660 entrants with 170+ racers signing up to take on the Portland venue.
At the close of Friday’s action, three rounds of qualifying for 11 championship brackets had been held, with a fourth and final qualifier set to decide who claims the New Gen Business Park Top Qualifier medallions tomorrow (Saturday) morning before the field turns its attention to racing for ANDRA Christmas Trees in the afternoon.
As of Q3, the following racers are leading the way in qualifying for their respective brackets: Cooper Plummer (New Gen Business Park Junior Drag Bike), Brock Furlanetto (Junior Dragster), Dean Doolan (Goodyear Racing Super Street), Dean Jamieson (Ballistic Performance Parts Modified Bike), Peter Furlanetto (The South Australian Drag Racers Association Super Sedan), Adriana Cartledge (Gallagher Modified), Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes (New Gen Business Park Competition Bike), Daniel Jones (Top Sportsman), Doina Day (New Gen Business Park Supercharged Outlaws), Connor McClure (Super Comp), Graeme Spencer (Super Gas) claimed the Top Qualifying honours.
The non-championship Street Fighter bracket is also on track this weekend, with Jason Winnen currently leading the way in the popular local bracket.
Today’s strong start to the South Coast 660 follows a breakthrough for Daniel Jones in Top Sportsman at last month’s South Coast Nationals; round five of the 2025/2026 ANDRA series which was also held at South Coast Raceway. At that event, Jones not only top qualified, but also took out his first ever ANDRA Christmas Tree.
“The South Coast Nationals certainly went very well for me, top qualifying and winning, I had been trying for something like 20 years, so it was a long time coming,” Jones smiled.
“That result 100 percent helps me have some confidence coming into this weekend – the car is not missing a beat, and we are off to a good start today; I think it will go faster too.
“I am feeling good heading into Saturday – I am only racing myself. That is the mistake I made all those years, I was always worrying about the other person. Now I am only worrying about myself.
“If I could get the win, it would mean a lot to me, especially as my sister Bianca – who comes with me every meeting and is here with me this weekend – was not at the South Coast Nationals. So, I did say I would win another one for her!
“Thank you to my dad – we are partners in the car – to my mum who is here with us this weekend too, and the kids – it would mean a lot to take it out this weekend with them all being here with me,” he said, while thanking A Touch of Glass Melbourne and everyone who has helped him along the way, before adding that “credit has to go to the track staff here. I love it here in Portland – especially after the last meeting!”
Also having a successful outing at South Coast Raceway today was Luke Cartledge, who was on-track attempting to complete his licensing in a new car. Having successfully achieved that licensing, Cartledge will be competing in Super Comp on Saturday in his new Altered, after having previously raced Dragsters.
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