Alongside deciding the 2025/2026 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series bracket champions, April 18’s ANDRA Grand Finals at Dragway at The Bend will also bring the culmination of what has been an exciting battle for the prestigious John Storm Memorial Trophy, with four racers currently still in contention.
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.
Heading into the Grand Final, the following racers remain in striking distance for this important award: Cooper Plummer (585 points), Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes (570), Aliza Harris (520), and Tommy Turic (495). All four racers are also in the frame for the championship in their respective brackets: New Gen Business Park Junior Drag Bike (Plummer and Harris), New Gen Business Park Competition Bike (Beddoes), and Top Sportsman (Turic).
If Plummer or Harris are able to take it out, they will be the first Junior racer to do so since Toby Austin in 2015, and the first ever to do so in Junior Drag Bike – given that New Gen Business Park Junior Drag Bike only became a championship bracket this season.
“I am hoping to do well and take out the championship, and the John Storm is one of the best awards you can get,” Plummer said.
“I am really excited to see how this Grand Final goes, because it is basically a four-way battle for the championship for the junior bikes.
“I would love to say good luck to all of my competitors, and thanks to all of my sponsors as well as Hunt Motorsport, Bailey Hawke and Lucas Bergamin for all of their support across the season.”
“We are stoked to be heading into the ANDRA Grand Finals with high hopes of taking out the round and claiming the John Storm Memorial Award!” Aliza said.
“Being one of the top four teams is a massive achievement for me and the crew, showcasing the countless hours and effort we have poured into this sport.
“We love what we do, and we are ready to give it our all! The ANDRA Grand Final is shaping up to be a real nail-biter – bring it on!”
For Beddoes, the John Storm Memorial trophy would be the ultimate reward for her fierce dedication to the sport she loves.
“It would be such an honour and a privilege to win the John Storm Memorial Trophy,” Beddoes smiled.
“Given the fantastic line-up of racers who have won that award, it would really be surreal.”
With 100 points on the table at the Grand Final, Turic is also in with a chance if things go his way at Dragway at The Bend.
“The John Storm Memorial Trophy hasn’t really been our main focus heading into the final round, but it is definitely something we wouldn’t turn down!” Turic added.
“Our priority is just concentrating on the race, doing our job, and trying to put together the best runs we can. If things fall our way and we end up with it, that would obviously be pretty special.”
Whoever takes out the honour on April 18 will join the following esteemed list of racers who have hoisted the trophy in the past: Edge Mallis (2025), Steve Norman (2024), Lance Larcombe (2023), Vlado Turic (2022), Christine Steffens (2020/2021 extended season), Jason Arbery (2018, 2019), Bryan Finn (2017), Matt Forbes (2016), Toby Austin (2015), Craig Geddes (2014), Luke Marsden (2013), Jake Donnelly (2012), Nino Cavallo (2011), Kelly Corbet (2010), Jason Hammelswang (2009), Phillip Otto (2008), Bruno Cavallo (2007, 2006), Colin Lloyd (2005, 1993), John Parker (2004, 1998), Graeme Simms (2003), Ian Brown (2002), Tom Dimitropolous (2001), Perry Mackie (2000), Juan Kudnig (1999, 1996, 1995, 1994), Rhett Lougheed (1997), Paul Andrews (1991), Errol Quartermaine (1987), Peter Michael (1986), David Millington (1984), David Baines (1983, 1982), Fred Dudek (1981), Graham Hill (1980), Jim Reed (1979), Brenton Stein (1978), Col Dunn (1977), John Kreis (1976), and Harrold/Hawthorne (1975).
“The John Storm Memorial Trophy is very important for ANDRA drag racers, and it is one which carries a lot of weight and prestige,” McAvaney said.
“Whoever claims the trophy at the ANDRA Grand Finals this April will be a very deserving winner, and it will be my honour to present them with their trophy.
“To all getting ready for the ANDRA Grand Finals, whether chasing championship honours or the event-winning Gold Christmas Trees, I wish you all the best of luck!”
The ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship is proud to have the support of series bracket sponsors Gallagher (Modified), the South Australian Drag Racers Association (Super Sedan), Three Dimensional Construction (Super Gas), Goodyear Racing (Super Street), New Gen Business Park (Competition Bike, Junior Drag Bike, Supercharged Outlaws), Goodyear Racing (Super Street), and Ballistic Performance Parts (Modified Bike).
ANDRA also thanks the participating companies of the ANDRA Racer Support Program – Ballistic Performance Parts (Modified Bike, Junior Drag Bike), Atlantic Oils (Super Sedan), Powerplus Racing Fuels (Supercharged Outlaws, Super Gas), Speedflow Products (Supercharged Outlaws, Super Street), Shinko Motorcycle Tyres (Competition Bike), Maxima Racing Oils Australia (Competition Bike) and Race Parts Melbourne (Modified) – and the ANDRA Contingency Program: Goodyear Racing, Penske Racing Shocks and NTT Racing.
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