Cory Read will line up at next weekend’s Mildura City Council Sunset Nationals in unfamiliar territory – taking to a track he has raced many times before, but with two fewer wheels underneath him.
Read recently made the switch from Top Sportsman to Nitro Voodoo Competition Bike, purchasing the proven machine formerly campaigned by Gavin Dohnt.
The September 19-20 event – round three of the 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series – will mark only his third ANDRA Series weekend on two wheels, after he made his Competition Bike debut at the ANDRA Grand Finals last season.
“I am looking forward to the Sunset Nationals – this bike is fairly new to me with only having a handful of passes on it, and this will be the first time at Mildura with it,” Read said.
“I have always wanted to race a nitro Harley, and when the opportunity came up to buy Gavin Dohnt’s bike, I thought this was a good opportunity of doing it.”
The move has demanded a rewiring of instincts built over years in a door car.
“It has been a big change and learning curve,” Read said.
“I am really enjoying the bike so far and all of the challenges that go with getting power down on a small tyre.
“The biggest learning curve has been getting my brain to hold the throttle wide open, and letting go of the clutch and staying wide open!”
Read’s focus at the Sunset Nationals will be on stacking up laps and building a base to work from – both for this weekend and for the season ahead.
“I am looking forward to being more consistent and also hope to compete in most rounds of the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series,” he said.
Read was quick to acknowledge the people behind the effort as he settles into the new category.
“I want to say a big thanks to Gavin Dohnt for the amazing bike he built and for all of his assistance, as well as Dave Willis, and I can’t forget my wife Katrina for all her support,” Read said.
“Hopefully we can one day soon win an ANDRA Christmas Tree in Competition Bike!”
The Mildura City Council Sunset Nationals – round three of the 2026/2027 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Series – will be held at the Davison Ford Sunset Strip in Mildura across September 19-20, with ANDRA Christmas Trees and championship points on offer across 10 brackets. A Test ‘n’ Tune to be held on September 18.
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