One of ANDRA drag racing’s traditional trophies will be in for a change next season with the ANDRA plaque to be replaced by a silver version of the iconic gold Christmas tree trophy handed out at national championship events.
The plaques have been awarded to winners of championship rounds outside of national events (the Nationals, Winternationals, Nitro Champs and Westernationals) for several decades of ANDRA’s history.
While tradition is important to maintain in drag racing, it is also important to ensure that the trophies symbolise the efforts put in by racers to earn wins at championship rounds and it was felt the time was right to move to a trophy that better rewards teams.
ANDRA CEO Malcolm Bulley said the silver trophies would make a great change for racers and quickly become a coveted piece for any trophy cabinet.
“There is definitely some sentimental attachment to the plaques but their time has probably been up for a while,” he said. “These new silver trees will be a trophy to take pride of place alongside the gold trees which are regarded as one of the best trophies in motorsport.”
ANDRA’s gold Christmas tree trophies feature a representation of the drag racing starting lights that goes back to when there were five amber lights.
The silver versions will be of the same size and weight.
The first of the new silver trophies will be awarded at the first round of the Aeroflow Sportsman Drag Racing Championship, to be held at Portland’s Fuchs South Coast Raceway in January.