ANDRA was saddened by the news of the passing of Australian drag racing legend Mick Atholwood.

Atholwood was a pioneering figure in the nitro funny car ranks (shown in the picture at left, thanks to Steve Thomas) during the early days of the sport. In more recent times, Queensland drag racing fans in particular might remember the Atholwood and Smith Top Fuel dragster which won the 2000 Nationals and even ran a four second pass with the unique Sainty engine combination.

 ANDRA's sympathies go out to Mick's family and his many friends.

The release of the calendar at such an early date is unprecedented, but required given the changes and planning occurring as the national championships shifts from split years to a calendar year season.

The new management of ANDRA has been working with venues around Australia to achieve significant goals for racers in the 2013 calendar including ANDRA Pro Series events in Victoria and the Northern Territory for the first time since the early 2000s.

As part of the shift to have championship drag racing over distances other than a quarter mile (402m), ANDRA's Index Review Committee has been developing a set of indexes to use for Group Two racing as well as equivalent cut offs and indexes for Groups Three and Four.

The Index Review Committee is made up of racers from across Group Two. A number of factors were considered in developing the indexes including different acceleration rates among different vehicles.

As if motorsports fans needed any more reasons to attend this weekend’s ANDRA Pro Series event in Sydney, there will be plenty of bonuses both on and off the track for hardcore drag racing followers and their families.

Kids under 12 get in for free all weekend, so bring all their friends for a great day out.

Nitro will shake the ground on both days with Top Fuel exhibition passes from former Australian champion Phil Lamattina in the Fuchs dragster and Andrew Cowin in the Rocket Industries dragster.

Haynes Racing, from Billings, Montana, in the USA have appointed Michelle Osborn to become the Australian driver of the Gravity Storm Jet Dragster.

The US team owner, Chuck Haynes, has been touring with his Jet Dragsters to Australia for many years and has a strong fan base in both the US and Australia.

With this weekend seeing another round of the Rocket Allstars Racing Series in Sydney, sportsman competitors have an opportunity to reset national records.

It is important to understand the criteria for setting a national record so you can earn your place in the record books.

This weekend’s upcoming Westernationals may play an early-season role in 2013 with ANDRA today confirming that it will be moving to a calendar year season.

The move to a calendar year was tabled by representatives from across the drag racing industry at the national summit in 2011 and ANDRA has since been working with venues around the nation to build a new calendar.

The position of Division Director in the South Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria/Tasmania divisions of ANDRA are due for election in 2012.

Nominations are invited from Full Members of ANDRA for the position of ANDRA Divisional Council Delegate in all ANDRA divisions.

The Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA) is rolling out new branding across the country to excite a new generation about the world of drag racing.

The modern and youthful look takes inspiration from some of the leading brands internationally in bringing excitement and adrenaline to drag racing's image.