The ANDRA Grand Final at Dragway at The Bend across April 25 and 26 will bring to a close the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship in spectacular style at what is shaping up as THE sportsman event of the year.
Gold ANDRA Christmas Tree trophies will be on offer at the event for both championship wins and event victories across 11 brackets, including Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman.
Both Leon Davies and Vlado Turic head to the Grand Final on the 300 points cap in this bracket, while Glenn Henley (260 points) is nipping at their heels.
Davies (pictured above thanks to Amber Simms Photography) took out the last completed ANDRA Sportsman Championship title in 2023, while Turic was the 2022 champion. Henley meanwhile has been particularly in-form of late.
“I am looking forward to the Grand Final and hoping my car is going to be as consistent as it has been all season,” Davies said.
“After experiencing winning the championship in 2023, it would be awesome to experience that again.
“I have won double Gold ANDRA Christmas Trees (title and event win) before at the Grand Final in 2023, and it was a very surreal feeling – to do that again would be amazing.
“I am feeling confidant in my car and in myself, but with the quality of the cars and drivers in the Top Sportsman class it could be anyone’s come race day.
“I will be approaching this event like I have approached all the events this season and trying to be as consistent as I can,” he said, while thanking his wife Lisa for her help and support, his sponsors, and everyone that has helped during the season.
“Thank you also to the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship and to all of the racers for putting on a great competitive season.”
For Turic, the Grand Final represents a true final stand.
“After this season, I will be stepping down and handing over to my son Tommy,” Turic said.
“To finish off with the championship would be a great way to finish out my racing dreams, and would mean I could really enjoy watching my son race in Top Sportsman next season!
“To get the title and the event winning tree would be a fantastic way to end my chase for the title too.
“Leon Davies is the hot favourite and then Glenn Henley and myself – it will come down to the last man standing.
“Heading into the final I would like to thank my son Tommy Turic for all of his support, and all of my family.
“And I would also like to say one other thing – Leon Davies: I am coming for you bro!” he grinned.
Henley might not yet have an ANDRA sportsman title to his name, but he has racked up plenty of victories in various racing events in recent years.
“I am going into this meet with a ‘what will be, will be’ attitude,” Henley explained.
“I have seen several times how people with lower points can win the day and take the championship so I am definitely not 100 percent confident I can take the win or the victory. There is a lot of tough competition in our class, so it could be anybody’s title or event victory.
“Of course, it would mean a lot to me to take it out. Everyone would love to hold the title! But what will be will be, and as Vlado said, it will come down to the last man standing.
“If I could bring home two Gold trees that would sure make my grandkids happy – they are my biggest supporters and always telling me, ‘you need another gold one Pop!’
“I want to say good luck and all the best to everyone racing over the weekend. Stay safe and enjoy.
“I would also like to thank my wife Tracey, my son Taylor, my brother Brett, my niece Alex, and my mates Brian, Trampas and Nikolas. As well as all the guys and gals from South Coast Raceway, Craig Carrison Race Engines, and Brenton and Nick from THR Development. Also, a huge thank you to Matty DeSpirit for fixing my gearbox and transbrake issues that I have been experiencing of late, as well as Glenara Transport and the Glenara team.”
Top Sportsman Competitors Group Top Sportsman is sponsored in the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship by Leon Davies (Slape Crash Repairs), Glenn Henley (Glenara Transport Pty Ltd), Greg Damiani (Damiani Racing), Jason Young (TECH2O Racing), David Foster (DJ Auto Repairs), Vlado Turic (Vlado Turic Pty Ltd / VT RACING), Stuart McBain, Kevin McIvor (K&M Racing), Chris Theodorakopoulos (Team Theo Racing), Sam Cardinale, Darren Whitford (WP Engineering), and Darren Saliba.
The ANDRA Grand Final for the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship at Dragway at The Bend will be held across April 25 and 26. For event information, visit www.thebend.com.au/dragway
The ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship is proud to have the support of series bracket sponsors Gallagher (Modified), the South Australian Drag Racers Association (Super Gas), Top Sportsman Competitors Group (Top Sportsman), the Super Sedan Competitors Group (Super Sedan), Lectron Australia (Competition Bike), Goodyear Racing (Super Street), Langtree’s Machinery Services (Junior Dragster), Huntsman Racing (Supercharged Outlaws); Ballistic Performance Parts (Modified Bike), and Jackie Watt Consultancy / Fardella and Watt Racing (Super Stock); as well as Top Qualifier Medallion sponsor, New Gen Business Park. If you are looking for business opportunities within the ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship, please email info@andra.com.au
For more from ANDRA, visit www.andra.com.au