At the 2023 South Coast Nationals at South Coast Raceway, Gary Vogelsang broke through for what he describes as the highlight of his drag racing career so far: his first ANDRA Christmas Tree.
Not only was it a huge victory for the Super Sedan Competitors’ Super Sedan racer, but it also came at a highly emotional time in his life, having just farewelled his father.
Now, he is hoping he can repeat that success when the Portland facility once again hosts the event this weekend (December 7-8) as part of the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship.
“Winning the South Coast Nationals in 2023 was no doubt the highlight of my drag racing career. It was also a very emotional time, as my father passed away shortly before this event so he wasn’t there to see me win my first ANDRA tree,” Vogelsang reflects.
“It was also the first time I made it to a final at South Coast Raceway – I always look forward to racing at Portland, it is a great venue with a friendly club atmosphere.
“It would be great to back up last year’s effort with another win this year.”
Vogelsang will once again be contesting his Camaro at the December event, which has recently received some TLC.
“Whilst no major changes have been made to Taboo Camaro, the engine needed some love after trashing a lifter at Mildura’s Riverland Nationals,” explained the Hazelwood (North Victoria) resident.
“A few parts and tweaks later and we have gained a bit more horsepower, resulting in a Personal Best run at the Sunset Nationals of a 5.928 ET at 115.55mph across the eighth-mile distance.”
A recent retiree who came to the sport by chance, Vogelsang says drag racing is something which brings him much reward.
“My involvement in drag racing only happened by chance in 2017, after seeing a Camaro for sale on social media,” he said.
“Originally a Super Stock car from the USA which was brought out to Australia in 2012 and raced in Queensland by Steven Rowe and then Gary Shipp, who gave it the name of ‘Taboo’ before I purchased it in 2017, it is a full steel body 1968 Camaro with a naturally aspirated 800hp methanol burning 540ci Merlin cast iron BB Chev, a Reid Case Powerglide by Paul Rogers, and the rear end is ladder bar 9” diff,” he explains.
“It is not lightweight, weighing in at 3350 pounds, but it is a crowd favourite, regularly getting the front wheels in the air!
“Having previously raced speedway and having a passion for anything that goes fast, drag racing was a natural progression.
He didn’t have to wait long for his first victory, taking the win in Top Gas at Swan Hill’s Nostalgia Drags event in 2018.
“After winning at Swan Hill in 2018, I was the Super Sedan runner up for Swan Hill’s Aeroflow Nitro Funny Cars event in 2019, and then the runner-up in the ANDRA series’ Twilight Nationals at Mildura’s Sunset Strip in 2021.
“I took another Top Gas win at the Sunset Strip Nostalgia Drags in 2023, and then there was the South Coast Nationals win last year for my first ANDRA Christmas Tree, which came ahead of a runner-up result at Mildura’s Easter Supercharged Shootout earlier this year.
“I am definitely keen to win another one of those trees, and I am loving my time in the sport – I have met some amazing friends through drag racing and would like to thank my family for supporting me.
“Having retired last year and with some plans to travel, Taboo may be on the market in the future, but I want to win another tree first!” he laughed.
The South Coast Nationals will be held at Portland’s South Coast Raceway on December 7 and 8, marking round four of the 2024/2025 ANDRA Regional Sportsman Championship. For event info, go to www.southcoastraceway.com.au
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