The NDRC’s 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship drew to its epic conclusion at Willowbank Raceway over the weekend, where more than 350 sportsman racers took part in what is the largest championship drag racing event outside of North America.
Not only were championships decided and confirmed across 10 sportsman championship brackets, but coveted Gulf Western Oil Winternationals event wins were also up for grabs.
The sportsman racers entertained the packed stands alongside 11,000hp/500+kph Top Fuel Dragsters and XPRO Nitro Funny Cars, Top Doorslammers, Pro Alcohol, Pro Stock Motorcycles, Top Fuel Motorcycles, Pro Stock, and FuelTech Pro Mod over four days of non-stop two- and four-wheeled drag racing action.
To hear how the 10 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championships awarded at the weekend ended up, read on.
For an overview of the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals results for all brackets, including group one, please click here.
MODIFIED BIKE
Championship winner: Dean Jamieson; Championship runner-up Sean Ricketts. Gulf Western Oil Winternationals Top Qualifier: Johnny Lewis; Winternationals winner: Dale Marshall; Winternationals runner-up: Geoffrey Marshall
Dean Jamieson came into the Winternationals weekend with a significant points advantage over his closest rival, Sean Ricketts. Jamieson would go on to secure the championship win, despite being knocked out in round one by Cody Rolton while Ricketts locked up in the runner-up position. Rickets was dispatched by Johnny Lewis in round three, but prior to that took wins over Phil White (round two) and Cody Rolton (round one).
Taking out the highly coveted event honours was Dale Marshall, who first dispatched Donald Hagan in round one before sending Travis McCleverty packing in round two and enjoying a bye in round three to get to the final match-up against Geoffrey Marshall. In round one, Geoffrey Marshall took the win over Tammy Goldthorpe, before a bye in round two and win over Top Qualifier Johnny Lewis in the semi-final.
“It has sunk in a bit now and we are pretty happy!” Jamieson said.
“Last year we were the runner-up to Sean Ricketts in the NDRC and this year we took another step forward and got the win over Sean, so that felt really great to make that step.
“It caps off a pretty good season for me too – I won the Dragway at The Bend Track Championship, also Dragway at The Bend’s outright championship, the ANDRA Championship, and now the NDRC Championship.
“It is certainly very rewarding as we put in a lot of work behind the scenes and it is a great effort for all of that effort and work.
“I would like to thank my daughter Marissa, and also Top Shop Casterton and Casterton Motorcycles, for all of their support.”
JUNIOR DRAG BIKE
Championship winner: Lillian Hagan; Championship runner-up: Lawrence Raschella; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Cooper Ashelford; Winternationals runner-up: Jayden Badcock; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Marcus MacDonald
The next generation of Australia’s two-wheeled drag racing champions certainly put on a show this weekend, with Lillian Hagan taking out the 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship honours over runner-up Lawrence Raschella. Both Hagan and Raschella were knocked out in the first round of eliminations runs, but their strong points position coming into the weekend was more than enough to seal the deal for them both.
Winternationals winner Cooper Ashelford raced through all three rounds of racing to get to the final match-up against eventual runner-up Jayden Badcock. Ashelford took wins over Xavier Mansfield-French (round one), Scarlett Mansfield-French (round two), and Kye Badcock (round three) on the way to the final. Badcock meanwhile, sent Hagan packing in round one, before doing the same to Maddison Schofield in round two, and Jetayah Chalk in round three. Top Qualifier Marcus MacDonald was knocked out by Kye Badcock in round two.
“It feels pretty good to win the title, and being a two-time Australian champion and the first female to do that in NDRC in bikes as far as we know of, that is pretty cool for a nearly 16 year old,” Hagan said.
“As soon as October’s final last year and we got the Grand Final win we thought we would chase the next season a little bit, we went to Benaraby and then to Willowbank, and then Adelaide, Sydney, and back to Willowbank for the Winternationals, and it all paid off.
“I would like to thank my sponsors – Outback Flooring Solutions, BAR Welding, Flemings Auto Bits, Boy Expresso, Dave Oliver Motorcycle Tyres, Royal Precision Lubricants, Motorcycle Towing 24/7, and McLeod Accessories – and also the Hagan clan, H2Racing, and Mandy and Brett Collins.
“I would also like to thank all of my fellow competitors, and everyone who signed my helmet.”
JUNIOR DRAGSTER
Championship winner: Zayne Condello; Championship runner-up: Bailey Hawke; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Karl Schulz; Winternationals runner-up: Shavaun Harvey; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Jake McNamara
Zayne Condello had plenty to smile about over the weekend. Not only did the young racer take out the 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Junior Dragster Championship accolades, but he was also the inaugural winner of the new Dennis Syrmis Award, which is given to the top points scorer across the sportsman series.
Condello made it through to round four of racing before eventual Winternationals winner Karl Schulz claimed victory in that round. Prior to that, Schulz had already dispatched Ryder Marsden in round one, Alex Refalo in round two and Maxx Rowling in round three before going on to take the win over Joshua Maggs in the semis to line up against Shavaun Harvey in the final.
Harvey meanwhile made it to the final by way of wins over Edith Maggs (round one), James Barlow (round two), Neelah Paul (round three), championship runner-up Bailey Hawke (round four), and Vanz Peirano in the semi-final. Top Qualifier Jake McNamara didn’t make it past round two against Maggs, after a bye in the first round.
To read what Zayne had to say about his accomplishment, please click here.
SUPER STREET
Championship winner: Luke ‘Tex’ Griffiths; Championship runner-up: Troy Hutton; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Lachlan MacCaskell, Winternationals runner-up and Top Qualifier: Ray Ross
2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship winner Luke ‘Tex’ Griffiths had a commanding Super Street lead coming into the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals weekend, but there was still plenty to play for close behind to secure the runner-up position, with Troy Hutton sealing the deal.
There was plenty to smile about for Lachlan MacCaskell who triumphed over a massive field of almost 60 Super Street racers to take the Winternationals win, over runner-up and Top Qualifier Ray Ross.
On the way to the event win, MacCaskell got the better of Griffiths in round one, Travis Mumford in round two, Josh Fletcher in round three and Josh Heinrich in the semi-final. Ross meanwhile took the win over Mark Rossow before a bye in round two, before racing through the next three rounds with wins over Christine Thompson, Tom Ryan, and Angela Holz, respectively. Top Qualifier Troy Hutton was on the trailer after round one, having been knocked out by Mumford.
“I am beyond stoked,” Griffiths said.
“It was a surprise to win the first championship, and I didn’t really think I could back it up, and I am really amazed to have done so driving the big hunk of junk I drive – the dirty old street car as I lovingly call her!” he laughed.
“I am really amazed, really happy, and really grateful for having a championship like this to be able to win – even if my driving at the season-ending Winternationals stunk up the place really bad! We were out in the first round in a dead shocker, but it is what it is.
“Luckily, without bragging, I had had a pretty good year to that point with a couple of wins, a runner-up, a couple of good finishes, so we had enough points to win the title still. It is that old story isn’t it, if you don’t turn up, you can’t win!
“I would like to thank NDRC and Andy and Jason and the whole team for putting up what I consider to be a great national series, and Troy Hutton who came second – he put up a good fight and had a really good year, but thankfully I had a better one! I must thank my wife Julie, my son Jett, and Tex’s Automotive and Faber Vineyard in the Swan Valley in WA for their support. Hopefully we can come back again next year and see how it all shakes out!”
TOP SPORTSMAN
Championship winner: David Foster; Championship runner-up: Vlado Turic; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Tony Whyatt; Winternationals runner-up: Daniel Morris; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Simon Isherwood
Coming into the Winternationals weekend, David Foster was just five points behind Vlado Turic in the 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Top Sportsman Championship standings. But when Turic was knocked out in round one of eliminations racing by Dale Sonogan, it paved the way for Foster to take the overall win, while Turic claimed the runner-up position.
Foster meanwhile made it through to the third round of eliminations runs with wins over Glenn Henley (round one) and Kayleen Gourley (round two) before being knocked out by eventual Winternationals winner Tony Whyatt. Winters runner-up Daniel Morris first took the win over Ray Fairfull, before a bye in round two and two more wins over Dale Sonogan and Carl Davies in rounds three and four.
Whyatt got to the final by triumphing over Elio Quintieri in round one, Neil Maxwell in round two, and championship winner Foster before a bye in the semi-final. Simon Isherwood made it through to round two, where the Top Qualifier was bested by Steven Somer.
“It actually came right down to the wire – I was five points behind the leader and it was possibly one of the most exciting-slash-stressful times I have ever had in racing,” Foster said.
“It was unbelievable to actually win it – everything went our way and the car went well. It was a big relief and what we had been aiming for the whole time, having a go at the championship.
“The most important person I need to thank is my amazing wife, Lisa Sherry, for organising absolutely everything, bar nothing! I also need to thank my father-in-law and engine builder, Bob Sherry, and my crew Alex and Brent, as well as the NDRC for putting on an awesome show.”
SUPER SEDAN
Championship winner: Tony Miskelly; Championship runner-up: Robert Kardum; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner and Top Qualifier: Paul Doeblien; Winternationals runner-up: Chevy Taylor
In Super Sedan, Tony Miskelly had a decent but not insurmountable 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship lead over Robert Kardum coming into the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals weekend. With Miskelly absent from the event and Kardum eliminated in the first round, the points played in Miskelly’s favour to secure the championship.
Winternationals Top Qualifier Paul Doeblien went all the way to take the coveted event win over runner-up Chevy Taylor. Doeblien first won over Anthony Mangano before a bye in round two and more round wins over Ace Edwards and Jayden Plant to get to the final.
Taylor meanwhile raced through the first round against Tony Agius before getting the better of Paul Dilley and Dennis Ryan in rounds three and four before a bye in the semi-final.
“The Super Sedan season has been a challenging one with many different event winners across all tracks participating in the NDRC Sportsman Series,” Miskelly said.
“With the engine out of the car and body off for a makeover, the Championship was up for grabs between Sean Maher and Rob Kardum, both of whom have had great seasons. I was fortunate enough to take out the Championship with both Rob and Sean exiting prior to the finals.
“Having taken out the West Coast Conference the previous season, it was great to go the next step this year and achieve that coveted Number 1 on the race car.
“I want to thank all of the Super Sedan Racers that have supported the Sportsman Series throughout the country this season. Also, thanks to my crew and SA drag racing family that have made this season a very memorable one.”
MODIFIED
Championship winner: Cory Dyson; Championship runner-up: Daniel Carranza; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Adriana Cartledge; Winternationals runner-up: Chelsea Smith; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Simon Barlow
With a significant 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Modified Championship points lead coming into the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals, Cory Dyson claimed the Modified Aeroflow National Sportsman championship over runner-up Daniel ‘BatDan’ Carranza. Tony Browne got the better of Dyson in round one, while Carranza made it through to round two with a win over Anthony Raschella in round one, sealing the deal for the championship placings.
The event honours went the way of winner Adriana Cartledge and runner-up Chelsea Smith, with the pair facing off in the final round of racing and taking the trophies in a massive field of 28 racers across the weekend.
Cartledge set to work in round one, first dispatching Mark Allan before a bye in round two. In round three, she sent Browne packing and then did the same to Daniel List in the semi-final. For runner-up Smith, it was a round one win over Monique Ambruosi, Jon Sting (round two), Jason Vanderlinde (round three) and Top Qualifier Simon Barlow in round four. Barlow, likewise, took wins over Liezel Gouws (round two) and Leigh Hartill-Law (round three).
“I am super ecstatic to have won back-to-back titles,” Dyson said.
“It was certainly not the plan at the start of the season, but as we progressed through and we were doing so well, we thought we might as well go for it and see if we could go back-to-back.
“I am super happy for my sponsors and in general to have doubled up, especially as the season didn’t end up going exactly how we wanted – it was a good start, but a bit of a shakey end! But we got there in the end, which is just great, it all worked out.
“We are looking forward now to the new calendar and seeing what we can achieve next season.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all my family and sponsors for their support: Mobil 1 Oils, Statewide Oils, Glass Protec Glass Protection and Transcal Fleet Branding Solutions.
“I would also like to send a massive shout out to Jacks Brothers Engineering – we had an issue in qualifying and torched the head, and they were amazing, dropping everything to help us get the car fixed. They are a phenomenal bunch of people and I couldn’t have done it without them, getting my cylinder heads fixe and the car back together in record time.”
PERFORMANCE BIKE
Championship winner and Gulf Western Oil Winternationals runner-up: Ken Collin; Championship runner-up: Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Pete Farnell; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Chris Allen
Ken Collin raced through all four rounds of Performance Bike eliminations at the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals to claim the 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship title and Winternationals runner-up position.
Collin started the day by showing David Finlayson the door in round one and doing the same to Bobbie Schluter in round two before enjoying a bye in the semi-final to line up against the eventual Winters winner Peter Farnell, where Farnell got the job done.
To get to the final pairing, Farnell first successfully lined up against Beau Strikes and Aaveen Autar in rounds one and two, before then sending championship runner-up Cheryl ‘MsVrod’ Beddoes packing, ending her title chase. Beddoes had earlier dispatched Top Qualifier Chris Allen in round one.
“It was great to win the championship, it has been my goal, I just enjoy racing so much. I suppose it was an unexpected win in some ways, because it was in light of a couple of other bikes being so far under their records,” Collin said.
“I want to thank my engine builder Ken Peaty with Rascal Race Engines, my tuner Blaze Hansen, my wife Mary, and my pit crew – Trent Singleton who helps me all the time and Dave Finlayson who was at the Bend with me; he is the one I raced in the first round at the weekend now that he is competing also!
“It was a really enjoyable weekend at the Winternationals and I appreciate what the NDRC is doing for the sportsman racers, where we can race between the two sanctioning bodies. I will be back next year!”
SUPERCHARGED OUTLAWS
Championship winner: Mark Hunt; Championship runner-up: Kasey McClure; Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Fiona Reed; Winternationals runner-up: Peter Byrne; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Stewart Prior
Clear points leader Mark Hunt secured the Aeroflow National Sportsman Supercharged Outlaws Championship ahead of next closest rival and runner-up Kasey McClure at the end of the 2024/2025 season despite being unable to attend the last round of the season, while Fiona Reed and Peter Byrne claimed the coveted event win and runner-up accolades, respectively.
To get to the final, Reed first triumphed over Fred Westhoff in round one and Paul Anderson in round two before then doing the same in rounds three and four to Steven Lyle Swinscoe and Josh Fletcher. Byrne, on the other hand, took wins over Shane Atkinson (round one), Adam Solomon (round two) and Peter Leahy (round three) before a bye in the semi-final. In round one, Bill Fletcher got the better of Top Qualifier Stewart Prior.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise as we knew we were getting points for each round, and we did the miles, heading to Darwin, Alice and Mildura. I am glad that we got it for everyone involved, for myself and for my team, it is a really good thing. Now not only do we have ANDRA Gold Christmas Trees in the cabinet, but we also have our first NDRC Gold Christmas Tree in there – hopefully we can have another one in the future to put next to it so it isn’t lonely,” he smiled.
“Now it is time to start getting ready for the start of the new season with Nitro Up North in Darwin,” he added, while thanking NDRC, Summit Racing Equipment and Jim Greenleaf, Dave Baines Engines, ULX 110 Racing Oils, and his crew – Dave and Carol, Maxie, Mark, Corey and Kelvin.
SUPER COMP
Championship winner: Pat Firriolo; Championship runner-up and Gulf Western Oil Winternationals winner: Warren Allen; Winternationals runner-up: Craig Geddes; Winternationals Top Qualifier: Scott Hoffman
Pat Firriolo was just two rounds away from potentially securing the coveted Gulf Western Oil Winternationals win alongside the 2024/2025 Aeroflow National Sportsman Super Comp Championship. Firriolo made it through to the semi-finals before being knocked out by Winternationals runner-up Craig Geddes. Championship runner-up Warren Allen, on the other hand, advanced to the finals to secure the coveted Winternationals win.
To get to the Winternationals finals, Allen first got rid of Fred Nicastri in round one before then moving on to Kit Hunter in round two, Rod Harvey in round three and Peter Mammone in the semi-final. Runner-up Geddes meanwhile was victorious over Anthony Buckely (round one), Luke Cartledge (round two), and Eddy Hawach (round three) before the win over Firriolo in the semi-final. It was a short-lived Winternationals for Top Qualifier Scott Hoffman who was knocked out in round one by Rod Harvey.
“I was very relieved to win the championship – very excited, but very relieved after a very hectic and eventful season,” Firriolo said.
“We had a lot of things go wrong, and then you fix those things and get something going and then you are into the next hurdle, so it was quite the up and down rollercoaster. It was pretty rewarding to get it done after all of that! Thank you to the NDRC and the Super Comp competitors throughout the year.”
Also joining in the Gulf Western Oil Winternationals fun this weekend were the non-championship Real Street and Extreme Bike classes, Steven Warren and Matt Walker taking out the event win over runners-up Paul and Nathan Neilson in their classes respectively.
Dates for next season will be announced on Thursday, 17 July 2025. To learn more about the NDRC, visit www.ndrc.tv
2025 GULF WESTERN OIL WINTERNATIONALS – AEROFLOW NATIONAL SPORTSMAN CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTATIONS GALLERY THANKS TO CACKLING PIPES:
