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The Australian National Drag Racing Association will induct its first five members to the ANDRA Hall of Fame next month in Sydney.
The five nominees come from various backgrounds in the sport of drag racing and will be inducted on November 4 at the ANDRA Championship Dinner as part of The Australian Nationals in Sydney.
“The ANDRA Hall of Fame is not solely about racing achievements but those people who have demonstrated a commitment to the association that goes above and beyond what is expected,” said CEO, Malcolm Bulley. “With this first induction, the ANDRA board wanted to show the many ways people can make a contribution to ANDRA and the sport of drag racing.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a record setter or a championship winner, but to show dedication to ANDRA and the sport as a whole is a vital part of being inducted into the ANDRA Hall of Fame.”
The five inductees are as follows:
Dennis Syrmis (pictured):
Instrumental in building Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway, Syrmis was a former National ANDRA Director and one of the most important administrative and promotional figures in Australian drag racing.
Graeme Cowin:
Both on and off the track, Cowin is an institution in Australian drag racing. He was the first Top Fuel driver to break the five second barrier in Australian Top Fuel, he has raced in the USA and has built his business – Rocket Industries – into the leading supplier in the sport today. He will enter the world of race promoting later this year with the Outlaw Nitro Funny Car Series, which he is building up in Sydney.
Mick Atholwood:
‘Mickey’ played an instrumental role in the careers of many young drag racers over the four plus decades he was involved in the sport, with many of those going on to win multiple national Titles. A celebrated tuner, owner and driver, Atholwood continues to be revered in drag racing circles some 18 months after his untimely passing.
Paul Rogers Snr:
Rogers was one of the founding fathers of the ANDRA Movement and is widely believed to have come up with the moniker, ANDRA. A former competitor in multiple categories, he played a strong role in shaping the sport at many different levels in a voluntary capacity.
George Bailey:
Bailey is considered to be one of the longest serving divisional directors in the sport, as well as serving many voluntary roles among the ANDRA Councils at a national level. He also has a decorated Sportsman career, holding many records in the Super Stock division.
