The decision by Sydney Dragway to dump IHRA Australia in favor of ANDRA as the sanctioning body for the venue will have a significant impact across the drag landscape in Australia as the sport slowly begins to emerge from the Covid pandemic. 

The decision was met with a swift and hostile response from IHRA Australia, which instituted legal proceedings against Sydney Dragway for an alleged breach of contract and unlawfully terminating their sanctioning agreement with two years remaining.

According to IHRA CEO Maurice Allen, “IHRA Australia is extremely disappointed to have yesterday received advice that the board of Sydney Dragway have decided to terminate its binding and exclusive contract with IHRA Australia, and its parent company, as the official and exclusive representative and sanctioning body for all races, events or promotions conducted by Sydney Dragway.” 

“IHRA Australia has instructed its lawyers to immediately commence legal proceedings against Sydney Dragway for its wrongful termination of the contract, which still had a further two years to run.

“It is regrettable such circumstances have arisen, particularly having regard for IHRA’s popular and successful sanctioning of events conducted at Sydney Dragway for the past five years.

“As this matter will soon be before the courts, IHRA will be making no further comment about these matters until the legal proceedings are resolved or determined.”

The defection of Sydney Dragway is a major coup for ANDRA.

Speculation the track has been looking to swap camps has been rife in drag circles for some time. 

In February, the rumor mill went into overdrive when word leaked that ANDRA and Sydney Dragway had begun talks about reconciliation and returning to ANDRA as their preferred sanctioning body.

According to Sydney Dragway Chairman Garry Waterson, “ANDRA has been working closely with the Board of Western Sydney International Dragway to ensure the transition is as simple as possible. The inclusion of all racers and minimizing disruption has been our joint singular goal while developing a license transition.”

“ANDRA is offering an equivalent license, at no charge, to all NSW residents holding a current IHRA equivalent that has less than six months remaining at the commencement date of the agreement with Western Sydney Dragway.”

“All other IHRA license holders wishing to obtain an ANDRA license will be able to do so with a single one-off administration fee for the balance of their license term.”

Their first joint venture is the final round of the Summit Racing Equipment Sportsman Series, May 6-7, 2022.