Photo credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
The 2026 Mickey Thompson ARB Queensland Off Road Racing Championship will roar into life this weekend in Goondiwindi for the inaugural ARB Gundy 250, with a strong field of 54 primed to tackle the first-time event.
The Gundy 250 hosted by the Goondiwindi Motorsport Association will feature two at a time starts, a challenging 21km layout, and an impressive cross section of the state’s best off-road competitors looking to secure early season bragging rights.
The Ultimate Class is expected to set the pace over the weekend, with a quality lineup featuring Gundy legend Michael Napier #11, and Troy Duff #24 leading the way. The two Alumi Craft chargers will be joined by Townsville’s Seeton Battle #28, Craig Krog #23, former QLD champion Jan Kraaij #40, Kelvyn Kruger #44, Tom Darlington #63, Baja legend Kevy Nott #78 and Bowen’s Chris Land #80, ensuring the battle will be intense from the opening section.
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Local’s Jamie Knight #439 and Symon Knight #475 are raring to go in the highly anticipated Class 4 showdown, with Stuart Chapman #415, Ayr’s David Muir #433, Mark Robertson #481, and former Gundy 400 victor Brett Comiskey #434 others poised to challenge for outright silverware in their respective Trophy Trucks.
The Class 1 brigade who are all capable of deep Gundy runs consists of current QLD AORRA champion Tony Fehlhaber #138, David Loughnan #104, Raemus Rover’s Ian Baker #146, plus Jimco campaigners Chris Colborne #169 and Alex Mendham #170.
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Class 6 stands out as the largest and most competitive line-up of the weekend. Full of outright chances, the SXS class is spearheaded by former QLD champion Zac Marsh #6140, defending Dalby titlist Lachlan Waters #699, 2025 QLD runner up Aaron Nicoll #665 and Conroy Devine #606.
Other contenders include Polaris charger Luke Brandon #613, James Zacka #604, Justin Rider #627 in his new Can Am R, Chris Holgate #686, Nicholas Pye #629, Chris Thomas #657, Gary Taylor #662, Jamie O’Toole #680, Ross Newman #681, Matt Bray #6108, David Nicholson #6122, and Justin Biggs #6150, all chasing Gundy supremacy.
Class 10 also boasts exceptional depth, with Michael Marson #1032, Jason Keane #1013, Darren Orr #1015, David Mendham #1070, and Andrew Murphy #1031 among the key contenders. Ben Power #1060, Brett Patton #1011, and Megan Morgan #1094 round out a competitive field determined to start their campaigns strongly.
In other class previews, Mitchell Huxstep #618s and Darren Brandon #689s will duel it out for Class 6s honours, while Class 8 features Jayme Challacombe #838, Anthony Dalton #849, Steven Ash #862, and Anthony Brose #869.
Class 5 will see Michael Ranson #507 and Tony Butler #544 lock horns, with Hank Parker #798 and Paul Vann #287 flying the flag solo at Goondiwindi in their respective classes.
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With a fresh format presenting drivers with a new challenge and no previous winners to measure against, crews face an exciting unknown to the weekend ahead. The 2026 ARB Gundy 250 will consist of up to five sections, with each section consisting of 1-3 laps around the iconic 21km ‘Torridon’ terrain.
The 2026 ARB Gundy 250 would not be possible without the support of naming right sponsor ARB 4X4 Accessories, and event sponsor Comiskey Mining Services. In addition, a massive thank you must go to all in-kind sponsors who have assisted in so many ways, including Diesel Care Goondiwindi, Symon Knight’s Plant Hire, Browns Bobcat and Excavator Services, Bugg-Spark Auto Electrical and Mechanical, Trueline Earthmoving, L Bulmer & Co, and Border Tyres Goondiwindi.
Other in-kind contributions have been made by Joe Bulmer Heavy Haulage, Silatak Excavations, North West Rural, Spicer Welding and Fabrication, E&E Waste, Goondiwindi Communications, Ambrose Haulage, GTS Gundy Tyre Service, JMV Create and Gunsynd Bakery for their support.
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The Queensland AORRA Off Road Racing Championship would also like to thank their naming right sponsors Mickey Thompson Tyres and ARB 4×4 Accessories for jumping on board again in 2026, along with acknowledging Link ECU, JSW Powersports, Best Western Plus Hotel North Lakes, Farm and Garden Polaris, Comiskey Mining Services, and Premium Soil Conditioners & Fertilisers for their ongoing support of the championship.
The ARB Gundy 250 promises exhilarating wheel to wheel action across all classes, as drivers and teams launch their 2026 Mickey Thompson ARB Queensland Off Road Championship campaigns.
With racing commencing from 8.30am Saturday, and 8am Sunday, plus FREE entry, full catering, and bar facilities available all weekend – you don’t want to miss the inaugural ARB Gundy 250.
By TC Media
Pics by Show N Go Media
