By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show N Go Photography
For South Australians Roydn and Lachlan Bailey #52, it’s hard to imagine a more special location for the father and son duo to record their maiden outright victory, then the 2023 Comiskey Mining Services Don River Dash, hosted by the Burdekin Offroaders Inc.
Starting from third on Sunday in the traditional reverse grid format, the Element Prodigy campaigners launched to Don River supremacy; after late dramas to race leaders Talbot Cox and Craig King #16.
“We are extremely happy and proud to claim our first major win at the iconic Don River event. To do it alongside my son Lachlan just makes it so much better, all the hard work and late nights in the shed have paid off,” said a thrilled Bailey.
We had a great run all weekend, the car was perfect after curing our overheating dramas from last year. Although we did almost have a huge moment within sight of the finish. Being so close to Haby all weekend was definitely a highlight, having two South Australian Element cars on the top two steps was unreal.
In another fascinating addition of the Don River, Bailey held tough to record a 34 second victory over their South Australian Element compatriots Aaron and Liz Haby #57, who had Kris Booth in the navigator’s seat on Saturday; the 2022 champions came agonisingly close to back to back crowns.
Symon Knight and Joe Brown #1175 piloted their Class 11 Rush Truck to a career best result, the Goondiwindi hard chargers were super impressive in Bowen, finishing their maiden Don River Dash campaign first in class and third outright, 2.34 mins adrift of Haby.
Novacastrians Michael and Chris Dolan #455 continued their hot run of form to collect the Class 4 silverware in fourth outright; whilst in one of the drives of the season, recent Gundy 500 champions Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #15 came from the clouds on Sunday after an unlucky mechanical issue early in the event to finish in fifth.
Alice Springs local Brett Taylor #431 and Victorian Ivan Robertson #471 closed out the Class 4 podium in sixth and seventh respectively, whilst Class 1 champion Tony Fehlhaber #138, Matt Lawless #71 and Cougar Racing’s Craig Barnett #68 rounded out the 2023 Don River Dash top ten.
North Queenslander James Mogford #6195 outlasted Zac Marsh #6141 and Christian Rich #619 for Class 6 honours, whilst Pablo Velez #303 and South Australian Michael Shipton #585 took home honours in their respective classes.
Darren Orr #1015 made it back to back Queensland wins in Class 10, with Rob Stieber #1082 and Steven Orr #1051 rounding out the podium. Brad Hancock #6671 reigned supreme in Class 66, surviving Ross Newman #6681 and Nigel Pearce #6608 for the title, whilst Tony Patterson #6175s continued his impressive form to claim the Class 6s title over Darren Brandon #689s and Ryland Burt #6169s.
Stuart Zlotkowski #811 drove his Brumby to back to back Class 8 wins over Jack Henderson #807 and Matt Dicks #828, whilst Savanna Madderom #1170 and James Sant #1144 closed out Class 11.
In other class results, young gun Trent Callander #127 drove superbly to claim second in Class 1 over Chris Colborne #169, whilst the Southern Cross hard charger also held on for the Juniors title, ahead of Kye Camilleri #666 and Luke Brandon #690s.
In the Ladies Class, Savanna Marradom #1170 scored a maiden victory, surviving Kate Swinglehurst #631 who fell just short of four consecutive titles, and Katelyn Long #6626 for the win.
After watching a number of notables not complete full distance on Saturday including Rohan Williams #29, Kent Battle #31, Drew Callander #99, Jason Keane #1013, Chris Land #180, Dave Muir #448, James Sant #1144, Paul Youman #427, Steven Kildey #412, Declan Cummins #1005, and Dan Dunn #614, Sunday’s attrition rate was just as high.
With club president Michael Marson #32 whilst battling for the lead, Shannon McNab #1122, Tyler Youman #527, Steven Orr #1051, Richard Hacon #86, Ian Baker #146, Justin Rider #627, Dale McDonnell #608, Stuart Chapman #17, Alex Handley #665, Kate Swinglehurst #631 and Jamie Henderson #477 all bowing out during Sunday’s three laps.
The Queensland Off Road Racing Championship would again like to thank their naming right sponsors ARB and Mickey Thompson Tires, whilst expressing full gratitude towards the championship sponsors Dynamic Wheel Co, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Premium Soil Conditioners and Fertilisers, Comiskey Mining Services, North Lakes Best Western, plus Polaris Farm & Garden Produce for their continued support.
The 2023 ARB Mickey Thompson Tires Queensland Off Road Racing Championship will now turn its attention to the eighth and final round, the McCosker Mount Larcom Short Course, held over the 21st and 22nd of October.
