Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
Racing returns to the Whitsundays coastal town of Bowen this weekend for the 2026 Custom Lithium Don River Dash, with former champions Talbot Cox and Kent Battle headlining an 80-car field that also includes recent Waikerie Enduro winner Tom Owen.
Proudly hosted by the Burdekin Offroaders Inc, the popular North Queensland event will again welcome more than 200 bike competitors while showcasing some of the biggest names in Australian off road racing, with local favourite Talbot Cox #16, Kent Battle #31, and Tom Owen #30 among the leading contenders.
With defending champion Clayton Chapman #15 missing from this year’s field, a host of past Don River Dash podium finishers will be chasing the King of the River crown, including Danny Hughes #49, Symon Knight #475, Michael Marson #1032, Brett Comiskey #834, Tony Fehlhaber #138 and Craig Krog #23, who arrives in Bowen off the back of a strong second outright finish at Gundy.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
Other competitors expected to make their mark on the iconic riverbed include Michael Zacka #51 in his V8 powered Jimco Champion, North Queenslanders Seeton Battle #28, Trent Callander #99 and Brad Belcher #22, along with Goondiwindi’s Jamie Knight #439.
Another major highlight of the weekend will see Australian television and radio personality Grant Denyer tackle the Don River Dash in the Custom Lithium Class 6 Can-Am Maverick R, taking on one of the toughest and most unique challenges of his motorsport career.
The Ultimate and Class 1 ranks will feature plenty of interest in Bowen, with Richard Hacon #86, Chris Land #80, Kelvyn Kruger #44, Jan Kraaj #41, Queensland Championship leader David Loughnan #104 and Ian Baker #146 all lining up to take on the Don.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
The Knight brothers will go head-to-head with Steven Von Pein #422, Ayr’s Dave Muir #433, NT’s Brett Taylor #431, Steven Kildey #482, and Rush Truck competitor Col Desbrow #481 in Class 4, while Luke Peterson #878, Justin Renew #808 and Stuart Zlotkowski #811 headline Class 8.
Currently second in the Queensland outright standings, Nick Pye #629 leads a revamped Class 6 field that includes former runner-up Lochie Waters #699, Jason Sait #674, local Dale McDonnell #608, Brent Storey #682 and the Polaris charger Luke Brandon #613, while a number of crews are also set to make their offroad debuts in Bowen.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
Club President Michael Marson #1032 will once again take to the Don in his Class 10 Racer, alongside Benjamin Power #1060, Gordon Tardrew #1033, and Chris Sollitt #1065, with Les Long #6626, and Nate Von Pein #322 flying the flag for their respective classes.
Michael Ranson #507 and Dan Osinski #504 will be joined by New South Welshman Paul Grant #504 and Ashley Weinert #515 for the Class 5 showdown, while Brandon Beckers #1147, John Madderom #1111, Peter Makeham #1122, and Shannon McNab #1170 will line up in Class 11.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
This year’s event will again see competitors’ race 25km upstream along the iconic Don River to the turnaround point before returning on the opposite side. Saturday’s opening section will feature three consecutive laps from a reverse-grid start, with competitors tackling the same format on Sunday.
The 2026 Custom Lithium Don River Dash would not be possible without the generous support of naming rights sponsor Custom Lithium, along with livestream sponsors RGM Maintenance and Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
A huge thank you also goes to the event’s Gold Sponsors, Abbot Point Operations, Rocks Farming Company, Pat McDonnell Earthmoving and Whitsunday Ag Services, as well as all the other valued sponsors who have supported the Don River Dash through both financial and in-kind contributions.
The AORRA Queensland Championship would like to acknowledge their naming rights sponsors, ARB 4×4 Accessories and Mickey Thompson Tyres, along with Link ECU, JSW Powersports, Best Western Plus Hotel North Lakes, Farm and Garden Polaris, Comiskey Mining Services, and Premium Soil Conditioners & Fertilisers for their support.
The 2026 Custom Lithium Don River Dash takes place in Bowen this weekend. For more info check out the Don River Dash Facebook page and website at www.donriverdash.com.au
By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show ‘n’ Go Media
