Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #15 have claimed a commanding victory at the weekend’s 2025 Custom Lithium Don River Dash in Bowen, powering their Toyota-powered Razorback to a 4 minute 11 second win.
Hosted by the Burdekin Offroaders Inc., the 2025 Don River Dash marked Round 7 of the 2025 QLD Mickey Thompson ARB Offroad Racing Championship; and once again proved why the iconic North Queensland race is one of the country’s premier events.
Heading into Sunday with a 22 second advantage, Chapman survived the rugged terrain, waterlogged-conditions, reverse grid format, and a high attrition to secure his first Don River Dash title in a dominant front running display, adding to his recent string of national victories.
The race up front was not without its drama, with former champion Talbot Cox #16 forced to retire early on Sunday morning due to a broken shifter, and Kye Camilleri #34 later withdrawing after suffering a steering pump failure.
With two top contenders sidelined, it was Daniel Hughes and Mitch Upton #48 who seized the moment, recording their best-ever outright finish in their V8 Southern Cross. Hughes crossed the line in second, finishing 1 minute and 33 seconds ahead of the formidable Class 8 duo of Brett Comiskey and Corey Cooper #834, who not only claimed third outright but also secured class honours in their 7 litre Brenthel Trophy Truck.
Class 6 champion Zac Marsh #6140 continued his incredible run of form in 2025, finishing fourth outright in another giant-killing effort, while Kevy Nott #68 brought his Element Prodigy home in fifth, completing the Ultimate class podium.
Aaron Phillis #40 continued his terrific season with a strong sixth-place finish, crossing the line just 16 seconds behind Nott in his V8 powered Brenthel. Dave Mendham #170 piloted his 3.5 litre Jimco to Class 1 glory in 7th, holding off new Queensland championship leader Tony Fehlhaber #138 who continued his strong Don River form to finish in eighth.
South Australian Ben Nixon #6168 secured second place in Class 6 and ninth overall, with Rohan Williams #29 capping off his return to the track by rounding out the Don River Dash top ten in his V8 Jimco.
Jason Keane #1013 took the Class 10 victory in his single-seat Jimco, with club president Michael Marson #1032 and Queensland regular Brett Baker #1026 joining him on the podium.
Robert Wearing #440 again reigned supreme in Class 4, holding off fellow Rush Truck charger Damien Saunders #444 for the win. Steven Kildey #484 was unlucky to drop from a top five outright position on the final lap when water found its way into the battery isolator, shutting down the truck and relegating him to third in class.
Emerson Madderom #1169 triumphed in Class 11 after a close battle with Tom Jack #1118 and Chris Vanlint #1113, while Joshua Pile #762 who completed all six gruelling laps of the Don, Michael Ranson #507, and Katelyn Long #6626 each secured victories in their respective classes.
In the Class 6s showdown, Troy Daley #649s came out on top in a tight battle with the first lady home Anna Phillis #624s, while Ryland Burt #6169 claimed third.
In one of the closest finishes of the weekend, Jason Sait # 674 edged out Conroy Devine #606 by just 19 seconds for third place in Class 6, with Darren Angel #160, Tyjana Gibson #828 and Christopher Wieden #833 wrapping up their class celebrations.
Despite being the fastest car on Sunday in his AWD Mason, Western Australian Brent Smoothy #847 was one of many who succumbed to issues on Saturday ending his outright hopes.
Other notables to fall away on the opening day included defending champion Kent Battle #31, Tyler Youman #427, Jack Mildwaters #449, Matt Lawless #71, Nick Commins #479, Dave Muir #433, Justin Rider #627, plus Drew #32 and Trent Callander #99.
Sunday also saw Cooper Western #61, Dan Dunn #614, Steven Kildey #484, Brent Storey #682, Kye Camilleri #34, Talbot Cox #16, Luke Brandon #613, James Sant #50, David Loughnan #104, and Jamie Knight #439 all bow out during the intense three lap section.
The Queensland Off Road Championship would again like to thank their major sponsors ARB and Mickey Thompson Tyres, along with Link ECU, Comiskey Mining Services, JSW Powersports, Best WesternPlus Hotel North Lakes, Farm and Garden Polaris and Premium Soil Conditioners & Fertilisers for their support in 2025.
The 2025 Don River Dash would not have been possible without the support of naming right sponsor, Custom Lithium; plus, their livestream sponsors RGM maintenance and Mercedes Benz Trucks.
In addition, a massive thank you must go to the events Gold Sponsors, including Whitsunday Ag Service, Tourism & Events QLD, Rocks Farming, Pat McDonnell Earthmoving, Grand View Hotel, Bowen Rail, and Abbot Point Operations, along with all the other incredible sponsors who assisted in many ways.
The 2025 Mickey Thompson ARB Queensland Offroad Racing Championship will now turn its attention to the eighth and final round, the Mount Larcom Short Course, held over the 17th-19th of October.
