Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
Proud Queenslanders Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #15 return to ‘Torridon’ this weekend chasing a third consecutive ARB Gundy 500 crown. But with a stacked 81-car field lining up for the iconic event, they’ll have to be at their very best to complete the three-peat.
Hosted by the Goondiwindi Motorsport Association, this year’s edition plays host to Round 3 of the 2026 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship, and Round 7 of the ARB Mickey Thompson Tires Queensland Off Road Racing Championship.
Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography
This weekend’s ARB Gundy 500 also marks 49 years of off-road racing in Goondiwindi, with the event continuing to build on a proud legacy that dates back to 1977. With the milestone 50 years anniversary set for 2027, excitement is already growing, with organisers expecting a bumper field of more than 100 entries to mark the occasion.
After opening his season with a commanding wire-to-wire victory at Hillston and backing it up with an impressive fourth outright at the recent Waikerie Enduro, Chapman arrives at Gundy as the one to beat. The current ARB Australian Championship leader will be chasing a third consecutive victory at the event after triumphing in both 2023 and 2024.
Photo Credit: Millie’s Media
Current ARB Australian Champion Aaron Haby #1 is another headline name set to line up at Gundy, making his first appearance at the event aboard his Element Prodigy since 2019, joining him is 2024 ARB Champion Beau Robinson #813, who will tackle the famous melon holes in his AWD Mason. 2017 Gundy winner Aaron James #93, and former Finke Desert Race runner-up Josh Howells #9 are also expected to feature prominently as part of a star-studded chasing pack.
Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography
Griffith’s Jason Richards #91, club president Jamie Knight #439 fresh off his Gundy 250 victory, 2024 Don River champion Kent Battle #31, and the inform Craig Krog #23 will also be ones to watch in their respective V8 machines, all eager to break through on the national stage.
2020 Gundy champion Brett Comiskey #434 will also be in the mix alongside James Sant #50, 150 Miles victor Tony Fehlhaber #138, The Gap 440 podium sitter Ally Howells #115, and Hillston’s Jay Mitchell #121, all aiming to add their names to the Gundy honour roll with a standout performance.
Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography
In the Ultimate class, North Queenslander Seeton Battle #28, Tumby Bay’s Ben McNamara #69, and Brad Zacka #53 in the team’s Cosworth powered Jimco are all capable of deep runs, meanwhile QLD journeyman David Loughnan #104, Chris Colborne #169 and Kurt Stephan #133 are shaping up for what promises to be a hotly contested Class 1 showdown.
Joining Knight and Comiskey in the competitive Class 4 line up is Tyler Youman #496, Michael Bertinazzi #451, Mark Robertson #487, and Leigh Ryan #481, with Gundy regular Michael Ranson #507, Tony Butler #544, Hank Parker #798, Jamie O’Toole #1168, and Darren Foxcroft #6629 among the other contenders across the remaining classes.
Photo Credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
Class 10 ARB championship leader Bodie Tickner #1093 headlines the 2.5 litre contingent which also features Griffith’s Bowie Graham #1065, Michael Marson #1032, Brett Baker #1026, Jason Keane #1013, Rhett Standen #1024, and Victorian Sean Ratcliffe #1007.
Beau Robinson will lead the charge in Class 8 as he chases his first Gundy title, however he’ll face strong competition from local competitor Steven Ash #862, Tony Dalton #849, Luke Peterson #878, Jayme Challacombe #838, and Stuart Zlotkowski #811 in the famous Subaru Brumby.
Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography
An incredible 27 Class 6 crews are set to take on the Gundy 500 this weekend, promising one of the fiercest battles of the event. Leading the charge is current championship leader Lachlan Campbell #3 in the GRC Motorsport Can-Am Maverick R, but he’ll have no shortage of challengers.
Among those ready to fight for Class 6 honours are Gold Coaster Jeff McNiven #604, outright speedsters Conroy Devine #608, Lochie Waters #699, and Brice Derrick #696, along with the Polaris charger Luke Brandon #613, Justin Rider #627, Nick Pye #629, Aaron Nicoll #665, and the welcome return of Josh Wiedman #669.
Photo Credit: Terry Hill Photography
The action begins at 9am on Saturday with the 14km prologue, before Section 1 gets underway from 1pm with two 85km laps. On Sunday, national competitors will tackle four continuous laps to decide the 2026 champion, with the first car scheduled to leave the line at 8am.
The 2026 ARB Gundy 500 is made possible through the valued support of its championship partners ARB 4×4 Accessories, Mickey Thompson Tyres, Raceline Wheels Australia, and AORRA, with ARB also proudly holding naming rights for the event.
A huge thank you also goes to the Gundy 500 Gold Sponsors – Future Ag, Goondiwindi Tyre Service, L Bulmer & Co Earthmoving, Goondiwindi Regional Council, and Specialised Farm Machinery, the Live Stream sponsors, Chapmans Auto and MR Trans, as well as to every other sponsor, whether through financial or in-kind contributions who have played a role in making the event possible.
The Queensland Championship would like to acknowledge their naming rights sponsors, ARB 4×4 Accessories and Mickey Thompson Tyres, along with partners 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 in 2026.
The ARB Gundy 500, Round 3 of the 2026 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship, and Round 7 of the 2026 ARB Mickey Thompson Tires Queensland Championship takes place in Goondiwindi this weekend.
By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show ‘n’ Go Media, Millie’s Media & Terry Hill Photography
