Saturday the 2nd of August turned out to be a great day and night of racing at the Robe Earthmovers David Larter Memorial Day/Night Enduro. Naming rights sponsor Robe Earthmovers had the track prepped to perfection, delivering a wide race track for all competitors to enjoy. The race forms part of the AORRA Southern States Off Road Club Challenge. The event had 19 entrants across a wide range of classes, all determined to take the top podium win.

The Ultimate Class featured Glenn Pike #75, who had a great run all day, consistently sitting in the top three outright. During the night section the father and son team had their eyes set on Heemskerk #1029 and the top step, setting solid lap times but ultimately succumbing to Heemskerk’s quick pace to finish 1st in class and 2nd outright. A great drive!

The Pro Light Class included Daryl Nissen #164 and Adrian Coatsworth #180, who were both off to a flying start in section one. Coatsworth suffered a CV failure on lap one but returned to the track after a quick pit repair. Nissen managed to set three solid laps before retiring due to gearbox issues. Though Coatsworth rejoined, he was two laps short of completing the day heat, however was able to finish enough laps in the night section to be classified as a finisher. Still, a solid effort from both drivers.
Class 10 had a strong field entered with some well-prepared race cars. Competitors included David Richardson #1013, Aaron Heemskerk #1029, Jake England #1032, Peter Tamblyn #1042, and Jesse Doodt #1082. The day heat started fast, with Heemskerk setting an 11:45.698 on lap one – his fastest time of the day. England, Tamblyn, and Doodt chased closely behind, maintaining a consistent pace, while Richardson unfortunately retired midway through his first lap due to engine issues.
Heemskerk continued setting quick times leading the day section, with England, Tamblyn, and Doodt all pushing hard to close the gap. On lap five, Doodt requested a tow from the bushes, ending his day section. As night fell, Heemskerk was the one to watch, the other Class 10s had their work cut out for them, hunting Heemskerk and racing the clock. Local boys Heemskerk, England, and Tamblyn used their night driving experience to their advantage and continued to circulate quickly, with England leading the night section. Unfortunately, Doodt suffered a CV failure after just one lap in the night leg, ending his race. This left the three local boys to battle it out. Bad luck struck again for the England crew, who were running second outright before a broken rear trailing arm ended their impressive run.
Heemskerk claimed 1st in Class and 1st outright after a clean drive – a very well-deserved win from the loud and fast-running Class 10. He was closely followed by Tamblyn, who took 2nd in class and 7th outright, and England, who completed the required number of laps to secure 3rd in class. A great drive by all Class 10 competitors.

Mark Leddra #893 was the sole entrant in Class 8, running in the Wacker Neuson car. He had a good race until he needed to be recovered due to running out of water on lap 3, finishing his first section. Leddra went back out at night and completed the entire section, finishing 1st in class and 13th outright.
Heath Weedon #779 represented class 7 well, putting in a consistent, reliable, and enjoyable performance with great racing all day. His fastest lap came during the night racing where he seemed to find his groove. Weedon finished the weekend with 1st in class and 8th outright.

Class 6 had three entrants: Tim Wilkinson #621, Aidan Campagnolo #666, and Chloe Swatton #668.

All three Class 6 entries started strong. On lap 2, Swatton gently rolled, with Weedon and Campagnolo lending a helping hand to get her back on track and continue racing. All three completed the first day section positioning themselves well for the night. At night, they all adapted well with some close racing in the dark dunes, each determined to close the gap on one another. Resulting in Wilkinson 1st in class, Campagnolo 2nd and Swatton 3rd Robert Moore #427, Jason Forssman #474, and Jayden Carter #458 made up the Class 4 field. All three drivers showed great pace, with Moore leading the day section, chased closely by Carter.

Unfortunately, Forssman race was over before it even started, as he was unable to leave the pit area to begin his race—a gut-wrenching outcome for the Forssman team. Moore did not start the night section due to a split engine oil cooler, leaving Carter to take 1st in class and 9th outright.

Class 2 included Peter Stevenson #248, Brydon Klingberg #258, and Terry Ingram #265. All three buggies drove well in the day, setting consistent lap times. Stevenson showcased his years of racing experience and ability to maintain a strong pace. Ingram stayed in the chase with a steady performance throughout. Klingberg paced himself in the early stages of the day section, getting a feel for the track and his debut car. As the night section began, Klingberg, with a pep talk from his crew, grew in confidence and dialled up the pace, closing the gap between him and Stevenson. In the end, Klingberg took 1st in class and 4th outright, just 2.311seconds ahead of Stevenson, who finished 2nd in class and 5th outright, with Ingram rounding out the podium in 3rd.

Top 10: Aaron Heemskerk #1029, Glenn Pike #75, Tim Wilkinson #621, Brydon Klingberg #258, Peter Stevenson #248, Adian Campagnolo #666, Peter Tamblyn #1042, Heath Weedon #779, Jayden Carter #458, Terry Ingram #265.

Here’s to a thrilling race day powered by our amazing sponsors Robe Earthmovers, Heenan Mechanical, Integrity new homes and Millicent Tyre Centre! We couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you to all competitors, we hope to see you all at our next event, the Teagles Excavation ARB Pines Enduro!

By Millcent Sand Buggy Club.

Pics courtesy of Show n Go Media.