Spearheaded by two-time defending champion Clayton Chapman #15, and other former victors Danny Brown #4 and Aaron James #93, this weekend’s ARB Gundy 500 at ‘Torridon’ is set to be another epic showdown with 71 crews primed for battle.
Hosted by the Goondiwindi Motorsport Association, this year’s event plays host to Round 3 of the 2025 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship, and Round 6 of the ARB Mickey Thompson Queensland Championship.
After successfully defending their 2023 crown twelve months ago, Chapman and Adam McGuire #15 will be chasing a remarkable Gundy 500 three-peat, one that will stand tall in melon-hole folklore.
Steven Graham #1065 has been the stand-out performer in the ARB Australian Championship so far in 2025 with two top five finishes. The Class 10 spearhead tops the outright standings by 124 points over Lachlan Campbell #651 and Stuart Chapman #1014: with all three competitors capable of deep runs at Goondiwindi.
In the class previews, Aaron Phillis #40, Dean Meginley #87, Rohan Williams #29, David Loughnan #104, Darren Angel #160, and Chris Colborne #169 round out their respective classes, whilst for the third time this season Brendan Forssman #201 and Brian Bradford #264 will lock horns in Class 2.
Joining Class 10 front runners Graham and Chapman at the Gundy 500 is Victorian James Tyrell #1036, Queensland regulars Jason Keane #1013, Brett Baker #1026, 2024 class champion Michael Marson #1032, and NSW veteran David Mendham #1070.
Club President Jamie Knight #439 joins his brother as leading Class 4 contenders, with Steven Kildey #412, Matt Smith #473, and Mark Robertson #481 other notable challengers, with Ross Newman #6681 and Stephen Blake #6639 the only Class 66 representatives.
Lachlan Campbell #651 will look to consolidate his advantage in the Class 6 championship, with his closest ARB compatriot Cameron Grayson #697, QLD outright championship leader Aaron Nicoll #665, Zac Marsh #6140, Jeff McNiven #604, and Justin Rider #627 posing as his biggest threats.
South Australian Michael Shipton #585 will face his biggest challenge of the season in Queensland, the Class 5 star will tackle Michael Ranson #507, Matt Gardiner #589, and Michael Orr #515 in his Gundy debut.
Hank Parker #798 is set to duel it out with Joshua Pile #762 for the Class 7 silverware, likewise Tony Dalton #849, local Steven Ash #862, and Jayme Challacombe #838 for Class 8 glory.
The 2025 ARB Gundy 500 would not be possible without the support of championship partners ARB 4X4 Accessories, Mickey Thompson Tyres, Raceline Wheels Australia, and AORRA.
In addition, a massive thank you must go to the events Gold Sponsors, including Goondiwindi Regional Council, Chapmans Auto Repairs, Link Ecu, Goondiwindi Tyre Service, MRTrans, Royal Hotel, Specialised Farm Machinery, T&T Motorcycles, Tollis Panel and Paint and Porkys Pizza, plus to all the other sponsors either small, large or in-kind.
The Queensland Off Road Championship would also 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.
With racing kicking off at 9am Saturday and 8am Sunday, there is plenty to look forward to this weekend as the 2025 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship continues at ‘Torridon’, with all eyes on who will become the newest ARB Gundy 500 champion.
The ARB Gundy 500, Round 3 of the 2025 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship takes place this weekend, over the 8th-10th of August.
By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show n Go Media & Big Foot Media
