By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Andrew Stott
After the highly successful running of the first two rounds of the season, this weekend’s ARB Goondiwindi 500, Round 3 of the ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship and also Round 6 of the ARB Mickey Thompson Queensland Off Road Racing Championship, is set to be one of the most enthralling events in recent times.
Hosted by the Goondiwindi Motorsport Association, ARB championship competitors for the first time will complete 500kms of the iconic Goondiwindi terrain, and with a star-studded field of 90 teams set for battle at Torridon, there are many contenders chasing victory at one of the countries most prestigious events.
Led by current ARB Australian Off Road Championship front runners Greg Gartner #410 and Brent Martin #1, after their outright victories at Rainbow and Hillston respectively, the remainder of the field is littered with past champions including Martin who is back to defend his triumph from 2022.
Two time ARB Australian title holder Danny Brown #42 will be a force once again on his beloved Goondiwindi circuit, likewise North Queenslanders Talbot Cox #16 and Michael Marson #32 who rounded out last years outright podium in their respective Racer’s. 2019 Goondiwindi victor Bryce Chapman #58 will look to return to winning ways in his Jimco, so too Brett Comiskey in his Class 11 Trophy Truck after a memorable triumph in 2020.
Current third place sitter in the ARB championship Andy Brown #45, Class 10 spearhead Bowie Graham #1065, multiple time Australian champion Mark Burrows #21, last years Pooncarie champ Ryan Taylor #24, local legend Michael Napier #11, Dale Martin #1125, Clayton Chapman #15, 2019 runner up Jason Richards #119, Tom Swinglehurst #48 and Damien Nicol #430 are all others with a genuine outright shot at Goondiwindi.
Queensland championship leader Luke Brandon #690s will look to continue his dream run of form in his Class 6Ss Polaris, as well as father Darren #689s and Zac Marsh #614 who are young Brandon’s nearest rivals. Other’s still in the Queensland title race include David Loughnan #104, Rob Stieber #1082, Kane Prechelt #694s and Stuart Zlotkowski #811.
In the remaining class battles at Goondiwindi Craig Barnett #68, Stuart Chapman #17, Rohan Williams #29 and Craig Krog #923 are names to watch in the Ultimate Class, so too Matthew Burrows #123, Trent Callander #127 and David Middlemiss #117 in Class 1.
Joining Graham in Class 10 this weekend is an array of talented Queenslanders including Steven Orr #1051, Brayden Mifsud #1026, Daniel MacDonald #1052, and Jason Keane #1013, who are all expected to be in the mix. Rhett Standen #225 and Matt Gardiner #589 are the sole class representatives, whilst Heath Weedon #779, Hank Parker #708, Ross Newman #6681 and Matthew Lavis #6684 are set to fight it out for their respective silverware.
Goondiwindi Motorsport Association President Jamie Knight #439 and Dean Miller #408 will like their chances in Class 4 with Christian Trusz #816, Owen Ward #832, and Steven Ash #862 set to clash for Class 8 honours. Darren Frankling #1110, Joey Bulmer #1136, Michael Zacka #1151 and Symon Knight #1175 join the hotly contested Class 11 line up, with James Mogford #6195, Richard Tassin #691, Christian Rich #619, Brice Derrick #696 and Kye Camilleri #666 all capable of deep runs at Goondiwindi.
The 2023 Goondiwindi 500 would not be possible without the support of the championship partners ARB 4X4 Accessories, Mickey Thompson Tyres, AORRA and Raceline Wheels, major event sponsor Goondiwindi Regional Council and the Top Ten Shootout sponsor Goondiwindi Tyre Service, along with all the other amazing sponsors either small, large or inkind who have assisted in so many ways.
The Queensland Off Road Racing Championship would like to thank their major naming right sponsors ARB and Mickey Thompson Tyres for continuing their strong partnership in 2023, whilst expressing full gratitude towards the other championship sponsors; Dynamic Wheel Co, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Premium Soil Conditioners and Fertilisers, Comiskey Mining Services, North Lakes Best Western, plus Polaris Farm & Garden Produce.
There are so many storylines that could be written at Torridon this weekend, as the next instalment of the 2023 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship unfolds, with all eyes on who will be crowned the inaugural Gundy 500 champion.
Stay up to date with live results across the weekend on offroadracing.com.au, plus if you can’t make it trackside, stream all of the action live via the Gundy 500 and ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship Facebook pages across both days.
The 2023 ARB Goondiwindi 500 takes place at ‘Torridon’, this weekend, the 11th – 13th of August.
