By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show N Go Photography, Racing Fix Media, and FWR Media
In an event that continues to shine at the heart of the Whitsundays, this weekend’s 2023 Comiskey Mining Services Don River Dash, held in the idyllic township of Bowen, will be a five year celebration of a race that has captivated the offroad world.
Hosted by the Burdekin Offroaders Inc, Round 6 of the ARB Mickey Thompson Queensland Championship is set to showcase some of Australia’s biggest names, with an incredible 99 cars and 250 bikes set for battle.
Spearheaded by last year’s champion Aaron Haby #57 in his Element Prodigy; the proud South Australian will be joined by a list of stars including local legend and two time winner Talbot Cox #16 (2020,21), recent Gundy 500 champion Clayton Chapman #15, plus club president Michael Marson #32 who is himself fresh off a second outright at Goondiwindi, searching for a maiden King of the River title.
Other major contenders expected to make some noise down the iconic Don River include last year’s podium sitter Kent Battle #31, South Australian Roydn Bailey #52, Dalby champion Stuart Chapman #17 and 2020 Gundy 400 victor Brett Comiskey #1134.
It’s an all family affair atop the Queensland championship standings heading into the penultimate round in Bowen, DRELLs Run Racing’s Luke Brandon #690s leads his father Darren #689s by a single point in the outright battle, whilst David Loughnan #104, Zac Marsh #6141, and Kane Prechelt #694s are all in contention approaching the final long course event of the year.
Amongst the eagerly anticipated class battles, Craig Barnett #68, Drew Callander #99, Brad Belcher #42, Tony Fehlhaber #138, Trent Callander #127, Chris Colborne #169 and Chris Land #180 are amongst notable Ultimate and Class 1 crews. Whilst, Pete Jordan-Edwards #287, Jake Stackman #333, and Hank Parker #798 headline their respective classes.
Last year’s Don River Class 10 champion Daniel MacDonald #1082 will return to defend his title, with Steven Orr #1051, Brayden Mifsud #1026, Jason Keane #1013, and Darren Orr #1015 tipped to be his biggest rivals. Goondiwindi’s Symon Knight #1175, James Sant #1144, and Shannon McNab #1122 are set to light up Class 11, likewise Tony Patterson #675s and Ryland Burt #6169s who are amongst the favourites for the hotly contested Class 6s crown.
Two time defending Don River Class 6 champion Richard Tassin #691 will again spearhead the SXS contingent, though will face stiff competition from Moranbah outright winner Dan Dunn #614, recent Gundy class champ Kye Camilleri #666, James Mogford #6195, Alex Handley #665, Dale McDonnell #608, and Brent Storey #682.
Sam Hancock #6671, Katelyn Long #6626, Matthew Dicks #831, Stuart Zlotkowski #811, Tyler Youman #527, Michael Shipton #585, Brett Taylor #431, Steven Kildey #412, Ivan Robertson #471, Michael Dolan #455, and Dave Muir #448 are other notables primed for a Don River assault.
The Don River Dash will again see the competitors head 25km upstream in the Don riverbed to the turnaround point, before returning back on the other side. Three laps will make up Saturday’s first section in reverse grid, before competitors complete the same assignment on the Sunday, to ultimately decide the 2023 King of the River champion.
The popular Bowen-based event would not be possible without the support of platinum sponsors Comiskey Mining Services and Whitsunday Regional Council; gold sponsors Abbot Point Operations, Mercedes Benz, Mickey Thompson Tires, RGM Maintenance, Pat McDonnell Earthmoving, and Tourism Whitsundays, along with all the other amazing sponsors either small, large or inkind who have assisted in many ways.
The Queensland Off Road Racing Championship would like to thank their naming right sponsors ARB and Mickey Thompson Tyres for continuing their strong partnership, whilst expressing full gratitude towards the other championship sponsors, including Dynamic Wheel Co, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Premium Soil Conditioners and Fertilisers, Comiskey Mining Services, North Lakes Best Western, plus Polaris Farm & Garden Produce.
If you are in the Whitsundays Region, get yourself to Bowen this weekend, with the action kicking off from 8.30am both Saturday and Sunday morning. For more info check out the Burdekin Offroaders Inc and Don River Dash Facebook pages, plus the event website at www.donriverdash.com.au.
The 2023 Comiskey Mining Services Don River Dash takes place in Bowen this weekend, the 8th-10th of September.
