Photo credit: Show ‘n’ Go Media
After a twelve-month hiatus, the ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship returns to Hillston this weekend with a stellar 70 crews poised for the 2026 ARB Harvey’s Service Centre Fuchs The Gap 440.
Proudly hosted by the Griffith Off Road Club, this weekend’s ARB opener at ‘Mactocton’ headlined by 2024 champion Clayton Chapman #15 and defending ARB Australian champion Aaron Haby #1 promises to be just as spectacular as the previous three editions.
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Two-time ARB Australian titlist Danny Brown #42 leads a host of challengers including eight-time Australian champion Mark Burrows #21, former Finke runner-up Josh Howells #9, and several local crews all vying for Hillston supremacy.
Spearheading the local brigade is 2024 podium sitter Jason Richards #91 in his newly acquired V8 Racer, with four-time ARB Australian Class 10 champion Steven Graham #1065, Class 1 peddler Jay Mitchell #121, and Jimco charger Dean Meginley #87 all with genuine chances of an outright victory.
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When you throw in the experience, power and youth of former Griffith 500 winner Andy Brown #45, Matthew Burrows #123, Queenslander Brett Comiskey #434, Ally Howells #115, Tom Dixon #83, and 2025 Class 6 ARB Australian champion Lachlan Campbell #3, you’re locked in for an incredible showdown.
In the class previews, Craig Barnett #68 is set to debut his brand-new Towers Motorsport Ultimate machine this weekend, whilst local competitors Jeremy Horne #35 and Dale Standen #92, Queenslander Aaron Phillis #40, and Tumby Bay’s Ben McNamara #69 round out the contenders.
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Class 1 is stacked with talent and flare, with Mitchell #121, Burrows #123, and Howells #115 joined by local young gun Sam Richards #119, Griffith stalwart Glenn Collis #147, and Queenslander David Loughnan #104.
Griffith members Karl Power #1047, Rhett Standen #1024, and Drew Mclauchlan #1092 join Bowie Graham #1065 in a star-studded Class 10 line up which also boasts Russell Hartnett #1012, Bodie Tickner #1093, Luke Erceg #1050, Michael Marson #1032, and Clint Glennan #1016.
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The Class 4 battle will be closely contested with Hillston regular Darren Mott #435, Queenslanders Comiskey #434, Tyler Youman #427, and Steven Kildey #484, along with Robert Gussenhoven #404, Leigh Ryan #481, and Matt Smith #473 all chasing The Gap 440 glory.
Lachlan Campbell #3 wrapped up his 2025 ARB Australian campaign with three Class 6 victories to finish in third outright and will deservedly carry the favourites tag into Hillston, with Tim Wilkinson #621, Conroy Devine #606, Chris Holgate #686, Darren Frankling #678, and Aaron Nicoll #665 others to watch in the SXS class.
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Zac Saunders #1158, and Perry Stylianos #1157 are set to duel it out for Class 11 honours, likewise Paul Grant #504, Chris Hardie #516, and Russell Harris #515 in Class 5, with Connor Henderson #225, Graeme Hicks #812, and Alex Molloy #316 sole class representatives.
The 2026 The Gap 440 would not be possible without the support of championship partners ARB 4X4 Accessories, Mickey Thompson Tyres, and Raceline Wheels Australia, along with the event’s naming right sponsors Harvey’s Service Centre and Fuchs Lubricants.
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In addition, the Griffith Off Road Club appreciate the support of their 2026 Elite sponsors, including Ag Finance Specialist, Asquith Earthmoving, BB Building, Codemo Machinery Services, Greenwich Ag, John & Annette Waide, Key Agri, MR Trans & Serafin Ag, plus all major and in-kind sponsors who have made The Gap 440 possible.
With cars scheduled to launch from 9am Saturday and 8am Sunday, there is plenty to look forward to this weekend as the 2026 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship kicks into gear at Hillston, with all eyes on who will become the next The Gap 440 champion.
The 2026 ARB Harvey’s Service Centre Fuchs The Gap 440 takes place in Hillston this weekend, over the 27th-29th of March.
✍️ By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show ‘n’ Go Media
