Dubbo father and son duo Dave #1070 and Alex Mendham #170 are set to take on this weekend’s Gundy 500, Round 3 of the 2024 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship in their respective Jimcos.
The Mendham family journey commenced in the late 1970s, when Dave competed at the Sea Lake Mallee Rally in a home built buggy powered by a VW 1200, while Alex entered the arena as a navigator alongside his father at Milbrodale in 2010.
Dave Mendham has achieved decades of noteworthy results, and is a legendary figure of Australian offroad, however it was his 2021 Finke Desert Race finish alongside son Alex, and their 7th outright at last year’s inaugural Mac1000 that come to mind.
In 2024, the Mendhams have run a reduced schedule to date with just two appearances for Alex in the Jimco 2000 heading into Goondiwindi, whilst the Class 10 has undergone a substantial rebuild.
Alex #170 has competed at both the Zooms Cup in Texas alongside Dave, and Dam Buster 250 in St George where he and Luke Stanley crossed 4th in class, and 10th outright, stepping blocks to his first major long course event this weekend.
“I haven’t had enough seat time myself to get too excited about overall results, but finishing in one piece in such a huge field will be a win for both of us. I know this track does not let up,” said Alex.
In a fun family rivalry like no other, Alex appreciates the support and guidance of his father to this point, however when the helmets come on Saturday, bragging rights are at stake in his national round debut.
“Both of us are keen to see who will come out on top. Few people get to race their old man around a racetrack at 160 km/h. This weekend I’ve also got my brother jumping in as my navigator, and Eric’s in with dad, so it’ll be a full family affair.
The Mendham’s would like to acknowledge their sponsors and supporters, including Mudgee Powersports, Dubbo City Motorcycles, Method Race Wheels, Mike at Mikes Shock Shop, the Taylor family, and navigators Luke Stanley, Eric Hume and Connor Mendham for their ongoing support.
Post Gundy, the Mendham’s plan to race the Don River for the first time, and Warialda where they’ve previously found success, before concluding their season with the Mac1000, where they will aim for a strong finish.
The 2024 ARB Gundy 500 takes place at ‘Torridon’ in Goondiwindi, Queensland this weekend, the 9th-11th of August.
by TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show ‘n’ Go Photography, Bigfoot Media and Ratchet Off Road Racing Photography
