Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Tom Owen, alongside navigators Damon Bennett and Jesse Bubb #30 claimed outright honours at the weekend’s 2026 ARB Waikerie Hotel Riverland Enduro, Round 2 of the ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship following a dominant front running performance.
Starting first on road in slippery conditions after setting the fastest short course lap on Saturday, Owen quickly found his rhythm on Sunday in the team’s Twin Turbo Jimco, taking the outright lead at the service break.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Despite challenges from Clayton Chapman #15, Jason Richards #91, and eventual podium finisher Aaron Haby #1, the race ultimately belonged to third-generation competitor Tom Owen, who produced a masterful display from the front.
Joining his grandfather Reg, father Glenn and cousin Tyler as winners of a national event, young Owen was elated after his memorable victory.
“It’s real good. We spent a bit of time preserving tyres but otherwise it’s been a really good day. We’ve been waiting for a smooth run for a fair while now, so today’s been spot on, the perfect result.”
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Owen overcame four lead changes on Sunday to comfortably finish 7.19mins ahead of Brad Gallard, Jesse Gallard and Scott Pogorecki #454 who enjoyed a consistent run of their own to secure second outright and first in Class 4.
Gallard faced his own battle on Sunday aboard his V8 Geiser, going wheel-to-wheel with fellow South Australian and Class 4 rival Greg Gartner #410. The pair were locked in and traded positions throughout the opening five laps before Gartner, the 2018 champion, was unfortunately forced to retire from the event.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Reigning ARB Australian champions Aaron Haby, Chelsea Haby and Declan Fritchley #1 returned to the Waikerie podium after another hard-fought weekend. An early mechanical issue relegated them to ninth at the end of lap two, but they charged back through the field in their Element Prodigy to claim third place for the second consecutive year.
Hillston champions Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #15 finished fourth outright and completed the Ultimate podium despite dramas over the final two laps, whilst Class 4 runners-up Ben Gartner and Tom Burrows #417 rounded out the ARB Waikerie Hotel Riverland Enduro top five.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Queenslanders Brett Comiskey and Corey Cooper #434 continued their strong start to the ARB Australian Championship, charging to sixth outright and third in Class 4 behind the wheel of their V8-powered TSCO.
One of the standout performances of Waikerie came from Class 1 champions Jay Mitchell, Matthew Burrows and John Mitchell #121, who secured seventh outright after a consistent and impressive 388km campaign.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Class 6 spearheads Lachlan and Greg Campbell #3 claimed back-to-back class victories at Waikerie, finishing eighth outright, while Class 10 victor Sean Ratcliffe #1007, along with Tumby Bay’s Benjamin McNamara and Wayne Pascoe #69, rounded out the outright top ten at the ARB Waikerie Hotel Riverland Enduro.
In other class results, David Loughnan and Nick Pye #104 finished ahead of Richard and Lauren Andrews #137 for second spot in Class 1, whilst Jamie Harrison and Dave Roberts #639 did likewise over Paul and Max Renouf #620 in Class 6.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
Despite completing just three laps of the long course on Sunday, Hank Parker, Izaak Van Der Woude and Rhiannah Pryde #701 secured the Class 7 silverware, while Bodie Tickner #1093 together with Russell and Kelsey Hartnett #1012 collected the remaining Class 10 silverware.
The crew of Jed Bramley, Josh Van Rooyen and Chelsea Gwynne #244, along with Darran, Amelia and Izaak Van Der Woude #544 both claimed class wins in the SA component of the event.
Only ten teams completed the full 388km of race distance at the ARB Waikerie Hotel Riverland Enduro, highlighting the gruelling nature of the New Well Station layout.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
After watching several fall away during Saturday’s short course section including Simon Tucker #2, and Danny Hughes #49, Sunday saw notables Kyle Tucker #14, Greg Gartner #410, Bodie Tickner #1093, Jason Richards #91, Russell Hartnett #1012, Hank Parker #701, Tyler Youman #496 and Conroy Devine #608 all bow out during the gruelling six lap section.
The 2026 Waikerie Riverland Enduro was made possible by the support of championship partners ARB 4X4 Accessories, Mickey Thompson Tyres, and Raceline Wheels Australia, along with the event’s naming right sponsors ARB and the Waikerie Hotel.
Photo Credit: Lehmann Motorsport Photography
The Waikerie Off Roaders also acknowledged the generous support of their Platinum sponsors, Sutton Ford, Sprint Freight and Ramco Earthworks – as well as their Gold sponsors, South Central Truck & Bus, JCM Cool Rooms, Platinum Ag, Truckline Adelaide and Dunstone Repairs & Mechanical, plus all Silver and Bronze sponsors for their commitment to the event.
The 2026 ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship will now turn its attention to Round 3 in Queensland, the ARB Gundy 500; held over the 7th-9th of August 2026.
By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Lehmann Motorsport Photography
