Highlighted by past champions, this weekend’s 2024 Bowen Rail Company Don River Dash is set for another almighty showdown, with over 85 cars and 200 bikes primed for the popular North Queensland event.
Hosted by the Burdekin Offroaders Inc, this year’s edition will be spearheaded by defending champion Roydn Bailey #52 in his Element Prodigy, plus two-time victor and local favourite Talbot Cox #16 who claimed the title in 2020 and 2021.
Other crews ready to contend for the iconic Don River silverware include Element charger and 2022 podium sitter Kent Battle #31, Jimco peddler Brad Belcher #42, young gun Kye Camilleri #34, NT’s Brett Taylor #431, Class 1 stalwart Tony Fehlhaber #138, and Westlime’s Nick Commins #1179.
Amongst the eagerly anticipated class battles, Drew Callander #99, Jacob Booth #70, Daniel Hughes #40, Matt Lawless #71, Trent Callander #127, Chris Colborne #169, and David Mendham #170 are amongst notable Ultimate and Class 1 crews. Whilst Sean Streten #226, Jake Stackman #333, and Les Long #6626 headline their respective classes.
Defending champion James Mogford #6105 will lead the hotly contested Class 6 contingent, with two-time Moranbah winner Dan Dunn #614, past Don River titlist Richard Tassin #691, Tony Patterson #6175, Lochlan Waters #699, Greg Campbell #651, and Brent Storey #682 all expected to challenge in the 31 strong class.
Club President Michael Marson #1032 will this year do battle in his Class 10 Racer, with Chris Sollitt #1063, Rob Stieber #1082, Daniel MacDonald #1052, and Alice Spring’s Darren Wright #1059 the other class challengers.
Queensland championship leader Jan Kraaj #1140 is one of thirteen crews in Class 11 this weekend, joining John Madderom #1111, Joey Bulmer #1136, James Sant #1144, Jack Mildwaters #1149, Cooper Western #1161, and Andrew Commins #1167 as the notable crews .
Hank Parker #798 and Warren Stevens #762 will duel it out for Class 7 honours, likewise Jack Henderson #807, Luke Peterson #878, and Matthew Dicks #828 in Class 8. Whilst Mildura’s Ivan Robertson #471, Steven Kildey #412, Rob Wearing #440 and Mark Booth #435 are poised for the Class 4 battle.
The Don River Dash will again see the competitors head 25km upstream in the Don River to the turnaround point, before returning on the other side. Three laps will make up Saturday’s first section in reverse grid, before competitors do the same on Sunday, to ultimately decide the 2024 King of the River.
The popular Bowen based event would not be possible without the support of Platinum sponsors; Bowen Rail Company, and Whitsunday Regional Council, Sapphire sponsor; RGM maintenance, Gold sponsors; Abbot Point Operations, RFC, Pat McDonnell Earthmoving, and Whitsunday Ag Services, along with all the other amazing sponsors either small, large or in-kind who have assisted in many ways.
The AORRA QLD Off Road Racing Championship would also like to thank their major sponsors ARB & Mickey Thompson Tyres, and championship sponsors Premium Soil Conditioners & Fertilisers, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Comiskey Mining Services, Link Engine Management, Farm & Garden Polaris, North Lakes Best Western Hotel & JSW Powersports for their support.
If you are in the Whitsundays Region, get yourself to Bowen this weekend, with the action kicking off from 8.30am both mornings. For more info check out the Don River facebook page and website at www.donriverdash.com.au.
The 2024 Bowen Rail Company Don River Dash takes place in Bowen this weekend, the 6th-8th of September.
By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Show ‘n’ Go Photography
