By TC Media
Pics courtesy of Capture the Dog Photography
Richard Tassin and Darlene Blake #691 have claimed outright honours at the weekend’s Speciality Services QLD Dalby Short Course, Round 5 of the 2023 ARB Mickey Thompson Tyres QLD Off Road Championship, proudly presented by All Aspects Earthworks.
Issues to overnight leader Stuart Chapman #17 on Sunday morning left the door ajar for the rest of the field, and it was Tassin who took full advantage on the technical Weranga circuit, crossing for a memorable one minute victory in his Class 6 Can Am.
Tassin who finished fifth at the corresponding event last year, held off fellow Class 6 campaigner Tyson Howard #6168 who flashed home from his overnight position of seventh, and Class 8 champion Christian Trusz #816, with the pair separated by just six seconds in 2nd and 3rd outright respectively.
Current ARB Queensland champion Brice Derrick #696 nailed down the final podium spot in Class 6, finishing 21 seconds off Trusz in fourth outright, in his first championship appearance of 2023. Whilst, Luke Brandon #690S made it consecutive Class 6S titles and fifth outright finishes in his Drells Run Racing Polaris, rewarded for his efforts, the Junior champion now sits atop the ARB Queensland championship.
Aaron Phillis #44 claimed the Ultimate Class silverware crossing in sixth, Kane Prechelt #694S held off fellow Class 6S competitor Darren Brandon #689S in seventh and eighth position, with Class 1 victor David Loughnan #104 and First Lady home Kate Swinglehurst #631 rounding out the SSQ Dalby Short Course top ten.
Class 2 stalwart Colin Gaven #295 overcame his Milk Boys Racing team mate Mark Andrew #295A for another class triumph, to continue his terrific 2023 season to date, likewise Tyler Youman #527 who survived Tony Butler #520 for Class 5 glory.
Jack Huxstep #711 secured the Class 7 title over Stephen Blake #724, Declan Cummins #1005 drove his Class 10 Lothringer to victory, outlasting Rob Stieber #1082, and Damian Cowdroy-Ling #1081 in second and third, whilst Joe Bulmer #1136, and Ross Newman #6681 collected class wins.
Toby Musico #6688 continued his rise behind the wheel of his Polaris, for another Future Champions Class win, whilst the ever improving Hollie Gardiner #6689 finished all laps in second.
In other class results, Stuart Zlotkowski #811 and Ross Challacombe #838 rounded out the Class 8 top three, with Stuart Chapman #17 and David Ellsworth #108 awarded runner up trophies in their respective classes. Alexandra Bennett #1050a finished second in the Juniors, as Lara Brandon #689Sa and Leila Chapman #616S closed out the podium for the ladies.
26 of the 44 crews completed all laps at Dalby, with notables not to finish including – Stuart Chapman #17, David Bennett #1050, Clayton Chapman #1013, Darren Orr #1015, Pat Philp #182, Joe Bulmer #1136, Steve Ash #862, Michael Schneider #664 and Luke McNicol #865.
The Queensland Off Road Racing Championship would like to thank their major naming right sponsors ARB and Mickey Thompson Tyres for continuing their strong partnership in 2023, whilst expressing full gratitude towards the other championship sponsors; Dynamic Wheel Co, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Premium Soil Conditioners and Fertilisers, Comiskey Mining Services, North Lakes Best Western, plus Polaris Farm & Garden Produce.
The 2023 ARB Mickey Thompson Tires Queensland Off Road Racing Championship will now turn its attention to Round 6, the ARB Goondiwindi 400, held over the 11-13th of August.
