There are very few crews in this month’s GEN-Y HITCH MAC1000 with a history in Australian Road Racing like the Westerns. As the Gold Coast based Off Road Rush team #61 finalise preparations for a second attempt at Australia’s Longest Off Road Race, they know all too well the importance of being there on the final lap.
BUILDING THE WESTERNS LEGACY
Since Chris Western successfully conquered the 2014 Baja 1000 solo alongside his family and friends in an Aussie built Element Prodigy buggy, his father Rhyce who began racing back in the 1970s and son Cooper Western who continues his rapid rise have been supporting events across the country; proudly continuing the Western legacy into its sixth decade.
With all eyes now on an event they would love to add to their list of achievements after a top 10 finish last year, Western who will have Chris Vowles as navigator and Cooper joined by his sister Montana have a plan they hope will carry them to MAC1000 supremacy.
“What I learnt from Baja is to set small goals throughout the race, each one you reach is cool, gives you and the team confidence. Having people in your crew you can rely on is very satisfying, then to finish a long race sharing the achievement with your crew is just the best,” said Chris Western.
“Other than going to the bakery for breaky, the Mac1000 will be a long race. We are aiming to get a lot of seat time and run a clean race, be there at the end, and drive the Rush Buggy onto the trailer hopefully in a good position.
Crossing the finish line at La Paz, and watching the sun go down twice in the same race at the Baja 1000 in 2014 will forever be one of Westerns greatest moments. So too watching Cooper finish Finke on his maiden attempt beside his pop Rhyce at 16 years old in the teams Rush buggy; with the crew hoping for another magic milestone in the Balonne Shire later this month.
“We are very greatful a club has put on a 1000km race in Australia. It’s going to be cool to get feed back off each other throughout the race as the track changes, as both Cooper and I drive and understand the car very similar,” said an excited Western.
A BUSY 2024 RACING SEASON
Following St George, the Westerns are scheduled to compete at the Pooncarie Desert Dash before hitting the iconic melon holes of Goondiwindi. The Gold Coasters will then finish their season at the ARB decider at Millicent in late September.
The Off Road Rush Race team would like to thank the team’s major sponsors Mickey Thompson Tires, Raceline Wheels, Dynamic Wheel Co, Offroad Rush and Rushtruck for their amazing support towards the teams 2024 Australian Off Road Racing campaign.
The 2024 GEN-Y HITCH MAC1000 takes place on the outskirts of St George over the 23rd and 24th of February.
