With a new track and new sponsor, round 5 of the 2016 CAMS, PGS Industries Western Australian Off-Road Racing Championship had the WA off-road racing community very excited.
After a couple of late withdrawals and two vehicles dropping out in reconnaissance, the extended 18km prologue track on Day 1 was kind to vehicles and saw all 24 starters clock competitive times to lead them into Section 1. However as the race continued several flat tyres had competitors racing to make up lost time. 13 competitors finished the event on Day 2 with the podium dominated by WAORRA front runners:
- 1st Outright – #968 Brad Cooper and Aaron Smithson
- 2nd Outright – #161 Brett Smith and Corey Smith
- 3rd Outright – #22 Grant Payne and Michael Gullotto
Read the full event racing summary on the WAORC website. Results available on the MyRaceResult website.
The camping area and the spectator view provided 360 degree viewing and lots of photo opportunities for both professional and amateur photographers alike. See all the photos on our Facebook page.
We would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of our wonderful volunteers:
To the event organisers – Rex West, Kim Yaxley, Dave Cowan, Russ Cullen, Emma Scott and Shelley Howe. A lot of work happens behind the scenes for any event, and even more so for a new event, including lots of communication with various farm owners and visits to potential properties.
To our track markers – Andrew Sawyer, Aaron Dark (and son), Bob Dark, Brad Krepp, Dave Cowan, Hayden Cowan, Rex West, Russ Cullen and Shane Yaxley. Most of the marking and prep was completed on the Saturday and some of the guys stayed overnight to finish off on the Sunday. Thanks Rex for being the chef and making sure all the guys had plenty to eat all weekend. Thanks also to Shane and Russ for taking some photos of the track so everyone could get a guide as to where they’d be racing. The image of the track going up the huge hill had a few competitors nervous – we are sorry to say this hill climb wasn’t part of the track!
To all of the officials (there are too many to list) – thanks for waving flags, controlling timing equipment, scrutineering vehicles, sweeping and roving the track, keeping spectators safe, and generally being our eyes and ears on the ground. Huge thanks to Rex West for coordinating the event and managing the facilities, and Dave Cowan for being our Clerk of Course – both long and tough jobs but they are great at what they do.
To the local community – the Badgy Roadhouse put on extra hot chips and stocked up on fuel supplies and the local Badgingarra pub had cold beer and a menu with a wide range of food for the whole family. It’s a small pub, but the wood fire was keeping the place warm and very welcoming. A huge thanks goes out to Brett Fitzgerald who was very keen to have us tear up his property and made us feel very welcome.
To our sponsors – event sponsor Cochrane’s Transport, equipment sponsor Oricom UHF Radios, and raffle prize donors the Total Tools Rockingham, Auto One Kwinana and Medina Tavern. Congratulations to each of the raffle prize winners who took home some awesome prizes! Thanks to Blake Pugh for pestering the sponsors and organising the raffle.
Our club and events are run entirely by volunteers – thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to make this another great WAORRA event!
The next event on the WA off-road racing calendar is the Three Springs 330. Find all the details on the WAORC website or Western Desert Racers Facebook page.
Regards,
Kim Yaxley
WAORRA President
Photos: John the Ambo and Martin Gepperth