The calendar for the 2022 BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) has been confirmed with a blockbuster six rounds to make up the season.
For the first time recent years, all mainland states will hold a round of the AORC during the season with New South Wales now added to the calendar.
The New South Wales based event will join the AORC for the first time and will be run in Pooncarie, a regional town in the state’s south west and just one and half hours from the Victorian border and Mildura.
Run by the highly experienced Sunraysia Motor Sports Club, the Pooncarie Desert Dash is hugely popular amongst competitors and will run as the second round of the 2021 season in May.
However, before the AORC heads to its newest addition on the calendar, the Cobb & Co St George 399 will once again have the honour of hosting the championship’s season opener in March – a role it has held for the past five years.
Following the opening two rounds of the season, crews will then get the opportunity to compete in the biggest event in Australian off road with the Tatts Finke Desert Race to be held in its traditional timeslot of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June.
A brief six-week mid-season break awaits competitors before they head to South Australia at the end of July for the Can-Am Loveday 400 at Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park.
The Pooncarie Desert Dash in New South Wales is the latest event to join the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship.
Since being named as a new addition to the AORC, the South Australian event has twice run in the form of the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Cup due to both the 2020 and 2021 seasons being cancelled – giving it the chance to finally be on the national stage.
Sporting a brand-new time slot will be the Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro with the fourth round of the season to be held at the start of September.
The 2022 season will then wrap up in Western Australia with the Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race at the end of October, which like the Can-Am Loveday 400, will get its first chance on the national stage after being added to the calendar at the end of 2019.
Motorsport Australia Director of Motor Sport & Commercial Operations was pleased to announce a six-round calendar and welcome the Pooncarie Desert Dash.
“In what has been a difficult two years, it is a breath of fresh air to have such a busy calendar next year and to see the AORC in good health – especially with the addition of a brand new event,” Smith said.
“We’ve been really impressed with what the Sunraysia Motorsport Club has to offer and we think it’s going to be a really good race that competitors should get a lot of enjoyment out of.
“We believe that after two years of minimal racing, to have six rounds across six different states/territories truly shows the diversity of this championship, as most state-level competitors will be able to race against the best off roaders in the country.
“We’re very happy with how the calendar has shaped up and would like to thank all six event organisers for their willingness to do what it takes to get a decent looking schedule.
“I would also like to thank BFGoodrich for its constant support of the championship, as well as the off road community as a whole after being highly patient and understanding of the uncertainty throughout the past two years.
“The AORC is committed to help build off road racing and to now have a six-round season including an event in New South Wales, indicates the strength of the championship.”
The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship begins the 2022 season in south east Queensland for the Cobb & Co Hotel St George 99 on 18-20 March.
2022 BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship:
Round One: Cobb & Co Hotel St. George 399 (QLD) – 18-20 March
Round Two: Pooncarie Desert Dash (NSW) – 6-8 May
Round Three: Tatts Finke Desert Race (NT) – 11-13 June
Round Four: Can-Am Loveday 400 (SA) – 30-31 July
Round Five: Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro (VIC) – 2-4 September
Round Six: Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race (WA) – 20-23 October
Feature Photo: Terry Hill Photography
