Andrew Mowles has led the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) charge in Alice Springs on the weekend with victory in the Alice Hosetech & Industrial Supplies / Jaws Contracting NT Titles.
Taking place in Mt Ooraminna, Mowles and navigator James Page were one of 20 crews contesting the Alice Springs Off Road Race Club event which was honouring the late Matt Morgan – Mowles’ own navigator for more than a decade.
With fellow AORC representatives Patrick Geraghty, Brad Geraghty and Jason Flavell also competing in the event, Mowles’ biggest threat came through the winner of the previous two editions of the race in Greg Hicks.
While the AORC star won Prologue, Hicks took out the first section by 12 seconds, but that’s as good as it got for Hicks as he broke down on section two, allowing Mowles to cruise to a three-minute victory.
For Mowles, the victory was just as sweet as any other result this year as he was thrilled to win an event honouring his friend.
“This win meant so much for me,” Mowles said.
“Matt was my navigator for 15 years, he was the godfather of one of my children and he was one of my best mates.
“This was really special for me and it was the one race on my 2021 schedule that I really wanted to win and I am happy I did so.
“Even though I won by three minutes in the end, it was a hard fought battle as Greg (Hicks) was right with me until he failed and Paddy (Geraghty) pushed us until the end.
“However our car is in good order and apart from some minor issues pre-event, it didn’t miss a beat.
“The event had a good turnout, good cars and good people and it was a great confidence booster for Loveday later this month – I just need to confirm whether I can go.”
Mowles wasn’t the only AORC driver to claim some silverware with Patrick Geraghty a benefactor of Hicks’ retirement – the Sportslite driver finishing second behind Mowles and winning the Sportslite class.
Flavell was unable to have the impact he wanted, however still managed to come away with seventh place outright and the SXS class win.
It was a tough weekend out for Brad Geraghty who failed to register any time after retiring on the opening section.