The Performance 2WD class was a feature at four rounds in the 2022 BF Goodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) season this year, with Chris Pickert and Bryan Brown taking home class honours.
The duo secured the win after a successful campaign across three rounds, finishing ahead of Andy Maxwell and Michael Puddy, whilst David Kermond and Rebeka Waite rounded out the top three.
Pickert and Brown were victorious in their first championship round in the Tatts Finke Desert Race, beating follow Maxwell and Puddy in the iconic race.
Unfortunately for Mark and Corey Wakeman, it was a challenging first and only round of the season, after failing to finish the event.
The Can-Am Loveday 400 saw just two crews from the class compete, with Pickert and Brown picking up their second win for the season. It was an impressive performance from the duo who finished the round in eighth overall.
Walkinshaw Performance’s David Kermond and Riccardo Pontonio failed to start and complete Saturday’s heats, however the pair were able to get out on Sunday and record times in all three sections – securing their first and only podium for the year.
Pickert and Brown were the only class competitors to participate in the Rainbow Desert Enduro which saw them the class win and maximum points for the shortened round.
“It was good to get the result after a big year,” Pickert said.
“We had a few dramas up at Finke, we got down there okay and then we had a bit of an issue we had to sort out to get back. We had a pretty good run at Loveday, and obviously Rainbow was cut a bit short.
“I would like to thank my sponsors: Falken Tyres, Whyalla 4WD tyres and suspension, Whyalla excavations, Anything Cars, Nuggets garage, king signs and a special thank you to all my crew for helping during the year and my family for all their support.”
The final event of the season, the Kalgoorlie Desert Race was Sean Beck and Rebeka Waite’s only round in the Off Road Championship. However, as the only Performance 2WD competitors in the event the points were enough to secure third place overall.
Performance 2WD Driver Standings
- Chris Pickert – 1440 points
- Andy Maxwell – 570 points
- Sean Beck – 315 points
- David Kermond – 285 points
- Mark Wakeman – 270 points
Performance 2WD Co-driver Standings
- Bryan Brown – 1440 points
- Michael Puddy – 570 points
- Rebeka Waite – 315 points
- Riccardo Pontonio – 285 points
- Corey Wakeman – 270 points
Feature photo: Dakar Press Team Australia
