Motor Racing
27 March, 2025
Rainbow revved up for Rally
All eyes will be on Rainbow this weekend for the return of the STEEL-IT ARB Big Desert 480.
For a fourth consecutive year, round one of the ARB Australian Off Road Racing Championship kick off in the northwest Victorian township from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30, bringing with it world class drivers, support teams, and spectators en masse.
Hosted by the Victorian Off Road Racing Association and sanctioned and supported by the Australian Off Road Racing Association, 49 crews will tackle the gruelling 480-kilometre race on arguably one of the most challenging courses in the world.
In 2024, less than 30 cars finished the event, with 24 retiring across the competition.
Victorian Off Road Racing Association Incorporated (VORRA) president Tony Carabott said there was an air of anticipation for this weekend's championship opener.
"There's a real sense of anticipation," he said.
"We've got a lot of national level drivers coming to Rainbow this weekend all looking to make their mark."
Clayton Chapman (#15) will look to go one better in 2025 after claiming second last last year.
Chapman has been consistent behind the wheel, claiming victory at both The Gap 440 and Gundy 500.
Two-time champion Brent Martin (#90) will look to start his national championship tilt with another stage win in Rainbow after last claiming the checkered flag in 2022.
Another former champion, Aaron Haby (#57), will be looking to spoil the party in what would be his first win in the Big Desert.
Kyle Tucker (#14) and Tom Owen (#30) are debuting in the Ultimate class this weekend.
As third-generation drivers, motorsports race through the veins of this duo.
Riding solo are James Tyrrell (#1036), Bodie Ticker (#1093), Sean Ratcliffe (#1007), Stuart Chapman (#1014), John Wisse (#1025) and David Adams (#1074).
After a seven year break from racing, Bodie Ticker returns to the championship.
Last year's winner Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt are one driver who won't be present.
"They [Robinson and Hutt] won't be back this year, so the championship could open up to someone who hasn't won it in the past," Carabott said.
On Friday night, get up close and personal with the drivers, the crews and the machines in pristine condition.
It's a great night for the whole family, with catering available and a big screen with interviews throughout.
Across the weekend, spectators can watch the race from 51 Rainbow Rises Road.
The race weekend will begin on Saturday morning at 10am with a prologue, followed by Section One at 1pm, which consists of two laps of the 80km track that should take about three hours.
Section Two will take place on Sunday morning, with the two laps taking upwards of seven hours to complete.
The trophy presentation will occur after the tenth car crosses the finish line.
There is a $20 per day or $30 weekend entry pass at the main spectator site, and plenty to see with an LED screen livestream to catch all the action from remote locations around the track.
Stay fed and hydrated with catering options from the Rainbow Rises Events Association Inc.
SBH Engineering, Polaris Ballarat and Millie’s Media.
