The 2019 Coral Coast Helicopter Services Gascoyne Dash launched in style this afternoon in coastal Carnarvon ahead of a huge Easter of offroad racing that will see competitors on two and four wheels hit the dirt and race out to Gascoyne Junction and back.
Building on the success of 2018’s new point to point race format, the Coral Coast Helicopter Services Gascoyne Dash has built up a head of steam running into the 2019 event. The car division has grown to 35, bolstered by the new generation of offroaders in the SXS category. While a solid field of 51 moto’s have entered the iconic event, including 19 quads.
“2018 marked the launch of our point to point format and it is exciting to see so many competitors embrace the concept and return in 2019. We’ve seen an explosion in the SXS and quad bike categories, boosting an already healthy field that stars a number of former event winners.”
“The course stretching from Carnavon to the Junction and back is essentially the same as 2018, with a few deviations around the water from the late seasonal rain. The track is still quite tacky from the wet weather and there should be a lot less dust than usual early in the weekend.” Said Ted Schultz, President of the Gascoyne Off Road Racing Club.
The switch to the point to point format proved popular with competitors. The excellent tarmac service road between the coastal town of Carnarvon and outback oasis of Gascoyne Junction makes life easy for the service crews and spectators, and the mobile communication at the Junction is an added bonus.
The reigning Auto Champions, Shane and Curt Elphinstone have returned in their twin turbo V6 #44 buggy to defend their title, with former champs Troy Schoen and Brett Renton also eager to add to their tally. While 2018’s King of the River and Moto champion, Cody Upton will once again lock horns with Andy Brack, Stephen Mitchell and a talented pack of bike riders on the hunt for victory in the Gascoyne.
Festivities commenced today with scrutineering and a crowd pleasing street display at the Gascoyne Hotel, with the stunning Carnarvon Fascine as a backdrop. Tomorrow, Good Friday, the dust will be stirred in anger with the 11 kilometre prologue at the Carnarvon Speedway on the edge of town to determine the all-important starting positions for Saturday’s first 200 kilometre leg from Carnarvon to Gascoyne Junction.
The bikes and quads are the first away in the prologue at 1:00pm, followed by the buggies, trucks and 4wd’s at 3:00pm.
Stay up to date with the 2019 Coral Coast Helicopter ServicesGascoyne Dash results via https://my4.raceresult.com/118991/ or on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/gasdash/
