The Stackpoole track can test the stamina and staying power of the best drivers and their machines. It’s a takes a bold driver to attempt the 100km track four times in a Sportsman buggy, but that’s exactly what Ally Howells and Marcus Blanch did; both completing full race distance, rewarding the Sportsman class with a 100% finishing rate.

Ally Howells, one of the two female drivers competing at the ARB Griffith 400, is no stranger to off road racing, however, this was her first attempt at a true long course event.

With Brad Banningan in the navigator’s seat, Howells drove the #305 Rivmasta to the top of the Sportsman class timesheets and 33rd outright; a superb effort.

Howells finished with an 11minute buffer over Griffith locals Marcus Blanch and John Waide in what was their first competitive drive in the #357 Rivmasta.

The Extreme 4WD class competitors also had a very productive weekend at the track. 

All three teams completed full race distance with Owen Ward and Sandy Bowman in the #832 Nissan Navara taking the class win after clocking in four consistent lap times.

Ward finished with a 10minute buffer to second placed Jason Whittaker and Anthony Locastro #898, who also recorded consistent lap times, although a few minutes each lap off the pace of Ward.

Brad Burton and Emily Hoffman in the Polaris 900XP #816 were 30 minutes behind Whittaker to take home the third in Extreme 4WD silverware.

Burton recorded four laps, including a long lap two on Sunday when they were slowed with a flat tyre 15km from the finish line and decided to drive to the finish instead of stopping to change which would have costed them more in lost time.

All in all a great showing by the Sportsman and Extreme 4WD classes at the ARB Griffith 400.

Photographer: Andrew Stott