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AORC announces 2024 calendar 

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 8 September 2023

The calendar for the 2024 Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) has been released.

The same five events that have been contested at this year’s AORC championship will return in 2024, only the opening round will be the Wentworth Shire Pooncarie Desert Dash in NSW.

This year’s opener, the Gold City 450, has been shifted to the last weekend in August as the penultimate round in order to off-set the challenging Queensland weather conditions that competitors faced in this year’s April running.

The Pooncarie Desert Dash in NSW will be the new AORC season opener in 2024

Round two will see a return to FInke for the famous Finke Desert Race, commencing in its regular King’s Birthday slot.

The championship then shifts to South Australia for the Loveday 400 in late July, and then after the trip to North Queensland, the closing round will again head to WA for the Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race in October.

The Gold City 450 has been shifted to August owing to more suited weather conditions

Motorsport Australia’s Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith said the new calendar provided plenty of opportunities for competitors and fans to enjoy a big AORC season.

“This is a national championship, so it’s fantastic to see almost every state and territory in the country hosting a round of the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship,” Smith said.

“Each one of this year’s events have shown why they should be on the AORC calendar and that is testament to the brilliant work of our event organisers across Australia.

Travis Robnson and Andrew Pinto were popular winners of this years AORC championship

“Pooncarie has also been a highly impressive event since joining the national championship last year and I have no doubt it will be a great way to start the season, while the Charters Towers event in late August will be a perfect time of year for crews to visit Queensland and enjoy the newest event on the AORC calendar.

“Overall, we are pleased to be able to release this calendar early and look forward to a big year in the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship in 2024.”

This year’s championship still has its trip to WA to negotiate, but the title has already been run and won by popular competitors Travis Robinson and Andrew Pinto who sealed their maiden title at the Loveday 400.

The season closing finale is the Kalgoorlie Desert Race on October 19-22.

2024 Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship Calendar

Round 1: Pooncarie Desert Dash – 19-21 April 19-21 (NSW)

Round 2: Finke Desert Race – 7-10 June 7-10 (NT)

Round 3: Loveday 400 – 26-28 July 26-28 (SA)

Round 4: Gold City 450 – August 20 – September 1 (QLD)

Round 5: Kalgoorlie Desert Race – October 25-27 (WA)

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