Townsville dirt bike racer Brent Storey will return to the Don River Dash this September with unfinished business, determined to turn last year’s heartbreak into victory at one of Australia’s premier endurance races.
Storey was among the leading contenders in the 2025 Custom Lithium Don River Dash, but his hopes of claiming the coveted win were cruelly ended when mechanical gremlins struck during the gruelling 300 kilometre riverbed challenge.
After putting in the preparation, pace and determination required to fight for the podium, Storey was forced to watch his race hopes disappear – a harsh reminder that in endurance racing, success can come down to the smallest details.
But the Townsville local isn’t letting last year’s disappointment define his Don River Dash story. He will return to Bowen ready to take on the unpredictable conditions of the Don River and once again battle some of Australia’s best off-road competitors.
‘For anyone who races, you know how tough it is when something outside your control takes you out of contention,” Storey said. “But that’s racing. You learn from it, you come back stronger, and that’s exactly what I’m looking forward to doing.’
And Storey won’t be tackling the challenge on two wheels alone.
He will also line up in the car section in Car 682, competing in Class 6, adding another dimension to an already ambitious Don River Dash campaign.
Storey has raced a Can-Am Maverick X3 at the Don River Dash every year since 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, with a best finish of third place. This year, he is stepping into a brand-new Can-Am Maverick R, which he is currently building in time for the 2026 event.
The Don River Dash has built a reputation as a true test of skill, endurance and resilience, with the dry riverbed creating a constantly changing race surface where preparation and reliability are just as important as speed.
Event organisers say Storey’s return will add another layer of excitement for North Queensland fans, many of whom will be cheering on one of their own.
‘Brent is a great example of what the Don River Dash is all about,’ said Burdekin Offroaders Vice President Dave Muir. ‘He’s passionate, competitive and he understands that this event rewards those who can handle whatever the river throws at them.’
‘Last year was tough to watch, but that’s what makes motorsport so compelling – the opportunity to come back and have another crack.’
The 2026 Custom Lithium Don River Dash will bring hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators to Bowen from 4 – 6 September, transforming the usually quiet Don River into one of Australia’s most spectacular off-road racing arenas.
For Brent Storey, it will be more than another race. It will be a chance to finish what he started.
