BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) gun Andrew Mowles has claimed an emotional victory in the Alice Springs Off Road Race Club’s Alice Hosetech & Industrial Supplies Jaws Contracting NT Titles. 
  
Taking place in Mt Ooraminna, Mowles and navigator James Page were one of 20 crews contesting the day/night race which was honouring the late Matt Morgan – Mowles’ own navigator for more than a decade. 
  
Despite a number of other AORC stars like Patrick Geraghty, Brad Geraghty and Jason Flavell competing the event, Mowles’ biggest threat came through Greg Hicks, the winner of the previous two editions of the race. 
  
Mowles got the better start of the two, steering his buggy to the prologue win, however Hicks turned that six second deficit to a 12 second lead by the end of the first section. 
  
Very little separated two Prolite crews at the start of the second section, but Mowles looked in better shape and was showing more pace.
  
The task for victory was made easier when Hicks suffered a breakdown on that second section, putting him out of the running and essentially allowing Mowles to have a clear run home, which helped him win the remaining two sections. 
  
With Hicks’ premature exit, Patrick Geraghty slotted into second and like Mowles, was unchallenged for his position throughout the rest of the race. 
  

Taking out the final spot on the podium was the third and final registered Prolite buggy with Jack Weir, who beat Tim Weir by three minutes. 

Although he missed out on the podium, Tim finished up with a convincing six-minute Super 1650 Buggy class win ahead of the fifth placed Darren Wright, while Shannon Lander in sixth was the best of the trophy trucks. 
  
Flavell didn’t have the best of rounds but still ended the weekend in seventh place and with a class win, while fellow class member Brad Geraghty failed to post any times. 
  
Despite the action in all the classes, the day belonged to Mowles, who was thrilled to win an event honouring his fallen friend. 
  
“This win meant so much for me,” Mowles said. 
  
“Matt was my navigator for 15 years, he was the godfather of one of my children and he was one of my best mates. 
  
“This was really special for me and it was the one race on my 2021 schedule that I really wanted to win and I am happy I did so. 
  
“Even though I won by three minutes in the end, it was still a hard fought battle as Greg (Hicks) was right with me until he DNF'd and Paddy (Geraghty) pushed us until the end. 
  
“However our car is in good order and apart from some minor issues pre-event, it didn’t miss a beat. 
  
“The event had a good turnout, good cars and good people and it was a great confidence booster for Loveday later this month – I just need to confirm whether I can go.” 

Click here to view full results.
  
Mowles will be looking to make it down to Can-Am Loveday 400, which acts as the Motorsport Australia Off Road Cup – Central on 30-31 October.