Elevating Tasmanian Off Road Racing to State Championship Status in 2026
The Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) is proud to announce an evolution in off-road competition in Tasmania. In conjunction with the Australian Off Road Racing Association (AORRA), the 2026 season will see the official launch and recognition of the North West Off Road Tasmanian Off Road Racing Championship.
This formal recognition means that competitors participating in all six scheduled events across the state will now be competing in a fully sanctioned State Championship series. This achievement underscores AASA’s commitment to growing and standardizing competitive motorsport across Australia, providing a clear pathway for local talent and ensuring a high standard of event operation and safety.
For the first time under this new structure, the stakes—and the accolades—are significantly raised. The AASA and AORRA are delighted to confirm that the overall winner of the 2026 series will be formally recognized as the Tasmanian Off Road Champion.
Furthermore, we celebrate the essential partnership in the cockpit. The overall winning co-driver will be officially crowned the Champion Navigator and winners across the various categories will earn the esteemed titles of Tasmanian Class Champions.
This official framework, supported by our partners at AORRA and the commitment of naming rights sponsor North West Off Road 4x4 Accessories, guarantees that the 2026 season will be a true battle for supremacy, yielding credible champions worthy of the State level recognition.
Following the announcement, the 2026 calendar was unveiled. The schedule is designed to challenge every aspect of off-road racing, featuring an equal split between demanding sand events and high-speed dirt races. AASA licensing and safety standards will be upheld across all six rounds, ensuring a professional environment for competitors.
Early Season Sprints and Openers
The season begins with a traditional challenge and quickly moves into the coastal environment.
Round 1: March 14 – Bernard Woolley Memorial Levendale 250 The championship launches in the south with a demanding one-day dirt race, offering the first opportunity for competitors to secure State Championship points.
Round 2: April 11 – St Helens Sprint The competition transitions to the sand tracks, testing high-speed control and vehicle setup in this crucial mid-spring event.
The Mid-Year Endurance Tests
Two major multi-day events punctuate the middle and end of the season, requiring not just speed, but superior planning and resilience.
Round 3: July 4 & 5 – Pfeiffer Cranes Powranna 300 This two-day, 300-kilometer event marks the halfway point of the series. As one of the 'big two' endurance races, the Powranna 300 will be vital for championship contenders looking to cement their status before the final rush.
Final Push and Grand Finale
The final three rounds are tightly clustered, demanding consistency and robust machinery as teams vie for the season-ending titles.
Round 4: August 1 – St Helens Winter Screamer A return to St Helens for the only other single-day event on the calendar, this race often provides dramatic shake-ups in the standings.
Round 5: August 29 – Powranna Dash This event represents the last short-format opportunity for drivers to gain points before the massive finale.
Round 6 (The Decider): October 31 & November 1 – North West Off Road & ARB 54th Tasmanian Sand Enduro The season culminates with the prestigious two-day, 500-kilometer Tasmanian Sand Enduro. This iconic event, now serving as the State Championship decider, demands peak performance and durability under the highest pressure. The final checkered flag will crown the inaugural champions of this newly recognized State Series.
AASA looks forward to overseeing a highly competitive and successful season, marking a new milestone for off-road racing in the region. We encourage all licensed competitors to prepare for a challenging, rewarding, and historic year.