Two days of red dust, dirt bikes and rally cars kicked off the Easter season in Condobolin last weekend, with the Annual Condo 750 bringing in a large crowd of off-road enthusiasts from across the state. 

The Condo 750 (seven-fifty) is an off-road navigational rally for cars, motorbikes, buggies, quad bikes and side cars that has been held in Condobolin since 1988 - enduring 31 years of racing before Covid-19 caused a three year hiatus. 

This year the event was revved up and roaring to go with a fresh, enthusiastic committee who had poured many hours into the event well before the starting guns sounded.

“There were some pretty scary times in the lead up to this event,” said President of the committee, Bruce Patton. 

“After a few years off there were some fears that we might not be able to come back but thankfully we managed to pull this one off with great success,” he said. 

Saturday April 1st and Sunday 2nd consisted of two days of racing whereby spectators and crews were able to follow the journey with multiple vantage points, and a common service and lunch stop both days at Vermont Hill complete with top-notch country catering provided for lunches.

A presentation evening was held on Sunday where the results were celebrated. 

In the motorbike section, first place overall went to Condobolin’s own professional dirt bike racer Jacob Smith, with second place claimed by Lachlan Manwaring and third by Toby Hederics. 

IMAGE: Overall winners in the motorbike section (left-right) Lachlan Manwaring, 2nd, Jacob Smith, 1st, Toby Hederics, 3rd.

In the Auto section, driver William Dunn and his navigator Gareth Evans finished first overall, while Geoff Olholm and John Doble made it across the line shortly after. Daniel Jones and navigator Bernard Weber claimed the third prize overall.

IMAGE: Overall winners in the Auto section (left-right) Geoff Olholm and John Doble, 2nd, William Dunn and Gareth Evans, 1st, Bernard Weber and Daniel Jones, 3rd.

Other awards included The Ray Davis Memorial Trophy which was presented to Geoff Smith & Bruce Broad in acknowledgment of their consistent and enthusiastic volunteer work throughout the year, and the Andrew “Butch” L’Estrange Memorial Trophy, which was awarded to Don Lark who came closest to the position where Butchy finished his last 750.

IMAGE: The Ray Davis Memorial Trophy was presented to Geoff Smith and Bruce Broad for consistent and enthusiastic volunteer work throughout the year. (left-right) Geoff Smith, Grant Davis, Bruce Broad and Brayden Davis.

A special mention was also given to Zac Manwaring who participated in his first race since a horrific motorbike accident in 2019.

The accident left him with head traumas and placed him in an induced coma for a week. It has been a long journey to recovery over the past four years, but Zac says he couldn’t be happier to be back on the bike again. 

“This is my first race back on the bike and probably the biggest race I have ever done,” he said. 

“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support over the last four years to get me back to where I am now, it really means a lot.”

Zac achieved first in the H1 class and 7th overall in the motorbike section and was awarded Rookie of the Year. 

IMAGE: Geoff Smith presenting Zac Manwaring with Rookie of the Year Award.

President Bruce Patton thanked all the volunteers, sponsors and competitors for all their effort in helping to make the weekend a success. 

“This event simply could not run without any of our volunteers, sponsors, competitors and generous landholders who let us access their properties for the race - we really appreciate it,” he said.

“There aren’t a lot of communities around that could host an event like the 750 so to the community of condo across the board, thank you - you guys are incredible.”

If enough volunteers and committee members can band together in 2024, the event should continue to be an annual one on the Condobolin calendar.