14/05/2026
🏁Off to kal for our last meeting of the season 🏁
ITS TIME TO RUMBLE!
The curtain is set to fall on another huge season for the Late Models Racing Western Australia calendar this weekend, with the annual Red Dirt Rumble returning to the iconic Kalgoorlie International Speedway for its sixth running.
The event marks the final official LMRWA show of the 2025/26 season and, fittingly, has attracted a quality field eager to leave their mark on the red clay before the off-season begins.
All eyes will again fall on defending champion Joe Chalmers, who already stands alone as the only two-time winner of the Red Dirt Rumble. After victories in 2022/23 and again last season, Chalmers now has the opportunity to further cement himself in event history by becoming the first driver to claim three wins in the prestigious Kalgoorlie feature.
The only other former winner in this year’s field is Michael Holmes, who took victory in 2023/24 and will be keen to reclaim the trophy after watching Chalmers regain the crown twelve months ago. Holmes has shown strong pace throughout the season and shapes as one of the major threats.
Adding another layer of intrigue to this year’s event is the inclusion of brothers Warren Oldfield and Jamie Oldfield, fresh from an extensive eastern states campaign. Jamie arrives in red-hot form after capturing the Queensland Title last weekend, while Warren’s experience and race craft always make him a serious contender whenever he straps into a Late Model.
Fellow traveller Jeff Pahl also returns west after contesting events interstate and will be hoping the valuable laps gained over east translate into a strong performance at his home track of Kalgoorlie.
The local brigade will be determined to defend home turf, led by Mat Robbins, Damian Hudson and David Boyes, all of whom know the unique Kalgoorlie surface exceptionally well and could prove difficult to beat on their home circuit.
Another fascinating storyline comes in the form of former WA Street Stock Champion Jack Barnewall, who will make his debut in the event. Barnewall’s transition into the Late Model ranks has generated plenty of interest and the Red Dirt Rumble provides another major opportunity to test himself against some of the state’s best.
Also nominated are Greg Horan, Shaun Cubbage, Nathan Richards, Ben Strautins and Abbey Pickering, ensuring a strong and diverse field for the season finale.
Since its inception, the Red Dirt Rumble has quickly established itself as one of the most anticipated events on the LMRWA calendar. Kye Blight claimed the inaugural running in 2020/21 before Veronica McCann added her name to the honour roll the following season. Chalmers and Holmes have since shared the last three editions, but the question now remains, who will add their name to the trophy in 2025/26?
Release by DTN Media.
Official Nominations
04 Greg Horan
7 Shaun Cubbage
15 Warren Oldfield
16 Jack Barnewall
23 Joe Chalmers
24 Jeff Pahl
51 Jamie Oldfield
57 Mat Robbins
74 Nathan Richards
76 Ben Strautins
80 Damian Hudson
90 David Boyes
91 Michael Holmes
95 Abbey Pickering
Red Dirt Rumble History
2020/21 Kye Blight
2021/22 Veronica McCann
2022/23 Joe Chalmers
2023/24 Michael Holmes
2024/25 Joe Chalmers
2025/26 ????
