ABOUT US
ON THE DIRT was created as a YouTube channel back in the first year that YouTube came into being, 2007. In those days, it was the personal YouTube account of John McCredie with a few little videos of some 4WD trips he had done with family and friends. John had always had a passion for gravel rallying and even won the Australian Rally Championship for pocket rockets in the front wheel drive 0-1300cc category. From there, this passion extended to four-wheel-driving and in 2009 John and his two sons Nathan and Jacob filmed their first 4WD Winch Comp.
The YouTube Channel soon started to grow in both popularity and size (number of videos) and was changed from the name OHM26 to ON THE DIRT. With more videos being produced and more 4wd and rally content being uploaded, the channel now has over 14,000 subscribers and almost 5 million views.
Hill and Cooling Impress on Debut of H6 Subaru at Rally of Bathurst
Photo: Roy Meuronen Photography Sam Hill and co-driver Mikayla Cooling delivered a strong and consistent performance at the Shamrock Haulage Rally of Bathurst, finishing 14th outright in the event, 11th in the NSW Rally Championship field, and 9th in the Production Cup on the debut outing for their unique H6 Subaru. The rally marked the first competitive appearance for the car, which began life as a Subaru RS Challenge vehicle before being transformed with an unusual [...]
Stanford Motorsport to contest Clubman Series at AMH Automotive Group Rally of the Bay
Stanford Motorsport are preparing their Datsun Stanza and getting ready for the Techworkz Automotive NSW Clubman Rally Series, which kicks off this weekend at the AMH Automotive Group Rally of the Bay. Driver Dennis Stanford from West Nowra will be joined by Sydney based Co-Driver, Tim Woods for the 2020 running of the Rally of the Bay and the team are hoping for a good result in their first event for the season. “We won the [...]
Comeback Success in Safari for McCredie and Maude in Holden Jackaroo
After a 20-year break from competitive rally driving, John McCredie and Nick Maude returned to rallying taking on the 2022 Local Legends Sunraysia Safari Cross Country Rally in an ex-Bruce Garland Holden Jackaroo. The 2022 event was shortened significantly due to wet weather, with Day 2 and Day 3 cancelled. The first day of competition started with a 100km stage, followed by the shortened Tarcoola 25km test. The final day was just one stage, but [...]
NSW 2WD Championship Leaders Ready for Narooma Challenge
N SW two-wheel-drive championship leaders James O'Malley and co-driver Jono Forrest are preparing to take on some of Australia's best rally competitors when they contest this weekend's Toyota Gazoo Racing Narooma Forest Rally. The Tumut Toyota-backed crew head into Round 2 of the Shamrock Haulage NSW Rally Championship full of confidence after an impressive performance at the season-opening Bathurst Rally, where they finished sixth outright and claimed the honours as the event's leading two-wheel-drive crew. While [...]
O’Malley Bounces Back with Career-Best Pace at the 2026 Lazer Rally of the Bay
PHOTOS: Peter Norton After the disappointment of an early retirement at the previous round in Narooma, James O'Malley and co-driver Jono Forrest responded in the best possible way with a composed and determined performance at the 2026 Lazer Rally of the Bay, finishing fifth outright and first rear-wheel-drive crew home in their Toyota 86. The result was the reward for a measured drive that built momentum throughout the day as the pair adapted to the [...]
Arnhem Land – NT
By John McCredie In the North of Australia is a land area called Arnhem Land. It is an Aboriginal reserve that covers almost 100,000 square kilometres and has some of the most remote communities in Australia. You could say that the Aboriginal people own this land and whilst that is essentially true, the idea of ownership has quite a different meaning in their culture. Recently I was privileged enough to be able [...]
Barrington Tops
Spectacular scenery, great four-wheel-drive opportunities, camping options to suit everyone and the ideal getaway close to Sydney - This is the Barrington Tops National Park! Barrington Tops is located about three to four hours north of Sydney in NSW, Australia. The area is rich in natural beauty and boasts some of the most extensive areas of sub-tropical rainforests in the World. There is both a National Park and extensive State Forests within the Barrington Tops [...]
Motorsport Australia Launches New Licence Structure to Boost Rally and Off Road Participation
From July 1, 2025, it’s going to be easier, and more affordable than ever to get behind the wheel in Australian rally and off road events. Motorsport Australia has unveiled a fresh set of licence options aimed squarely at growing participation at the grassroots and state level. Whether you're chasing a club-level podium or giving rallying a go for the very first time, the new licence structure provides flexible, low-cost pathways into the sport we all love. Under the [...]
Toyota Hilux 1998 Review
When buying a second hand four wheel drive, if it’s a Ute you’re after then it’s likely that you’ll have included the Toyota Hilux on your list of Utes to go and have a look at. If you’re looking for a bargain, then the 1998 2.7 litre petrol Dual Cab could be just the one for you. It’s a very capable off-road machine and probably one of the most easily modified vehicle on the market. [...]
