Teams ready for Finke Desert Race 2018

Aussie teams, including five-time winner Toby Price and David Walsh (North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team), Ivan Long and Sam Davie (Husqvarna Motorcycles Desert Racing Team), and Jacob Smith, Callum Norton, Mark Grove and Caleb Auricht (Penrite Honda Racing Desert Team) are readying for the 2018 Finke Desert Race to be contested between 8-11 June over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Toby Price – Image by PhotosDakar.com

This year marks Price’s return to Finke after missing last year through injury, eager to record his sixth-career victory in the gruelling environment of the Australian outback aboard the thundering KTM 500 EXC-F. The 30-year-old from Singleton, who finished third in January’s Dakar Rally with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, will once again attempt the Iron Man double in the desert, also competing in the car category. As he did in 2016, that challenge will see him navigate the 480-kilometre trek from Alice Springs to Finke and back twice each way.

Toby Price – KTM 500 EXC-F: “Everything is going really well at this point and I am pumped to be back on two wheels with the North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team out here at Finke. It’s exciting to be back, the team has done such a great job with the KTM 500 EXC-F and it will be a big week competing in both categories. The lead-up has been positive, an important time for testing after missing last year’s race, so I feel comfortable and have a good set-up now – it’s just a matter of getting that time in going up and down the track. We’re looking forward to day one! It’s definitely different to rally, being full-gas and wide-open at your limit for around two hours, so you have to stay on top of your game and it is definitely a challenge that we’re ready for in going for win number six at Finke.”

David Walsh 2017

As for Alice Springs local Walsh, after leading the charge down to Finke one year ago, the 28-year-old is a clear podium threat once again, this time alongside Price on the factory KTM 500 EXC-F machinery. A mainstay within the North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team, Walsh’s most recent podium came in 2016 when he finished third overall.

David Walsh – KTM 500 EXC-F: “It’s all shaping up really well. The team has helped me so much heading into this year, I am feeling fit and the KTM 500 EXC-F is handling nicely, so I am really excited for the race. Hopefully there is some good racing between Toby and I, it’s good to have him back in the team and obviously he is always the guy to beat. I am just looking forward to getting out there, doing my own thing, focusing on my own race and hopefully being able to put it in front of him! I’ve spent more time on the bike in the lead-up this year, trying to get that intensity up, so I have prepared myself the best that I can and am ready to go racing now.”

Ivan Long

South Australian Ivan Long will be joined by Sam Davie in Husqvarna Motorcycles’ factorybacked effort over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in the Top End. Long starred on his way to claiming a triumphant second overall in last year’s Finke affair aboard a Husqvarna FE 450, earning him class honours in what was an outstanding result for the ever-capable 29-year-old. He was also on the podium in the 2014 edition, recognised as one of Finke’s finest competitors year in, year out.

Ivan Long – Husqvarna FE 450: “It’s been a hectic lead-up for us heading into Finke, adding another rider to the team after we did well last year. It’s definitely a good thing for us, the Husqvarna Motorcycles Desert Racing Team has been a really positive step and we are looking forward to getting into the race week now. I’ll be on the Husqvarna FE 450 again, so it will be good if we can back up that class win again, and if that happens the outright will sort itself out from there. There’s been a lot of effort going in off the bike this year, which has been paying off so far in my training, and it should be a really good run down to Finke and back for us once again.”

Sam Davie

As for emerging Victorian talent Davie, 23, he rode to his career-best Finke Desert Race result one year ago by capturing fifth place overall on-board the Husqvarna FE 501 and will benefit immensely from the experience of joining Schwarz and Long in the official Husqvarna Motorcycles team for 2018.

Sam Davie – Husqvarna FE 501: “I’m excited for this year’s race and the support from Husqvarna Motorcycles Australia is really good for us as a team. Working and riding with Ivan has pulled my pace along, so I am really comfortable at the moment and now look forward to the race to get underway. We’ve been up here three times this year, which has been important, and we’ve really progressed in terms of the bike settings together. This is the best prepared I have been heading into Finke, so hopefully it goes our way and we can come away with a strong result in the end.”

Honda’s new factory effort – Penrite Honda Racing Desert Team is also more than ready for the challenge.  The track, with its changing terrain makes it uniquely difficult, but Honda’s veteran rider Jacob Smith knows this too well as he heads into what will be his 10th Finke. Smith will be competing in the open class (451cc and above)

“I have yet to win this race and its one we all dream of winning.  We have done everything we can to have the best chance this year.  To win Finke, you need more than talent – everything needs to go right. A win or a podium finish is the goal – noting that either will be a challenging goal to achieve, we are certainly going to do our best,” said Smith.

2018 Penrite Honda Racing Desert Team

The team will compete in prologue on Saturday to determine their starting positions for race day on Sunday. First time racer Callum Norton hopes to take advantage of his motocross skills, competing in the 251cc to 450cc class.

“I’ve enjoyed learning the track during our pre-runs; it’s an eye opening experience racing this fast.  The prologue track is similar to an open and fast motocross track so I hope my experience in motocross will help me qualify well for our race to Finke.  I really want to finish inside the top 3 in my class, this is our goal.” Norton said.

The Penrite Honda Team is also fielding two riders in the ‘up to 250cc 4-stroke class.’  Reigning 250cc Champion Mark Grove who aims to defend his 2017 win and local rider Caleb Auricht is back with a vengeance after a crash took him out of contention last year. Team director Yarrive Konsky believes both riders are capable of taking the win.

For more information on the Tatts Finke Desert Race, visit: https://finkedesertrace.com.au/

The Finke Desert Race is regarded as one of the most prestigious motorsport events in the country, as riders take-on the mammoth 480-kilometre return trip from Alice Springs to Finke on consecutive days, each targeting ultimate glory in the outback.