fbpx
Wikipedia

Finke Desert Race

January 01, 1970

The Finke Desert Race is an off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for motorbikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes through desert country from Alice Springs to the small and remote community of Aputula (called Finke until the 1980s) in Australia's Northern Territory. The race is usually held each year on the King's Birthday long weekend in June. "Finke", as it is commonly known, is one of the biggest annual sporting events in the Northern Territory.[1]

CountryNorthern Territory, Australia
Inaugural event1976
Official Websitefinkedesertrace.com.au

Track edit

Encompassing about 229km each way, the Finke Desert Race travels through many properties on its way to end up crossing the Finke River just north of Aputula. The track is divided into five sections:

  • Start/Finish Line to Deep Well (61 km)
  • Deep Well to Rodinga (31 km)
  • Rodinga to Bundooma (43 km)
  • Bundooma to Mount Squires (45 km)
  • Mount Squires to Finke (49 km)

History edit

The race started in 1976 as a "there and back" challenge for a group of local motorbike riders to race from Alice Springs Inland Dragway to the Finke River and return. After the success of this initial ride, the Finke Desert Race has been held annually on the King's Birthday long weekend ever since. The race is run along sections of the Central Australia Railway along a winding corrugated track, which goes through the outback terrain of red dirt, sand, spinifex, mulga and desert oaks. Even though the railway line was realigned and rebuilt in the early 1980s, with the old tracks being pulled up, the race continues along its original course.

While originally the Finke was only a bike race, its increasing popularity saw the introduction of cars and off-road buggies in 1988. A rivalry developed between the two and four wheelers, as the buggies were keen to claim the "King of the Desert" title. For eleven consecutive years the bikes were too quick for the cars despite the gap constantly narrowing. Finally in 1999, a buggy returned home first to claim the honour, with the bikes winning back the title in 2000 and 2001. From 2002 until 2004 the buggies held onto the "King of the Desert" title. In 2005 the title was changed to see two "Kings of the Desert", one for the cars and one for bikes, each picking up $10,000 for their effort. The last bike to beat the cars time was Michael Vroom in 2001 on his Honda CR500.[citation needed]

COVID-19 impact edit

The 2020 race was cancelled for the first time in the event's history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This cost the economy of Alice Springs about $8 million.[2] In 2021 about 200 Victorian competitors, plus race officials, were unable to attend when the Northern Territory classed all of Victoria as a hot spot after the state entered its fourth lockdown.[3]

2021 fatal crash edit

During the 2021 race, a vehicle struck spectators just 35 kilometres short of the finish line. One person was killed and two others, including the driver, were hospitalised. The remainder of the event was subsequently cancelled, meaning the bike race was not completed.[4] The buggy category had already been won earlier that morning. The winning racer, Toby Price, had previously won in the bike category six times, and therefore became the first person to have won in both the bike and buggy categories.[5]

List of winners edit

[6][7]

Year Name Vehicle State
1976 Geoff Curtis Yamaha 250 Northern Territory
1977 Phil Stoker Suzuki 370 Northern Territory
1978 Geoff Curtis Yamaha XT500 Northern Territory
1979 Peter Stayt Yamaha XT500 Northern Territory
1980 Geoff Curtis Yamaha 400 Northern Territory
  • 1976 BIKES

Geoff Curtis, Yamaha 250, NT

  • 1977 BIKES

Phil Stoker, Suzuki 370, NT

  • 1978 BIKES

Geoff Curtis, Yamaha XT500, NT

  • 1979 BIKES

Peter Stayt, Yamaha XT500, NT

  • 1980 BIKES

Geoff Curtis, Yamaha 400, NT

  • 1981 BIKES

Phil Lovett, KTM 390, NSW

  • 1982 BIKES

Phil Lovett, KTM 495, NSW

  • 1983 BIKES

Stephen Gall, Yamaha 490, NSW

  • 1984 BIKES

Peter Stayt, Yamaha 490, NT

  • 1985 BIKES

Phil Lovett, KTM 495, NSW time 03:41:30

  • 1986 BIKES

Stephen Gall, Yamaha XT500, NSW

  • 1987 BIKES

David Armstrong, Kawasaki 500, QLD

  • 1988

BIKES – Alan Roe, Honda 500, NT
CARS – John Fidler/Peter Lewis, Corvette, NT

  • 1989

BIKES – Mark Winter, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Gary Nicolle/Jo Reed, Buggy, NT

  • 1990

BIKES – Mark Winter, KTM 540, NT
CARS – Gary Nicolle/Neil Shegog, Buggy, NT

  • 1991

BIKES – Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Keith Poole/Peter Walker, Buggy, SA

  • 1992
  • 1992

BIKES – Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Greg Schlein/David Fellows, Buggy, NT

  • 1993

BIKES – Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Steven Graydon/Tony Graydon, Buggy, WA

  • 1994

BIKES - Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Keith Poole/Peter Walker, Buggy, SA

  • 1995

BIKES – Randall Gregory, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Bob Mowbray/Janette Mowbray, Buggy, NSW

  • 1996

BIKES – Dan Ashcraft, Honda 500, USA
CARS – Keith Poole/Peter Walker, Scorpion VW Buggy, Adelaide SA

  • 1997

BIKES – Stephen Greenfield, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Paul Simpson, Jimco Buggy, VIC

  • 1998

BIKES – Stephen Greenfield, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Mark Burrows/ Michael Shannon, Cougar Buggy, VIC

  • 1999

BIKES – Rick Hall, Honda 500, NT
CARS – Mark Burrows / Michael Shannon, Cougar Buggie, VIC

  • 2000

BIKES – Stephen Greenfield, Honda CR500, NT
CARS – Mark Burrows / Michael Shannon, 2200cc Turbo Buggy, VIC

  • 2001

BIKES – Michael Vroom, Honda CR500, NT
CARS – David Fellows / Tony Pinto, Southern Cross 2500cc Buggy, NT

  • 2002

BIKES – Rick Hall, Honda CR500, NT
CARS – Mark Burrows / Michael Shannon, MBR Jimco 2000cc Buggy, VIC

  • 2003

BIKES – Darren Griffiths, KTM 540, WA
CARS – Mark Burrows/Colin Hodge, MBR Jimco 2200cc Turbo, VIC

  • 2004

BIKES – Stephen Greenfield, Honda CRF 450, NT
CARS – David Fellows/Tony Pinto, Jimco Buggy 2200cc, NT

  • 2005

BIKES – Jason Hill, Honda CRF 450, NT
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, Chenowth Buggy 2000cc, VIC

  • 2006

BIKES – Ryan Branford, Honda CRF 450, NT
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, Chenowth Buggy 2000cc, Vic

  • 2007

BIKES – Ben Grabham, Honda CRF450R, NSW
CARS – Hayden Bentley/Ben Chivell, Jimco Buggy, SA

  • 2008

BIKES – Ben Grabham, Honda CRF450R , NSW time 4:04:43.02
CARS – David Fellows/Andrew Kittle/Jason Adami, Jimco 2000 Series Buggy, SA

  • 2009

BIKES – Ben Grabham, KTM 505 XC-F, NSW time 4:01:26.60
CARS – David Fellows/Andrew Kittle, Jimco 2000 Series Buggy, SA

  • 2010

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 450 SX-F , NSW time 4:03:25.62
CARS – David Fellows/Mark Bergamin, Jimco 2000 Series Buggy, SA

  • 2011

BIKES - Ben Grabham, KTM 450 SX-F , NSW time 3:58:59.60
CARS – Greg Gartner/Jamie Jennings, Ford F150, SA

  • 2012

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 450SXF, NSW time 3:57:03
CARS – Brad Gallard/Rick Geiser/Scott Modistach, Trophy Truck, SA

  • 2013

BIKES – Todd Smith, Honda CRF450R, NSW time 04:02:08
CARS – Hayden Bentley, Racer Buggy, SA

  • 2014

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 500EXC, NSW time 03:56:29
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, Jimco Buggy, VIC

  • 2015

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 500EXC, NSW time 03:52:54
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, Jimco Buggy, VIC

  • 2016

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 500EXC, NSW time 03:46:55
CARS – Glenn Owen/Mathew Ryan, Jimco Buggy, VIC

  • 2017

BIKES – Daymon Stokie, YAMAHA WR500F, NT time 04:11:12
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, Jimco Buggy, VIC

BIKES – Toby Price, KTM 500EXC-F, NSW time 03:55:25.1
CARS – Shannon Rentsch/Ian Rentsch, , VIC time 03:36:37.3

BIKES – David Walsh, KTM 500EXC, NT time 03:56:01
CARS – Jack Rhodes/David Pullino, Jimco Aussie Special Nissan 3500cc, SA

  • 2020

Not run due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

BIKES – David Walsh, KTM, NT time 1:45:34 (leg 1 only)
CARS – Toby Price, Mitsubishi,

  • 2022

BIKES – David Walsh, , NT time 03:35:45[11]
CARS – Toby Price/Jason Duncan, Mitsubishi, time 3:21:46.2[12]

  • 2023

BIKES – David Walsh, KTM, NT time 03:35:48.9[13]
CARS – Toby Price/Jason Duncan, Mitsubishi, QLD time 3:21:46[14]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Finke Desert Race Official Website".
  2. ^ "Finke Desert Race cancelled due to coronavirus, costing Alice Springs millions". ABC Alice Springs. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  3. ^ Brash, Stewart; Haskin, Emma (4 June 2021). "Finke Desert Race dreams turn to dust for hundreds of Victorians". ABC Alice Springs. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Finke Desert Race racing vehicle crashes, killing spectator near finish line". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 June 2021.
  5. ^ Jonscher, Samantha (14 June 2021). "Toby Price makes history with buggy category win". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  6. ^ "Hall of Fame". Finke Desert Race. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Hall of Fame". Finke Desert Race. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  8. ^ Halpin, Thea (11 June 2018), "Finke Desert Race: Champion rider Toby Price wins motorbikes title for the sixth time", ABC News
  9. ^ "Alice Springs rider wins Finke desert race", The North West Star, 11 June 2019
  10. ^ Tuff, Stephen (15 June 2021), "Tragedy halts 2021 Finke Desert Race as Walsh declared winner", Bikesales
  11. ^ Mabin, Saskia; Brash, Stuart (14 June 2022), "Injury numbers down during record-breaking year for cars and bikes at NT's Finke Desert Race", ABC News
  12. ^ Toby Price wins Finke Desert Race-sets new record for overall time Auto Action 13 June 2022
  13. ^ "David Walsh Claims Fourth-Straight King Of The Desert Crown At 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race", Full Noise, 12 June 2023
  14. ^ Haskin, Emma (12 June 2023), "Motorsport legend Toby Price wins a record ninth Finke Desert Race title", ABC News

External links edit

  • Official website

January 01, 1970
finke, desert, race, road, multi, terrain, race, motorbikes, cars, buggies, quad, bikes, through, desert, country, from, alice, springs, small, remote, community, aputula, called, finke, until, 1980s, australia, northern, territory, race, usually, held, each, . The Finke Desert Race is an off road multi terrain two day race for motorbikes cars buggies and quad bikes through desert country from Alice Springs to the small and remote community of Aputula called Finke until the 1980s in Australia s Northern Territory The race is usually held each year on the King s Birthday long weekend in June Finke as it is commonly known is one of the biggest annual sporting events in the Northern Territory 1 CountryNorthern Territory AustraliaInaugural event1976Official Websitefinkedesertrace wbr com wbr au Contents 1 Track 2 History 2 1 COVID 19 impact 2 2 2021 fatal crash 3 List of winners 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksTrack editEncompassing about 229km each way the Finke Desert Race travels through many properties on its way to end up crossing the Finke River just north of Aputula The track is divided into five sections Start Finish Line to Deep Well 61 km Deep Well to Rodinga 31 km Rodinga to Bundooma 43 km Bundooma to Mount Squires 45 km Mount Squires to Finke 49 km History editThe race started in 1976 as a there and back challenge for a group of local motorbike riders to race from Alice Springs Inland Dragway to the Finke River and return After the success of this initial ride the Finke Desert Race has been held annually on the King s Birthday long weekend ever since The race is run along sections of the Central Australia Railway along a winding corrugated track which goes through the outback terrain of red dirt sand spinifex mulga and desert oaks Even though the railway line was realigned and rebuilt in the early 1980s with the old tracks being pulled up the race continues along its original course While originally the Finke was only a bike race its increasing popularity saw the introduction of cars and off road buggies in 1988 A rivalry developed between the two and four wheelers as the buggies were keen to claim the King of the Desert title For eleven consecutive years the bikes were too quick for the cars despite the gap constantly narrowing Finally in 1999 a buggy returned home first to claim the honour with the bikes winning back the title in 2000 and 2001 From 2002 until 2004 the buggies held onto the King of the Desert title In 2005 the title was changed to see two Kings of the Desert one for the cars and one for bikes each picking up 10 000 for their effort The last bike to beat the cars time was Michael Vroom in 2001 on his Honda CR500 citation needed COVID 19 impact edit The 2020 race was cancelled for the first time in the event s history due to the COVID 19 pandemic This cost the economy of Alice Springs about 8 million 2 In 2021 about 200 Victorian competitors plus race officials were unable to attend when the Northern Territory classed all of Victoria as a hot spot after the state entered its fourth lockdown 3 2021 fatal crash edit During the 2021 race a vehicle struck spectators just 35 kilometres short of the finish line One person was killed and two others including the driver were hospitalised The remainder of the event was subsequently cancelled meaning the bike race was not completed 4 The buggy category had already been won earlier that morning The winning racer Toby Price had previously won in the bike category six times and therefore became the first person to have won in both the bike and buggy categories 5 List of winners edit 6 7 Year Name Vehicle State 1976 Geoff Curtis Yamaha 250 Northern Territory 1977 Phil Stoker Suzuki 370 Northern Territory 1978 Geoff Curtis Yamaha XT500 Northern Territory 1979 Peter Stayt Yamaha XT500 Northern Territory 1980 Geoff Curtis Yamaha 400 Northern Territory 1976 BIKES Geoff Curtis Yamaha 250 NT 1977 BIKES Phil Stoker Suzuki 370 NT 1978 BIKES Geoff Curtis Yamaha XT500 NT 1979 BIKES Peter Stayt Yamaha XT500 NT 1980 BIKES Geoff Curtis Yamaha 400 NT 1981 BIKES Phil Lovett KTM 390 NSW 1982 BIKES Phil Lovett KTM 495 NSW 1983 BIKES Stephen Gall Yamaha 490 NSW 1984 BIKES Peter Stayt Yamaha 490 NT 1985 BIKES Phil Lovett KTM 495 NSW time 03 41 30 1986 BIKES Stephen Gall Yamaha XT500 NSW 1987 BIKES David Armstrong Kawasaki 500 QLD 1988 BIKES Alan Roe Honda 500 NT CARS John Fidler Peter Lewis Corvette NT 1989 BIKES Mark Winter Honda 500 NT CARS Gary Nicolle Jo Reed Buggy NT 1990 BIKES Mark Winter KTM 540 NT CARS Gary Nicolle Neil Shegog Buggy NT 1991 BIKES Randall Gregory Honda 500 NT CARS Keith Poole Peter Walker Buggy SA 1992 1992 BIKES Randall Gregory Honda 500 NT CARS Greg Schlein David Fellows Buggy NT 1993 BIKES Randall Gregory Honda 500 NT CARS Steven Graydon Tony Graydon Buggy WA 1994 BIKES Randall Gregory Honda 500 NT CARS Keith Poole Peter Walker Buggy SA 1995 BIKES Randall Gregory Honda 500 NT CARS Bob Mowbray Janette Mowbray Buggy NSW 1996 BIKES Dan Ashcraft Honda 500 USA CARS Keith Poole Peter Walker Scorpion VW Buggy Adelaide SA 1997 BIKES Stephen Greenfield Honda 500 NT CARS Paul Simpson Jimco Buggy VIC 1998 BIKES Stephen Greenfield Honda 500 NT CARS Mark Burrows Michael Shannon Cougar Buggy VIC 1999 BIKES Rick Hall Honda 500 NT CARS Mark Burrows Michael Shannon Cougar Buggie VIC 2000 BIKES Stephen Greenfield Honda CR500 NT CARS Mark Burrows Michael Shannon 2200cc Turbo Buggy VIC 2001 BIKES Michael Vroom Honda CR500 NT CARS David Fellows Tony Pinto Southern Cross 2500cc Buggy NT 2002 BIKES Rick Hall Honda CR500 NT CARS Mark Burrows Michael Shannon MBR Jimco 2000cc Buggy VIC 2003 BIKES Darren Griffiths KTM 540 WA CARS Mark Burrows Colin Hodge MBR Jimco 2200cc Turbo VIC 2004 BIKES Stephen Greenfield Honda CRF 450 NT CARS David Fellows Tony Pinto Jimco Buggy 2200cc NT 2005 BIKES Jason Hill Honda CRF 450 NT CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch Chenowth Buggy 2000cc VIC 2006 BIKES Ryan Branford Honda CRF 450 NT CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch Chenowth Buggy 2000cc Vic 2007 BIKES Ben Grabham Honda CRF450R NSW CARS Hayden Bentley Ben Chivell Jimco Buggy SA 2008 BIKES Ben Grabham Honda CRF450R NSW time 4 04 43 02 CARS David Fellows Andrew Kittle Jason Adami Jimco 2000 Series Buggy SA 2009 BIKES Ben Grabham KTM 505 XC F NSW time 4 01 26 60 CARS David Fellows Andrew Kittle Jimco 2000 Series Buggy SA 2010 BIKES Toby Price KTM 450 SX F NSW time 4 03 25 62 CARS David Fellows Mark Bergamin Jimco 2000 Series Buggy SA 2011 BIKES Ben Grabham KTM 450 SX F NSW time 3 58 59 60 CARS Greg Gartner Jamie Jennings Ford F150 SA 2012 BIKES Toby Price KTM 450SXF NSW time 3 57 03 CARS Brad Gallard Rick Geiser Scott Modistach Trophy Truck SA 2013 BIKES Todd Smith Honda CRF450R NSW time 04 02 08 CARS Hayden Bentley Racer Buggy SA 2014 BIKES Toby Price KTM 500EXC NSW time 03 56 29 CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch Jimco Buggy VIC 2015 BIKES Toby Price KTM 500EXC NSW time 03 52 54 CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch Jimco Buggy VIC 2016 BIKES Toby Price KTM 500EXC NSW time 03 46 55 CARS Glenn Owen Mathew Ryan Jimco Buggy VIC 2017 BIKES Daymon Stokie YAMAHA WR500F NT time 04 11 12 CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch Jimco Buggy VIC 2018 8 BIKES Toby Price KTM 500EXC F NSW time 03 55 25 1 CARS Shannon Rentsch Ian Rentsch VIC time 03 36 37 3 2019 9 BIKES David Walsh KTM 500EXC NT time 03 56 01 CARS Jack Rhodes David Pullino Jimco Aussie Special Nissan 3500cc SA 2020 Not run due to COVID 19 pandemic lockdown 2021 10 BIKES David Walsh KTM NT time 1 45 34 leg 1 only CARS Toby Price Mitsubishi 2022 BIKES David Walsh NT time 03 35 45 11 CARS Toby Price Jason Duncan Mitsubishi time 3 21 46 2 12 2023 BIKES David Walsh KTM NT time 03 35 48 9 13 CARS Toby Price Jason Duncan Mitsubishi QLD time 3 21 46 14 See also editAustralian Off Road ChampionshipReferences edit Finke Desert Race Official Website Finke Desert Race cancelled due to coronavirus costing Alice Springs millions ABC Alice Springs Australian Broadcasting Corporation 8 March 2020 Retrieved 5 June 2021 Brash Stewart Haskin Emma 4 June 2021 Finke Desert Race dreams turn to dust for hundreds of Victorians ABC Alice Springs Australian Broadcasting Corporation Retrieved 5 June 2021 Finke Desert Race racing vehicle crashes killing spectator near finish line Australian Broadcasting Corporation 14 June 2021 Jonscher Samantha 14 June 2021 Toby Price makes history with buggy category win Australian Broadcasting Corporation Hall of Fame Finke Desert Race Archived from the original on 7 May 2018 Retrieved 23 January 2024 Hall of Fame Finke Desert Race Archived from the original on 17 March 2012 Retrieved 23 January 2024 Halpin Thea 11 June 2018 Finke Desert Race Champion rider Toby Price wins motorbikes title for the sixth time ABC News Alice Springs rider wins Finke desert race The North West Star 11 June 2019 Tuff Stephen 15 June 2021 Tragedy halts 2021 Finke Desert Race as Walsh declared winner Bikesales Mabin Saskia Brash Stuart 14 June 2022 Injury numbers down during record breaking year for cars and bikes at NT s Finke Desert Race ABC News Toby Price wins Finke Desert Race sets new record for overall time Auto Action 13 June 2022 David Walsh Claims Fourth Straight King Of The Desert Crown At 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race Full Noise 12 June 2023 Haskin Emma 12 June 2023 Motorsport legend Toby Price wins a record ninth Finke Desert Race title ABC NewsExternal links editOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Finke Desert Race amp oldid 1220004283, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.