News Feature: Finke 2010

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever again see another June long weekend at home. For seven years now I've made the trek north every Queens Birthday to the red heart of our nation, lured to what must be one of Australia's greatest motorsport events, the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race.

Crisp mornings and the bold blue skies of Central Australia is enough to encourage any soul away from the wet and windy winter down south. If you're really keen you can head further north to the V8s in Darwin a week later.

Started 35 years ago as a point to point motorcycle Enduro from Alice Springs south to Finke and return, the There & Back race as it was then known, has grown far beyond its origins. Capped at 500 bikes the entry was well and truly oversubscribed and more than 80 purpose built off road racing buggies and 4x4's lined up to tackle the desert in all its winter glory.

Name me another motorsport event on our shores that has a waiting list a mile long, such is the popularity of this mother-of-all desert races.

The Finke has become one of those "must do" iconic motorsport adventures for both competitor and spectator alike. History shows a who's who of Australian and international motor and moto sport have lined up for a crack at the King of the Desert crown.

Brock and Johnson are the obvious ones. Dakar veterans Bruce Garland in his Isuzu D-Max and Adelaide's David Schwarz on a KTM have been to the Finke on more than one occasion. The only Australian to claim a podium on the Dakar, Andy Haydon and of course who could forget the late Andy Caldecott.

Californian and multiple Baja 1000 winner, Steve Hengeveld, was back in 2010 for another attempt on a Honda CR250 but Tony "Plugger" Lockett, all time leading AFL goal kicker, pulled out before the start on his third attempt, ending up in hospital after a training fall just days beforehand.

Mike Julson, President of Jimco in the USA even made the trip over to see what all the fuss was about. His company turns out the Rolls Royce of desert racing buggies at his Californian HQ and 20 of the top teams used his equipment in the 2010 Finke.
"We've sold 12 cars in Australia alone this year, more than the whole of the United States," Julson was reported as saying. Based on the word around the pits, I'll take a punt that's close to $2 million worth of chrome moly space frame, so is it any wonder he's keen on being seen at The Finke?

On a rocky outcrop, far from the nearest sign of any life I stumbled upon a motorcycle mechanic, Samuel, from Melbourne also keen to see The Finke. Using a bit of bush ingenuity he had strung a hammock from dead branch wedged between two rocks and the only substantial tree around for miles. With a good supply of coldies at close range he was set for the weekend and a view to die for.

"So mate, how good is this? Top notch hey? I told the boss I'll be back in a week. He wasn't too happy but I thought I wasn't going to miss The Finke after all I had read over the years. I bumped into these German tourists in town and we packed off down the track on Friday for a look. We're set for the weekend and we ain't moving."

Ten minutes later, one of the 480 bikes that actually made the start on Sunday ground to a halt right in front of him. The rider was buggered after just 120km, he still had more than 300 kays to go. The chain had jumped from the rear sprocket and with no tools it looked like he was about to join our mate in the hammock.

Samuel the bike mechanic jumped from his temporary string bed, found the problem, robbed the tool kit from his rental, refitted the chain and sent him on his way. Honestly, you've never seen anything like it -- the camaraderie is a sight to behold and reminds you the Aussie spirit is alive and well when it really counts.

The police are well and truly out in force with close to 30 patrolling the first 100kms to Deep Well, where they've got a tent police compound set up. In 4x4s and on trail bikes, they're on the look out for drink drivers, testing more than 2000 over the four days and only three arrests.

There are hundreds of unregistered bikes and a handful of cars belting around the bush and enough grog consumed to keep a small brewery in business, but unlike their country cousins down south, the Territory coppers take a conciliatory approach to those breaking the law, issuing a gentle caution before taking a firm hand.

But it's also about the race, after all that's what I went to see.

A prologue near Alice Springs at dawn on Saturday morning determined the starting order for the race to Finke on Sunday. The cars and buggies go first before the enormous field of bikes fill out the rest of the day. West Australian brothers Beau and Travis Robinson took the first two spots while multiple winner, Dave Fellows, with new navigator Mark Bergamin alongside, grabbed third followed by five times Australian Off Road champions Shannon and Ian Rentsch. All were in Jimco buggies of course.

In the bikes it was a KTM top three with Grabham, Billett and new boy Toby Price first away.

The Robinsons were out before Finke but Fellows pipped Rentsch by just 0.28secs after more than 220km though the northern Simpson Desert. The fight was well and truly on for the Monday return to the Alice.

Price headed the moto field to Finke with such a lead the organisers wondered if any bikes were still running. More than 10 minutes passed before Todd Smith rolled into town followed by 2006 victor, Ryan Branford. Grabham was out mid way with mechanical problems.

Freezing cold and just after sunrise, Fellows and Rentsch lined up for the trip back, the rules state they leave with the same gap they arrived, or in this case about half a car length.

You've never seen anything like it! Rentsch got the jump but Fellows buried his foot and reeled him in before the first corner. Rentsch was then stuck in dust with no way out. Not far from Finke he ground to a halt with a broken axle, a very rare occurrence but terminal none the less.

Fellows and Bergamin were on their own up front and first across the line to make it three victories on the trot for the Peter Kittle Race Team. Second went to Brad Gallard and Scott Modistach in their massive six litre Chev trophy truck claiming at the finish he'll keep returning until he knocks off the crown. Territorians, Danny Auricht and Grant Connelly rounded out the podium in their brand spanking new Jimco.

Toby Price held his lead all the way to the podium, followed by the same two guys he beat into Finke 24 hours beforehand. Ben Grabham might have lost his chance at three in a row but he showed no hesitation in joining Price in the winner's hot tub when it was all over. It's such a dirty dusty and tough race the organisers even arrange a bath for the victors at the finish!

And so that's the Finke for another year. I guess in 12 months I'll be telling the missus again that "next year" I'll stay home on the June long weekend but for now the Finke bug has well and truly bitten.

About the Race The Tattersall's Finke Desert Race is held every June long weekend. The NT Government has invested heavily in the event and got right behind it. Accommodation in Alice Springs can be tight and rental cars are quickly sold out so it pays to book early. Contact your local car or motorcycle club for a competition licence. Everything you need to know is on the event website FinkeDesertRace.com.au.

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