Honda is going all-in for the 50th running of the Finke Desert Race, returning with a full factory effort for the first time since 2018 — and in a major move, it’s lured five-time winner David Walsh back to the red team.
Backed by the Peter Kittle Motor Company, Honda’s 2026 Finke program shapes as one of the biggest stories heading into this year’s event, with the brand chasing its first outright win at the race since 2013 and its 21st overall. Honda remains the most successful manufacturer in Finke history with 20 outright victories. The event’s 50th edition will run in June, with the bike race scheduled for June 7–8.
The iconic desert race, run from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke) and back across two days, is regarded as one of the toughest and most prestigious off-road events in the country. For Honda, this year’s milestone edition was enough to warrant a serious factory push.
Honda Australia Vice President Peter Singleton said the timing was right to come back in force.
“Finke has always been an enormous event for Honda. Our history there spans from the two-stroke era through to the four-stroke generation, and it has played a significant role in showcasing our off-road motorcycles,” Singleton said.
“Whilst we stepped away from a full factory presence, we remained involved through riders such as Brodie Waters, who achieved a class win and an outright podium in recent seasons.
“With the significance of the 50th anniversary and Honda’s global commitment to motorsport, we felt it was important to return with a strong, focused effort. It’s about supporting one of Australia’s most iconic events, its best riders, while also demonstrating our confidence in Honda’s off-road RX platform.”
Walsh Returns to Red
The biggest headline, though, is Walsh.
After sitting out last year, the Alice Springs local and reigning king of the desert is back in the game — this time aboard Honda machinery. Walsh has won the event five years in a row, including his latest victory in 2024, and his arrival gives Honda a genuine shot at ending KTM’s recent stranglehold on the event.
Walsh said it didn’t take long to see the potential in the new program.
“I told the team I wanted to ride the bike, so they drove it up and let me test it,” Walsh said.
“I can see why Brodie has been so competitive on it. What impressed me most is the approach — there’s no ego. I told them what we needed and they were immediately on board. With the people around this program, it’s clear the goal is to win. I’d love to be the rider who gives Honda its first Finke victory since 2013.”
Walsh joins a stacked three-rider line-up that also includes current champion Corey Hammond and proven front-runner Brodie Waters, who has already shown the Honda platform can run at the pointy end in the desert.
Hammond, who raced the Honda package internationally in Baja last year, said he’s confident in what the team is building.
“The Honda is incredibly strong. I wouldn’t have made the move if I didn’t believe in the bike and the program,” Hammond said.
“The team’s success globally in motocross and supercross speaks for itself, and the testing we’ve done so far has been very encouraging.”
Waters, who has also played a key role in developing the bike, believes the ingredients are there to fight for the win.
“The bike is good, we were nearly second last year before a crash took us out of contention,” Waters said.
“We have a very strong group of riders and Honda is sparing no effort. There’s serious competition out there, we respect that, but we know we can be competitive.”
Kittle Family Brings Local Finke DNA
Adding further weight to the program is Peter Kittle Motor Company, which comes on board as naming partner.
The Kittle family’s ties to Finke run deep. Founder Peter Kittle raced the original event on a bike in 1976 and finished on the podium in 1979, before later competing in the car division. Son Andrew Kittle also has his own history with the race, including navigating for multiple car wins.
Andrew Kittle said the Honda return, combined with Walsh’s comeback, made the partnership an easy one.
“What a great story this is — Honda returning, David Walsh returning, and the ambition behind the program,” Kittle said.
“We’re also showcasing a throwback logo as part of this partnership for the 50th running of Finke, to reflect our heritage and journey as a company.
“Finke is a part of who we are and has shaped how we approach life and business. We love the event, the atmosphere and the challenge it presents. As an automotive group, we see Finke as the pinnacle of Australian racing in the outback, and we’re proud to support Honda’s return.”
Built to Win
The team will be led by experienced off-road campaigner Colin Ross, with Waters taking on a dual role as rider and technical contributor.
Ross said the structure of the program has been built around experience and clarity.
“Brodie has the capability to build race-winning bikes and manage key technical areas, but my priority is making sure he can focus on riding,” Ross said.
“Our approach is simple — assemble the most experienced people possible and let them do the job they’re best at. It’s what worked for us before. From the riders to the technicians and crew, everyone knows their role. We will be prepared, we will be organised, and our goal is clear — to win.”
For Honda Racing Australia Director Yarrive Konsky, the return to Finke has been all about putting the right people in the same corner.
“The first call I made after Honda confirmed they wanted to compete was to Colin. His experience and success at Finke is unmatched,” Konsky said.
“Then we spoke with Brodie about our plans, and from there we went straight to David and Corey. We didn’t talk to anyone else, we had a clear plan and committed fully to it.
“Our partners have done the same. Aligning the program with Peter Kittle was an easy decision. The Kittle family has a rich history with the event on both two and four wheels, and they share the same ambition as our team.
“When the best people come together with a focused goal, great things can happen and that’s exactly what this program is about.”
With Walsh back, Hammond on board, Waters in the mix and Honda officially back as a full factory force, there’s no doubt this one has just added a serious new layer to the 2026 Finke story.
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