Yamaha riders dominated proceedings at the 43rd running of the annual Kamfari event in the Northern Territory. Daniel McInnes, David Bates and Daniel Carty provided Yamaha with the perfect 1-2-3 finish on a range of YZ machinery in the gruelling event.
Well known for being the muddiest and one of the toughest motorsport events in Australia, the 2014 addition was no exception with a new venue providing the perfect mix of mud, swamp, spear grass and whatever animal lives beneath it and the event requirement is a high performing, reliable bike and the Yamaha machines came through with flying colours.
McInnes got off to a great start and sat just behind the leaders during the opening stages to conserve energy in the hot and humid conditions. But as the race neared the half way mark, he began to pour on the pressure and was challenging for the lead when he totally submerged his YZ450F in a hidden water hole.
After retrieving the drowned machine, the thundering YZ450F fired back into life within a few kicks and McInnes was back in the race. He again charged his way forward and found himself at the front of the pack at the end of the four hours, completing nine laps of the waterlogged course and named the winner.
“This is my first win at Kamfari after a few attempts, so it was good to finally win one,” McInnes explains. “The course was tough and when I started going handlebar deep in that waterhole, I thought it was all over for me but I was able to get the bike out and then it started right away and I only lost one position, so I was still in the race.
“I had some energy left at the end because I was conservative at the start so I passed my way forward, stayed out of the water and the YZ450F just kept on going. It was hard work, but rewarding to win one and thank you to everyone that helped me out and supported the event,” he ends.
Fellow YZ450F rider, David Bates also rode exceptionally well and battled with the lead group the entire event. He had a drama free run and took a well-deserved second place finish just ahead of YZ250 two stroke rider, Daniel Carty, who charged from 12th place to finish on the podium in third.
The event is tough and 45% of the field were unable to finish giving the Yamaha 1-2-3 finish even more credibility. A dead engine, shot gun start is par for the course up in Darwin and at 10am sharp on May 4th, the bikes fired into life. The format is simple; follow the pink ribbons through the swamps and down the trails, while picking the best line possible to avoid becoming bogged. Complete as many laps as possible in the allotted 4 hours and if something happens, no outside assistance is allowed. All tools and spares must be carried by the rider, so a reliable bike is the first thing on the shopping list.
C&R Constructions – Kamfari
1st Daniel McInnes – Yamaha YZ450F
2nd David Bates – Yamaha YZ450F
3rd Daniel Carty – Yamaha YZ250 2T
