Report: Tatts Finke Desert Race

Report: Tatts Finke Desert Race

Todd Smith from Condobolin in New South Wales has been ‘crowned’ King of the Desert after taking victory today in the 38th running of the annual off-road classic event, the Tatts Finke Desert Race.

tsmith
Todd Smith

Following him across the line in second position was his brother Jacob, making for a sibling situation that has not occurred before in the history of the event.

Todd Smith also brought Honda its 20th victory in the event’s history, breaking a four year string of wins by KTM.

Riding the #3 Honda CRF450R Todd Smith returned to the Alice Springs start from the overnight stop in Finke in a time of 2 hours 1 minute and 44 seconds. His total time for the event was 4 hours 2 minutes and 8 seconds

Jacob Smith (#11 Honda CRF450R) made the return trip today in a time of 2 hours 2 minutes and 58 seconds.

In third place, in his debut Tatts Finke appearance, was Joshua Green from Soldiers Point in NSW on the #X49 Yamaha YZF450.

Green’s time today was 2 hours 3 minutes and 38 seconds. His total event time was 4 hours 7 minutes and 42 seconds.

Fourth outright was Jarrod Bewley (Oberon NSW) on bike #5 Husaberg FE501 who took the chequered flag with a total event time of 4 hours 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

In fifth position overall, Ivan Long (Tanunda SA) #298 KTM 500EXC rode brilliantly today to be third fastest on the road.

Four time Tatts Finke Desert Race winner Ben Grabham (#X99 KTM 450 SX-F) finished 11th overall in a total event time of 4 hours 25 minutes and 17 seconds.

Top 20 Overall:

 Pos  # Competitor Town Bike Day 1 Day 2 Overall
1 3 Smith, Todd Condobolin, NSW CRF450R 02:00:23 02:01:44 04:02:08
2 11 Smith, Jake Condobolin, NSW CRF450R 02:03:05 02:02:58 04:06:03
3 X49 Green, Joshua Soldiers Point, NSW YZF450 02:04:04 02:03:38 04:07:42
4 5 Bewley, Jarrod Oberon, NSW FE 501 02:05:49 02:03:41 04:09:30
5 298 Long, Ivan Tanunda, SA 500 EXC 02:07:23 02:03:21 04:10:44
6 7 Dooley-Mcdonnell, Jack Alice Springs, NT CRF450R 02:07:44 02:05:29 04:13:14
7 X96 Auricht, Caleb Pacific Paradise, QLD CRF450R 02:07:56 02:08:11 04:16:08
8 4 Fish, Mathew Kyneton, VIC 450SXF 02:09:41 02:08:06 04:17:48
9 17 Summers, Lachlan Alice Springs, NT KXF450 02:10:46 02:10:57 04:21:43
10 552 Marr, Lachlan Alice Springs, NT CRF450R 02:12:16 02:10:01 04:22:18
11 X99 Grabham, Ben Bathurst, NSW 450 SX-F 02:12:46 02:12:31 04:25:17
12 15 Hayes, Luke Alice Springs, NT 450 SX-F 02:16:42 02:12:03 04:28:46
13 X88 Walsh, Michael Alice Springs, NT CRF450R 02:17:39 02:12:08 04:29:47
14 698 Faggotter, Rod Longreach, QLD YZ450F 02:15:58 02:16:55 04:32:54
15 X18 Boyle, Peter Stony Creek, VIC CRF450R 02:20:16 02:15:09 04:35:26
16 X41 Armstead, Kenny Alice Springs, NT 450 SX-F 02:20:50 02:15:15 04:36:05
17 X86 Stephens, Lee Fern Bay, NSW RMZ450 02:19:51 02:18:06 04:37:57
18 575 Turner, William Alice Springs , NT CRF450R 02:20:36 02:17:44 04:38:21
19 19 Van Maanenberg, Luke Sippy Downs, QLD CRF450R 02:18:25 02:20:16 04:38:42
20 X29 Nelson, Micheal Alice Springs, NT KXF450 02:21:56 02:17:57 04:39:53
Damien Ashenhurst
About Damien Ashenhurst 1721 Articles
Managing Editor of DIRT ACTION magazine. Damo doesn't like cheese or ISIS. Can often be found riding in mud because it's closest to the natural environment of a squid.