Volunteer-run super race to bring $6m

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p2451 Finke 670
 
p2451 Geoff Curtis OKBy ERWIN CHLANDA
 
In 1976 Geoff Curtis (at left) did it on a Yamaha 250, which he rode to work every day with his dog sitting on the tank.
 
The Le Mans style start of this first “there and back challenge” was signalled with a blast from a shotgun.
 
Today the Finke is believed to be the largest desert race in the world. Its 41st running was launched in the Mall today by president Antony Yoffa (pictured below left with vice-president Damien Ryan).
 
Vying for the title King of the Desert will be 571 bike competitors and 140 in cars. Most are from out of town – 511 and 121, respectively.
 
The prologue will be on Saturday, with the southbound leg, 220 gruelling kilometres, to Finke, on Sunday and the return trip on Monday.
 
Some 12,000 spectators usually camp along the way to watch the race and enjoy a traditional bush trip, sleeping in the swag and cooking on the campfire.
 
Mr Yoffa says $6m will be spent in town this week alone, by competitors from interstate plus crews and entourage .
 
He says car competitors usually bring an average of 10 people each, and bike riders, six or seven, swelling the town’s population by 4000 to 5000, not counting media, officials and grey nomads extending their stay to experience the race, says Mr Yoffa.
 
Alice also gains exposure by the web streaming of the event: 30,000 people tuned in last year.
 
Mr Yoffa says 270 volunteers are already registered, and there will be 300 by Friday night.
 
p2451 Finke 3Tatts is in their final year of principal sponsorship but Mr Yoffa says the club hopes they will renew next year.
 
KTM bikes (photo) have dominated the race for several years now.
 
New entry, Troy Schoen, with wife Deborah as the navigator, (photo at top) will be piloting an SS Racetech Pro Hustler with a 6000cc Chevrolet engine, with a five-speed sequential torque converter and a Fox suspension all ’round.
 
 
What’s it worth? Lots, is all a crew member would say.
 
p2451 Finke 1BIKE competitors (pictured left to right): Glen Kearney (KTM Team Manager), Bradley Greenfield, David Walsh, Michael Harry Norton (Mechanic), Luke Hayes, Sam Hayes.
 
 
 

3 COMMENTS

  1. I don’t see why the NTG don’t invest more in this event. The prize money is small and there aren’t any incentives to help people get here.
    I think it was a prize amount of 20k last year … doesn’t seem like much.
    Use some of the millions spent to get NRL here (which doesn’t achieve high numbers) and invest on something that brings thousand of people here every year!

  2. I agree with James, the NT Government could perhaps be the naming sponsor when TATTS exit. The Alice Springs Town Council could even take over as the naming sponsor, though they are a platinum sponsor, albeit funded with ratepayer dollars.
    The event belongs to Alice Springs, so it makes sense that the primary sponsor is at least from the Territory.
    I note the sponsorship list is a little thin, but that may be as a direct reflection of how poorly the economics are in town.
    However, it’s a great event, that is certainly good for our town, so keep up the great work everyone. Your efforts make this event possible.

  3. Let’s make it like Formula 1 where the same guy wins it every year? Keep it how it is. Prize money not the only thing they do it for because it’s a great event.
    Everything shouldn’t be about money. A bit of prize money is OK but don’t make it so only the rich can win.
    Leave it alone.

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