The Tatts Finke Desert Race, Australia’s biggest off-road, multi-terrain race has today confirmed the entry open dates and criteria for the 2023 event.
Australia’s ultimate desert race will see competitors in both bike and car categories compete in the two-day, 452km event from Friday 9 June – Monday 12 June.
Entries opened for bike competitors on Wednesday February 1 at 9.30 am ACST while car entries opened on Thursday March 1.
The 2022 event saw 883 competitors start the race across all categories, with 551 bike and 332 car competitors taking on the gruelling 226km trek to Finke (Aputula) and back – with over 85% of entrants coming from interstate.
Headlining the list of returning bike category winners include Alice Springs local and fan favourite David Walsh, who is gunning for his fourth consecutive King of the Desert title. Walsh smashed the existing race record time in 2022 on his way to being crowned King of the Desert for the third straight year; one of only four riders to achieve the feat.
After winning the event in 2003, Darren Griffiths will compete 20 years following his triumph, with other King of the Desert winners, Ben Grabham (2007,08,09,11) and Ryan Branford 2006) also confirmed to compete.
Finke Desert Race President Antony Yoffa is excited for the event to return bigger and better in 2023. “After a tough couple of years throughout the pandemic, we saw a strong entry field return last year,” said Mr Yoffa. “We are expecting to see strong numbers again for the 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race with the Committee expecting the entry field to return to full capacity. “It is great to see previous winners in David Walsh, Ben Grabham, Ryan Branford and Darre Griffiths return in 2023 with many more past winners in both categories to be announced as we draw closer to the event”. “The event is the heartbeat of the Alice Springs community across the Kings Birthday long weekend, and we can’t wait to put on another entertaining event for our passionate and devoted fans.”
After the introduction of minimum competitor driving and riding standards last year, event organisers have confirmed that these same regulations will be in place for the 2023 event. Other event changes are listed in the Official supplementary regulations available here. The Tatts Finke Desert Race is an off-road, multi-terrain two-day race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country and has the reputation of being one of the most difficult offroad courses in one of the most remote places in the world.
The Tatts Finke Desert Race will take place from June 9 - 12, 2023.
Source Tatts Finke Desert Race
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.
