In just under five days time, the Tatts Finke Desert Race will return to Alice Springs, which will feature a star-studded competitor line-up, entrants from around the country and special guests at the 45th running of the event.
In a massive boost to the event, three-time Supercars Champion and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes will have first run of the Prologue track and attend the event for the first time.
“I can’t wait to head up to Alice Springs and receive the full experience of the Tatts Finke Desert Race,” Lowndes said.
“With the likes of two-time Dakar champion Toby Price and seasoned veteran David Walsh returning, it will once again be a high-quality race in both the two and four-wheel categories”. “I am excited to jump into the driver’s seat and do a hot lap, Finke has always been an event that is earmarked in my racing calendar and I’m stoked to be a part of it this year.”
Two-time Dakar winner and six-time Tatts Finke Desert Race bike winner Toby Price will return to Finke, as he looks to be crowned King of the Desert in the Car category, which will make him the first ever competitor to win in both the four-wheel and two-wheel category.
Price competed in both Car and Bike categories at Finke in 2018 winning on his bike but unable to finish in his car, while in 2019 he was a DNF due to a mechanical fault after leading at the end of Prologue and Race Day 1.
With defending four-wheel champions Josh Rhodes and David Pullino not competing in 2021, 2019 runners-up Josh Howells and Erin Hume from New South Wales will look to go one better this year in their JIMCO 3500TT.
Alice Springs local and Finke Desert Race veteran David Walsh will be looking to defend his maiden crown in the two-wheel category, after finally achieving the ultimate success in 2019 after countless podium and top 20 finishes.
Walsh is not without some stiff competition with the remainder of the top five placings in 2019 returning to Australia’s toughest off-road race. Jacob Smith (2nd), Beau Ralston (3rd), Jack Simpson (4th) and Callum Norton (5th) will all be vying for the top step on the podium in 2021.
In an exciting additional coup for the event, the youngest ever Australian Rally Champion and current leader of the 2021 ARC, Harry Bates, will also complete a hot lap.
Finke Desert Race Committee President Antony Yoffa is excited to see some of Australia’s best current and past motorsport stars in Alice Springs for the return of the Tatts Finke Desert Race.
“It is great to have Motorsport legend Craig Lowndes attend this year, with fans getting the chance to meet him at Thursday’s signing session and across the weekend,” Yoffa said.
“We can’t wait to see how both Craig and Harry fare on the Prologue track before the competition gets underway on Saturday for Method Wheels Prologue Day.”
The Tatts Finke Desert Race officially gets under way on Friday with Scrutineering, Method Wheels Prologue on Saturday before the official race proceedings kicks off on Sunday with Race Day 1.
Held on Queens Birthday Long Weekend (June 11 – June 14, 2021) the 2021 Tatts Finke Desert Race is an off road, multi terrain two-day race for bikes, cars, buggies and quads through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community.
Finke Desert Race event organisers are working with Northern Territory health officials and monitoring the current situation in Victoria and New South Wales. We acknowledge the incredible importance of ensuring the health and safety of the public. At this stage, the event is proceeding as planned.
For information and details on travel to NT please visit https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/
For more information and details on the event please visit: https://www.finkedesertrace.com.au/
Source FINKE Desert Race
