MOTOREX KTM OFF-ROAD RACING TEAM REPORT – Hattah Desert Race
EVENT INFORMATION
2010 Hattah Desert Race
Dates: 3-4 July, 2010
Racing format: 4 hour cross country, 35 kilometre lap and the race is 8 laps of the track
PICTURES ATTACHED
KTM racers competing at Hattah
Photo credit Glenn Milne
EVENT RESULTS
|
Rider
|
Class
|
Bike
|
Home Town
|
Prologue
|
Class
|
Overall
|
|
Toby Price
|
450cc
|
KTM 450 SX-F
|
Singleton, NSW
|
1st
|
1st
|
1st
|
|
Ben Grabham
|
Over 450cc
|
KTM 570 EXC
|
Bathurst, NSW
|
4th
|
1st
|
2nd
|
|
Brad Williscroft
|
Vets
|
KTM 530 EXC
|
Helensburgh, NSW
|
9th
|
1st
|
3rd
|
|
Jarrod Bewley
|
450cc
|
KTM 450 SX-F
|
North Richmond, NSW
|
8th
|
2nd
|
4th
|
Brad Williscroft - Vets Racer & Team Manager
“We arrived in Mildura early and did a couple of days of testing before the event to get familiar with the terrain,” said Williscroft. “Prologue went really well for the Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing Team with all riders in the top ten. For my own racing in the main event, I started in 9th and then quickly got into 7th.
“After the first fuel stop I started to pick the pace up a bit, and get a good flow going. I managed to get into 4th place, and then I had a rear wheel problem, and had to pit and change my wheel, pushing me back a few positions.
“The little rest I had did me the world of good, I just charged for the last four laps, and was able to pass the riders back, and was in 3rd position in no time. That’s where I stayed behind front runners Toby Price and Ben Grabham. To get 3rd in such a big event is an awesome feeling for myself, and to have the entire Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing Team take out the top four positions is a dream result, considering there was 400 high calibre riders entered in this year’s event.
“From a Race Team Manager perspective, I couldn’t be happier with the boys, they have put in a huge effort before the race to be well prepared. Everyone was focused and ready for the job at hand. Each of them should be very proud of their results.”
Jarrod Bewley – 450cc class racer
“It was my first attempt at Hattah and I had a lot of fun,” said Bewley. “Since I hadn’t raced this event before I wasn’t seeded, which meant I had to wait for last year’s top ten guys to go off first in prologue. I had a lot of slower guys in front of me to pass before I got into some competitive racing. I managed to pass some riders and finish 8th in prologue, just in front of Brad Williscroft.
“Once the main race got underway a few guys passed me on the fast straights, because I wasn’t used to the high speed stuff at that point, but I battled hard and tried to settle into a good rhythm, working my way up the ladder.
“I had a lot of fun and felt good the whole race. I wasn’t holding it flat out since it was all new to me, but all-in-all it was a good experience and I’ll be training up to be back next year.”
Toby Price – 450cc class racer
“I got off to a pretty good start, but not knowing the track in my first lap was hard,” said Price. “I missed a few corners on the first lap and had some battles with Warren Smart, where he would catch me and then I would pull away, but then I think he ran out of petrol, so once he was out of the picture, I was just focused on holding my lead, and making sure the bike got home all the way to the finish line.
“This was my first time at Hattah, so I’m obviously stoked to take a win for myself and another win for KTM. I am really liking desert racing. “There is high speed in off-road enduro style racing between the trees, but it doesn’t compare to Hattah and its big straights, and then Finke which I also recently won, is completely different again. To get a good result at Finke and to now win Hattah is an awesome feeling.
“I’m in a good place right now with such great results, and hopefully they will continue.”
Ben Grabham – over 450cc racer
“I’m stoked to be on the podium with all my Motorex KTM Off-Road Racing Team mates," said Grabham. “My second place was a tough slog but an enjoyable one.
“I had a really good run starting in 4th position, moving into 3rd quickly. Then two other riders had mishaps, and I was in 2nd, with a trouble free run to the finish.
“I knew I couldn’t close on Toby once he had a gap, so I just concentrated on having a clean ride. The bike handled the conditions really well and it was reliable throughout the entire race. After not finishing Finke with mechanical challenges, it was satisfying to ride home across the finish line at Hattah and also get on the podium.”
Hattah Gallery thanks to Max Sullivan is
here>>