Webmaster posted on July 10, 2008 17:46
The 5th and 6th of July saw the 11th running of the Honda Hattah Desert Race in its current format. Riders from all over the country converged on Friday night in the streets of Mildura for scrutineering and a meet and greet session with the fans. Big screen TVs, bands, cafes and endless autographs were well received by both the racing fraternity and the local community.
Scrutineering and a meet and greet session in Mildura
Riders travelled 40km south of Mildura to the race track on Saturday for the Prologue. Warren Smart showed his hand and won the prologue beating home Craig Carmichael and last years winner, Ben Grabham. Juniors and quads raced on Saturday.
Sunday 9.30 and the riders are released onto the track in a mass start, four hours and 8 laps are needed to be completed for the winner to be decided. Warren Smart headed the pack followed by Craig Carmichael and Ben Grabham. By the end of the 1st 30 minute lap Ben and Warren had put a small lead over Peter Boyle and AJ Roberts.
Smarty and Grabbo played tag and swapped spots for the first couple of laps before Smarty consolidated his lead by the end of the fourth lap. 30 seconds down from the lead and AJ and Boyley had settled into a rhythm.
A several minute gap now had formed to the fifth outright position.
Ben Grabham and Warren Smart playing tag for the first two laps
AJ and Boyley diced for six laps
As the race wore on Warren Smart continued his relentless pace and took the victory with AJ Roberts 2nd and Peter Boyle 3rd. Ben Grabham who had been dicing with Warren for the first half of the race, suffered badly from the flu and withdrew after six laps from severe dehydration. Quote from Warren Smart; “I had trained very hard leading up the event concentrating on an extreme level of fitness. Its good to get the result that we had been working towards.”
AJ Roberts quote; “I found the event extremely physically demanding but I had a ball. The club did a great job and I’m keen to come back next year. A big thanks to all the crew.
Peter Boyle quote; “I burst my camelback early on and I suffered from dehydration on the last two laps, that is the sorest I have ever been after a race.”
Warren Smart on his way to another outright Hattah victory
Tony Lockett quote; “I’m pleased to have finished another motorcycle race, that’s the hardest thing I’ve done on a dirt bike and I’m absolutely stuffed. I treated it as a training ride for the upcoming Australian Safari and the deep sand was a new experience for me.“
Ben’s big brother Damien came on board the GHR Honda team this year and had his shot at Hattah. He came in 11th outright and 4th in class making it a Honda 1, 2, 3, 4 in the prestigious 450cc class.
Quote from team manager, Glenn Hoffmann; “It was a great event again and a big credit to all the local club members. At one point our top three riders were in a freight train with Warren Smart and by the half way mark the lead Hondas had gapped all other brands.
We’ll definitely be back next year and the four hour format will put AJ and Boyley in good shape for the remaining Australian Offroad Championship events, which will see them regularly race in a 2.5 hour format.”
The next event for GHR is Rounds 7 and 8 of the Australian Offroad Championship this coming weekend at Gwandalan.
Plugger Lockett heads for the finish line
2008 Hattah Top 5
1st Outright Warren Smart Honda CRF450R
2nd Outright AJ Roberts Honda CRF450R
3rd Outright Peter Boyle Honda CRF450R
4th Outright Jehi Willis Husqvarna 510
5th Outright Nathan Hawkes KTM 530