HONDA CELEBRATES ANOTHER VICTORY IN THE AUSTRALIAN DESERT

This year’s running of the Finke Desert race brought a few surprises including teenager Ryan Branford’s overall victory aboard his almost completely stock Honda CRF450.

Ryan also achieved the remarkable feat of finishing first at Saturday’s Prologue as well as winning both days of racing.

Other than changing over the exhaust system prior to Sunday’s racing on his ‘borrowed’ bike, the 19 year old rode a completely stock standard machine across the winner’s line after a mere 4 hours18 minutes in the 251 to 450cc 4-stroke class.

His combined time was enough to score the fastest overall mark for the multi terrain two-day race that takes around 500 two, three and four wheeled competitors through desert country from Alice Springs to the small community of Aputula.

In fact, young Ryan finished around 10 minutes in front of seasoned KTM rider Brad Williscroft aboard his factory fitted machine.

Branford, under the auspices of Michael Vroom – Dealer Principal of Desert Edge Motorcycles in Alice Springs – was followed closely by fellow Honda rider Ben Grabham (Glenn Hoffmann Racing) in his class.

Whilst GHR team mate Glen Bell nursed a broken rib sustained over the course of the event, ‘Grabbo’ snatched third place overall honours, whilst five other Honda riders rounded out the list for top ten outright motorcycles in a field that once again included a wide variety of manufacturers.

The experienced Vroom also came away a class winner in the event that he took overall honours for in 2001. On his 13th go at the Finke, the seasoned rider claimed top spot this year for the 251cc and above two stroke category aboard his CR500 with a combined time of roughly 5 hours flat.

“I had a good time as always,” Vroom said. “But it was really just as exciting to back Ryan and see him achieve such an unbelievable win.”

“We had to set him up with the new Honda CRF450 off our Dealership showroom floor on Saturday after he had a problem with his bike during the Prologue,” Vroom continued.

“He also had a crash but still managed to maintain the lead throughout the whole event.”

Ryan, who is very active in the local motocross and enduro scene in the Northern Territory is “ecstatic”.

“This was my fourth attempt at the Finke,” he said. “My goal was really just to finish on the podium so to win the overall event is just incredible.”

Such is the reputation of the Finke as Australia’s toughest off road race that it attracted another big name in the guise of American Honda rider Steve Hengeveld.

Hengeveld is considered one of the USA’s top professional desert racers, and after coming over here with no prior knowledge of the Finke, he managed to win his class (451cc and above 4-stroke) on board his XR650R, as well as finish 10th outright.

“Track knowledge is everything in this race,” Vroom commented. “So for Steve to come over here and do as well as he did is very commendable. I think we will see him back at future events.”

According to Honda Australia’s General Manager, Motorcycles Tony Hinton, the manufacturer is absolutely thrilled with the results.

“These events are really a test for our enduro bikes, and year after year, they not only stand up to the challenge, but they exceed it,” he said.

“Seven out of the top ten finishers were Honda’s this year backing up our eight out of ten finish last year. On top of that, we have a win ratio of around 77% over the years that Honda has been competing at the Finke which is a testament to how strong our bikes are in these harsh conditions.”

“Honda Australia congratulates all of our riders, and particularly Ryan and Ben for winning the event and claiming their outstanding podium finishes.”
 

Schwarz tests all new KTM 950 Super Enduro R in Finke Desert Race

The world launch of the KTM 950 Super Enduro R took place in Europe last month at the famed Erzberg Rodeo winning the twin cylinder class with ease.

Now the bike has made its way to Australia to take on our own gruelling terrain, as renowned rally rider David Schwarz debuted the motorcycle at the Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race in the Northern Territory on the weekend.

David Schwarz has ridden the Dakar Rally, the Australian Safari and this was his fifth entry into the Finke Desert Race.

Riding under the Motorex KTM Racing Team, Schwarz was invited to trial the motorcycle across the harsh terrain between Alice Springs and Finke, covering 660 kilometres of demanding desert country. His verdict – “can I keep it?”

“This bike has been built for the purpose of off-road riding in all conditions and it met all my expectations. It’s a dream ride on the straight as well, in no time I managed to clock 202 km/ph, not bad for an off-road enduro machine, said Schwarz.

“Motorex KTM didn’t enter me in Finke to win the event, instead we entered as a promotional ride to test the ability of the motorcycle. We still ended up finishing 175th out of 390 entries so I’m not sure what the others were doing behind me, when we were just having fun.

“On my return from Finke to Alice Springs I passed over 40 riders so if it were our goal to have caught up with the front runners I doubt we would have had a problem.

“When I arrived back in Alice Springs I said to KTM Australia’s GM, I’ll just load it in the trailer and bring it home with me. He laughed but little did he know I was serious.

“The bike gives you a feeling to ride into the sunset and that’s what I would have rather done for my trip back home to South Australia, but instead I endured a 15 hour car drive.”

The KTM 950 Super Enduro R is the most powerful and the most performance-oriented Hard Enduro on the market. Only the best tried and true components and parts have been incorporated into this bike including WP suspension, Excel rims, Brembo brakes, and Renthal bars.

The extremely light construction results in a weight without fuel of 185 kg. Together with the bike’s 98 HP, this is an extraordinary, KTM specific weight/power ratio. The bike is powered by the lightest twin-cylinder engine in the world (KTM LC8 aggregate), which weights just 58 kg.

The KTM 950 Super Enduro R will be on dealership showroom floors by the end of the month, retailing at $19,795 plus on road costs. The bike is also backed by a 12 month parts and labour warranty. For further information on the KTM 950 Super Enduro R or to locate a dealership see www.ktm.com.au

 

KTM boys first in class at Finke Desert Race.

Motorex Shift KTM Off Road Racing’s Brad Williscroft and Jehi Willis scored top honours at the Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race on the weekend, to be the first home in each of their respective classes in the gruelling two day event.

Brad Williscroft from Cambelltown, NSW, also achieved his best results at Finke to date finishing second outright on the KTM 525 EXC, while Jehi Willis from Kooweerup, VIC finished thirteenth outright on the KTM 250 SXF.

Following his success at the Mt. Ebenezer Rally in the Northern Territory last month, Williscroft felt confident taking on the multi terrain desert country between Alice Springs and Finke, an event that saw him withdraw last year with a broken collarbone.

Taking us through his racing Brad Williscroft said, “I’m really happy to have finished Finke with such great results. It’s been three years since I have finished this race and that is complete satisfaction within itself

“I couldn’t have finished without the awesome bike set up provided on my KTM 525 by head mechanic Danny Apro, and the technical support team at Motorex KTM Factory Racing, who all backed me through each leg of the race. They were there throughout each fuel stop to encourage me and get me going.

“I had a really good run in the prologue securing the third fastest time which started me in the second group off the mark for the official race. Local guys Jason Hill and Ryan Branford got the leading start. Everyone was out to catch Jason Hill since he was the defending champion, but his race ended when his bike blew up within three minutes of the race.

“This left me chasing Ryan Branford who is only 19 years old and a local guy so he knew the terrain very well. I started to catch Branford in the whoops section but I felt something wrong with my bike so I pulled back. I thought it was the rear shock but when I pulled in for my fuel stop we checked it out and there wasn’t a problem. It wasn’t until I got going again that I realised I had a flat tyre. We use Dunlop 908 rally tyres which have a really hard side wall so you can’t visually tell if they’re flat.

“Even with the flat tyre I still hung in there and ended up catching Branford again within 50 kms of Finke. The dust tailing Branford was pretty thick reducing my vision, which caused me to miss a corner and drop the bike. This didn’t shake me but I thought I would ride smart for the remaining 50kms to hold my position, plus the head wind and cold temperatures were starting to take their toll on my body.

“On the return leg I started 25 seconds behind Branford and I decided to ease into the race to warm up a bit before we got to the whoops section, which was around 50 kms in. I planned to make my move on Branford in the whoops and attack for the lead.

“I remember picking up the pace quite a bit but then I had a really big get off, knocking myself out so badly that I can’t remember the crash or getting back on the bike, but I’d like to thank those people who helped me get going again, even though I’m not sure who they were


“I rode into my fuel stop quite dazed and Carl Fuller from Motorex KTM was unsure whether I should keep going. Carl asked me what the number was on my bike and I was able to answer so he gave me the green light to continue my race.

“By the last 100 kms I started to feel a bit better and hoped to have caught up on Branford’s lead. I pulled in for another fuel stop where, KTM Australia’s GM, Jeff Leisk was on site for extra support. Jeff told me just to bring myself and the bike home safely as Branford’s lead was too great and everyone at KTM was more than satisfied with what I had already achieved.

“Riding into Alice Springs was like a weight off my shoulders. It was three years since I had finished this race and that was a reward within itself. I was the first non Northern Territory rider home and I still managed to beat a lot of local riders. Next year I’ll return in hope of taking the top podium position.”

Also celebrating a class win was Motorex Shift KTM Off Road Racing’s Jehi Willis who took glory in being the first 250 four stroke home for the race, with an overall result of thirteenth outright.

“I entered Finke with a goal to be the first home in my class and finish within the top twenty outright, and I achieved just that, said Willis.

“In the prologue I came in 18th outright and first in my class which was better than I expected. I took off after the 450s which made a lot dust and for the first 60 kms it was pretty tough to see, but once they had made their move I pretty much had a clear run all the way to Finke.

“I passed a couple of locals in the whoops, one on a 450 and one on a 500 which shows the speed of the 250 SXF in the tough sections. I also held my own on the road section with no one passing me. On day one I got into Finke in 13th position and five minutes ahead of anyone else in my class.

“On the return leg to Alice Springs, I took off from Finke 30 seconds behind the first 450 rider Rick Hall. I ended up catching him in the whoops and passed him and another local rider, but they passed me back on the road section this time as the gap wasn’t that great. I still maintained 13th outright the entire race and rode into Finke with an overall result of first in my class.

“We entered Finke to truly test the KTM 250 SXF and it met up to all expectations coming home with flying colours.”

KTM took out four class wins in the 2006 Finke Desert Race with Brad Williscroft first on the 525 EXC in the Masters class, Jehi Willis first on the 250 SXF in the 250cc 4 stroke class, Adam Riemann first on the 200 EXC in the 200cc two stroke class and Jason Salopayers first on the 250 SX in the 201cc to 250cc two stroke class.

Full results of the Finke Desert Race are on line at www.finkedesertrace.com.au.

Stay tuned on Motorex Shift KTM Off-Road Racing’s next big outing the Australian Four Day Enduro in early July at www.ktm.com.au

 

HONDA TO DEFEND FINKE TITLE THIS WEEKEND IN THE ALICE

The Finke Desert race is set to take off again this weekend for the 31st running of the event that attracts around 500 motorcycle entries over nine classes.

The 229 km ride is a true test of mettle for two, three and four wheeled vehicles that results in a swag of DNF’s more often than not due to the incredibly harsh conditions.

Darwin police officer and Precision Honda Dealer principal, Jason Hill, knows exactly what to expect.

After competing in the race over a number of years, Hill finally took the overall honours last year in dramatic fashion aboard his CRF450 with a time of 4 hours 16 minutes and 31 seconds, roughly six minutes quicker than the winner’s overall time from 2004.

Hill will be looking to defend his title from a wide variety of other hardened desert riders including Glenn Hoffmann Honda Racing’s Ben Grabham and multiple champion Glen Bell who are both now on their way to the red centre.

In preparation for the race, Grabham - who has been busy competing in the Australian Off Road Series - recently went to the Territory to undertake testing in preparation for the iconic event.

“We found a very good set up for the Finke,” Grabham said. “I should be able to improve on last year’s fifth place finish and am aiming to take out the overall win.”

Last year, eight out of the top ten overall bike finishers were on Hondas. In addition to Hill, Ben Brooks took out third whilst another six Honda riders finished in the top echelons including Grabham’s team mate Jamie Cunningham in fourth.

Over the years the Finke has been running, Honda riders have in fact won the bike class an extraordinary 16 times.

Honda will also be there in force this year in another capacity with a group of authorized Goldwing Dealers making the four day trek from Melbourne to Alice Springs on board the manufacturer’s star touring bike.

Dealers will then participate in the Finke Desert Race ‘Support’ ride from June 10th to 13th.

For further information, please go to www.finkedesertrace.com.au

Williscroft and KTM aim high for Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race (10-12 June)

Motorex Shift KTM Off-Road Racing’s Brad Williscroft is making a return to the Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs, NT, this weekend 10-11 June on a mission to claim the number one spot.

Williscroft entered last year on board a factory modified KTM 525 EXC, where he was the hot favourite to take on past winner and local hero Jason Hill.  All was looking promising for Williscroft to challenge Hill, until the thick dust and reflection of the evening sun blinded his vision during the prologue causing a get-off, which resulted in Williscroft having to pull out with a broken collarbone.

Williscroft was shattered by the injury and has been training hard for the past 12 months to return to Finke with maximum impact.  Throughout the year Williscroft has been racing in the National Off-Road Championship along with the NSW and Victorian State based Enduro Championships.   Williscroft’s form has seen him dominate most races and finish on the podium at each event.

Leading up to Finke, Williscroft raced in the Mt. Ebenezer Enduro in the Northern Territory, covering a 45 kilometre loop repeated over four hours, where he took out the iron man class.

Commenting on his win and preparation for Finke Williscroft said, “Mt. Ebenezer was a good start to prepare myself for the dry and dusty conditions of the Northern Territory.

“I’ve been in Alice Springs now for over a week testing the factory KTM 525 EXC with guidance from the Motorex KTM Factory Racing Team to ensure everything runs smoothly.  I’m feeling fit and confident to take the win this year and surprisingly I have a lot of the locals wanting to see me take the win.  It must be after the bad luck I’ve had in previous years.

“The competition will be tough but I’m ready for the challenge.  Finke is a sprint race from start to finish and I’m not afraid to hold it on full throttle to ensure I maintain the lead.  Hopefully luck will come my way this year as I’ve worked hard enough for it.  Jason Hill won’t be my only tough competition, there are a few international guests being flown out by factory teams who will have world championship experience, so it really will be a battle to the end.”

Also, joining Brad under the Motorex Shift KTM Off-Road Racing banner will be team mate Jehi Willis.

The Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race is an off road, multi terrain two-day race through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) Community. The race crosses the Finke River, believed to be the oldest river in the world.   For further information on the Finke Desert Race log onto www.finkedesertrace.com.au. 

Stay tuned on Motorex Shift KTM Off-Road Racing team results at www.ktm.com.au

Photo: gobadirt.com