Congratulations Greg Gartner and Jamie Jennings who take the checked flag for the Buggies, their return leg – 226 km in 1hr and 54 min. The Kittle brothers second, Hicks and Braitling third.
In the Bikes and Quads – Ben Grabham 1st in 2hrs, 2nd Jarrod Bewly, 3rd Ryan Branford.
The decks of the XXXX Retreat gradually fill with the drivers and riders who need to wash down the dust with a cold-gold. It takes a good 4hrs for the competitors to cross the line. A unique thing about the Finke race is it’s not just high-end, sponsored drivers/riders – it’s open to anyone who registers. Competitors of all ages wander the grounds – some limping from that old knee or lower back thing, others wide-eyed from their first outing. The Finke vibe is regardless of competition levels. The thousands who camp along its route and the hundreds who cheer at the start/finish support, equally, those taking part in Australia’s largest dust-chewing endurance race.
Finke track announcer: ‘The greatest race in the greatest place’
Immediately after the bar shuts and the crowds adjourn to various shindigs in town, the three of us pack up the truck like ninjas. Trying to get as much done before dark and the temperature drops.
Some weird electrical issues back at the motel – that plastic thing you get from reception to shove in that slot next to the light switch in our room is, only today, cutting power from the wall sockets. If removed the power comes back but the air-con stops. The cruel choice becomes light versus warmth.
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