Hometown hero David Walsh (#1) has sealed his fifth straight King of the Desert crown, keeping off his competitors on Race Day 2 at the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race.
Clocking an overall race time of 3 hours, 38 minutes and 12.58 seconds, Walsh’s five consecutive wins writes him into the history books as only the second rider to win five straight races, alongside his idol Randall Gregory.
“I knew these boys were going to be charging at me but knew I had to cruise home and be safe,” said Walsh after the mammoth 452 kilometre race.
“It’s pretty cool to match Randall Gregory, he was an idol of mine growing up and is a hero of mine, never thought I would do this.
“It was nasty, it always is and that’s Finke and that’s what makes this the best race in the country.”
Trailing Walsh to the finish and storming home was good friend Callum Norton (#2) who maintained second place on the return journey to Alice Springs.
“That was brutal and that was the hardest fought second place I have had for sure,” Norton said after crossing the line at 3:38:59.44.
“That track was really square edge and with the moisture this week it was tough so was just hanging on for dear life there at the end but it was great fun.
“We’re still young so hopefully we can catch Walshy one day but see what happens.”
Only a minute separated Norton and Korey Mcmahon (#4), who rounded out the podium in third.
“Happy to be on the podium for the first time and good first race on the 500,” an elated Mcmahon said.
“Was trying to race towards Cal as knew he was coming behind so I was just keeping eyes forward and looking where he was at the pit stops.
“Body is fine, we do a lot of training for this race, we do it there and back each weekend.”
Full results from the car category for the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race can be viewed here.
Held on the King’s Birthday Long Weekend (June 7 – June 10, 2024) the 2024 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.
For more information and details on the event please visit: https://www.finkedesertrace.com.au/
