Letting the inner bogan loose at the Finke Desert Rally.

It was such an unplanned adventure but we are so glad we came. WOW! The Finke Desert Rally is certainly something to experience. Cars, buggies and motorbikes racing at speeds well over 100km on a rough dirt track with the possibility of cows (and errant spectators) wandering into the track. A place were you can free camp anywhere you like along the track, pull up a camp chair and cheer along the riders without a safety barrier in sight. A race where riders are so determined to complete the challenge they ride with broken arms, panels falling off their cars and only rims on their motorbikes. It was certainly an unexpected highlight and we all had such a great time over the 4 nights we camped out on the Finke Desert Rally track. 

We headed out to camp on the track on Thursday after meeting Henry in Alice Springs. It was great to see him again and the kids were certainly very excited that Opa had come to see them. After a few practise riders went by in the early evening we had a very quiet, but extremely cold, night out in the bush. Winter had certainly hit and we were glad of the flannel pjs we got that day at Kmart!

We explored the area on Friday, with Jackson very happy with the 'treasures' he found (debris from past races including pieces from bike helmets and racing gear, car badges and sections of the old Ghan railway track which was part of the Finke Race track). On Friday evening we went to the Start/Finish line and checked out all the vehicles competing in the race. The kids got inundated with posters, balloons, lollies and stickers from all the sponsors. Jackson even got a signed poster from the grid girls but got so embarrassed when they tried to give it to him that Daniel had to step in and get it (poor thing!).

On Saturday it was the time trials and we got our first taste of the speed of these cars, buggies and motorbikes. We spent a few hours at various vantage points watching them push their vehicles to incredible speeds. It was getting busy when we arrived back at our camp spot in the early afternoon but thankfully the people camped near us had decent taste in music and didn't go as wild as I am sure some campers did over this long weekend.

We awoke early on Sunday and sat by the fire awaiting the first cars. At around 7.30am they began zooming by, coming past in about 1 min intervals all morning. We ate our breakfast whist cheering the drivers on and marvelling at their speeds. By late morning the motorbike riders began and put on another show for us. It was incredible to be so close and the sound of them roaring along the track was unforgettable. 

Cleary we forgot the fireworks that seemed to be a prerequisite for everyone camping along the track. Fireworks went off all around us on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Not just mediocre fireworks either, they would rival many New Years Eve displays. We sat in awe around our campfire watching the spectacle take place in all directions (gotta love the 'no rules' attitude of NT).

Anyway on Monday we were again spoilt with another spectacular race. The front runner roared past at around 9am and we had a steady stream of cars, buggies and motorbikes until we left at 3pm.

The car winner, Glen Owen, completed the 460km (230km each way done over 2 days) track in just over 3.5 hours.  On the motorbikes Toby Price got his fifth Finke win and he also took our second place in the cars. He actually drove a car in the event then got helicoptered back to the start line to ride his motorbike! Incredible and he is certainty the talk of the town here in Alice!

Anyway as you can see from the photos we certainly got to experience it up close and it was an event we will never forget. Thanks Henry for the suggestion to meet you here, it was definitely worth the 2000km drive over from Karratha.

Vrooom, Vrooom 

Jackson with his fave at the scrutineering.

Millie liked this little one (and Jackson decided he wanted to be in the photo too).

Checking out some of the 300 or so bikes.

The Start/Finish Line for the race.

One of the competitors at the prologue time trials.

Perfect viewing point to watch the cars zoom by during the time trials.

Morning 1 - eating breakfast by the fire watching the buggies zoom by - what a vantage point!

It was such a good view from up on top of the car......

...that Jackson decided to eat his breakfast up there while watching the race.

One of the first motorbike riders - they went so fast past us.

Emilia got very excited when the bikes came around the corner and the riders 'rode one legged'. She screamed out every time ' they are riding with only one leg Mum!'.

Another great view.

Overtaking...Emilia waving her flag (from a sponsor) to encourage the rider to overtake (this was exciting to see when in happened in front of us).

Getting excited waving her flag again.

The first buggy on day 2, he was the winner in his class. He completed the course in 3hrs 37 min (460km in total over 2 days).

One of the cars powering past - we certainly had a front row view, complete with mouthfuls of dust!

Half of the back panel was hanging off this car, they still managed to come third though.

I had my finger positioned on the camera (which was on a tripod) but I was ready to run if the cars got too close (this one was a bit out of control and gave me a scare - but I still managed a good shot!).

Jackson's favourite car skidded wildly down the track when it came through in 15th place.

This buggy actually went up the edge of the track (you can see my shadow in front!).

We had an incredible camp spot, with a ripper view of the track.

Cheering on the motorbikes.

MONO

Many of the bikes did small jumps as they went past us which certainly added to the excitement.

The riders must certainly have some stamina (and amazing quad muscles) - most were standing when they rode past.

Airborne - love this shot.

They kicked up a heap of dust but thankfully our camp was upwind.