The Tatts Finke Desert Race, Australia’s biggest off-road, multi-terrain race has confirmed the entry open dates and criteria for the 2023 event.
Australia’s ultimate desert race will see competitors in both bike and car categories compete in the two-day, 452km event from Friday 9 June – Monday 12 June.
Entries will open for bike competitors on Wednesday, February 1 at 9.30 am ACST with car entries opening on Thursday, March 1.
The 2022 event saw 883 competitors start the race across all categories, with 551 bike and 332 car competitors taking on the gruelling 226km trek to Finke (Aputula) and back – with over 85% of entrants coming from interstate.
Headlining the list of returning bike category winners include Alice Springs local and fan favourite David Walsh, who is gunning for his fourth consecutive King of the Desert title. Walsh smashed the existing race record time in 2022 on his way to being crowned King of the Desert for the third straight year; one of only four riders to achieve the feat.
After winning the event in 2003, Darren Griffiths will compete 20 years following his triumph, with other King of the Desert winners, Ben Grabham (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) and Ryan Branford (2006) also confirmed to compete.
Finke Desert Race President Antony Yoffa is excited for the event to return bigger and better in 2023.
“After a tough couple of years throughout the pandemic, we saw a strong entry field return last year,” said Mr. Yoffa.
“We are expecting to see strong numbers again for the 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race with the Committee expecting the entry field to return to full capacity.
“It is great to see previous winners in David Walsh, Ben Grabham, Ryan Branford, and Darren Griffiths return in 2023 with many more past winners in both categories to be announced as we draw closer to the event”.
“The event is the heartbeat of the Alice Springs community across the Kings Birthday long weekend, and we can’t wait to put on another entertaining event for our passionate and devoted fans.”
After the introduction of minimum competitor driving and riding standards last year, event organisers have confirmed that these same regulations will be in place for the 2023 event. Other event changes are listed in the Official supplementary regulations available here.
