Finke desert race .

Bomber2012

Well-Known Member
A mate of mine has invited me to join him on a trip to the Finke Desert Race , I’ve heard of the race before and it sounds like a fantastic trip . Has anyone on the forum been to the race before and what to expect , what are the camping facilities? Is there much in the town .... a pub etc ? I’m still undecided on whether to go or not as travelling that far it would be silly not to take in the surrounding area and attractions on the way . Any info on the race would be appreciated.
 

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
I went to the last race and was also invited by a mate. You just camp on the side of the track anywhere that takes your fancy between Alice and Finke.
It is crazy how fast they can go on a dirt / sand track
 

mikehzz

Well-Known Member
Get there by going up the Oodnadatta track then through Mt Dare. A trip out to Chambers Pillar is worth it too.
Hey @Albynsw, do they race on the winding narrow track you can see snaking around alongside the main dirt track?
 

discomatt

Well-Known Member
Is there much in the town ..
There is a sign that says not white people past here, there are bars on all winsows, bars on every shelf in the servo that the attendant unlocks the cage and retrieves any goods you want and padlocks on the fuel pumps that they also unlock for you, oh nearly forgot the toilet is also locked which they will unlock for you.
Apartheid alive and well in our own country
Stopped in there after doing ood. then Mt Dare and Lamberts Center to get fuel, its an interesting place, NOT, couldn't leave fast enough
 

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
Get there by going up the Oodnadatta track then through Mt Dare. A trip out to Chambers Pillar is worth it too.
Hey @Albynsw, do they race on the winding narrow track you can see snaking around alongside the main dirt track?

Yes that is it, the race track follows the main road, you can camp and stand as close to the track as you are game

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mikehzz

Well-Known Member
It must be a time trial, you couldn't do proper racing on that little track. With all the humps and twists on some parts they must be airborne a lot of the time. :)
 

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
There is a sign that says not white people past here, there are bars on all winsows, bars on every shelf in the servo that the attendant unlocks the cage and retrieves any goods you want and padlocks on the fuel pumps that they also unlock for you, oh nearly forgot the toilet is also locked which they will unlock for you.
Apartheid alive and well in our own country
Stopped in there after doing ood. then Mt Dare and Lamberts Center to get fuel, its an interesting place, NOT, couldn't leave fast enough

You should get a job with Alice Tourism Matt lol
It is an unusual place that ranges from a casino to getting served alcohol through bars on the shop window. If you leave your vehicle parked in the street you will most likely get to test out your windscreen cover with your insurance company. But it is quite safe if you stay at the appropriate places

It is worth visiting just the same, I will spend the night there next week
 

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
It must be a time trial, you couldn't do proper racing on that little track. With all the humps and twists on some parts they must be airborne a lot of the time. :)

They are doing well over 100klms on that it is ridiculous to watch and the skill level of the riders is amazing. I saw a bike rider go past with no back tyre and was just running on his rim and he was still overtaking other riders :oops:
There are lots of crashes and injuries, the medics in helicopters and 4wds are working hard.
We tuned into their channel and it isn’t pretty

Definitely worth seeing at least once, I was invited to go again this year but have ticked that event on my bucket list.
 

hulsty

Active Member
Did it a couple of years back, crossed the Simo, did Finke and sights around Alice to Ayres rock, home via the Oodnadatta track and Flinders rangers.

As above, camped trackside, no facilities. For the couple of nights beforehand we stayed at the Big4 in Alice, make sure to lock up everything.

Race was fantastic, from the top bikes and trucks all the way down to the class 8 battlers.
 

Les PK Ranger

4x4 Earth Contributer
the race track follows the main road, you can camp and stand as close to the track as you are game

Avoid those tight outside bends !

I've driven Finke - ASP a couple of times around Finke race dates, before when people were setting up, after when the road north was atrocious from traffic.

It'd be fun to do this sometime, though a long way for an event, and the Simpson (or any direction) is heavy with traffic coming / going if a crossing is planned in too.

The do go like the blazes, YouTube > Finke desert races and watch some great skills and spills.

One of our members here @Trophy truck 481 builds and races his buggies there, not sure if James is still about here, expect so.
 

billolga

4x4 Earth Contributer
The time trials held just out of Alice before the race was the best for me.
I was there in 2015 for the 40th Anniversary & they had a race with all the winners they could muster (Some with there original Bikes) all "Racing" together. Half a Km before the finish they all stopped, gathered & all crossed together - Magic! (The youngest winners helped push the old bikes for a start)
If you head across the Simpson just before the Race it's a mad house with bikes flying past you.(A couple of hundred Bikes with Unimogs as well)
 

cookie64

4x4 Earth Contributer
Luke, been there a couple of times close to the race, some people get there very early to get the best spots and they are well organised, big gazebos, big eskies & lots of firewood. A lot of the communities you are not allowed / supposed to carry alcohol or pornography, they are relatively safe during the day but camp well away at night time is my advice.

You would be crazy not to sieze the opportunity you will have a blast, make sure you make a good trip of it though, Chambers Pillar is sensational but don't venture into Maryvale proper, the servo is good but the last time I was there the phone box had been damaged.

A crossing of the Simpson would be a must do, heck why not cross French Line one way and Rig Road the other, coming out at Warburton Crossing and say hello to Phil at Mungerannie.

Don't leave anything laying around as there is some opportunistic types of all persuasions.

Enjoy yourself mate

cheers
 

rogerazz

4x4 Earth Contributer
Yeah. Never been there but sounds scary hey? Did go to my brother's future brother in law's Bucks night up at Benalla Racecourse one Saturday night a few years ago now. Yep, blacks, white, Truckies, Railway blokes, whatever, it was a great free for all, sorry event. Few broken bones but not really bad. Got back to town and the bloke getting married smacked my brother , who was to be his best man next weekend. I got involved and things went a bit hairy.
Sorted out the next day after a couple of early morning long necks and reception went real good next week.
Yeah! gotta be careful, cause you never know what the go is out there in the bush. :).
 

Trophy truck 481

Active Member
i've raced the Finke 10+ times in a Pro buggy
get's a little unnerving at how close some of the spectators get on the track
the town of Alice will be fully booked out, get in early to buy your grogg etc
there's 165 car & 650+ bikes racing

this is me on my way to 5th for prologue & 5th outright for the race
 

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discomatt

Well-Known Member
You should get a job with Alice Tourism Matt lol
It is an unusual place that ranges from a casino to getting served alcohol through bars on the shop window. If you leave your vehicle parked in the street you will most likely get to test out your windscreen cover with your insurance company. But it is quite safe if you stay at the appropriate places

It is worth visiting just the same, I will spend the night there next week
Old thread ,old post but was referring to the town of Fink not Alice, Alice certainly has some issues but well worth a visit, just don’t leave single item of any value in sight that will give any opportunity to steal it and don’t walk the streets to late at night
 

joshinthecity

Active Member
Old thread ,old post but was referring to the town of Fink not Alice, Alice certainly has some issues but well worth a visit, just don’t leave single item of any value in sight that will give any opportunity to steal it and don’t walk the streets to late at night
Sounds delightful....
 

John U

Well-Known Member
i've raced the Finke 10+ times in a Pro buggy
get's a little unnerving at how close some of the spectators get on the track
the town of Alice will be fully booked out, get in early to buy your grogg etc
there's 165 car & 650+ bikes racing

this is me on my way to 5th for prologue & 5th outright for the race
Great picture. That rear left is getting a workout.
 
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