Toby Price attempted the near-impossible at the 2018 Tatts Finke Desert Race, with his sights set on victory in the car and bike classes.
It was an encouraging start on the opening day of running on Sunday, with the lead in the bike class and second outright in the Extreme 2WD class.
Monday was bitter-sweet for Price, with a power steering failure in the opening section of running. Price then elected to retire his Geiser Truck and helicopter back to Finke to eventually win his sixth Finke crown aboard a KTM bike.
Price’s team had overnight completed a herculean effort to replace the gearbox before Monday morning’s start.
“Unfortunately we didn’t make it back to Finke in the Red Bull Trophy Truck due to a power steering failure,” Price said.
“We didn’t leave a stone unturned last night and our Toby Price Motorsport team gave it a red hot crack to get me on that start line.”
It wasn’t smooth sailing in the bike class either, with a fall just 100 kilometres from the finish line. Though Price had enough time in reserve to win his sixth Finke Desert Race, from only nine attempts.
The KTM Australia Rider finished the race in just under four hours in total, over 10 minutes ahead of the next rider.
“We’re pumped… the race was definitely hard on us, we had a little bit of get off around the 100 kilometre mark coming home,” Price said.
“Overall I’m stoked. Six wins on the bike for KTM and it’s amazing that we’ve got the record for all-time wins in that category.
“Unfortunately we didn’t go as well in the truck category for the ‘Iron Man’ double blowing a power steering pump. All in all it was good times, and I’m happy everything is all wrapped up for the weekend.
“Time to kick back and relax a little bit and celebrate with the team.”
