Ryland Burt will have one thing on his mind when he attends the Tatts Finke Desert Race this month and that will be to finish.
Behind the wheel of a GRC prepared Can-Am alongside navigator Jacynta Jenkins, Burt will be taking on the challenging event on four-wheels for the second time in the hopes of improving from last year.
In the 2021 edition of the famous desert race, Burt was unable to make it down to Finke after his car caught on fire due to a flex joint near the turbo breaking.
It was a bitter end to his Finke campaign, however the Queenslander vowed to return this year and complete the event and he gives every chance to do so after acquiring a newly built Can-Am following of from last year’s race.
Burt will also enter the event full of confidence after an impressive performance in the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship’s season opener in March.
It was highly consistent outing in the Cobb & Co Hotel St George 399 saw Burt enjoy a top 10 finish in the KINCROME SXS Motorsport Australia Championship and 24th outright.
Ahead of the premier off road racing event, the former rider was excited to return in the new car alongside his old set of wheels that has since been refurbished.
“Finke is the big one and we’re really looking forward to it. We were there last year and only got to 170km mark on the way down due to the car catching fire, which was pretty scary,” Burt said.
“Hence why we have the new car and we have a fire bomb in there now so I am more relaxed and I am loving the new 2021 Can-Am that GRC built.
“Definitely keen to finish Finke. That’s all we want to do. Everyone in this sport is probably the same. Just get there and back. Really looking forward to it.
“We will be there again with the two cars as I have given the car to a mate and it’s fully rebuilt, both a new engine and fixed it up which is cool.
“The difference between cars and bikes is like chalk and cheese. The bikes are great. The people who ride down the track flat out are incredible, but the buggies are pretty special too. I am really looking forward to going there and hopefully finishing there.”
The Tatts Finke Desert Race takes place between Alice Springs and the Aputula Community (Finke) on 10-13 June.
Photo: Terry Hill Photography
