The Tatts Finke Desert Race has reached its maximum capacity of entries for cars within the first day of being open.
Heralded as the biggest off road race in Australia, a full field of 165 crews will battle it out for the iconic King of the Desert title and for vital points in the third round of the 2022 BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC).
This year’s star-studded entry list features a number of impressive names with reigning car champion Toby Price and six-time winner Shannon Rentsch among those heading to the Northern Territory.
Price and Rentsch aren’t the only former Kings of the Desert to have locked in their place for the famous race either with five-time winners David Fellows and Mark Burrows, two-time winner Hayden Bentley and former single champions Greg Gartner, Glenn Owen and Brad Gallard also entered.
Outside of the drivers to have experienced glory in previous years, there are plenty of other high-profile individuals looking to secure their maiden victory.
Last year’s runner-up Josh Howells and WA superstar Beau Robinson lead that charge, while Brad Gallard, Glen Towers and Matt Hanson are other names to keep an eye on.
Highly respected Australian motorsport outfit Walkinshaw Performance will also turn heads this year via its two crews, led by Warren Luff and David Kermond, entered in the event.
Click here to view the entry list.
With such a strong entry list, Tatts Finke Race Desert Race President Antony Yoffa was thrilled with the interest in the 2022 edition.
“It’s fantastic to once again see interest peak in the car category with all 165 spots quickly filling up on Tuesday ahead of the race in June,” Yoffa said.
“With last year’s event impacted by COVID restrictions on some interstate competitors, this year will see an unrestricted car field in Round 3 of the expanded Australian Off Road Championship.
“We are delighted to welcome back eight of our past nine King of the Desert’s, including Toby Price who will be looking to go back-to-back in the cars but will face stiff competition from six-time winner Shannon Rentsch, who returns to Finke after a three-year hiatus.”
Any crews hopeful of competing in Finke can still register their interest in the event, with competitors now placed on a waiting list.
Click here to enter and join the waiting list.
Taking place over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, the 46th edition of the event will see crews race from Alice Springs to the Aputula Community (Finke) on a 225-kilometre course made up of mixed terrain featuring, before making their way back up the following day.
The 2022 Tatts Finke Desert Race takes place in Alice Springs and the Aputula Community on 7-10 June.