2024 FINKE DESERT RACE

There’s something special about Finke. Sure, there’s other desert races, like Hattah, which is also supremely cool, but nothing quite captures the imagination like Finke.

The Finke Desert Race has long been dominated by Toby Price, but with his absence this year it was a race for the ages, with David Walsh taking the win on his KTM 500 EXC-F in a total time of 3 Hours, 38 Minutes and 12.583 seconds. Callum Norton finished 2nd, also KTM mounted, with Korey McMahon finishing 3rd on his Gas Gas, less than 2 minutes behind the winner.

The course itself is legendary. Riders face deep sand, whoops, rocks, dry riverbeds, and bulldust patches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Despite these challenges—or maybe because of them—Finke continues to attract a broad mix of amateurs, legends, and professional riders each year. It is a race where sheer determination matters as much as raw speed.

The event has long been dominated by Toby Price, a two-time Dakar Rally champion and Finke’s most famous name. His absence this year left the door wide open, turning the 2024 edition into a nail-biting battle. David Walsh seized the moment, taking the win on his KTM 500 EXC-F with a total time of 3 hours, 38 minutes and 12.583 seconds. Walsh, a local Alice Springs hero and Finke veteran, showed once again why he is one of the toughest competitors in desert racing.

Callum Norton put in an equally impressive ride to claim second place, also KTM-mounted, proving he is a force to watch in the years to come. Korey McMahon rounded out the podium on his GasGas, finishing less than two minutes behind Walsh, capping off one of the tightest finishes in recent memory.

But Finke is not just about podiums. It is a celebration of outback grit, community spirit, and motorsport passion. From the thousands of spectators who camp along the dusty track days in advance, to the volunteers who make the race possible, the energy surrounding Finke is unmatched. Campfires, swags, red dust, and cheering locals create an atmosphere that is both raw and electric.

For many, simply finishing the Finke is a badge of honor. Machines and bodies are pushed to the absolute limit, and stories of mechanical drama, crashes, and wild saves travel just as fast as the race bikes. The camaraderie and bush mechanics are as much a part of the experience as the racing itself.

With another successful chapter now written, anticipation is already building for the 2025 Finke Desert Race. Whether you’re racing, spectating, or bench-racing from afar, Finke is the kind of event that gets under your skin—and stays there.