Finke 2016
 

Well, its over for another year, and an interesting event it was this year.

For the uninitiated:

The hype was around Toby Price. Won Finke 4 times on a bike. Won Dakar this year at his second attempt. Tried his hand to equal the all time Finke record holder this year (Randall Gregory) with 5 wins on bikes, but had to 'one-up' himself and have a go at the Ironman (which is to run in both car and bike categories on the same weekend). He's never driven the trophy truck in Finke, and rolled it the day before qualifying while testing it out.

So he started at 18th off the grid in the trophy truck. Races to Finke - gets there in 5th. Fly back to Alice by light aircraft. Gets on a bike. Qualifies on pole position, leads the bikes out yesterday, fastest into Finke on bike.

Fast forward to today. Price races into Alice in second place, first in his class (extreme 2wd) and 2minutes off the winners (Glen Owen/Matthew Ryan). Then jumps on a plane and flies back to Finke. Hops on his bike and races back to Alice again to win the bikes with a 2minute gap to 2nd place (Tye Simmonds).

I had a last minute call to occupy a sweep vehicle position, so I got to drive off the start line yesterday (launched off the line - threw some rooster tails onto the town mayor - still hoping someone got video of that) I'll try to put some video up when I figure out how.

Ahh. Brings back memories.
I tell my family that I used to race in this event back in the mid seventies, but their un enthusiastic response indicates to me that they think that I am full of it.
I'd love to get over to one of them with the family once before I fall off the perch.:)