The Finke Desert Race is the largest of its kind in Australia and the annual 250km two-day event has been running for more than 20 years. Each year hundreds of competitors from all over Australia travel down the old Ghan Railway and end their race in the Aboriginal community of Finke.

More than 500 motorcycles and quads, accompanied by 80 cars and buggies, joined in this year’s race, with more than 12,000 spectators camping overnight on the track to get a glimpse of the competitors as they passed by.

Two Esperance competitors entered this years Finke Desert Race. Sixty-two year old Trevor Halt, who has competed for five years, ran into some trouble when he had a fall and was hurt. Even though he was injured he continued to race for over 100km, but eventually decided to withdraw from the race early.

This was Mr Halt’s first Did Not Finish (DNF) in five years, but he plans to compete in the race again next year.

Paul Mack from Esperance ran 53rd overall and won first place in the 250cc two-stroke division with his Honda CR250 motorbike, of which he said, “It just never gave up.

“It was awesome to see so many competitors join in to make this one of the largest off road events in Australia.”