Monday 14th June

Day 2 Finke race

We were woken early at camp Finke by the cars taking off early on the track back to Alice. We heard the roar of Toby Prices trophy truck roaring down the track.

Fortunately it was not a really cold night but all the same it was so warm when we crawled into the roof top camper that we really hadn’t enough warmth organised for the early morning. Finally we unpacked a sleeping bag in the wee hours and spread it warmly over us for a little more warm snugly sleep, listening to the cars roar down the nearby Finke track.

Camp Finke in the early light

Walter was up early and set the fire going so it was already boiling water by the time we emerged. Breakfast and a warm cuppa was great. The BH boys headed off to the catering tent on their bikes while the rest of us sat around the fire making toast and tea.

Then it was all on for packing up camp and insuring the bikes were set and ready to go. I taped up Roy's hands to prevent blisters etc. packed up the roof top tent and all the bits and pieces into the car. Stocked up Roy’s camelback with sandwich, protein bars and plenty to drink, 2-way radio and phone. Grabbed a few more team photos for the album.

M8's racing team ready for race day 2

Just after after 10am the boys headed off for riders sign on.

Roy and Rich ready to head up to the start line

Off to the start line.

 I went for a short walk with Linda and Chris up onto the ridge where I took a few photos. A long way to come without taking some moments to enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

The riders had several hours to while away before the expected start time which involved taking a few souvenir photos. Little did we know that the start wouldn't happen and the bike race day 2 would sadly be cancelled.

Waiting for the start, day 2 at Finke.

We, the support teams, headed out onto the road to Kulgera in convoy, Walt, Graeme and Chris, and Linda and I. It takes about an hour and a half on the red sand road. Dust is a real problem with any traffic that you either catch or that passes you. We made a brief pit stop at Kulgera where Linda bought a ginger beer to justify use of the facilities.

Back on to the Stuart highway back to Alice for 60-odd km to meet up with the others at Erldunda. After filling up with diesel I received a message from Roy that the race back to Alice was cancelled due to an on-track incident.

We all sat at the outside tables with food and drink and gradually we were able to use our phones to find more information on news outlets, and discovered that a spectator had been killed on track, resulting in cancellation of the bike section of the race. I picked up a phone message from Roy that transport of the 550 bikes was being organised by police and we would meet them back at the track start in Alice. Walt used Chris's phone to let his mum know that Rich was OK, and we all posted information on social media and sent texts to let people know that our riders and teams were all OK.

We all got back on the highway, it’s about 3 hours from Kulgera to the track start at Alice Springs,  with a 130km speed limit. Back at the track around 4pm we heard that the bikes were all riding back, released in groups of 70, creating “carnage” on the track, and expected back at Alice around 5pm.

The bikes did start arriving around 5pm but were a couple of hours coming in dribs and drabs. I managed to take video of both Roy and Rich crossing the finish line, looking very dirty with red dust. 

Roy crossing the finishing line.

Rich crossing the finishing line.

Finally and successfully back at the finish line, Alice Springs

Graeme had beer waiting for them and they took the bikes back and loaded them onto the cars, returning to pick up their ‘survivor' spikes at the track. The usual gala event was cancelled. A very sad and disappointing end to the day for a lot of people, not least those involved in the fatal accident and their families.

The coveted 'survivors' spike for race completion.

Back to our accommodation for a quick change and shower before heading out to the Gap View hotel for dinner then home for a good sleep!