Sunday - Commentary...Finke Desert Race...Off Road Racing in Australia ....

2010 Tattersall's Finke Desert Race Round 2 - 2010 Australian Off Road Championship Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th and Monday 14th, June 2010 Alice Springs, NT Typed Commentary - Sunday 13th June 2010 Alice Springs to Finke, 240km Times listed are Central Standard Time. This page should refresh itself every three minutes, or you can click Refresh page any time you like.
2:52pm	With all the cars now accounted for we here at offroadracing.com.au are excited about our debut broadcast of Behind the Wheel. Tune in at 7:00 CST as we do a wrap up of the days happenings. We'll have reports from the Finke camp/pits, recorded interviews with the drivers and a great panel of off road personalities to keep you entertained. If you're in Alice Springs, drop into Sporties Cafe and Restaurant and have a look, order dinner or have a drink. If you're at home listening in, we'll be doing an email competition, or just email your thoughts and feedback to live@offroadracing.com.au. We look forward to your comments. PMD Race Products have kindly help the broadcast of Behind the Wheel providing the microphones and mixer needed for the coverage. offroadracing.com.au would also like to thank the kind generosity of Extreme Motorsport for the sponsorship of all the LIVE broadcasting from the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race. Their support has made this possible, so please support them.
2:43pm	Brad Prout #9 and the Prout Racing team are changing the gearbox in the Jimco 2010 buggy. Prout had no fourth gear for most of the 225 race. They're also going to make adjustments to the suspension as the Jimco is not handling in the well in the rough, its kicking and bucking around according to the team. Brad of couse is now well known for his misfortune at the 2009 Tattersall's Finke Desert Race when, while leading the event, was lucky to escape the buggy as it erupted into flames. Brad sat out the remainder of the 2009 champioship while waiting for his new Jimco to be built in the states. It landed in Australian on the Australia Day long weekend. Brad will be one to watch tomorrow as he makes his way through the field heading to Alice Springs.
2:38pm	Bernard Gwynne and Jason Phillips #441 in the Chevrolet 1992 Silverado truck made it to the finish line rattling and clunking as they went. They had a split fuel tank which they fixed on the track earlier and then when they pulled up after the finish line oil was spewing out of the diff, a result of a very large hole.
2:35pm	The tustle in the Production 4WD class in on for young and old, literally. Young guns (something under 20) Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #701 in the Chapmans Off Road Racing Mitsubishi 2009 Triton Ute are defending their 2009 number one class crown against multiple Production 4WD class champion Geoff Pickering (sixty something) and Dylan Watson #702 in the Mitsubishi 2004 Pajero. Dylan is the son of Glenn Watson, Geoff's long time navigator who stepped out of the Pajero a couple of years ago. Pickering had back problems last year and was not able to race as much as he'd have liked and was unable to compete at Round 1 because it clashed with a dealership meeting. Pickering was first into Finke today with Chapman not far behind. Clayton said that his rear springs were no good in the whoops and Geoff just drove away from him finishing overall for the day 4 minutes infront of Clayton on outright time. Clayton and Adam attended the Australian Institute of Sport Young Drivers program directly after Round 1 at Hyden and both said they found it very interesting and learnt alot. There is a 'boxacise' story which they'd prefer we didn't share, so make sure you ask then next time you see them at the track. Tomorrows race back to Alice Springs should be exciting for these two teams who are both wanting to lock down class championship points.
2:24pm	Peter Stevenson and Steve Barrington #248 in the Havachat Off Road Racing Hunter Rivmasta 1992 Buggy from Portland south west Victoria made it to Finke but with dramas. The Havachat Rivmasta had a flat tyre at 70km mark, then a broken front shock absorber at the 90km point. The crew used whatever the could find to fix the Rivmasta and according to Stevo "drove the clackers out of it" and make it to Finke. Local racer Bill Yan #50 said on arrival at Finke "I didn't have any dramas, I wasn't in a hurry, I was just out there enjoying the drive. And for the guys at home my bum doesn't hurt" We here in the media centre aren't quite sure what that means but it must be an Alice Springs private joke.
2:18pm	Flat Tyres seem to be the story of the day with Nev Taylor and Hayley Hutton #6 in the Rockstar Team Taylor Jimco 2000 series buggy suffering a flat tyre due to failure in the rim. The team did a quick change and drove to the finish. "Fantastic, and I've still got 4WD" said Rob Chapman when he arrived at Finke today. Rod and navigator Ross Challacombe #802 in the Chapmans Off Road Racing Mitsubishi 1998 Pajero Wagon did most of the ARB Pinjarra Engineering Hyden 450 in 2WD so would are happy the Pajero has held up for round 2.
2:14pm	Andrew Kittle and Simon Amos #14 in the second of the Peter Kittle Motorsports Jimco 2010 buggy made it to Finke. An excellent effort for the budding young driver. Andrew is no strange to the Finke track navigating Dave Fellows to the last two victories. Andrew and Simon's race wasn't an easy one though, suffering three flat tyres on the 225 trek to Finke. The #14 Jimco struggled across the finish line on three wheel, but have secured a starting position for tomorrows race back to Alice Springs.
1:52pm	The crew of Stuart and Jim Zlotowski #811 in the Subaru 1990 Brumby are reported out of todays racing at the 65km point with no drivers side wheel. Ken Callanan and Sarah Kerr #860 in the Suzuki 1985 Ute are reported out of racing with a broken axle approx 81 km from Finke.
1:50pm	Colin Hunter and Simon Campbell #801 in the Hunter Racing Jeep 1998 Grand Cherokee are reported out of racing with transmission failure at 85km mark.
1:49pm	The crew of Travis Bettineschi and Mark Sloan #499 in the Nissan 1990 Navaraare are reported as being out of racing time for today. Chris Mingay and Matthew Mingay #507 in the Ford 2002 Ranger are reported out of todays racing for unknown reasons, approx 58km from start. Terry and Mitchell Poulsen #733 in the Nissan Patrol 1998 GQ are reported out of todays racing with a broken diff at 11km mark. The crew of Bill Monkhouse and Andrew Booker #755 in the Suzuki 2006 Vitaraare reported out of todays racing with a broken drive shaft at 125km mark.
1:45pm	Daniel Attard #420 in the Ford 150 2004 is reported out of the today's racing with diff issues at 141km mark. The second team Attard car of Wayne and Matt Attard #448, the Chevrolet 2008 are reported out of todyays racing with fuel issues at 142km. Not at good day for the Sydney based team.
1:33pm	Don't forget to tune in at 7:00pm CST tonight for 'behind the wheel'. The days wrap up of all the goings on at Sporties Cafe and Restaurant with Rusty and Jodie Bell, Murray Rogers, and Darren and Glenn Wells with guest appearances and recorded interviews with the drivers from Finke.
1:32pm	Still processing DNF will update shortly. Juggling phones and radios here.
1:25pm	Greg Gartner and Jamie Jennings #410 in the Gartner Racing Ford 2004 F150 are reported out of today's racing event and travelling on access road to Finke.
1:03pm	Colin and Sharon Hyde #364 in the VW Southern Cross Buggy are reported out of the event at Fuel stop 2 The crew of Dean and Brad Miller #408 in the Toyota 2009 Hilux Itundraare reported out and making their way to Finke
1:02pm	Andrew Sollitt and Beauchamp John #164 in the Sollittco 2001 are reported out of the event with shock absorber problems. The crew of Christopher and Brooke Sollitt #165 are reported out of the event with a broken shock absorber. Gerald Reid and Joanne Reid #209 in the Aussie Solar Chenowth buggy are reported out of the event at the 145km mark for reasons unknown. Wayne and Cameron Foley #284 in the Southern Cross Buggy 1977 MK TT are out of the race at Bundooma, reasons unknown.
12:57pm	Malcom Bird #116 in the Chenowth 1980 Single Seater is reported out with Mechanical issues and returning to Alice Springs. The crew of Greg Hicks and Shane Braitling #123 in the Southern Cross 2010 Mk V are reported out and travelling into Mt Squires on the access road. Aaron James and Matthew Morgan #128 in the Razorback 2010 are reported out of the event with a blown CV joint at 180km, south of Mt Squires.
12:55pm	Chris Coulthard and Robert Hawker #88 in the Jimco 2000 are reported out of the event with gearbox failure at 40km The crew of Alan Gerardi and Rod Kay #109 in the Saber 2008 108 are reported out of the race at 150km mark with unknown issues. A disappointing result for the boys from Melboure who were planning on doing all round of the AORC this year.
12:53pm	Beau Robinson and Roy Lukies #85 in the Outer Bounds Racing Jimco 2009 Buggy are reported out of the race at 110km mark.
12:52pm	Paul Gilbert and Joylon Pritchard #69 have run out of luck in the Jimco 2009 Aussie Special. After fixing their belt issues from yesterdays prlogue they are reported out of the event with power steering problems and are returning to the pits at the Alice Springs end.
12:44pm	The crew of James Cook and William Willis & William Montgomery #41 in the Rimco 1997 are reported out of the event south of the 50km mark for reasons unknown.
12:44pm	John Towers and Bruce Young #27 from New South Wales in the Lustrum 2010 Buggy are reported out of the event with a broken front end and are at fuel stop 2.
12:43pm	John Towers and Bruce Young #27 from New South Wales in the Lustrum 2010 Buggy are reported out of the event with a broken front end and are at fuel stop 2.
12:43pm	The crew of Ryan Taylor and Jarrad Melville #24 in the Rockstar Team Taylor Razorback 2008 Buggyare reported out of the event with CV joint problems.
12:26pm	Multiple Finke Desert Race winners Mark Burrows and Colin Hodge #21 in the MBR MBR Jimco 2006 2000 series are reported out of the event with broken wheels at the 125km and are making their way back to Deep Well.
12:21pm	Hayden Bentley and Andy French #18 in the Bentley Motorsports Jimco 2005 2000 Series are reported out of the event with unknown issues.
12:20pm	Some DNFs: The crew of Travis Robinson and Paul Currie #3 in the Outer Bounds Racing Jimco 2010 buggyare reported out of the event with at the 167km. Reasons unknown, the pit crew have been despatched to pick up the Jimco.
12:13pm	Progress reports and results have been updated. Looks like only two cars are unaccounted for.
12:09pm	James Madden and Scott Dalby #81 and the Razorback Racing team had CV issues this morning on the start line. The team the fixed the CV problem and after some discussion with the organisers headed down the track to Finke. James said "We had a clean run after we got started. We passed 20 odd cars but are glad to finally be here at Finke". The Razorback Racing team are sponsored by The Off Road Shop, Razorback Racing Frames, Alice Hosetech, Kulgera Roadhouse, King Shocks USA, McKenzies Performance Gear One, ULX-110 Race Oils, Trewhellas Transport WA
12:04pm	Troy Johnstone and Lincoln Edwards #205 in the Johnstone Motorsport Evolution Buggy got to Finke first in class by less than 30 seconds ahead of Darryl Smith and Michael Matthews #202 in the Alumi Craft 2007. Troy said "I loved it, I've heard alot about the event, it's the first time that I've been through the whoops and they're really not that bad"
11:59am	Report from the Finke: Geoff and Liz Roe #403 in the Roe Air Geiser Bros 2007 Trophy Truck and Hayden Tatnell #10 in the HTM Bat 2005 Bat Spec 1 crossed the finish line at Finke side by side with Roe pipping the Tasmanian just before the line.
11:52am	Press release from the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race organisers added to the news page.
11:26am	More finishers to Finke: Jeff and Jai Loader #513 Darryl Smith and Michael Matthews #202 Troy Johnstone and Lincoln Edwards #205 Stewart Pritchard and Rachel Elston #213 Dale Newbon #950 James Madden and Scott Dalby #81 Andrew Kittle and Simon Amos #14 Nev Taylor and Hayley Hutton #6 Rob Chapman and Ross Challacombe #802 Peter Stevenson and Steve Barrington #248 Bill Yan #50 Jeff Nichols #172 Geoff Pickering and Dylan Watson #702 Clayton Chapman and Adam McGuire #701 Ross Bohlin and Michael Nicholson #523 Geoff Olholm and Stephen Riley #814 Bernard Gwynne and Jason Phillips #441 Ryan Taylor and Jarrad Melville #24 John Williamson and Trevor Taylor #230 Shane Ogilvie #810
10:42am	Awaiting on more reports to come from our Finke reporters. Progress reports and results have been updated on the events page.
10:19am	Update on cars to Finke. Vern and Leah Crawford #35 Locky Weir and Patricia Weir #155 Wayne Cullenane and Jason Adami, Ken Skinnep #70 Rob Cowie #192 Scott Schiller and Leanne Walker #971 Steven Jenstch and Brendan Foley #421 Anthony Felhaber and Gary Howell #138 Steven Phillips and Corey Field #196 Chris Western and Stewy Bishop #401
10:12am	Reported that Mark Burrows #21 is out with broken front suspension and Chris Coulthard #88 has broken a gearbox.
10:12am	More cars to Finke: Eric Phillips and Reece Friend #96 Steven Sanderson and Guy Pepper #125 Rick Bramley and Mary Woodward #104 Matthew Coleman and Shawn Teagle #55 Brad Mudge and Cameron Smith #48 Brett Taylor and Peter Treis #31 Justin Watt and Melissa Watt #101
9:59am	Update on cars to Finke in road order: David Fellows and Mark Bergamin #2 Shannon and Ian Rentsch #1 Brad Gallard and Scott Modistach #454 Daniel Auricht and Grant Connelly #8 Brad Prout #9 Glenn Owen and Deon Beattie #30 Andrew Mowles #135 Brian Robinson and Richie Hayes #84 Buddy and Kerry Crowe #4 Bruce Muir and Mick Betteridge #422 Geoff and Liz Roe #403 Hayden Tatnell #10 Scott Rockliff #22
9:40am	Progress reports have just been updated, but no Finke times in the yet.
9:40am	Report from our plane that flew to Finke that Glenn Owen was moving slowly on the track and was passed by Gallard. So fingers crossed he makes it to Finke.
9:38am	Brad Prout #9 in the Prout Racing Jimco 2010 buggy is fifth into Finke beating his Finke Voo Doo from 2009
9:37am	Daniel Auricht and Grant Connelly #8 in the True Build Racing Jimco 2008 are fourth into Finke
9:31am	We're waiting on the third car to get to Finke. The dust is in the air as Brad Gallard and Scott Modistach #454 in the Wicked Quick Racing Chevrolet 2007 Geiser Bros Trophy Truck storm accross the line.
9:27am	Shannon and Ian Rentsch #1 in the SR Racing Jimco 2010 buggy is second into Finke.
9:23am	First car is to about to cross the finish line at Finke. David Fellows and Mark Bergamin #2 in the Peter Kittle Motorsports Jimco 2009 buggy have made it to finke in the Hat Trick attempt.
9:09am	Shannon and Ian Rentsch #1 in the SR Racing Jimco 2010 buggy are putting in a magnificant effort to be third through the Bundooma in their brand spanking new Jimco at it's first event.
9:08am	First through Bundooma checkpoint was Travis Robinson and Paul Currie #3 in the Outer Bounds Racing Jimco 2010 buggy with David Fellows and Mark Bergamin #2 in the Peter Kittle Motorsports Jimco 2009 buggy not far behind.
9:06am	Progress report just updated with front runners through Bundooma.
8:57am	Progress results have just been added to the Events Page.
8:47am	Unofficial from the track that Beau Robinson is out of the event as he crew have gone to get him. Unofficial
8:42am	First withdrawal is Paul Gilbert and Joylon Pritchard #69 in the Jimco 2009 Aussie Special with Power Steering hose failure. The team were seeded after issues in the prologue.
8:41am	Cars through Deep Well so far are #3 8:01.40 #85 8:01.41 #2 8:03.03 #1 8:04.04 #30 8:05.25 #8 8:06.51 #454 8:08.08 #18 8:09.47 #9 8:12.28 #4 8:20.10
8:38am	Update on Deep Well the both Robinson are through the #85 at 8:00.41 and #3 at 8:01.40
8:32am	Daniel Auricht and Grant Connelly #8 in the True Build Racing Jimco 2008 are through Deep Well at 8:06.51.
8:28am	David Fellows and Mark Bergamin #2 in the Peter Kittle Motorsports Jimco 2009 buggy are the first cars through Deep Well at 8:03.03 followed by Shannon and Ian Rentsch #1 in the SR Racing Jimco 2010 buggy at 8:04.04. At this stage the two Outer Bounds Robinson buggies have not made it to Deep Well according to the results that we have access to.
8:16am	Malcom Bird #116 in the Chenowth 1980 Single Seater from Dubbo is the last car to hit the long 225km track to Finke.
8:15am	Wayne Foley and Cameron Foley #284 in the Southern Cross Buggy 1977 MK TT and Travis Bettineschi and Mark Sloan #499 in the Nissan 1990 Navara are about to attempt the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race.
8:14am	James Cook and William Willis & William Montgomery #41 in the Rimco 1997 Chris Mingay and Matthew Mingay #507 in the Ford 2002 Ranger are the second to last group of cars to line up on the grid.
8:13am	Terry and Mitchell Poulsen #733 in the Nissan Patrol 1998 GQ and Bill Monkhouse and Andrew Booker #755 in the Suzuki 2006 Vitara with be a fight for class honours as the two Production 4WDs head from the start line to Finke.
8:12am	Greg McArthur and Darren Diwell #516 in the Ford 1999 Falcon Ute and Duane Cordina and Matthew Boxshall #704 in the Nissan 1988 Patrol Wagon will be the battle of the tin tops with the two racing side by side as they hit the track.
Older Entries... (105 total, now viewing 1 - 60)
Comments about this service can be sent via email