AORC - RND 2 - FINKE DESERT RACE 2011

[digsy]

Hey Guys

We're just weeks away from the start of the 2011 Finke Desert Race!

There's a fair crew from CQld headed out - we are all involved in various roles from driving/riding/crew -
Should be a big event as always with a solid 550 bike competitiors and 80plus auto division!

So who's coming out and what are you doing out there?

http://www.finkedesertrace.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you see the big Cartel GU out there make sure you stop and say hi!
Billy Geddes will be racing the #441 Chev Truck and we are also pitting with/for Team Taylor/Rockstar Energy buggies #6 and #24!

It's gonna be a little cold in the dez this year I reckon....


Cheers!

[Wilba]

Hell yeh digs can`t wait ! was talking to gwinny at the park and we have plenty of room for the extras who have decided to tag along.Thanks to all the guys and gals coming out to support (where`s Wally) Jamie and myself.They recon there is a roll of of up to 15 cars in class 4 alone can`t wait to get amongst it !My plan is to get down and keep my crap in a pile and just keep the old 441 in one piece.Did I say I can`t wait?

[sswaffie]

I cant wait for the drive , i just got to finish my car!

Also im calling Stevo out , I dont recon you have the 2 kilo rump in ya.
There it is , i said it . ill pay for it if you can finish it (in one sitting, On the night)

Man it's gonna be good , and also im putting it out there Rentsch no 1 in the
dezert this year , the year of the nissan powered jimco!

[Mosko111]

I can't wait! First year racing the event and will be giving it my all on the quad, but saying I'm a little un-prepared is an understatement! Still got gear for the quad to leave the states, I have to get fit, learn how to ride, and then get put there haha

and I can't wait to see this 2kg steak attempted! If he doesn't tame the beast a projectile vomit will be a good laugh!

[digsy]

Boom boom!

Swaf throwing money down on Steveo's bet already! Yeah boi!

Also I'm gonna give you a prediction for the W too - I reckon Coulthard could be a hot tip! I'm voting V8 Jimco for the win - it's an outsider - but I reckon it could be a good one!

And obviously I gotta give the Class 4s some love... #454 is gonna be CRAZY in his hunt for King of the Dezert!
It'll defenately be outta control!!

[Wilba]

My tip Stevo on the steak I`m told he`s eating a small cow a day now in full training for the finke steak race!The dude Mr Brad Gallard is my bet (can`t give those open wheel carts all the support hey digs)Go the tin tops!!!!

[Joshie_C]

Well it def could be an interesting night at the Overlanders steakhouse that is for sure... My sources tell me that after last years defeat and 12months of heckling has help spur him on, not to mention now that swaf has come to the table and it could quite possibly be a free feed!! His coach has informed me that they had a 3month plan coming into this and stevo is right where he wants he to be and feels that he will be peaking at just the right time, there abit nervous about all the activity going on with some race that is happening out there could distract stevo from his main goal, but in speaking to stevo he told me that he has def learnt from last years mistakes, he def had way to big an afternoon snack to be taking on the 2kg mountain of meat, so he is going to dial that back to something a bit lighter, prob just a pounder... And then take the rest of the afternoon off to get his head in the right place... I believe he was to cocky going in last year and the steak really made him pay for that, so not only is this going to be tough physically, it's going to be tough mentally too... Let's see if he can put his demons from last year to bed....

Oh and yeah billys doing something too..... I heard....

BRING IT ON!! amp'ed!!!

[digsy]

Just some photos to keep this interesting - here is some of the stuff from 2010!

[digsy]

And just to put it in perspective - here is the steak that dominated XJsteve last year... it's the one that everyone above is talking about

[Wilba]

I can hear the steak calling (youve got nothing stevooooooo fades into distance).

[RD]

hahahahaha stevo think your going to have man up and show the lads how it done man

[sswaffie]

Here is one for Kent Battle , 452klm's of sheer glory!!!



Can this man come through with the goods ????



Billy thinking , man i could do that ..... In a truck!!



The craziest dudes out there!!!



No 1 Pick for me , Rentsch



Another serious contendor , the crazy man Danny Auric


Its gonna be one hell of a battle , there is some seriously stiff competition for the number 1 ! Its going to be hard to take the crown from fellows thats for sure! And i cant wait!!!! finke finke finke finke!!

[sswaffie]

I stole this from mud rihno's site image thanks to sierriajim

[Wilba]

Yep thats the s#it!!!Actually he doesnt even own a transporter he just flys around in his truck.In that photo he`s just picking the kids up from school.Ha Ha .Man thats a nice jump.

[Mosko111]

Those whoops dont look that big!...........

[digsy]

Actually that's a good point Swaf - reality is if you were laying cash down Fellows would be a real first choice. His driving style is so clean and consistent - and they never seem to have DNFs which makes him the biggest threat... Oh and that No.1 on his roof proves that he's the man.
I just wanted to vote an outsider...

There's actually a Facebook tipping comp for anyone interested - bikes & cars. There's some interesting predictions up there - a lot of talk about the OBR cars and the charge they'll be on...

Hey Mosko those woops really aren't too bad - I think the worst was the silt bed on the way down - i didn't get to prerun that at all and felt totally unprepared when I rode that section - best section by far was 75ks home - I finally loosened up and started enjoying it! That and the pit stops we had were seriously awesome!! The guys we had out there last year made that trip for me! This year will be bang on too! The guys that go out there - race solo on club stops - they're crazy... Those 446ks would be REAL lonely on your own...

[MissGU]

So it looks like Aaron will be out there in a Polaris this year That should be interesting for him! .. me will be just pit crew :( Looking forward to it tho, should be a mad weekend/ week!

[digsy]

... when you say in a Polaris....

It definitely will be an experience in a SxS!
Only thing I hope for you guys is that Gallard (or any probuggy) doesn't start from the back on Monday - it got pretty loose back there in 09...!

We'll def be cheering for you but! That's gonna be a huge test of man & machine and a absolutely awesome achievement when you hit that finish gate!!

[moose]

I stole this from mud rihno's site image thanks to sierriajim

thats actually Brads back yard !!!!
he has built a "score" track at his orchard in the SA riverland !!
cleared 175feet !!!!

[Wilba]

Hey Barb you should give the old q out for a run.There sounds like there could be a few sootys out there next year!!I know swaffs keen and a certain toowoomba crew are keen for a run too.Black smoke in the desert, I`ts got to happen.I recon that digs could have the wild card though watch out for Coultard he is a pro and has run the track heaps,cool dude too.Thats some rad stuff Moose hey!

[digsy]

Just spent an hour or so looking at Hyden 2011 and Finke (random years) YouTube clips... Man im looking forward to seeing the InCab from the #441! it's gonna be awesome have footage of the whole track!

[MissGU]

... when you say in a Polaris....

It definitely will be an experience in a SxS!
Only thing I hope for you guys is that Gallard (or any probuggy) doesn't start from the back on Monday - it got pretty loose back there in 09...!

We'll def be cheering for you but! That's gonna be a huge test of man & machine and a absolutely awesome achievement when you hit that finish gate!!

yeah Digsy an SxS well actually 2 of them.. Aaron driving 1 & his boss in the other.
Yeah we have been praying for the same thing!!!

We are heading to Kempsey this weekend for the Wittitrin 300 to give them both a shake down.

You arent wrong there, i just hope they make it in time....

[MissGU]

Hey Barb you should give the old q out for a run.There sounds like there could be a few sootys out there next year!!I know swaffs keen and a certain toowoomba crew are keen for a run too.Black smoke in the desert, I`ts got to happen.

Yeah that is on the cards .. me racing one way or another Would love to take the sooty out, would just have to pretty much change the enitre car!

[Joshie_C]

It only gets worse once after you've been out there... There is just something about the Finke that draws you to it, the atmosphere that's goes will the scrut night... The fact the 10,000 spectators line the track and no one pays a cent for admission, they cheer till the very last bike comes past them, and before you know it found yourself sucked into the red beauty of it all... And before you can do anything about it three little words are stuck in your head, and try try try as hard as you can you can't get them out... There and back, there and back, there and back.

[xjsteve]

i thought you were gonna be the little engine that could there for a moment joshie, i think i can, i think i can, i think i can... i'm excited!!!

[Mosko111]

i thought you were gonna be the little engine that could there for a moment joshie, i think i can, i think i can, i think i can... i'm excited!!!

yeah but that's 4 words.....

[Wilba]

Wow what a week! Things are starting to come together and typicle me lots to do last thing.Fairly happy with the truck at this stage mainly got some work to do on the road transport side of things.(oh and work, this sux but anyhoo)At this stage we are hoping to leave next wednsday.main changes to the truck are tyres ,Maxis Radial trepadores,this is the first I`ve used them so it will be interesting to see how they hold up. and suspension,We upgrades the old custer and ausshock coilovers to all fox gear and also played with spring rates.Cheers for now,Billy

[Mosko111]

Has anyone ever run the Treps Billy??
And do you think they could give you the edge on the oposition?

All my goodies arived today for the quad

And yes I realise no one really cares but I'm going to put a photo up tomorrow when it's all fitted

[Wilba]

Apparently they run ok,strong sidewall and stuff.Definatly not a edge thing though mate. I don`t worry so much about tred so long as they are round and don`t go flat.To tell the truth they were about the only option because I didn`t organize myself early! time will tell I spose they were at the right price though.Hell yes show us some photos man! Have you worked out all the stuff you will need transport wise?You can get some stuff out there but there is nothing like being organized.Couple of good bike shops at alice.Don`t be afraid to double check your fuel endurance.Cheers Billy.

[coll]

Good luck Billy should be a blast.If you got time how bout some pictures of the beast.