| Sports |
Hectic race in the desert
MEMBERS of Team PNG will have fond
memories of 2007 Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs which was
held over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
The team was lead by Dan Hargreaves, Hans Pedersen, Max Beagrie,
Shane Boyce and Peter Jackson of EMTV fame.
This was PNG’s first foray into the high speed world of off Road
desert racing was a bitter sweet affair as the seven man team
tackled the 2007 Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs over the
Queens Birthday Long week end.
Now being touted as the World’s Fastest Desert Race of it’s
kind, the seven man team including Geoff Lang who arrived in the
red centre with little experience in riding deep sand and harsh
desert terrain.
Twenty four hours after touch down in Alice Springs, the team
found themselves 30km out of town on a 6km private practice
track and set about learning all they could in a very short
space of time.
The first few laps where a steep learning curve but by later in
the afternoon, the team began to adapt their riding techniques
to suit the local conditions.
As the practice session drew to a close , disaster struck as
Yamaha WR450 rider, John Windshuttel crashed apparently twisting
his ankle , he retired to the work bay , took a few painkillers
and returned to his practice session only to come down hard
again a few laps later. This time the injury to his other foot
was much more serious and he had to be ferried to the Alice
Springs hospital for an x ray and treatment.
The doctors examined both his feet and found that both had been
broken, his left foot extensively and will require surgery later
on.
This was seen as a major blow to the Team as every one
understood the months of personal sacrifice, training and effort
that had been put in just to get to Alice Springs.
Windshuttel was not the first and by the end of the two-day
event he was in the company of other unfortunates including a
20-year-old man who tragically will not walk again due to a high
speed crash.
One thing all riders understand is that in this sport injuries
can and do happen.
A record 477 motorcycles where about to begin the high speed
blast to Finke and by the end of the first day 80 riders failed
to reach the finish at Finke Mission.
According to one of the “sweep” riders who check the track for
stragglers or injured riders, they were still looking for
missing riders at sunset.
Dan Hargreaves led the PNG Team into Finke followed by Hans
Pedersen, Max Beagrie, Shane Boyce and Peter Jackson.
That night all team members were treated to a well-earned
massage by professional deep tissue therapist Sharon Learmonth
who had flown in from Brisbane to Alice Springs as a member of
the support team. A very much appreciated member as it turned
out.
Further support also came from local PNG Car racing identity
Colin Hunter who extended his hospitality and rolling workshop
contained in a huge customised semi trailer to a very grateful
group.
That night team manager Geoff Lang and Ewyn Jahnke worked on and
serviced the bikes in preparation for the return trip the
following morning.
From midday on day two, the team left in much the order they
arrived the previous day from Finke Mission back across the
220km desert track towards the finish line in Alice Springs
By the time the last rider crossed the finish line late that
afternoon only 347 of the 477 entrants actually made it.
Dan Hargraves again led the PNG Team to the finish line with a
credible 109th placing followed by Hans Pedersen, Max Beagrie,
Andrew Edwards and Shane Boyce.
Jackson failed to finish due to an injury on day two.
The interest from the Australian media in PNG Team was
considerable along with the welcoming hospitality and genuine
concern shown for the injured rider John Winshuttel. The team is
planning to take on the desert again in 2008.
The overall winner of the Finke Desert Race was Ben Grabham
aboard a Honda CRF450
Results (including combined time/distance):
First Ben Grabham 4.19.04/440km; second Ryan Branford
4.23.02/440km; third Jason Hill 4.34.36/440km, 109th Dan
Hargraves 6.43.06/440km; 194th Hans Pedersen 7.16.31/440km;
300th Max Beagrie 8.16.05/440km; 316th Andrew Edwards
8.33.57/440km; 322nd Shane Boyce 8.38.57/440km; Peter Jackson –
DNF Day2 injury, 40km; John Windshuttel DNS.
 
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