Smith Brothers Racing press release:

Cairns Coconut Resort Honda Racing descended on Alice Springs for the 41st running of the iconic Tatts Finke Desert Race with both Smith Brother’s Todd and Jacob primed and ready to endure the tough terrain, red dirt and fierce competition in Australia’s toughest off road motorcycle event.

The event kicked off with scrutineering and a record breaking crowd on hand to witness the 440 bikes and 140 cars on display, geared up to take on Australia’s most brutal desert race.

The buzz and excitement surrounding the event was bigger and better than ever before, and the inclusion of The Black Dog Ride, Iconic Australian rocker, Ian Moss was back in his hometown of Alice Springs performing throughout the night.

Preparations had remained positive for both Todd and Jacob in the lead up to the race, starting their campaign strong with Jacob qualifying 3rd in the prologue.

Todd put in a great ride having to pass two riders and contend with the dust to qualify in 8th position.

Race day one was tough for both the Smith Brothers, with Jacob putting in a solid effort to bring home the 6th fastest time into Finke; 2:01:26.

“I struggled early and rode tight in the first 80km’s [into the first fuel stop]. From there I tried my best to pick up the pace but was a little off and dropped a few minutes behind the leaders. It was disappointing to be over the two hour mark into Finke; all the guys were setting a blistering pace.”

Todd also had a testing ride into Finke after hitting a square edge at the 120 km mark and injuring his left leg. After setting a good pace early the injury slowed him down considerably but he amazingly managed to reach Finke in 8th position for day one with a time of 2:08:38.

“I was having a really good run until the 120 km mark, I hit a square edge that I didn’t see and felt a snap in my leg. I knew straight away it wasn’t good but I didn’t want to stop, it was extremely painful but I made it in.”

With the field racing back to Alice Springs from Finke on day two, the riders line up on corrected time. Both boys were hurting but determined to make it across the finish line.

Todd courageously lined up with what was soon to be confirmed as a broken Fibula and Jacob’s race went up in flames. A freak accident at the last fuel stop resulted in his bike igniting with flames covering his whole body.

“My ride home was going okay, I felt I had set a comfortable pace to make it home safely, I knew the guys out front were on the gas so I was content with the potential 5th position. My bike back firing and catching on fire obviously wasn’t considered as a possible end to the race. I was so lucky that there were so many people around to help put me and the bike out. It was one of the most terrifying things I’ve had happen on a motorbike, just a freak accident.”

Todd’s incredible mental strength and pain threshold saw him finish the race in an outstanding 7th position.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it home because of the pain in my leg, I had made it to the 200 km mark and considered pulling out. I just kept telling myself, go to the next corner, then the next corner and eventually I was at the second refuel with 80km’s to go and there was no way I could quit that close to the finish line.”

Attention has now turned to Hattah Desert Race. Todd has been ruled out with a broken Fibula and is scheduled for surgery this week, but Jacob is still hopeful to race despite undergoing a skin graft to his right arm as a result of his accident.

The whole team would like to extend their sincerest gratitude for the support and well wishes from friends and fans, both before the race and now with upcoming surgeries and recovery. We look forward to seeing everyone at Hattah in Mildura from the 1-3rd of July.