Source: Supplied.

Toby Price will contest this year’s Tatts Finke Desert Race after a back injury in lead up to the event threatened his chances of going for a record-equalling fifth victory at the iconic event.

Price, the winner of the 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015 events, looks forward to returning to the high speed, gruelling event, but admits the injury has hindered his preparations.

“The last few months have been really busy but Finke has always been there in the back of the mind,” said Price. “The back injury a month ago made it a close call, and unfortunately I haven’t done the preparation of previous years, but it’s good to be here now pre-running.

“It’s the high speeds of this race, the crowd and the atmosphere that draws me back. You’re in the middle of the desert and there are thousands of people there on the side of the track cheering you on – that’s the best part.”

The Dakar Rally champion’s Red Bull KTM Rally team boss Alex Doringer will also be on hand in 2016 to watch on as Price be aims for not only a fifth overall victory, but his third-consecutive win in a row.

“This year my Red Bull KTM Rally team boss Alex Doringer is here to watch, so he can see what it’s all about,” Price added. “Hopefully he doesn’t say I’m never allowed to do it again because of how crazy it is!”

Price will be joined by KTM Desert Racing team mates Tye Simmonds, who finished second in last year’s event, and David Walsh who has a pair of runner-up Finke finishes to his name.