DAVID WALSH – 4X FINKE CHAMP!

David Walsh, the desert racing legend from Alice Springs, has once again left his mark on the Finke Desert Race history books. This man is on fire! He’s become just the second rider ever to claim the prestigious title of ‘King of the Desert’ four times in a row.

After starting off ranked fourth in the Prologue, Walsh unleashed his beastly KTM 500 EXC-F and charged to first place in the opening 226km stage from Alice Springs to Finke, arriving in a blazing time of 1 hour, 46 minutes, and 25.8 seconds. Over two and a half minutes ahead of the runner-up, Callum Norton from STE Racing KTM.

On the return run to Alice Springs, Walsh maintained his lead. With a return time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 23 seconds, finishing with a total time of 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 48 seconds.

At 33 years old, Walsh has secured his place in the annals of Finke folklore. Only Randall Gregory’s five-year domination from 1991 to 1995 stands taller than Walsh’s current winning-streak and the local hero has also podiumed at every Finke he has completed since 2012.

David Walsh shared his elation, saying, “I’m super-proud to make it four wins in a row, and I’m glad to be home safe. It was a pretty rough track, but I navigated it and made it back in one piece. To get on top of the podium again feels great, and it’s what we strive for every year. I really pinned it on the straights and took my time in the rough stuff. I knew the boys would be coming for me, but I had the speed and a gap from yesterday, so today was about maintaining that. I’m a very lucky man with a good team and a supportive family behind me.”

2023 Finke Desert Race results

Bikes Outright:

1. David Walsh (HMG Motorsport Group KTM) 3h35m48.9s
2. Callum Norton (STE Racing KTM) 3h37m42.8s
3. Ivan Long (Husqvarna) 3h38m55.1s
4. Korey McMahon (GASGAS) 3h41m13.6s
5. Liam Walsh (HMG Motorsport Group KTM) 3h42m37.6s