Jake Smith Wins 31st Condo 750

According to the Condo 750’s Race Committee, the 31^st running of the D’Aquinos-backed event this year was the best on record. The three-day cross country navigational rally, held in and around the NSW township of Condobolin, allowed not only bikes and quads to enter this year, but also Auto vehicles (4×4, Buggies, Utes, and anything that comes under the Supp Regs allocations).

“The D’Aquinos Condo 750 is only getting better with each passing year,” enthused Condo 750 Committee member, Andriana Pangas. “With the inclusion of RallySafe to our event and Helicruz sponsoring us a helicopter and pilot, the safety and communications of the event was the best we have been able to offer to date.”

Local rider and 750 regular, Husqvarna-mounted Jacob Smith, took out first place in a time of 8:56:26. Local youngster and rising star, Lachlan Manwaring, came second in 9:00:49. And Smith’s new teammate, Sam Davie, ran third in a time of 9:04:09.

“We normally have the Smith brothers, Jacob and Todd, vying for the win at the event, along with our regular competitors,” Pangas went on to say, “but now that Todd has jumped over to race Autos with his father, Geoff, I’m sure they were hoping for a win in the Patrol. They almost got there this year, too, but Dean George and Lucas Beer took the honours in a time of 10:04:11. William Dunn and Gareth Edwards ran second in 10:15:31, and Todd and Geoff Smith came third in 10:15:38.”

“Yeah, we had a really good run this year, and it was a great way to kick things off with the new Husky team,” explained Jake Smith. “I led out on Saturday – which was the second time I have won the race from starting P1 on Saturday morning – and ended up third fastest. Lachy Manwaring and my teammate Sam Davie both beat me, but all three of us were within a minute of each other. Then on the way back on Sunday, I just put the hammer down. Both Sam and Lachy made little mistakes and I was able to capitalise on that and I won by about four minutes in the end, I believe. It was super-dusty and there wasn’t a breath of wind, so it was pretty sketchy. Plus this year’s race was long. It was about 1100km in total, with 900km of that being competitive. It was only the other day that I found out this year’s win – my fifth – makes me the winningest Condo 750 rider ever, and as far as I know I’m the only guy to lead out Day 1 and win the race too. Prior to that, I was tied with another Condo local, Paul Sinderberry, on four wins. So that was pretty cool. Unfortunately, I banged myself up pre-running Finke shortly after the Condo, busting some ribs and my shoulder. Hopefully I heal up in time, because I’m 30 now and really want to get a Finke win under my belt before I’m too old,” Smith went on to say.

While the Condo 750 has long been a must-do Easter race for nav rally enthusiasts, the event’s remoteness and sheer speed makes it a real challenge to photograph. Which is why we’re grateful to OK Photo’s Donat O’Kelly for flowing us this awesome image gallery.