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Toby Price claims historic Finke victory in a race marred by tragedy

The death of a spectator overshadows Price's historic achievement.



Two-time Dakar winner Toby price has made history, winning the car section of the gruelling Finke Desert Race.

Price, a six-time winner in the event in the bikes class, is the first person to win the event in both classes.

The Finke Desert race takes place in the Northern Territory every year. Competitors race over two days against the clock on a gruelling 229km stretch of dirt track from Alice Springs to the remote community of Aputula (Finke) and back.

Price crossed the finish line in his Mitsubishi Triton Trophy Truck shortly before 9:00am on Monday, in the process setting a new race record of one hour and 39 minutes on the first leg. Price – and navigator Mark Dutton – finished one minute and 19.5 seconds ahead of their nearest rival.

"It's unreal and it's something we've been chasing for a while now, and just each and every year it's slipped away," said Price. "There's been a lot involved and we made it work, so we're stoked."

Price has previously tried to win both bike and car categories on the same weekend but opted to sit out the two-wheel event this year, focusing his efforts on winning his first Finke in the car class. With that first win now under his belt, Price has hinted he may try for the double in the future.

"Now that we've gotten this one out of the way, we might come back and try and do the double," said Price.

This year’s event was marred by the death of a spectator, struck by a competing car near the finish line on Monday. Police responded to an incident around 35km from the finish line in Alice Springs after a vehicle struck a group of spectators, killing a man in his 60s and seriously injuring two others.

Motorsport’s governing body, Motorsport Australia, issued a statement on Monday following the tragic incident.

"Together with event organisers, Motorsport Australia will begin its own investigation into the incident and will of course assist all relevant authorities with their respective investigations," the organisation said in a statement.

"Motorsport Australia is also providing ongoing support and assistance to all competitors, officials and those associated with the event, which includes providing counselling services."

Rob Margeit

Rob Margeit is an award-winning Australian motoring journalist and editor who has been writing about cars and motorsport for over 25 years. A former editor of Australian Auto Action, Rob’s work has also appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Wheels, Motor Magazine, Street Machine and Top Gear Australia. Rob’s current rides include a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a 2000 Honda HR-V Sport.

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