Hattah Desert Race - Sunraysia Daily
30 Jun 09
Tough ride
Full story here BY LACHLAN TAYLOR 30/06/2009 4:00:00 AM
THE sand will fly at Hattah this weekend as the 2009 Hattah Desert Race returns for another year.
A record 430 riders will lineup up for the race touted as the toughest enduro event in Australia.
Last year's winner Warren Smart will return to defend his title, but will face stiff opposition from the likes of Ben Grabham, Brad Williscroft and four time World Enduro champion Stefan Merriman.
Organiser Geoff Gunn said the race continued to go from strength to strength.
"It has progressively grown over last three years," Gunn said.
"It is second only to Finke at the moment and it's not far off that. It's become one of the events to ride.
"We've been able to raise the profile of the event and attract the main teams who do all the big events."
Racing begins on Saturday with the juniors and the senior prologue, before the main event from 9am on Sunday.
Mud & glory
Full story here BY SAM MURDOCH 4/07/2009 4:00:00 AM
A LITTLE bush block just past Carwarp will roar into life this weekend, as people, mud and thundering noise collide for the 2009 Hattah Desert Race.
The two-day event will see more than 400 riders pit themselves against not only each other, but a tough and gruelling track as they attempt to be crowned the champion.
Local hero Warren Smart will front up again on his Honda CRF, but will face some stern competition, with Finke Desert Enduro runner-up and six time Australian Enduro champion Brad Williscroft and Finke winner Ben Grabham sure to provide some real pressure.
Smart won last year's event easily and will be gunning for his sixth title, but Williscroft is better prepared this year and knows how difficult the ride is over 280km of twisting Mallee track.
Riders will do eight laps of a 35km loop through Mallee scrubland, which includes tight, technical sections winding through trees and wide open blasts through open paddocks and sand hills.