Hattah Desert Race results - Sunraysia Daily

6 Jul 09

Full throttle

Full story here BY LACHLAN TAYLOR 6/07/2009 4:00:00 AM

LOCAL favourite Warren Smart had to settle for runner up as Ben Grabham took out the 2009 Hattah Desert Race yesterday.

Grabham, the 2007 Hattah winner, finished just seconds ahead of Smart to add to the Finke Desert race title he won earlier this year.

A record 430 competitors lined up for this year's event, making the Hattah race second only to Finke in terms of size.

After four gruelling hours on his bike, Grabham was thrilled to win and get one back on Smart.

"Warren came here and gave us a towelling last year," Grabham said.

"I put a big effort into training and had a good bike this year and I'm a lot fitter than last year so it's all paid off.

"It's just been unreal."

The race is one of the toughest enduro events in Australia, with competitors completing eight laps of a 35km course through sand and rugged bushland.