Young gun Corey Hammond (#4) has ridden into the history books, claiming the 2025 Finke Desert race win to be crowned King of the Desert, on Race Day 2 at the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race.
Clocking an overall race time of 3 hours, 46 minutes and 30.16 seconds, Hammond increased his dominant lead in the race home to Alice Springs with smart racing in the treacherous conditions.
“This really is a dream come true and having a decent gap was nice, rather than seconds on the run home,” he said.
“I have spent a lot of time up here learning the track and it’s nice to see what a bit of hard work and dedication gets you when you look back at five years ago at my first Finke I came 40.
“I am grateful for all the local people who have given me sheds to work from, volunteers at the fuel stops as it’s really a team effort.”
Trailing Hammond to the finish was good friend Campbell Hall (#11) who moved up a place to second and landed his first Finke podium finish in a time of 3 hours, 57 minutes and 58 seconds.
“I wasn’t really expecting it, just did my own race, it paid off and keen already for next year,” Hall said,
“The whole track is brutal so I charged the whole way and it’s addictive.”
Third place getter Brodie Waters (#8), rounded out the podium in third in a win for Honda fans, recovering from a crash during the ride home.
“It’s good to get Honda back on the podium and the first 450 on the podium in a while,” Waters said.
All top three riders vowing to return to the iconic race in 2026, as the event celebrates it’s 50th year in the red centre.
Also hoping to return in 2026 is favourite Callum Norton (#2), who withdrew overnight due to stomach illness.
“David has one of the records at the moment so we will keep working hard and we will be back next year,” the newly crowned Desert King Hammond confirmed.
More exciting event announcements can be expected soon as organisers gear up for the 50th running of the event in 2026.
Full results from the car category for this year’s 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race can be viewed here.
Held on the King’s Birthday Long Weekend (June 6– June 10, 2025) the 2025 Tatts Finke Desert Race is an off-road, multi terrain two-day race for bikes, cars, buggies and quads through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community.
For more information and details on the event please visit: https://www.finkedesertrace.com.au/
