HRC to launch a full factory assault on 2026 Finke Desert Race with Hammond, Walsh and Waters, backed by Peter Kittle Motor Company
One of Australia’s most iconic off-road events will see a powerful alliance take shape in 2026, with Factory Honda returning to the legendary Finke Desert Race backed by the Peter Kittle Motor Company.
The race, widely regarded as the most demanding off-road event in Australia, challenges competitors to race from Alice Springs to the remote community of Aputula (Finke) and back again across two days of brutal desert terrain in the Northern Territory. Now celebrating its 50th year, the event stands as one of the country’s largest and most significant annual motorsport gatherings.
Honda enters the milestone year with remarkable pedigree. The brand holds 20 outright wins, the most in the history of the event, and will return with a full Factory effort for the first time since 2018, signalling a renewed and concentrated push to reclaim victory.
Peter Singleton, Honda Australia Vice President, explained the importance of returning with a factory program.
“Finke has always been an enormous event for Honda. Our history there spans from the two-stroke era through to the four-stroke generation, and it has played a significant role in showcasing our off-road motorcycles. Whist we stepped away from a full factory presence, we remained involved through riders such as Brodie Waters, who achieved a class win and an outright podium in recent seasons.
“With the significance of the 50th anniversary and Honda’s global commitment to motorsport, we felt it was important to return with a strong, focused effort. It’s about supporting one of Australia’s most iconic events, its best riders, while also demonstrating our confidence in Honda’s off-road RX platform” said Singleton
Joining Honda as the program’s naming partner is the Peter Kittle Motor Company, a business deeply connected to the event and the Northern Territory.
Established nearly 40 years ago, the Peter Kittle Motor Company has grown into one of Australia’s most respected automotive groups, operating ten dealerships across the country. Built on a passion for motor vehicles and a commitment to people, the company has developed a reputation for delivering exceptional service through modern facilities, highly trained staff, and a strong focus on community.
For founder Peter Kittle and his son Andrew Kittle, the partnership is also deeply personal.
“What a great story this is, Honda returning, David Walsh returning, and the ambition behind the program,” said Andrew Kittle.
“We’re also showcasing a throwback logo as part of this partnership for the 50th running of Finke, to reflect our heritage and journey as a company.
“Many people wouldn’t know that Dad raced the original Finke on a bike in 1976 and finished on the podium in 1979. He went on to compete in the cars as well and picked up a second place finish and multiple thirds before stepping away. Later on I was lucky enough to navigate for Dave Fellows for a couple of wins in 2008 and 2009 before my brother Matthew and I got a second place together in 2011. Finke is apart of who we are and has shaped how we approach life and business” continued Kittle.
“We love the event, the atmosphere and the challenge it presents. As an automotive group, we see Finke as the pinnacle of Australian racing in the outback, and we’re proud to support Honda’s return” concluded Andrew Kittle.
The team will field a formidable line-up including current champion Corey Hammond, five-time champion David Walsh, and outright podium finisher Brodie Waters.
Hammond, who raced the Honda platform internationally in Baja last year, is confident in the machinery.
“The Honda is incredibly strong. I wouldn’t have made the move if I didn’t believe in the bike and the program,” Hammond said.
“The team’s success globally in motocross and supercross speaks for itself, and the testing we’ve done so far has been very encouraging.”
Five-time champion Walsh returns to competition after a year away and believes the team has assembled something special.
“I told the team I wanted to ride the bike, so they drove it up and let me test it,” Walsh said.
“I can see why Brodie has been so competitive on it. What impressed me most is the approach, there’s no ego. I told them what we needed and they were immediately on board. With the people around this program, it’s clear the goal is to win. I’d love to be the rider who gives Honda its first Finke victory since 2013.”
Waters, who has been instrumental in the development of the Honda desert program, believes the bike and team have what it takes.
“The bike is good, we were nearly second last year before a crash took us out of contention,” Waters said.
“We have a very strong group of riders and Honda is sparing no effort. There’s serious competition out there, we respect that, but we know we can be competitive.”
The team will be led by experienced off-road leader Colan Ross, with Waters playing a dual role as both rider and technical contributor.
“Brodie has the capability to build race-winning bikes and manage key technical areas, but my priority is making sure he can focus on riding,” Ross said.
“Our approach is simple, assemble the most experienced people possible and let them do the job they’re best at, it’s what worked for us before. From the riders to the technicians and crew, everyone knows their role. We will be prepared, we will be organised, and our goal is clear, to win.”
For Honda Racing Australia’s Director Yarrive Konsky, the strength of the program lies in bringing together the right people with a shared purpose.
“The first call I made after Honda confirmed they wanted to compete was to Colan. His experience and success at Finke is unmatched,” Konsky said.
“Then we spoke with Brodie about our plans, and from there we went straight to David and Corey. We didn’t talk to anyone else, we had a clear plan and committed fully to it.
“Our partners have done the same. Aligning the program with Peter Kittle was an easy decision. The Kittle family has a rich history with the event on both two and four wheels, and they share the same ambition as our team.
“When the best people come together with a focused goal, great things can happen and that’s exactly what this program is about.”
