Justin Carafa and Motorcycle Land Ballarat have teamed up to take on the 2018 Hattah Desert Race aboard the new Sherco 250 SE two-stroke Factory Edition.
Carafa currently leads the MX Nationals 125 Gold Cup on a Sherco 125 SE-R but will return to Hattah for the first time since 2015.
“Hattah is an awesome event,” said Carafa. “I first raced it in 2010 on a 250cc two-stroke and finished 10th outright. I did my first Hattah on a Sherco with the Motul Pirelli Sherco Team in 2015 and finished second in the open two-stroke class. This year I want to win the 250cc two-stroke class.”
Despite limited bike time, the Melbourne concreter works hard to find a balance between running a concreting business with his brother and making time to race against some of the best off-road riders in the country.
“I only get to ride on Saturday’s and I try and train in the gym every now and then but other than that I just take the racing opportunities when I get them,” Carafa explained. “Motorcycle Land in Ballarat have been awesome loaning me their Sherco 125 for the MX Nationals and now they’re backing me for Hattah, so I want to reward them with a solid result.”
Carafa has proven to be a fast sand rider that can withstand punishing conditions. Two very good qualities that will serve him well in the Hattah Desert Race.
“I think I should be pretty strong at Hattah,” Carafa offered. “If I get some momentum going I think I can crack the top 20 outright and I should be the fastest 250cc two-stroke. The Sherco is fast and reliable so I’m going to give it everything. I’m 30 years old now and opportunities may not keep coming my way, so I’ll be making the most of this race.”
Justin Carafa will be at the official Hattah Desert Race Scrutineering to meet with fans on Friday July 6 at Quandong Park Sports Reserve, Red Cliffs.
Race prologue is at 9.30am Saturday, July 7 and the main race starts at 9.30am, Sunday July 8 at Boonoonar Road, Colignan, approximately 40-minutes-drive south of Mildura.