OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[bullet]

#936 is Chris Hodges.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[toys +]

bullet wrote:

#936 is Chris Hodges.

correct, i was there for his fuel stop at the 150 mark , we also done james from NT 5th in quads and Hilly 3rd bike outright, you would have seen our fuel stop signs near the 150 km marker

[bullet]

Yeah, I remember your signs.
Hope I waved if the section wasn't too rough to let go of the bars.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[toys +]

bullet wrote:

Yeah, I remember your signs. Hope I waved if the section wasn't too rough to let go of the bars.

Every quad that went pass got a big cheer from the crew , if we weren't serving someone.

[John Mags]

Just got back and had to share these pics I took at the finish line.

Well done Smithy. This was a well earned win.





_________________
When I'm racing I'm living..... everything else is just waiting.

[TRX FoFiddy]

man the finiki looked like a lot of fun, i plan on going on watching it next year.
_________________
Trx450er 2008 Stock For Now

2000 HONDA 440ex
(Blown Up)

MSN: grant_31291@hotmail.com

[froggy]

Congratulations to all the quad guys who entered. Great job! Awsome job by smithy to get home well in front even with the state of his ltr. Bullet you ledgend. Smallest bike to ever make it. Seeing you cross the start finish line in the dark at 7:30pm was priceless. See ya up there next year. Was good to see a couple of the guys on here who i havent met before ts good to put names to faces.

[bullet]

Thanks to the whole Strawberries Galore team for your help and support too Froggy. I'll definitely see you up there next year (probably going for the time limit on a 125 as our Jumbo class now allows).

If anyone gets the chance... try their $7 pancake. It's wicked.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[buzzbro]

How far did he ride with that tyre.Thats awesome.
_________________
I am old and wise because i survived young and stupid

[bullet]

about 60km.
but he wasn't just riding it.
He was flat knacker.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[TRX FoFiddy]

hye were did use all stay when u were at the finki
_________________
Trx450er 2008 Stock For Now

2000 HONDA 440ex
(Blown Up)

MSN: grant_31291@hotmail.com

[ozquad44]

Congratulations Smiffy, Gutsy effort pushing on the way you did.

Well done Bullet, I can't believe you made it on that little thing.

around about 44 quads lined up for the start of the Finke this year and about 37 got home. Thats pretty good going boys
_________________
State governments give us REC rego + area to ride ATVs legaly! State Status: VIC-No (Nazi's) QLD-Yes(no place to ride tho) NT-? NSW-Yes, Stockton. TAS-Yes, Areas for ATVs + ATV rego, Go Tazzie . WA-Yes, 2 top places within 1hr of Perth. ACT-? SA-No

Last edited by ozquad44 on Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

[cowchaser]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Pete and I just got back about an hour ago and I can't wait to climb in to my own bed for a change.


I don't care what you ride up there, quad, dirt bike, outfit or car it doesn't matter brand or colour. If you make it there and back you deserve a pat on the back. AND IF YOU DO IT ON A 90 YOU NEED A SHRINK!!!! AND A BLOODY BIG MEDAL WELL DONE BULLIT

Here is my account of events of the 07 race sorry it's a bit long

Prologue day is the day I hate up there it's the only time I get nervous all year. Because it's an 8km suicide run through blinding dust at top speed and anything can happen as I know only too well.

I got off to a shocker this year. Daryl got a quad length on me down the first straight and I started to eat his dust but he buttoned off a bit early and I got him into the first corner witch I completely blew and got bogged on the berm. Luckily for me Daryl followed my dust and did the same. Once i got going I caught poor Beery's sick DS650 and then into Willy Orr's dust ( the bloke I run over last year) I must of taken my brain out before putting my helmet on because I ran off the track about four times tapped in top gear trying to get passed him missing trees only by inches and ploughing straight through a tire wall stacked 4-5 high doing close to 120km/h going in to the final loop. I ended up getting by Willy just before the finish.

I was the third quickest quad behind Aaron and Ed Hargrave (local Outlaw 525) in about 44th outright

Day one was a prefect day for me except for a 5 min time penalty for jumping the start which was a load of crap! I started on the same line as Ed with Aaron 1 min ahead of me. I got a good start and was the first one out of Alice in my group but had Ed hot on my heels. Not being able to see much and going by feel is what you have to do in the early part of each day at Finke and this was no different. I caught Aaron about at the 10-15km mark but couldn't get around him until about the 25km mark. Once I did that the dust cleared and I put my head down and race face on! And started two pick off two wheelers left right and center.

I didn't have any probs on day one at all I even was passing two wheelers in the whoops and these were guys in the top 30!!! I got a new burst of energy when I could see the Finke community from about 20km out and launched across the river and nailed the finish jump and was the 32nd bike across the line in 49th outright. With a lead of about 17mins over Aaron

At Finke I rode down to our camp I opened up the 47 Industries Hammock and had a rest while the crew came back from watching the action. When they got back Mick fired up the hot shower and cooked some snags while Pete waved his Southern Quads magic over the LT-R and made it brand new again and ready for day two.

I had a goal for day two and it was to try and push for top thirty outright although Pete kept telling me to just bring it home in one piece.

I got hosed of the start by the two wheelers and ate some serious dust. I was following a CR500 through the river when he got crossed up and spat off leaving his bike cartwheeling in front of me. I had no option but to ride through it smashing my front end just like i hit a brick wall. I stopped and yelled are you ok? heard a yes and replied well you bikes not and rode off.

I started making some real good time nailing the whoops but not quite as fresh as the day before. Then with 120km to go my rear tire went down. I had no choice but to keep going so i did. I stopped at a couple of camps but no one had a compressor. Once i got on to the road section I held it tapped until my fuel stop. As soon as I got there I yelled for a compresser but they said the cops just borrowed it so I just had to keep going so I did. Not long after that the poor tire had enough it just got too hot and started tearing it's self to bits along with busting off my left hand Nerf bar, footpeg and heel guard.

If you ever think your riding to slow because something is a little out of whack on your quad TRY THIS!!!! Try riding 60kms of one of OZ's roughest tracks one legged, with no footpeg, half a rear tire and with a bike that's was vibrating so much that you had pins and needles from head to toe. It was shaking that much my lungs were hurting and knowing that your lead that you worked hard for was being eaten away by the minute!!!!

Let me tell you that I'm no sook but I had tears of pain and happiness pouring down my face when I crossed that line with my lead intact.

Finke is a truly awesome event that tests man and machine and loves to break both but it leaves you just wanting more.

I have been telling everyone this year would be my last up there after 7 attempts and that's still my plan. But I tell you its going to be hard telling myself that about Feb next year.

Thanks to all my wonderful sponsors who help me do everything that I do especially Pete from Southern Quads looks after me just like a full factory mechanic but without the pay packet to go with it.

Also the 47 Industries crew for the second year has done a great job. That good in fact that Doug Francis my Dealer said that Mick's set up was even better than the Factory Honda crew set up who he was their with.
_________________
Smitty

[discodanz]

bullet well done you are a wierd guy but i guess it takes all sorts and in quads it seems to be gutsy guys like smithy and you i couldnt think of anything worse than riding finke on a honda let alone a 90 ,, ha ha dig dig
or 60km on a flat tyre ,, except maybe the second half of skytrek with half an arm missing .
all jokes aside well done mate wish i was home to shout you a beer

[TRX FoFiddy]

nice job Cowchaser
_________________
Trx450er 2008 Stock For Now

2000 HONDA 440ex
(Blown Up)

MSN: grant_31291@hotmail.com

[ozquad44]

700rappy wrote:

any idea how ozquad44 did??

Mate,

Finished up 22 in the quad class. I was very disappointed with my position at the end of day one, but I was lucky even to get to the Finke at all after having a scary off in the dust about 8 kms into the race.

My second day was a lot better and I managed a fair time of 3.37 (not nearly in the same league as the podium finishers mind you) and passed a fair few bikes and quads in the process, so I was a bit happier back at Alice.

But at the end of the day, I was just grateful to get there and back in one bit. I think only people who have had a crack at the Finke can really appreciate that little statement.

As far as the quad is concerned, except for some wonky steering from the accident the bike itself went well both days. Was happy with that side of it all.

Jase
_________________
State governments give us REC rego + area to ride ATVs legaly! State Status: VIC-No (Nazi's) QLD-Yes(no place to ride tho) NT-? NSW-Yes, Stockton. TAS-Yes, Areas for ATVs + ATV rego, Go Tazzie . WA-Yes, 2 top places within 1hr of Perth. ACT-? SA-No

[PeteW]

ohhh its good to be home again, no more red sand for 12 months please. LOL.

Only Smitty could destroy that much gear in one day (he got handed a perfect quad to ride home on after the overnight stop at finke) but at least he saved it for the end of the weekend.

It was a joy to see that big Blingstar bumper coming accross the river first at Finke on day one as it's hard to get updates when you're down that end at the race camp but it was even more nerve wracking to wait at the finish on day two when we found out the bikes start time was delayed from finke and re calculated the expected eta for the first quad and he was about 20 min's late but still with a 15 min lead over all. the scoring system was well up the s*** at the start finish and we could only guess at who had been through after Smitty as he was the only one with check point times up until after he had been through Bundooma.

Southern Quads will definatly be going back next year with an extended team (I'll be riding myself too) to see if we can get a 1 - 2 finish 2 years in a row.
_________________


www.thumbpump.com
www.dirtcomp.com.au

[Ozzy84]

good work smitty, done well mate

cant complain jase, you got there and back in 1 piece, top job, get off sounds hairy!

im glad the quad didnt let ya down, i knew it'd be fine, finke from what i hear is a good test.

top job to all, awsome to see so many quad entered and up there with the 2 wheelers.

would love to come watch next year, see how we go

well done again

ryan

[bullet]

Hey fellas, great to hear you made it home safely.
It really is a bloody big trip from the east coast.

I just finished stripping the little bugger down.
Looking at all the damaged pieces I can not believe I made it (although I've heard that a bit lately).
It looks like I had a lemon head gasket to start with. The fire ring was not supported by the fibre backing from manufacture.
The bore has two tiny cracks and most of the ring land between the compression rings is shattered.
After seeing the bits... I wouldn't have put $1 on it ever making it back through Aussies harshest desert race for 6 hours.

I sort of felt I should have pushed harder and got a better time. But after looking at the bits, I don't think I could have pushed harder for another 5 minutes.

Smitty, I know exactly what you mean about not being a sook, I felt exactly the same way...
(For any other blokes reading this I mean: Smitty, your a big poof).
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[bullet]

Ozquad,
Have a look at my times and you'll feel a whole lot better about a 3:37.
Well done.
You guys are all going scary fast out there.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[PeteW]

Couple of other things I reckon are worth a mention about the weekend.

Mmmmm, strawberries and cream, thax for the coffees Froggyboy.

I actually got to use the 47 industries Rhino as a Utility Vehicle (we got firewood in it, good fun) which I dont reckon has been done before. and you can fit 8 people in it to go get dinner.

Bullet is crazy but........nah just crazy


_________________


www.thumbpump.com
www.dirtcomp.com.au

[Mrs_Gaitar]

What a great write up Cowchaser ! and Bullet and the rest of you that did the Finke.. well done !
_________________
www.waquadmx.com

[gothev8]

Well done mate.
_________________
2012 Polaris RZR XP Turbo
2009 Polaris RZR 170

[cowchaser]

Hey Bullet make sure you bring all that busted stuff to the Mount with ya so I can check it out
_________________
Smitty

[bullet]

Will do man.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.