TOBY PRICE RETURNS FOR FINKE

Toby Price competing in 2016 Finke Desert Rally – Photo: Red Bull Media

Just five months since breaking his leg in four places during the 2017 Dakar Rally, Toby Price will make his return to off road racing this weekend in Finke, but only on four wheels.

The 2016 Dakar Champion will trade in his bike for a trophy truck to contest the two day Finke Desert Race starting in Alice Springs on Friday.

It’s been a long road to recovery for Price, who crashed out while leading stage four of Dakar exactly five months ago. He was originally scheduled to climb back on the bike to contest Finke, but after testing was ruled out late last month, opting to join the field in a trophy truck instead.

Toby Price riding for KTM in the 2017 Dakar Rally – Photo: Red Bull Media

“There’s been a lot of chaos around the Finke desert race this year, the original plan was to ride the bike and drive the truck again, but unfortunately my leg isn’t quite ready for the strain on the bike.” Price explained.

“I didn’t want to miss racing at Finke so we got our hands on a trophy truck out of the United States. It’s been a long process but we’ve put the pieces together.

This won’t be Price’s first attempt at Finke on four wheels, having contested last year’s Finke Desert Race in both a truck and bike. Also competing in the Stadium Super Trucks at the  earlier this year Clipsal 500.

The Finke rally dates back to 1976, where it began as a there-and-back challenge between a group of local riders, from Alice Springs to the Finke River and back. This weekend’s contest kicks off on Friday, June 9.

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