DAY THREE 6/6/09

A bit about The Finke Desert Race

The Finke is an off road multi terrain two day race through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) Community.  The races crosses the Finke River which is said to be the oldest river in the world. 

“Finke” as it’s known is the biggest sporting events in the Northern Territory.  It is recognised as the richest Off Road Race in the Southern Hemisphere with the added reputation as being the most difficult  courses in one of the most remote places in the world.

The race started in 1976 for a group of local riders and has been held on the June long weekend ever since it saw the introduction of cars and off road buggies in 1988.It runs along the original Ghan railway track.  This year they expected about 10,000 spectators.

http://www.finkedesertrace.com.au/

PROLOGUE

An early start for the drivers briefing, a very chilly morning

Sunrise 7.13am

Last minute adjustments.

Ready to roll (well lets hope they go a bit faster than that lol)

Ron, Brett and I went out along the prologue track to find a spot for some decent photo’s.  My photo’s weren't the best it had been ages since I had taken photo’s of race cars and I was a bit rusty.  Had a camera (or was that operator) malfunction just as Tony came past, it wasn't the first time so I didn't get one photo of Tony.   Fortunately Brett did so I will wait until he sends me a disc of his photos and his camera is so much better than mine lol.

The helicopters constantly follow the cars around the track it’s amazing how low they fly.

Tony didn't prologue the best ( he never does) he likes to hunt them down, he prologued 31st.

We went to dinner at a place called The Overlander it had the biggest steaks I have ever seen and am told they were so tender.  You could order kangaroo, emu or crocodile I wasn't that game lol.

Les and Glenys

Ron and Brett

DAY TWO 5/6/09

When you are involved in this type of racing I learnt years ago you just have to go with the flow and Friday was one of those days. Last time we were here you were able to do a reconnaissance of the prologue track, this year it was cancelled but Tony decided to go out to the track just for a look (yeah right lol)  He ended up walking the eight kms, I  should have gone with him for the exercise.  We had made plans to go to the Desert Park that afternoon.  Unfortunately it wasn't to be.  By the time he got back at 1pm he needed to do something with the tyres and we had to be at the show grounds by 3.30pm for scrutineering .  I could have gone sight seeing with Brett and Ron but decided to chill out at the motel.   I was feeling really tired, so just read, snoozed and watched TV.  I finally got to see Twilight I thought it was OK but really couldn't see what the fuss was over it.

We arrived at the show ground on time then proceeded to wait for HOURS AND HOURS for the car to be scrutineered  I was not impressed.  It’s a huge night opened to the public.  Two large pavilions one for the motor bikes and one for the cars.  It actually rained and was very cold.  I stood up for five hours on  a concrete floor I have never experienced aching feet and legs like I did that night.  I got a lift home an hour before Tony was able to leave next time I think I will give that part a miss. lol

Rain clouds forming over head.  There were about 75 cars entered this year and 500 bikes they started a wait list for the bikes in case riders decided not to race.

David, Johnny, Tony and Jude.

The paint job on this truck is awesome.

Just loved the Wicked Quick truck, it nearly left the track and ran us over on the last day of the race lol. First time I lost my nerve while taking photo’s I'm sure I wasn't in any danger but the guys standing next to me were very jumpy and making me nervous lol.

 

Hate to say but this was all the photo’s I took I really lost my enthusiasm that night lol.

DAY ONE 4/6/09

We managed to get up at 3am and were out the door  by 4, we picked up a friend of ours and headed to the airport.  We were nearly there when we heard on the radio that there were major disruptions at Brisbane airport.  Great, Lucky we had a bit of time up our sleeves to catch our connecting flight in Sydney.  We need not have worried as Sydney airport was closed for two hours due to fog. At the airport we met some more friends and we were set.  Our plane left for Alice Springs about an hour late and we landed there about 2pm.

We flew over western NSW and straight across the Simpson Desert.  I can not put into words how spectacular it was, if we were sitting on the other side of the plane we would have been able to see Lake Eyre.  We live in the most amazing country. It’s just so beautiful.  I looked on Google for some photo’s but found none that does it justice.

We were met at the airport by Les, Glenys, and Johnny, it was great they got our race car there in one piece lol.  Steve and Jude were also there to meet us.  The G &T Racing Team were almost complete.  Tony’s navigator Gary was unable to get to Alice Springs due to delays with his house settlement so Les was asked to navigate.  Les has raced the Finke three times before and has finished every time, would he be a good luck charm only time would tell.

We were staying at the Heavitree Gap Resort it wasn't our first choice but by the time we decided to enter the race  there wasn't a huge choice left with accommodation but it was fine, warm and clean you cant ask for more than that.  I didn't take many photo’s but here is the view out my front and back doors.

Every afternoon rock wallabies come down the cliffs for a feed, they are the cutest little things and so tame.

The photo below is from my back door, the dirt in front is the Todd River you have the main Highway to SA and the Railway.  We saw The Ghan and the longest freight trains I have ever seen go past. 

 

 

 

You could sit on the log with them and they would come right up to you.

We had a quiet night and just went to the Heavitree Tavern for dinner.

Bye for now

OFF TO ALICE SPRINGS

Ive just decided to turn off the State Of Origin, it’s just too depressing.  Anyway have to get to bed as we are leaving at 4am to get to Brisbane in time to catch our plane, then it’s a brief stop over in Sydney before going on to Alice Springs and we should get there about 1pm.  I will catch you all in six days or so.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD ON THE 8th of June , LUCY AND KYM ON THE 9TH OF JUNE.

Bye for now

Jackie

FUN DAY

We went to Wet & Wild today, the kids had a ball.  It was only 22 degrees, Tony said the water was freezing and only lasted a few rides.  It amazes me how the kids never seem to feel the cold.   I swear I was the only person in jeans.   The clouds did come over and looked rainy but fortunately the rain stayed away.  After weeks of promising a trip there it’s done and we shouldn't have to go there again for at least 12 months.

I'm still trying to work my camera out especially with the sports and continuous shooting modes, at least I got some practice before next weekend.  I don't know why I didn't read the instruction book again it’s amazing what’s in there lol.

Here are some photo’s of the  day.

 

Tony’s looking a bit strange in the above photo lol.  He was trying to keep his pants dry.

 

 

 

He does find it hard to keep up with the pace.

 

 

 

Love the expression on Matt’s face and Tess has her eyes shut and is hanging on for grim death.

 

 

Matt’s looking a bit pasty after that ride lol.

You can just spot Tess in the water.  She was flying down that slide.

Warming up in the spa.

Last ride of the day.

After an exhausting day there is only one thing left to do.

She is going to kill me if she sees this photo on here.  She was indignant that I took one of her asleep lol.

ONE WEEK TO GO

We have one week until we leave for Alice Springs, I have so much to do before we leave I'm not sure where to start.  I really shouldn't be sitting here writing a post for my blog lol.  It’s 7am I've tidied up the house, washing’s in the machine and the girls are almost ready to leave for school I figure I can spare half an hour or so .

We are going to Alice Springs to compete in the Tattersall's Finke Desert Race or I probably should say Tony is competing I'm spectating lol.  This will be Tony’s second time racing the Finke.  To say we are excited is an understatement it’s a fantastic event.

Tony’s been working on the car for months and has done everything possible to be prepared.  The car leaves tomorrow and we follow on Thursday.  Two years ago we drove , it took five days to get there, we did take our time doing the touristy things on the way.  Unfortunately Tony  cant take the time of work this year.

In the trailer ready to go.

 

I'm not sure who took these photo’s I think it was a photographer from the ABC.  These were taken in 2007

We are spending five days in Alice, so I've been planning for the places I want to go and see especially ones I missed out on last time.  No doubt it will be a full on.

So what do I have to do by next Wednesday?  As it’s the end of the month on Sunday (I think lol) I have to finish this months book work, I'm hoping to get that done today so on Sunday or Monday can print of statements and get them in the mail. 

On Saturday we are supposed to be going to Wet and Wild, oh how thrilled I am to be going there lol.  We are hoping for rain, as if we need any more.  We tried to talk Tess   out of it by telling her how cold it is going to be be she wont be put off lol.  I guess I could drop them off and go back to Ikea .

The girls aren't coming with us so we have to get them organised.  Lucy is staying with Linda and Eric and Tess is staying with Kym and Michael.   Poor Lucy, her birthday is on the 9th of June, the day we come home but wont get home until about 9pm. I have to order her cake and buy  her pressie’s.  We will take her out to dinner on Wednesday night lol.  At least we will sort of be here on the day (or what is left of it)

 

 

Anyway that’s my half hour up so had better get off here.

Bye for now

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE

I had been on the computer for a couple of hours and decided to head off to bed.  I walked into the lounge room and found this.

 

How’s his form and no he is not supposed to be on the chair.  Funny thing was he had to walk straight past me to get into the lounge room and I didn't even hear him.  He never used to do this until we went away and left him with a friend of ours who spoilt him rotten.  He had his own special chair in the house that he could sleep on, we’ve had trouble keeping him off the chairs ever since.  He has a perfectly comfortable beanbag outside on the verandah.  My friend is looking at buying boarding kennels, I can see all the dogs inside his house.   No wonder Fred loves going to stay at Les’ house.