Tilpa-raised motorcycle rider Will Ashby has secured another outstanding result at the Tatts Finke Desert Race, finishing ninth outright for the second consecutive year.
Speaking with 2WEB’s Rod Corfe following the race, Ashby said achieving consecutive top-10 finishes was particularly special after dreaming of success at Finke for many years.
“Last year I was ninth outright and this year I came away with ninth outright again,” he said.
“To do it twice is pretty special.”
Now based in Alice Springs, Ashby successfully completed the gruelling return journey between Alice Springs and the remote community of Aputula, commonly known as Finke, aboard his KTM 500.
The race covers approximately 224 kilometres in each direction along the route of the old Ghan railway line and is regarded as one of Australia’s toughest and fastest off-road events.
His latest result follows a difficult period several years ago, when a crash left him with a broken leg and unable to compete.
Ashby described this year’s track as one of the roughest he had encountered, with hundreds of motorcycles and off-road vehicles quickly carving up the course.
“There were holes everywhere,” he said.
“You really had to slow down, pick your lines and ride smart. We got it done, so I’m happy.”
Around 650 motorcycles and more than 200 buggies and cars reportedly started the event, helping attract a huge crowd to Alice Springs.
Ashby grew up riding motorcycles on his family’s station between White Cliffs and Tilpa, with the support of his parents helping foster his passion for desert racing.
He said the atmosphere surrounding Finke was one of the things that continued to draw him back.
“I call them family because everyone is happy to help anyone and lend a hand wherever they can,” he said.
“It really does take a village of people to compete in this race.”
Ashby thanked his family, sponsors and supporters across Tilpa, Cobar, Broken Hill, Wilcannia and South Australia.
Among those supporting his 2026 campaign were Stacey and Crystal from the Tilpa Hotel, Patrick and Shelley Sullivan from Sullivan Pastures, his parents, Justin and Julie McClure, Hill Sustainable Gardens, Spitwater Pressure Washers and GDR Suspension.
He praised the work of GDR Suspension in preparing his KTM 500 for the punishing event.
“The bike was flawless,” Ashby said.
“Greeny from GDR did an amazing job building the motor and suspension and getting me there and back fast and safely.”
While Ashby has not yet committed to returning to the Finke starting line next year, he is preparing for an even larger international challenge.
Later this year, he plans to travel to Mexico as part of what he described as the largest Australian team assembled to compete in the famous Baja 1000.
Ashby is inviting individuals and businesses interested in supporting the campaign to contact him through his Will Ashby Facebook or Instagram pages.
Whether or not he returns to race at Finke next year, Ashby said he would definitely be back in Alice Springs to support the event and the close-knit desert-racing community.
Listen to Rod Corfe’s full interview with Will Ashby below.