SOUTH AUSSIES RIDE, RACE, SWIM & SINK AT THE HATTAH ‘SWAMP’ RACE!
The 2019 Penrite Hattah Desert Race looked more like the NT’s Kamfari Mud Run on the Sunday, as the heaven’s opened on the Senior Race and while it gave the region some much needed rain for the farmers – it could have held off for about 4 hours!
That said, the 100+ South Aussie strong contingent, like all events, had some tales of woe, some tales of ‘getting the job done’, and some tales of epic rides! Here are just a few of the tales to come out of this iconic Australian event in 2019.
Will Price took to the event like a duck to water and splashed his way to an awesome 15th outright and 2nd in the Under 19 Class, and finishing in front of some of Australia’s best off road and desert races, Broc Grabham and Jacob Smith to name a couple.
Will’s Kessner KTM teammate, Cooper Sheidow, also had a great result in finishing 5th (41st outright) in the Under 19 Class, and one of only 7 in the class to finish on the lead lap!
David Jongebloed also had a great run, finishing 2nd in the Veterans 35-44 Years Class, and one of only 2 in the class to finish on the lead lap.
In the Junior Big Wheel race, Jack Colbert had an outstanding run, finishing in the top 10 for 9th outright on the day, and 6th in class – an outstanding ride from Jack against many of the best in Australia!
In the Juniors, Charlie Milton was also looking good for a great finish when he ran out of fuel near the end and had to push home, but even with running dry he still managed an excellent 12th outright in the Big Wheel Junior Race and finished 8th in class!
Also having good runs in that class were Max Liebknecht, Mitchel Stanway and Kyan Haydon who finished 17th, 18th & 21st.
In the 100-150cc 2 stroke Class for the Big Wheels, Jack McLean rode to an excellent 6th place, with Alex Head right behind in 7th place, and with Aimee Butler leading home the SA girls with a 7th place in the 12-U16 Girls Class.
In the Small Wheels race there was an outstanding effort from the Gear brothers from Keith, with Davey finishing 4th outright and 4th in class, and younger brother, Ollie, finishing 10th outright and 2nd in his class – superb effort lads!
For a comprehensive look at all the results – outright and class, junior and senior – head to this link to see how all the south Aussies went! https://speedhive.mylaps.com/Events/1688910
& A COUPLE OF PROUD MUMS!
From Cassandra Liebknecht;
2017, he blew the bike on the first lap
2018 started in 59th position and finished
2019 started 18th position and finished 35th outright and 17th in class. So proud!
2020?????
#hattah19 congrats again for an awesome event and the perfect weather
Maxwell Liebknecht you make us very proud, just remember the mind needs as much training as the body.
From Jen Verhees;
So proud of my boys getting Hattah 2019 done! Such an awesome event to be part of. Congratulations Tanner on finishing your first Desert Hattah Race. Couldn’t have been part of this event without your support/pit crew – Thanks guys! Tanner is very fortunate to have a great dad, Darren Verhees who made sure this could all happen
AND FROM THE HATTAH COMMITTEE;
The Hattah Committee would like to thank you all for attending the 2019 Penrite Hattah Desert Race powered by Optus.
The landowners, the volunteers, the riders, the pit crew, the families and the spectators – you made the 2019 race a memorable one.
This year’s race is certainly one for the history books for being the 2019 Hattah Swamp Race.
See you all in 2020!
And finally – we mentioned it was a tad damp on Sunday – and with photo credits to Motosport Mildura – here’s the proof, which includes a ‘dirty’ look at the camera from SA’s own Nick Leditschke (top 2 pics)
