The Motorex KTM Off Road Racing team will be looking to defend its title in this weekend’s KTM-sponsored Hattah Desert Race at Mildura in Victoria on 2-3 July.

Last season saw KTM riders sweep the first five positions of the gruelling event, with Motorex KTM Off Road Racing’s Toby Price victorious ahead of teammates Ben Grabham, Brad Williscroft and Jarrod Bewley. Rounding out the top five last year was CPW KTM rider Todd Smith.

For defending dual Australian Off Road Champion Price, the Hattah Desert Race marks one of the highlights of the season and he’ll be determined to bounce back following a disappointing DNF at the Finke Desert Race last month.

“I’m hoping to do well and it’s a big race to try and win on our calendar,” Price commented. “Everything has been going to plan so far, so we’ll keep at it and see what the weekend brings. Hattah is an enjoyable race and one that I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve kept my preparation the same as last year, so hopefully that will be enough to win again.”

Bewley, who is the current AORC champion in the E1 class, is looking to improve upon his fourth place from last year at Hattah. Bewley was impressive last month at Finke, finishing second Outright in a 1-2 for KTM.

“I definitely want to improve from last year’s fourth place at Hattah,” Bewley said. “It’s a long race, so I need to put in consistent laps and hopefully be up on that podium come Sunday afternoon. The Finke was good preparation for Hattah since we spent so much time on the bike during that race – I’m sure it will pay off.”

Both Grabham and Williscroft are also former winners of the event, however recent Finke Desert Race winner Grabham has been ruled out of Hattah with a wrist injury sustained at Finke.

Meanwhile, Williscroft will again trade his team manager cap in for a riding role at Hattah, confident that both he and the team can post strong results this weekend.

“We’ve got Toby and Jarrod who will be up there battling for the Outright win, while I hope to get in the top five myself,” Williscroft said. “It’s unfortunate that Ben’s injured, so we look forward to welcoming him back. Hopefully the boys can go 1-2 at Hattah, or at least have one of them on the top step of the podium.”

Attracting over 400 competitors, the Hattah Desert Race is fought out over eight laps of a gruelling 35-kilometre loop through unique mallee scrub land, which includes everything from tight, technical sections winding through trees to wide open blasts through open paddocks and sand hills.