A brilliant podium sweep for KTM Australia at the 2018 Tatts Finke Desert Race marked one of the most significant achievements yet for former off-road international Glenn Kearney in the role of national motorsport manager.

Kearney, who also doubles as the team manager of KTM’s desert and enduro operations, led North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team’s Toby Price and David Walsh to a 1-2 result, as supported rider Jack Simpson clinched third aboard KTM 500 EXC-F machinery.

“What an awesome event for the whole North Star Pastoral KTM Desert Racing Team!” Kearney beamed post-race. “It was a 1-2 finish across the line with Toby Price and David Walsh on the KTM 500 EXC-F machinery, plus it was great to see Jack Simpson across the line in third also on the same model.

“It was a huge effort from our whole team and we couldn’t be happier – especially after the disappointment of last year and to sweep the podium is unreal. Toby, what can you say about the guy? He is an absolute freak and showed that throughout this year’s event.

“And it was a super-human effort from David after having the biggest crash just two weeks ago. It was in doubt whether he would even be able to line up, so for him to come through from 28th to second in these dusty conditions was just unbelievable.”

With the KTM Australia Adventure Rallye: Outback Run – including around 250 participants – culminating in the Northern Territory for Finke to show their support of the KTM-mounted racers competing, it was a fitting result that came as a great reward to KTM Australia.

“Finke is a huge effort from the whole team, the riders and mechanics right through to all of our helpers, with 36 people involved,” continued Kearney. “We can’t thank North Star Pastoral and, most of all, KTM for the opportunity to go out there and show exactly what our bikes are capable of.”