A new-look KTM desert racing program will debut at Finke this year, the brand joining forces with Heath Motor Group (HMG) to field defending champion David Walsh alongside cousin Liam Walsh.

The newly-established HMG Motorsport Group team will have access to in-house KTM resources, yet the freedom and flexibility to conduct their own local pre-season testing and operate logistics at the races.

HMG Motorsport Group KTM Team Owner Aaron Heath explained: “Heath Motor Group is a motor group in Alice Springs, Darwin, Kununurra and the Kimberley region. When the opportunity arose to establish the HMG Motorsport Group and run KTM’s desert racing campaign with David and Liam, we jumped at it.

“I’ve had some sort of involvement with the Walshes for at least five years and I’m excited to have them both on the team. David will be the team manager and senior rider, while Liam will be the second rider. We’ll work on a pathway program for more events down the track and look forward to this partnership with KTM into the future.”

Two-time Finke winner David Walsh is aiming to add a third Finke title to his tally in 2022, while undertaking new team manager duties within the organisation.

“Aaron Heath has been supporting me for a few years and helped me get to the Baja 1000 in 2019,” David Walsh explained. “This year the opportunity arose to establish this new team and I’m really looking forward to it and seeing what we can do.

“Having Liam on the team is exciting, as he’s a fast racer, and now that he’s got the backing of KTM, he’ll hopefully be able to show his true potential. This year will be my 15th attempt at Finke and I’m aiming to claim my third victory. I can’t wait to get stuck into testing!”

After showing promise competing at national level in motocross, Liam Walsh, 21, has impressed in his switch to desert racing, winning the 450cc class at last year’s Finke and finishing 10th outright.

“It’s pretty incredible to get an opportunity like this,” Liam Walsh explained. “I’ve raced the Australian Motocross Championship with team support in the past, but it was never to this standard where everything is provided. It definitely increases the motivation levels and makes me want to give every race 110 percent, to repay the faith they’ve placed in me.

“At last year’s Finke I won the 450 class and finished 10th outright, and for 2022 I want to achieve a top-five result in the 500cc class. Being David’s cousin, I’ve seen the success he’s had in desert racing and I’d love to replicate that success and keep it in the family.”

The 2022 Finke Desert Race will be held in the Northern Territory on 9-13 June, with the Hattah Desert Race taking place in July followed by the Don River Dash in September.