Finke legend David Walsh retires from racing

Reigning five-time Finke Desert Race champion David Walsh has announced his retirement from competition, handing the baton over to the next generation. 

The Alice Springs local has dominated the race since winning his first King of the Desert title in 2019. He also won the next four events (there was no race in 2020) to equal Randall Gregory’s record for five straight wins and sit equal second behind six-time winner Toby Price on the all-time winners list. 

Walsh also finished on the podium on four other occasions (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018), with all but two of his nine podium finishes secured aboard a KTM. 

Now Walsh is hanging up the boots to give the next generation of talent a chance to triumph at the famous desert race. 

For 2025, KTM will field a two-rider team under the STE KTM Racing banner. Victorian rider Callum Norton returns after two consecutive second-place finishes, while David’s cousin Liam Walsh will also be back on a KTM after a DNF in 2024. 

David Walsh will turn his attention to a mentoring role, with the hope of passing on his experience and knowledge to Norton and the younger Walsh. 

“To combine the team and be able to put our heads together for the Finke event and make the outfit stronger overall is great,” said Walsh. “For me, in stepping away from racing, I’ve been going down the track to help the guys out, helping them with set-up, as well as lending them some advice that I’ve learned over the years.”

Both Norton and Liam Walsh will be among the favourites for the Finke crown come King’s Birthday Weekend when the lights go out. Norton won the 2024 Hattah Desert Race over Victorian rival Jack Simpson and has been second only to David Walsh at Finke for the past two years. No Victorian rider has ever won the Finke Desert Race.

Liam Walsh meanwhile finished fifth in 2023, and crashed out in 2024 after winning the prologue. He will be keen to find a podium spot in 2025.

STE Racing team owner Jason Stewart is excited about the partnership with KTM and has been impressed by the Austrian brand’s support.

“To join forces with KTM is invaluable,” said Stewart. “In my opinion, the KTM 500 EXC-F is the best motorcycle in the world, and over the last couple of years, we haven’t done too much to them at all in racing at this level.

“KTM has been unbelievable to work with on all aspects so far, and we’re thrilled to represent them in this way.” 

The Finke Desert Race kicks off June 6-9, with riders racing down to the Finke River at Apatula on June 8 and returning to Alice Springs on June 9.