Mates to go at it again at Kamfari
TODAY’S 45th edition of the four-hour Kamfari mud race has assembled one of the greatest fields in the event’s long history.
Ten-time champion Tony Morris, back after 16 years away, nine-time winner Brad Williscroft, 2014 champion and Top End star Daniel McInnes and big name interstate riders Mitch Harper and Kye Anderson, make the 2016 race a virtual who’s-who of motorbike enduro racing.
Williscroft is unbeaten in nine attempts at the great race, beginning in 2004 and rolling into last year when he beat a crack field of local riders.
Back for ride No. 10, the man they call “Wonka’’ in his big orange KTM has a bigger machine underneath him and a galaxy of champion riders around him.
“I’m just here to ride the best I can, especially with a bit of competition from down south this year,’’ Williscroft said when asked if a 10th successive win was a big part of his race plan.
“I really don’t know about any strategies just yet; it depends on where I start from and who is where in the early stages of the race.
“What I do know is I’m looking forward to what will be a huge challenge on a 500 bike, which is up a bit in power from last year, but this race is more about being smart and fit than horsepower.’’
McInness had mechanical and off-track problems when trying to defend his title in last year’s race, negatives he is confident will not be around in his attempt to win back the Kamfari crown.
“I made a few mistakes last year and came into the race a little bit unprepared with the bike, including figuring out on lap two the suspension was no good and it was bouncing me around,’’ he said.
“But hats off to Wonka. He’s always there, he’s always solid and knows how to ride this sort of stuff and he was the better man on the day.
“I’ve got a better bike and one I’m a lot happier with this time (Husqvarna 450) after we spent a bit of time on the suspension.
“I’ve never had a bike set up for an enduro before and it’s probably going to make a lot of difference with my fitness, even though I’m not really a full-on fitness rider.
“Having a well setup suspension will help take some of the pain away.” SHANE Munt and Phil Nathanael are good mates away from the racetrack, but put them on a quad bike and all bets are off.
Regular podium finishers in the annual Kamfari enduro, the two warhorses will be at it again today when their Can Am 1000 bikes go to work.
Munt, last year’s champion in his second attempt at the four-hour mud-fest, sets himself two golden rules when the starter’s gun sets the riders off on their journey.
“You’ve got to be lucky and definitely don’t break the bike, so you h have to be a little bit smart rig right from the start of the race,’ race,’’ he said. “Alwa “Always remember, it’s a four-ho four-hour race where most laps w wins. So you've got to not worry about going to too fast at the start and ju just keep on going, find a way.’’
Munt can see several challengers emerging from the 12km track as the race progresses.
“There are a few b blokes coming from so south we’ll have to wa watch, including the grea great Waldo Hussey who has w won the race a few times,’’ he said.
“And h he’s got a sponsor and a bike, so all he has to do is turn up and r race, a pretty simple task for h him.
“B “But there’sh lots of good riders in it, Craig Shea who won the race two years ago and Phil of course three years ago, it won’t be easy out there.’’
Nathanael will also be astride a Can Am 1000 in his bid to lift his strike rate to 50 per cent, two wins from four starts.
“I got home first in 2013 and been second twice in ‘ 14 and ‘15, so I’ve been thereabouts,’’ he said. “Basically it’s just a good day in the mud, having a lot of fun and hopefully getting home first.”