Finke race organisers not aware of any alleged theft as social media erupts with speculation

Social media users have ignited speculation surrounding what they believe was an attempt to steal motorcycles before the Finke desert race. Find out what the organisers said.

Social media users have ignited speculation surrounding what they believe was an attempt to steal motorcycles before the Finke desert race.

However, the organisers of the Red Centre’s biggest desert race say they were not aware of “any alleged theft” of competitor’s motorcycles.

Their comments come days after footage was posted on the Action for Alice Facebook page which sparked extensive speculation from community members.

The blue Holden Commodore which social media users believe was also spotted at an Alice Springs motel casing Finke competitors’ motorcycles.

“ … This blue Holden Commodore wagon has been scooping (sic) Finke motorcycles at the hotel, cut the locks on bikes but guest disturbed (at) 8.30pm (on May 31) stolen rego,” the post read.

The incident was reported as having occurred at the Diplomat Hotel in Alice Springs.

Managers of the hotel declined to comment on the matter.

The blue Commodore was again seen on June 2 by visitors at Blatherskite park, which is being used as accommodation for Finke attendees.

A Tatts Finke Desert Race spokesperson said they were not aware of any alleged motorcycle theft.

“The safety of all competitors and their vehicles is always paramount to the event, and we will continue to respond to any concerns surrounding this throughout the 2024 Tatts Finke Desert Race,” they said.

NT Police in a statement said they were also unaware of any related incident.

The Finke Desert Race is on next weekend
But competitors bikes are targeted

hi mate this Blue commodore wagon has been scooping Finke motorcycles @ the hotel cut the locks 🔒 on bikes but guest disturbed 8:30pm last night stolen rego CC44HV pic.twitter.com/DxJ5cuNn3u

— Action for Alice 2020 (@actionforalice) May 31, 2024

And while motorcycles may not have been stolen, another disgruntled Finke visitor found they were short some extra lunch meat when they woke to find their salami – stored overnight in the fridge on the back of their ute – gone.

“Cleary it (salami) made a good accompaniment to the beer stolen out of the car next to ours. Be salami aware.”

Officer in charge of Southern Road Policing Operations Senior Sergeant Andrew Heath said community members, punters and racers should be on their best behaviour during the races.

“The race may be stopped if spectators don’t comply, so if you are given direction just do it, don’t be the person responsible for the race being stopped,” he said.

In 2022, a 16-year-old Finke racer had his orange KTM racing motorbike stolen in Coober Pedy just days ahead of the popular race.

South Australian police reunited him with the bike before the race began.