Danielle Foot is on a mission to claim a Finke Desert Race class win that slipped through her fingers in 2017. The young racer from Geelong, Victoria placed second in Class 3 for two-stroke bikes up to 250cc last year and now Foot wants the title more than ever.
Racing aboard a Road & River Sherco 250 SE-R in this year’s Finke, Foot believes she is ready to take on Australia’s greatest desert race.
“I’m keen to see how the Sherco 250 will handle the hectic whoops,” Foot said. “Being so light and nimble, with a lot of power up top, I reckon it’ll be good fun.”
With experience on her side Foot insists she is ready for the gruelling challenge ahead of her this Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
“I believe I’m ready,” said Foot. “I’ve had a lot more bike time compared to last year’s Finke preparation. This being my third year doing it, I think I’m experienced enough to know what I’ve got to do in the race. Finke is one of my favourite races, next to the Hattah Desert Race. I’ve always loved going fast in the sand, and that’s exactly what these races are about.”
Foot has switched her racing mainstay schedule from motocross to enduro for 2018 and currently leads the Victorian Off-Road Championship Women’s Class with a perfect score after four rounds.
“After a few rounds of off-road racing on some tight tracks, I’m definitely looking forward to holding it wide open and hanging off the back of the bike at Finke,” Foot explained. “I’m looking for redemption from last year’s Finke and hoping to get on the top step for the 250 two-stroke class.”
The Finke Desert Race commences Saturday, June 9 with a prologue to determine competitor starting order for the main race. Race day-1 begins Sunday June 10 with the final day of racing Monday June 11.