![](https://www.mant.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kamfari-Bike-Start-scaled.jpg)
The 53rd edition of the legendary Kamfari race in Australia has just concluded, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The event showcased an impressive display of endurance, athleticism and sportsmanship. Participants were put to the test with a challenging 12-kilometre course that featured difficult terrain, including mud and natural obstacles, making it a true test of skill and determination.
In the bike section, three time winner Chris Warwick, along with Will Thurlbeck and Anthony Charlton (Choco), engaged in an intense and gruelling 20 lap battle that lasted for four hours. The competition was fierce, but in the end, Chris Warwick emerged as the winner of the outright bike category for the 2024 Kamfari Championship. His incredible skills and determination were on full display, making him a deserving champion.
In the outright quad category, Jason McArthur once again dominated the competition, earning his 4th consecutive champion title and winning another set of buffalo horns. His impressive performance has left us excited to see what the 2025 championship will bring and whether any new contenders will emerge to challenge his reign.
This year’s Kamfari witnessed the largest female participation numbers, thanks to the efforts of Kate Raymond, owner of Elsewhere on Wheels. Seven women competed in the bike category, and all of them successfully finished the race, while two women competed in the quad category. Catherine Kingsley was named the first Women’s Kamfari Champion for the bike section, and Alanah Holy for the quad section. Their incredible performances have set the bar high for future female competitors.
Other winners included Louis Poitevan (bike) in the under 25’s category, James Wadsley (quad) in the under 25’s category, Anthony Charlton (bike) in the Veterans category, Richard Mitchell (quad) in the Veterans category, and Vic Hall (bike) and Stephen Pilkington (quad) in the Masters category. All of the winners showed exceptional skill and determination, making them worthy champions in their respective categories.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the spectators who attended this awe-inspiring event. Your good behaviour and adherence to the track rules were much appreciated, and they ensured the safety of everyone involved.
We also extend our thanks to Kamfari sponsors, including C&R Constructions, Noonmah Tavern, ZipPrint and new sponsors Arctic Insulation Panels and Top End Motorcycle Hire. Without their wonderful support, events like this iconic race would not continue.
Lastly, we would like to congratulate the DMCC committee and volunteers whose unwavering dedication and hard work made this event a resounding success for everyone involved. Their efforts were truly commendable and helped make this incredible event possible.
Photo acknowledgements: David Artisan, Peter and Denise Troon
Final Results
Outright Bike
Champion: Chris Warwick – 20 laps
2nd Place: Will Thurlbeck – 20 laps
3rd Place: Anthony Charlton – 20 laps
4th Place: Tyrone Marcus – 19 laps
5th Place: Billy Barry – 18 laps
![](https://www.mant.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kamfari-Bike-Podium.jpg)
Champion: Jason McArthur – 16 laps
2nd Place: Richard Mitchell – 16 laps
3rd Place: Stephen Pilkington – 15 laps
4th Place: Brad Burgermeister – 13 laps
5th Place: Gary Burns – 12 laps
![](https://www.mant.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Kamfari-Quad-Podium.jpg)
International Spotlight with Toby Price
Motorcycling Australia (MA) was thrilled to sit down with Off-Road and Enduro rider, Toby Price, who has had a cracking 2018 so far by winning the 2018 Tatts Finke Desert Race for the sixth time! Price spoke to MA about his jam-packed training regime, and has a special message for all his fans.
Where are you currently competing?
I actually just finished up at the Desafio Inca Rally in Peru and I’ve just returned home for a couple of rad events with my valued sponsors. I’m back overseas soon to take on the Rally of Morocco at the start of October.
What’s the hardest thing about adapting to your new country?
The food is actually the hardest. You need to make sure you don’t eat the wrong thing or drink the wrong water. Language is always hard too because I only speak English!
What do you miss most about home?
I actually don’t get too homesick on the road! I love my job and I’m lucky to be able to travel the world while doing it. If I did miss anything it would be food and friends!
What is your preparation/training regime like?
Wake up, have a protein filled breakfast, train either at the gym, on the bike or out on a track, recover, eat, emails, and then some fun or more training in the afternoon.
What’s been a highlight for you this year?
A highlight was finishing third in the 2018 Dakar Rally. I was only back on the bike for six weeks before the event after breaking my femur at the 2017 Dakar Rally.
What is your single most motivating force?
The feeling of winning! At the end of the day, I’m a racer.
Tell us a bit more about what you hope to achieve and what you have already achieved in 2018?
This year I finished third at the Dakar Rally and won the Finke Desert Race for the sixth time. I’m hoping to next year win the Dakar Rally for the second time!
Do you have a special message for your fans back home?
Thanks everyone for the continued support! It means a lot, especially checking my social media after each stage and seeing your messages!
Favourite thing to do besides motorcycling?
Normally I get out on the mountain bike with the crew during the week, and on the weekends I hang out with mates for BBQ’s, drinks and dinner!
Describe yourself in three words
Aussie, Mullet & Chilled!
The MA Alliance Explained: Q&A Part 1
What’s in it for me? No doubt the first question you asked when the Motorcycling Australia (MA) Alliance Agreement (AA) was announced.
You, as members of MA are at the heart of the agreement. We aim to provide an economic and safe environment for participants and volunteers from all the various disciplines, whether you are a racer, a social rider, or even just an interested observer.
There are a lot of challenges and opportunities facing motorcycling in Australia – rising costs, more stringent safety requirements (higher insurance premiums), the lure of other activities (decreasing member base) and changing requirements of our riders – more ride parks, adventure riding, dirt bike rallies, ride days etc. These are real issues facing the sport which need to be faced as a cohesive team.
For quite some time all of the State Controlling Boards (SCBs) have thought long and hard about the most effective and efficient way to address these challenges and opportunities.
To retain the SCB’s autonomy (direct accountability to their members and securing their assets) while gaining the benefits of acting nationally – reduced duplication, standardising process and products, providing a national voice in support of the sport we love, the SCB’s and MA have agreed to form an Alliance where each member has an equal voice and commits to work together to achieve what’s best for motorcycling.
At this point, Motorcycling Victoria have elected not to participate in this Alliance, however we remain hopeful that they will join in the future to ensure a truly single voice in order for motorcycling to prosper in Australia.”
To stay up to date with everything involved in the new MA Alliance, head to our website, Facebook and Instagram.