Release from 02.07.2023
Husqvarna Motorcycles-supported off-road racers Emelie Karlsson and Billy Hargy have endured a brutally rough 2023 Hattah Desert Race to take home class podiums in the Ladies and Under 19s categories over the weekend in Victoria.
Despite breaking the front brake lever of her Husqvarna FE 350 in a crash on the second 38km lap, the ever-determined Karlsson regrouped and pushed as hard as she could around the chopped-up Hattah circuit and was rewarded with a hard-fought P3 result in class.
Emelie Karlsson: "It was so rough, and it would have to rate as the toughest Hattah I’ve done! After the first lap my knees were on fire and I thought there was no way I was going to finish. I had a big crash on the second lap and I had to finish that lap with no front brake, but we got it fixed in the pits and it was then just about grinding through the rest of the race. I’m very happy to finish third as I haven’t ridden fast, rough tracks like this very much."
Hargy put himself in class contention from the start of the weekend after the talented teenager placed second in his class and 18th outright in the prologue. The 17-year-old carried the same form into Sunday’s eight-lap race, but had to contend with fogging goggles, a broken finger and a crash on a chaotic opening lap. He was able to put those setbacks to the side as he remarkably worked his way to a rewarding P2 result in his class and 16th outright.
Billy Hargy: "My first lap was a bit of a disaster... My goggles fogged up, so I took them off, then I struggled with sand in my eyes and was trying to make up time when I hit a tree and broke my pinky finger. I finished the first lap in 33rd, so the rest of the race was just about playing catch-up and trying to stick it to the riders in front of me, but I don’t think I’ve ever ridden anything so rough in my life! There wasn’t a single part of the track that wasn’t rough, deep and heavy. My finger’s pretty sore now, so we’ll head to hospital and get it checked out, then I’ll recover and get ready for the next races coming up."
In the horsepower-heavy over 450cc four-stroke class, Stefan Granquist and his Husqvarna FE 501 negotiated the challenging square-edged bumps and fast straights to finish sixth. After a good start, Granquist lost positions in the middle stages of the race before finishing strong and powering home – enough for P6 in class and 14th outright.
Stefan Granquist: "I can honestly say I’ve never felt as tired as I do right now. The track was mega rough, and the endless square-edged bumps were so taxing. My opening two laps were pretty good and I moved up to 13th or 14th outright, but then I had a dip in the middle where I lost a few spots. With two laps remaining, the Steg Pegz on the bike kept sticking out, so I spent a little bit of extra time at the next fuel-stop fixing them, and stuffed myself full of lollies... That gave me a real boost of energy and I was able to pass five or six guys in the last two laps and regain some lost time. 14th outright is all that I had in me today, unfortunately."
Meanwhile, former Australian motocross champion Todd Waters and his Raceline Husqvarna Berry Sweet Racing FE 501 were taken out of contention while fighting inside the top five outright. On the fourth lap, a tree branch on the inside of a corner struck Waters on the side of his head, knocking him from the bike, and he was forced to retire from the race.
Todd Waters: "I didn’t see a branch on the inside of a turn and it struck my helmet and knocked me off the back of the bike. I wasn’t in any condition to continue and I was forced to DNF. It hasn’t been a great couple of weeks for me as far as results go, but I’ll take some time to make sure I’m recovered for the ProMX Championship at QMP next month."
In addition, Husqvarna FE 501-equipped Jack Simpson finished the 304km desert race in second outright and won the over 450cc four-stroke class.
2023 Hattah Desert Race
Outright results:
1. Mason Semmens (KTM) 4h28m13.419s
2. Jack Simpson (Husqvarna) 4h31m26.325s
3. Korey McMahon (GASGAS) 4h33m32.844s
4. Angus Riordan (KTM) 4h38m37.302s
5. Corey Hammond (KTM) 4h43m50.820s
Ladies (Eight Laps) results:
1. Emma Milesevic (Honda) 4h49m19.19s
2. Madi Healey (Honda) 4h59m53.974s
3. Emelie Karlsson (Husqvarna) 5h17m15.527s
4. Monique Simioni (Husqvarna) 4h42m36.368s
5. Kathryn Scoble (Honda) 4h48m41.530s