The race is an off road, multi-terrain two-day race for bikes, cars, buggies and quads through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula community of Finke.

“We had a good run down, really clean,” Rentsch said.

“This year it was a massive advantage starting on pole. To prologue first, and then be down first and back first, is pretty special and it’s up there as one of the best runs we’ve done.” After starting second on Monday morning five-time winner Toby Price’s run came to a premature end when mechanical failure ruled him out of the Northern Territory’s biggest sporting event.

“I had no idea others were dropping off behind. Toby was only three minutes behind us and I knew he’d be pushing pretty hard,” Rentsch said. “His truck handles really well in the rough stuff so we just set off going as quick as we could. We really didn’t have any idea where he was until around 70 kilometres to go. Once we knew we had a good gap, we backed off and got it home.”

Second place went to David Fellows with Gregory Rhodes and Mark Bergamin who crossed the line 16 minutes behind the leaders.

Warrnambool’s Shaun Walters finished the bike race in three hours and 50 minutes, carrying his stepfather’s ashes.