By Jenel Hunt
Finding a sport that both father and son can be actively involved in might seem a challenge, but it was the easiest thing in the world for Mike and Ben Bertinazzi.
Mike has always loved off-road racing. Ben has been involved with motorbikes all his life and used do Enduro racing. They’re both mechanics. And to be honest, it would come as no surprise to find out they have motor oil running through their veins.
So of course they had a need for speed, wheels and a motor. They chose off-road racing.
It all started with the building of a trophy truck.
Mike, who has the Tyrepower businesses in Stanthorpe and Warwick, said they started to build the race truck about three years ago.
“We built all the component parts. The basic frame was a kit but we had to work out all the suspension geometry and we went from there,” he said.
“It took us one-and-a-half years to build. These trucks have to be able to take some punishment so you’ve got to get it right.”
After their first race in Cooroy where their trial run showed them they still had to work on the fuel injection system, they’ve been on a roll, lining up for the desert race in Mildura, the Rainbow event in Victoria, a Charters Towers race and closer to home events in Inglewood, Dalby and St George.
The Finke Desert Race has been on their bucket list ever since they started. The off-road, multi-terrain race is considered one of the most difficult courses in Australia. It’s remote, it’s exciting and it’s happening this weekend, with Day 1 of the two-day race scheduled for Sunday (11 June).
And yes, they admit to being excited.
“It’s heaps of fun,” said Mike.
“Finke is the biggest desert race in the country. It’s the pinnacle of the off-road. This is a big moment for anyone who has the opportunity to race. For this sport, it’s the one you have on your bucket list.”
Mike is the one who drives, while Ben navigates, calling the track and alerting his dad to where the corners are and where the dangers are.
How they did decide who drove and who navigated? Simple, said Ben.
“Dad drives because he’s the one who pays for it,” he said.
Mike admitted it was a fairly expensive sport but it was worth it. (Also, Yokohama is sponsoring the tyres for this trip.)
“Ben still does the bikes, but this is a sport we can do together.”
The event leaves Alice Springs on Sunday and follows the old Ghan railway line to the remote indigenous Aputula community (Finke), where the competitors and crews camp overnight before racing back to Alice Springs. The settlement grows from about 150 people to 2500 for that one night.
“Logistically, it’s a big event. You need fuel and also spare parts in case you need to put them in overnight. There will be nine of us going out – eight Stanthorpe people and one Toowoomba guy. They’re coming along to experience the event and help out if they can.”
