Flat-Out in the Red Centre: Mark Frater’s Finke Desert Baptism
Flat-Out in the Red Centre: Mark Frater’s Finke Desert Baptism
By Willem Avenant
When it comes to iconic off-road races, Australia’s Finke Desert Race is in a league of its own. Born in 1976 as a bike-only event, Finke has evolved into one of the world’s fastest and most brutal desert races. Each June, hundreds of riders thunder 226 kilometers from Alice Springs to the remote Aboriginal community of Aputula (Finke) and then turn around and do it all again the next day.
It’s not just a race, it’s a rite of passage. And this year, Mark Frater finally earned his stripes.
A Dream 30 Years in the Making
“I’ve been trying to do it since I was 15,” Mark says. Now in his mid 50s, that dream finally became a gritty, dusty, blood-pumping reality. But the road to Finke wasn’t easy. A pre-run crash years ago left him with a broken leg. Yet, like many riders with unfinished business, Mark kept coming back.
This year, he went all in, relocating his truck and caravan to Alice Springs, putting in eight full pre-runs of the course, and linking up with the support crew at Outback Adventures to make sure he was logistically dialed.
The Madness of Finke
“It’s bonkers, mate,” Mark laughs, recounting the chaos of racing flat-out across Australia’s red heart. “You’re dead set belting down the track and it’s literally littered with people who’ve fucked themselves up.”
The sheer intensity of the race takes a toll, even on seasoned riders. Crashes are frequent and sometimes severe, a stark reminder of how unforgiving the Finke course can be. It’s a race that demands full commitment, but also, as Mark learned, the wisdom to know when to ease off and stay in the fight.
That’s Finke for you: beautiful and brutal in equal measure.
Whoops, Dust, and Dinosaurs
Mark admits the course took its toll. “There are two- to three-kilometre stretches of whoops , just endless.” He’s already planning to spend a year training in the whoops to shave down his time.
On day two, he caught his second wind , dueling with another rider for the last 40 kilometres. “We were side by side, doing 100-110kph in dust with 10-15 meters of visibility. You’re slamming into square edges you can’t see. You just think: it’s only a matter of time.”
That’s when he backed off. “I’m not racing for sheep stations,” he jokes. It’s this combination of humility and wisdom that made Mark’s Finke experience a success , finishing clean, and finishing smart.
(“Racing for sheep stations” a common Australian saying meaning going all-out as if the prize is a property or a big payday)
Bananas, Tits, and Imposter Syndrome
As wild as the racing is, the spectacle of Finke is its own beast. Thousands line the track, creating a wild, festival-like atmosphere. “Did you see the lady flashing tits at kilometer 90?” someone asked Mark after the race. “I didn’t see a thing,” he admits. “I was so focused.”
And then there was the guy in a Bananas in Pyjamas suit helping riders off the track. “One bloke woke up concussed after a crash and thought he was hallucinating. B2 was dragging him off the course.”
But the real heart of Mark’s story comes from a quiet, honest place. “I had imposter syndrome,” he admits. “Looking at all the guys with fancy bikes and setups, I felt like I didn’t belong.”
It wasn’t until a stuntman friend (who used to work with Jackie Chan) gave him the best advice: “You’ve done the work. You deserve to be there. Everyone feels this way. You’re hurting? So are they. Keep going.”
From Finke to Africa
With Finke in the rearview mirror, Mark’s next stop is Namibia for the Namibia Roadbook Camp, part of his bigger plan: building towards the Africa Eco Race in 2027. “I want to learn. I’m not worried about holding anyone up anymore. I’m just going to go, soak it up, and ride smart.”
After what he’s been through at Finke, that attitude might just be his greatest weapon.
Mark Frater may not have stood on a podium, but he’s earned something far more valuable: a deep respect for the terrain, the sport, and himself. His story is one that every rider , whether they’re dreaming of Dakar, Finke, or just their next local enduro , can relate to. Because in the end, it’s not about being the fastest.
It’s about showing up, doing the work, and finishing strong.
Mark is now working with Willem Avenant, international rally promoter and founder of the Decoding Dakar program. Through Decoding Dakar, Willem shares his deep expertise and passion for rally racing, offering riders like Mark tailored support across all aspects of rally prep. From one-on-one strategy sessions and navigation training to bike setup, logistics, and even personal branding and sponsorship consulting, Willem’s mission is clear: help more riders get to the start line, and finish line, of the world’s toughest rally raids, ready and confident.
