The Motul Pirelli Sherco Race Team rider Nathan Trigg showcased his prowess at the 2024 Hattah Desert Race in northwest Victoria just outside Mildura. Local legend and desert specialist Nathan ‘Triggy’ Trigg returned to the race, piloting the powerful 500cc SEF Factory 4-stroke, while AORC ace Jonte Reynders made a strategic switch from his usual 300 SEF Factory 4-stroke to the 300 SE Factory 2-stroke for this year’s rendition of the iconic event.
Saturday’s prologue was marked by sunny weather as the 427-rider senior field took to the track to determine their starting order for the main event. Trigg and Reynders delivered impressive performances, qualifying 17th and 18th, respectively, separated by a mere 0.025 seconds.
Sunday’s 8-lap main race experienced cooler conditions, ideal for the gruelling challenge ahead. Trigg made an aggressive start, overtaking eight riders on the opening lap to position himself within the top 10 outright and 4th in the Over 450 4-stroke class. Reynders also improved his standing, gaining three spots outright and establishing a substantial lead in the 251cc and Over 2-stroke class.
The Hattah Desert Race is known for its rigorous demands on riders and their equipment and high attrition rate, which saw 15% of participants unable to finish. Despite the intense competition and conditions, Trigg and Reynders maintained their positions throughout the strenuous four-hour race.
Nathan Trigg reflected on his performance, “It’s great to be back again for the Motul Pirelli Sherco team. I switched from the 450 to the 500 4-stroke this year, and Derek (Grundy) built me an absolute rocketship! The field was incredibly competitive this year, so achieving a top-10 finish is no small feat. The bike performed flawlessly, and I’m pleased with my performance today after an average prologue. I want to thank the team for their support and the event organisers for hosting another first-class event. I look forward to focusing on the Don River Dash in September.”
Jonte Reynders shared his excitement, saying, “We switched to the 300 2-stroke this year for something different, and man, what a blast! I had my work cut out against a stacked field on big thumpers, especially on the longer straights, but I managed to make a few passes happen in the tighter spots. The bike was a lot of fun to race, and the crowd loved the sweet 2-stroke sound. To come away with a strong overall result, the first 2-stroke home and a class win is solid. Now it’s time to hop back to my 300cc 4-stroke for the upcoming AORC rounds”.
