Despite the low key approach, you need to be quick to get an entry in to the Yellow Mountain Cross Country, as the 250 spots fill up faster than a dry break fuel tank. So mark the first weekend in August 2025 in your calendar and head out west to experience an awesome weekend of racing hosted by the two off-road clubs of Tottenham and Condobolin. The race attracts some fast desert racers with past winners like Jacob Smith, Todd Smith and Ben Grabham. But don’t let that put you off, there are plenty of club level riders out for a run as well as some first timers and those who just want to trail ride it.

Each year, the clubs alternate to host the event and 2024 was Tottenham’s year. The racecourse swelled to capacity with all manner of caravans, campers, rooftop tents and swags. After scrutineering on Friday afternoon, the fire drums were lit, a few bevvies consumed as riders and crews swapped stories of past events and contemplated the race ahead.

After a chilly night, the frost set in and the bikes lined up in the morning sun to take on the prologue track. Broc Grabham was back to defend his title (three in a row), and lined up first to avoid the dust. According to Broc he didn’t push too hard, but still managed the fastest time. At the other end of the field, Condobolin local, James Staniforth decided to wait until 249 riders had completed the prologue before setting off and posting the second fastest time. Nic Tomlinson claimed third, with Campbell Hall and Brodie Waters rounding out the top 5.

Riders then lined up to tackle the 235km to Condobolin, which included two fuel stops. The terrain varies from fast twin track, to single line through long grass and rocky outcrops. Malle scrub gives way to bright yellow fields of canola that seem to go on for ver and make for a fantastic backdrop to the race.

Grabham left the start and held the KTM 450 SX-F pinned in familiar style. Thirty seconds later, Staniforth was let loose on the track, followed by Tomlinson. A huge crowd had gathered at “the gilgais” which are large sink holes that form a natural terrain motocross track alongside a barbed wire fence. Watching the top ten riders float through the air, engines tapped out and wheels barely touching the ground is a sight to behold. If you get it right, it is graceful. If you get it wrong, it’s a chopper ride.

It only took 20km for Tomlinson to catch and pass Stanifoth and Nics sights were set on Grabham. After the first fuel stop, Tomlinson kept the pace on and finally caught up to Grabham. At the half way mark, Tomlinson past Grabham and finally had some clean air however it was only for 15 minutes as Grabham regained the lead and was first into the second fuel stop. The last run into Condobolin had plenty of new tracks which challenged the riders as they navigated their way through long grass.

At the end of the day, Grabham finished just 1 minute ahead of Tomlinson after 235km and Staniforth came home in third. Brodie Waters finished the day in fourth with Luke Chellas 30 seconds behind in fifth. Staniforth made some overnight repairs to his KTM 500 EXC-F, fitting a new kill switch and muffler, courtesy of his younger brother Matt, who unfortunately DNF’d.

It was a calm day that greeted the riders for the return run to Tottenham. Grabham led out and pushed pretty hard in the first 10 kilometres trying to build a lead over Tomlinson. However Tomlinson was also pushing early in the race and was catching Grabham’s dust when he crashed heavily. Fortunately Nic was ok, but the same could not be said for his front brake disc that copped a hit, warping it badly. Tomlinson was now facing 225km of racing with no front brakes! Needless to say, Nic had several moments overshooting corners and narrowly dodging disaster.

Staniforth had a trouble free run, keeping in Tomlinson’s dust till the halfway mark before dropping back to run his own race to the finish line. Grabham had clean air and a fourth win in his sights as he left the second fuel stop. Skippy decided to take up the challenge and side swiped the KTM, taking out the front wheel and knocking Grabham to the ground. Broc slid to a halt, got up and thought “whew that was lucky!”. With bike and body in one piece, he remounted and continued at pace to the finish line in Tottenham, finishing the day two-and-a-half minutes in front of Tomlinson and Staniforth in third.

Broc is certainly making a name for himself as a desert racer, taking out his sixth Yellow Mountain victory and fourth in a row. His first win at Yellow Mountain was ten years ago, in 2014. He is also the only rider to win on both a four-stroke and two-stroke. Will it be a magnificent seven in 2025? Watch this space.

The Peoples Race

ADB caught up with Yellow Mountain tragic, Rob Lindsay to find out more about this event

ADB: Tell us about yourself Rob

RL: I am 45 years old, I live in Windsor and love coming out to this race. This time I am on a 2021 Husqvarna TE300.

ADB: The locals tell us this is not your first rodeo

RL: I think I have done 13 or 14 Yellow Mountains. My first one was back in 2005, the first official race, although apparently it was run twice with just locals. I raced every one up till 2012 when I decided to give up racing.

ADB: What other races do you do? And if you gave up racing, what brought you back?

RL: I have raced the Australian Safari, a couple of Hattah’s and lots of club motocross. The fire came back when my daughter started riding, so in 2018 I came back out to Yellow Mountain and have competed every year, except the two COVID years.

ADB: What has been your best result?

RL: My best finish has been in the top 20%. I say that, because the list of riders just keeps growing. Only 80 riders in my first Yellow Mountain, and 250 this weekend. I prologued 121, so happy with that.

ADB: How did your race go this year?

RL: This is the first year I did not carry a spare tube, and I got a flat rear tyre! That’s a sign… a DNF. I will be back next year, but maybe just to trail ride it. I start to feel pretty old by Wednesday after the race.

ADB: Why do you keep coming back to Yellow Mountain?

RL: I love the people! Even after not racing for 5 years, people remember your name. That’s just gobsmacking! It is all about the people. I would happily come out here even if I did not race again. Just to come out for the weekend and spend time with friends and see all the people associated with the race. Grassroots genuine people… that’s what makes Yellow Mountain special.