Mud, heat, and mayhem return as riders battle brutal conditions in the NT’s legendary enduro race
On May 4th, almost 50 motorcycle riders and 11 quad riders lined up at a brand new Kamfari enduro track, south of Darwin. Now in its 54th year, this iconic race through the mud flats, swamps and creeks is known for the extreme conditions, pushing riders and machines to the limit.
This celebration of the end of the Northern Territory’s Wet Season is a four-hour enduro and 2025 was back to the Kamfari of old. So much mud, heat and humidity meant all riders struggled in the extreme conditions, with only 63% of the bikes completing the course in the allotted time.
The floodplains quickly turned to a quagmire after recent rains, claiming many victims on the early laps. Chris Warwick was in the top three on lap one, defending his 2024 crown when disaster struck on lap two. His Sherco was swallowed up by the mud and too much time was lost in extracting the bogged bike. Chris eventually rejoined the race, but dropping to position 11 meant his dreams of another victory were fading. He did manage to fight his way back, but he would have to settle for 5th place.
William Thurlbeck barely made it into the top ten by the end of lap one, but consistent riding from Will saw him overtaking bikes regularly to finish on the third step of the podium. Tyrone Marcus, in just his second Kamfari, was always at the pointy end, trading places with 2014 victor, Daniel McInnes. However, a broken chain guide led to a chain derailment and relegated Tyrone to second outright. Meanwhile, McInnes showed great form to finish Australia’s Muddiest Enduro in first place, one lap ahead of Marcus.
In the Quad category, it was Richard Mitchell taking home the Buffalo Horns in a well-deserved win. Gary Burns finished a creditible 2nd, while Gabriel Danen secured 3rd outright.
