![Finke Desert Race](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MHA10092-1200x800.jpg)
Jacob Smith has set the fastest time in the Bikes Prologue at the 2023 Tatts Finke Desert Race.
Smith completed the 8.3km Prologue track in 4:50.49s on his Husqvarna FE 501, meaning he will be first out for the 226km ride from Alice Springs to Aputula (Finke) tomorrow.
The 2022 event runner-up was six seconds slower than when he topped last year’s Prologue, but still more than three seconds up on his nearest rival today.
That was Callum Norton, who set a 4:53.88s on a KTM 450 EXC-F, with Korey McMahon (GasGas MC450) third at 5.182s off the pace.
David Walsh, riding with the #1 plate on his KTM 500 EXC-F after winning the Finke for a third time in a row last year, clocked a 4:55.97s which was good enough for fourth, ahead of Ivan Long (Husqvarna FE 501).
The Cars set off for Aputula tomorrow at 07:30 local time/08:00 AEST, and the Bikes at 12:00 local time/12:30 AEST.