The Annual Gascoyne Kickstarters Riverdash is a three day event of motorcycles, buggies and four wheel drives that ride over 500 kilometres through the harshest and most rugged parts of the Gascoyne, including through the Gascoyne River bed.
11 December 2009
The event has been running since 2004 and is getting bigger each year, attracting more than 300 participants and nearly 1000 spectators from all over Australia, as well international visitors from as far as South Africa.
However the event, which is held at the end of October each year, sees little Indigenous involvement due to the cost of the sport which is very expensive – you have to own a $10,000 motorcycle.
Carnarvon has had only three Indigenous riders in the six years of the event as a result.
Retired veteran Gavin Phillips had made his mark in 2005 by winning the 250cc class and coming in fifth place overall. He then represented the state in the 250cc class and competed in the Finke Desert Race in 2006.
Nephew Rod Bellotie is in his third year and was unlucky to not make the full distance due to bike problems, whilst Robbie Mallard came out of retirement and was pleased to finish in 57th place out of 150 motorcycles.
