In 2023 and 2024, Callum Norton established himself as one of the premier desert racers in Australia, finishing runner-up outright in the Tatts Finke Desert Race on both occasions.

In 2025, however, his campaign took an unfortunate turn. Struck down by a severe virus during the event, Callum battled through the opening leg to Finke before making the difficult decision, alongside his team, to withdraw and focus on recovery.

In 2026, Callum returned to Finke determined to finish what he started.

The Team Behind the Effort

Leading the Joe Rascal Racing program is Brett "Metty" Metcalfe, one of Australia's most accomplished motocross and supercross riders. Across a professional career spanning more than two decades, Metty achieved success both at home and abroad. After winning multiple Australian championships, he moved to the United States and competed at the highest level of AMA Supercross and Motocross. His achievements include finishing runner-up in the 2010 AMA 450 Motocross Championship, claiming a premier-class AMA motocross victory at Southwick in 2011, winning the 2013 Canadian Motocross Championship, and representing Australia six times at the Motocross of Nations. Metty retired from professional competition in 2024 as one of Australia's most respected international motocross and supercross racers. Now he leads the off-road division of Joe Rascal Racing as Team Principal.

What Makes Finke So Special?

The Tatts Finke Desert Race is one of Australia's most iconic off-road events. The race is contested over two days, with competitors covering approximately 230 kilometres from Alice Springs to Finke on Day 1 before returning to Alice Springs on Day 2. The course follows sections of the historic Old Ghan railway line and is renowned for its relentless whoops, deep sand, dust and high-speed terrain. Riders frequently exceed 150 km/h, while thousands of spectators line the course and camp along the track.

Adding to the significance of the event, 2026 marked the 50th anniversary of the Tatts Finke Desert Race. To celebrate the milestone, five-time champion David Walsh came out of retirement to once again tackle the desert.

Preparing for the Challenge

Understanding that there is no better preparation for Finke than Finke itself, the Joe Rascal Racing team spent significant time training in the red dirt surrounding the course. These sessions proved invaluable. Working closely together, Metty, Callum and mechanic Scott Watts refined the Ducati Desmo450 MX package while developing the communication and trust required to perform under the pressure and unpredictability of desert racing. According to Metty, those training sessions laid the foundation for everything that followed.

Disaster Strikes in Prologue

The weekend took a dramatic turn before the main race had even begun.

During Prologue, Callum suffered a heavy crash that left both rider and machine battered, forcing him to start Day 1 from 338th position.

Watching from the hillside, the team quickly realised something was wrong when Callum failed to appear within the expected time window. By the time he emerged, it was clear he was carrying significant injuries and the bike had sustained substantial damage. Despite the setback, simply making it back to the pits and securing a qualifying position gave the team something to work with. From the crash until the start of Day 1, every hour was accounted for by assessing injuries, repairing the motorcycle and preparing for what lay ahead.

Staying Focused

In the hours following the Prologue crash, there were genuine concerns about whether Callum would be able to continue. Initial assessments suggested a serious ankle injury, and the possibility of withdrawing from the event was very real. However, Callum never lost sight of the bigger picture. Together with the team, he approached the situation one step at a time, focusing solely on getting himself fit enough to start. The overnight recovery effort became a team-wide mission. Metty credited Callum's partner Jordan for playing a key role in helping manage the injuries and maximise his mobility ahead of Day 1.

The Charge Through the Field

Starting 338th at Finke presents challenges few riders ever face. With hundreds of competitors ahead, dust and limited visibility become just as significant as outright speed. For Joe Rascal Racing, the strategy was simple: be patient, be smart and take every opportunity when it presented itself.

"A rider like Callum Norton can go fast down the track, but he can't go fast if he can't see," Metty explained. Rather than forcing risky passes, Callum picked his way through the field methodically, waiting until he had clear vision before making a move. It was a disciplined approach that prioritised survival as much as speed.

What made the ride even more impressive was the condition he was in. After crashing at approximately 120 km/h the previous day, Callum lined up with injuries to his ankle and the remainder of his body. Simply starting the race was an achievement. Finishing Day 1 in 30th position was something few thought possible. Metty believes the ride showcased more than just Callum's talent. "His talent on the bike speaks for itself, but the mental and emotional side was the driving force." The charge from 338th to 30th wasn't built on speed alone. It was built on resilience and a refusal to let the weekend slip away.

A New Opportunity on Day 2

While Day 1 was about managing injuries, navigating dust and working through traffic, Day 2 presented a completely different challenge. With riders leaving in smaller groups and the field spread out, Callum finally had the opportunity to ride in cleaner air. The immediate objective was to clear his starting group and minimise time spent in dust, allowing him to ride his own race. As the kilometres ticked by and visibility improved, Callum began to find his rhythm. Around the halfway point, he finally had a clear track ahead of him for the first time all weekend. From there, his pace spoke for itself. He recorded top-three segment times on the run home, demonstrating the speed that the team had always believed was there.

A Result to Be Proud Of

By the time the chequered flag fell, Callum had completed the most remarkable comeback story of the event.

After starting Day 1 from 338th position, he fought his way to 13th outright and secured 3rd place in the fiercely competitive 450cc class. For Joe Rascal Racing, the result was about much more than numbers on a timing sheet. The 450 category was one of the most closely watched classes of the weekend, and finishing in third represented a major milestone for both the team and the Joe Rascal off-road program. More importantly, the result highlighted the character behind the rider. "We all know he's incredibly talented," said Metty. "A lot of riders with talent don't always show the perseverance and grit required after a major crash. That's when true character is revealed."

Looking Ahead

Finishing 3rd in the 450 class and 13th outright after starting 338th is a result that speaks volumes about Callum Norton's determination, resilience and talent. For Joe Rascal Racing, it was a performance that embodied everything the team stands for, hard work, perseverance, the belief that no setback is too great to overcome and going Joe Rascal Fast.

With Finke now in the rear-view mirror, the team's attention turns to Hattah. If this year's Finke campaign proved anything, it's that Callum Norton, Joe Rascal Racing and the Ducati Desmo450 MX are only just getting started.