The 2024 Penrite Hattah Desert Race, held over the weekend, provided thrilling moments as the challenging race culminated in victory for some and disappointment for others.
Callum Norton has been a notable figure since his junior racing days at Hattah. He claimed victory in the junior Hattah four times starting with the small wheel category in 2012. Norton continued to achieve success, winning the small wheel category again in 2013 and also finishing ninth overall, while also triumphing in the Big Wheel class in 2014 and 2015.
However, challenges arose in 2016 when his bike stopped during the race, resulting in a ‘did not finish (DNF)’ outcome. His transition to Seniors in the following year proved to be demanding, but he managed to secure a commendable fourth place. Subsequent years brought various challenges such as an electrical issue in 2018, an injury in 2019, and race cancellations due to Covid-19 restrictions in 2020.
Norton’s determination led him to achieve his first podium finish in 2021, but unfortunate setbacks in 2022 and 2023 placed him out of the top positions.
In 2024, Norton made a strong start with the sixth fastest time in Prologue, earning him a spot in the Top Ten Shoot Out.
On race day, New Zealand’s Maximus Purvis took the lead at the start of the eight-lap race, followed by Jack Simpson and Callum Norton. As the race neared its end, race leader Jack Simpson made a pit stop for refuelling, but encountered difficulties restarting his bike.
Meanwhile, Norton, who had faced his own challenges earlier in the race, seized the opportunity to push into second position for the final lap. Unaware that he had taken the lead, Norton continued to race, believing that he was still chasing Simpson. It wasn’t until around the 15km mark of the final lap that a pit board informed him of his lead.
This dramatic turn of events added a new layer of suspense to the race.
Callum Norton ultimately won the race, finishing 40 seconds ahead of former local rider Angus Riordan and Jack Simpson, with Maximus Purvis rounding out the top four.
This article appeared in  The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 11 July 2024.
