The first day of the event, conducted to the south of Alice Springs, was intended as a shakedown for crews and car and was over some 300km of which 52km (17%) were competitive. 

There were three competitive sections, or stages, two (‘Finke Track 1’ and Finke Track 2’) which were part of the Finke Desert Race track and were uncharacteristically rough, from a Rally point of view but of course, fine for Off Road. Competitors, at the pre-event briefing and in the road book were told not to damage their cars on the Finke sections so they would need to drive them with suitable care. The third section, ‘Maryvale’, which was between the two Finke Track sections, was a more typical section over property tracks, giving a much better idea of what was expected over the next nine days.

First vehicle was away at 0900 and arrived back at Alice Springs at 1630. Competitive sections of 11, 34 and 8km.

66 started the leg and 64 finished, and one retired overnight.