Dramatic video footage has shown an in-car view of a crash that happened 10 kilometres north of Aputula during this year's Finke Desert Race in central Australia.
Bernie Webb details the safety features that allowed him and his driver to walk away from the crash. (Supplied: Mick Magher Motorsports) Source: ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-24/dash-cam-video-shows-finke-desert-race-crash-nt/105450976
Driver Mick Magher and navigator Bernie Webb were travelling at about 160 kilometres per hour when their truck became airborne, spinning uncontrollably before landing 60 metres from the take-off point.
A man in a race suit.
Bernie Webb says he has been in a few crashes. (Supplied: Aaron Wishart)
Seasoned rally car co-driver Bernie Webb, who was competing in his second Finke, said the crash was not his "first rodeo".
"I remember thinking, 'I know this sensation'," he said.
Webb said he was looking out and saw scrub and sand.
"All I need to do now is just sort of sit here, close my eyes, relax and hold on and wait for the loud noises to stop," he said.
"I wouldn't say I was frightened."
"It's very much like being tumbled by a wave at the beach."
Webb said the best thing to do was to remain still and wait for the vehicle to stop.
"If I try and struggle against anything, it's not going to help," he said.
"The best thing I can do is just keep my arms contained."
Magher says he and Webb only have a few bruises to show after the dramatic incident. (Supplied: Nathan Bower)
No luck required
Webb said crashes such as his were rare.
"It's even rarer when they are caught on film," he said.
"I wanted to give people a view of how safe it is."
Webb said he wanted to give people an insight into the sort of planning and strategy that went into preparing for taking part in an event such as the Finke Desert Race.
He said his team went to extreme lengths to ensure that everyone was safe.
"The structure around us is designed very much to stop it from coming in onto us in an accident," he said.
"My seat is holding me in so incredibly tightly, I can't even separate my knees."
"I can't move my shoulders from one side to the other, even five or 10 millimetres."
"I almost can't breathe with how tight the harness is."
Webb said there were tethers holding his helmet from behind to avoid neck injuries and his seat cocooned his torso so that he "really can't move anywhere in there".
He said he only had mild soreness the next day in the back of his calves.
The truck landed 60 metres from the point where it became airborne. (Supplied: Nathan Bower)
He said he did not believe in luck.
"Luck is for is for people who don't prepare," he said.
"We've gone to extreme lengths to make sure we are as well protected as possible.
"I look at that [accident] and say that everything that we've worked hard to prepare as an industry and individually has all worked perfectly and we've we've stepped out of it almost like nothing's happened."
