ABOUT 26 kilometres south of Red Cliffs, out on Boonoonar Road, the air sharpens, carrying a tang of red dust and petrol every July.

The desert itself seems to hold its breath.

That is for the Penrite Hattah Desert Race, Australia’s biggest and arguably most challenging desert motorcycle competition.

“It’s such a demanding race that to compete in it, to finish it, is a real feat,” said ...