Australian Safari

NEWS

Sidecar twins set for Safari adventure

Date: 18-Jun-2013
Breaking a 17-year drought of sidecar entrants in Australia’s toughest off-road motorsport event, Australasian Safari, are South Australian duo Max and Sam Hutchesson. After competing in a number of different events including six-hour and 24-hour reliability trials, the brothers set their sights on entering the 2013 Australasian Safari back in 2011.

Hertz discounted hire car rates for Safari friends

Date: 04-Jun-2013
Friends of the Australasian Safari can enjoy special vehicle rental discount rates through Hertz Welshpool. Hertz, the official provider of Safari on-event vehicles, has a wide range of cars, trucks and vans for every occasion from tough commercial jobs to fun weekend cruisers.

Two off-road racing ‘Gazelles’ set to Safari in Australia

Date: 22-May-2013
American off-road racing mums Amy Lerner and co-driver Tricia Reina will be coming to Western Australia in September as entrants of Australia’s toughest race, the Australasian Safari. No strangers to the off-road racing scene, they have competed in the gruelling 2,500km Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco, a navigational rally only open to ladies and doesn’t allow any modern navigational gadgets or support crew.

Safari-Dakar Information Nights Wrap-Up

Date: 14-May-2013
Safari event director Justin Hunt and Dakar representative Chris Evans travelled to Perth and Newcastle to hold the first ever series of Safari-Dakar Information Nights. The Information Nights were well attended by both past and potential entrants of both off-road motorsport events.

Australasian Safari and Dakar Information Nights

Date: 30-Apr-2013
On Friday the 3rd of May and Sunday 5th of May, Dakar Rally representative Chris Evans and Australasian Safari event director Justin Hunt will be conducting information nights in both Perth and Newcastle to answer questions regarding the Australasian Safari, Dakar Rally and the Dakar Challenge.

Rally Champion to trade four wheels for two in Australasian Safari 2013

Date: 19-Apr-2013
International rally champion Alister McRae, has signed a deal with KTM, seeing the rally driver compete in his first competition for quite some time on two wheels instead of four. McRae is eager to start familiarising himself with the KTM 500 EXC motorbike in preparation for September, when he enters the MOTO category of Asia Pacific’s toughest off-road race, the Australasian Safari.

Condo Competitors up for the Safari Challenge

Date: 16-Apr-2013
A mix of motorcycles, quads, cars and buggys descended on Condobolin New South Wales last weekend for the Slattery Auctions Condo 750 off-road rally. Amongst the 80 plus entrants were some well-known Safari regulars, but for those that hadn’t entered Safari in the past four years, there was an additional prize to be won - The 2013 Safari Challenge.

Challenging terrains and diverse landscapes in store for Safari 2013 competitors

Date: 15-Mar-2013
Australia’s toughest off-road motorsport competition, the Australasian Safari, will return to the stunning Western Australian Mid-West and Gascoyne regions for the 2013 event.

Over seven days and 3,000 kilometres, more than 100 competitors in AUTO, MOTO and QUAD categories will test their own and their machine’s endurance.

Australasian Safari to again give off-road competitors a chance to race Dakar

Date: 12-Mar-2013
One amateur Auto and Moto entrant will have additional reason to celebrate after crossing the Finish Line in the 2013 Australasian Safari, having gained free entry into Dakar 2014 through the Dakar Challenge.

Australasian Safari event director Justin Hunt said this was a special honour, because only four off-road events worldwide are chosen to host the Dakar Challenge.

Team Xtreme Plus set to join Safari with two Dakar Polaris RZR XP900s

Date: 01-Mar-2013
Confirming their entry into the 2013 Australasian Safari, and bringing ‘Down Under’ two of their Dakar Polaris RZR XP900s, is French-based team Xtreme Plus.

At Safari, the two Dakar Polaris’s will be driven by Marco Piana and Garry Connell. Joining them with a third XP900 will be Garry Whittle.

Announcing the Slattery Auctions Condo 750 'Safari Challenge'

Date: 01-Mar-2013
One MOTO entry and one AUTO entry to the 2013 Australasian Safari will be given away at this year’s Slattery Auctions Condo 750.

The organisers of the Australasian Safari and the Slattery Auctions Condo 750 have teamed up to offer this substantial prize.

Expanded Auto Category for 2013

Date: 26-Feb-2013
Safari would like to welcome back the ‘A4’ Buggies category for the 2013 & 2014 event. In-line with the return of this category, the maximum vehicle width for entrants will increase to 2.5 metres or 98.4 inches. This will open up the AUTO category allowing for bigger vehicles, such as Buggies and Pro-Trucks, to compete.

Australasian Safari introduces the Safari Pre-1985 Challenge Award for 2013 event

Date: 26-Feb-2013
MOTO riders with a love of yesteryear’s bikes will compete to win the new Safari Pre-1985 Challenge Award, at Asian Pacific’s toughest motorsport event - the Australasian Safari.

Event Director Justin Hunt said the award, new for 2013, was added in response to the growing popularity of older bikes in motorsport.

Despres dominates Dakar whilst Safari regulars demonstrate Aussie determination

Date: 12-Feb-2013
In the absence of team-mate Marc Coma, KTM Red Bull gun and 4 time Dakar champion Cyril Despres had a huge target on his back as the Dakar circus headed south across the notorious Nazca sand dunes south of Lima on the 8000km odyssey that would twice traverse the Andes Mountains into Argentina then back to Chile for a finale across the Desierto de Atacama.

AirRoad Partnership for Australasian Safari 2013

Date: 08-Feb-2013
The Australasian Safari is pleased to announce a partnership with the AirRoad Group – a leading national road freight distribution company, offering express and specialised transportation and supply chain management services.

One of the benefits of this partnership is that for the September event, MOTO competitors on the east coast of Australia will pay just $475 to ship their bikes from mainland capital cities to Perth & back .

Eventscorp continues to back the Australasian Safari

Date: 06-Feb-2013
The Australasian Safari has secured sponsorship from Tourism Western Australia, through Eventscorp, for another two years. This will ensure that the event remains in the State, showcasing the extraordinary beauty of the regions, but also that competitors experience all the challenges that the Western Australian outback can offer.

Safari on an ’83 Airhead BMW or “Commitment is Power”

Date: 04-Feb-2013
USA-based Jason Adams was the the 2012 Safari Andy Caldecott ‘Spirit of Safari’ award winner. He completed the Safari on an '83 BMW R65, with some modifications by the Rooney team. Here are some of his experiences before, during and after the event.

A typical Safari Day

Date: 04-Feb-2013
Regular Safari competitor, John Bouwknegt, has written up a description of a typical day in Safari for a MOTO competitor. This is particularly aimed at MOTO competitors who are thinking about competing and need a bit more information. Well worth the read!

ABC Radio interview Warren Strange and Jamie Morgan

Date: 01-Feb-2013
Listen to Warren Strange and Jamie Morgan recount their Dakar experiences to Grandstand's Karen Tighe.

New Moto and Side by Side stage at the 2013 Quit Forest Rally

Date: 25-Jan-2013
The track, which will be built next to the Busselton Toyota Special Stage – see map attached, will add another element of excitement to the event and allow for spectators in Busselton to witness Motobikes, Quads and Side by Side All-Terrain Vehicles to competing for the first time.

Aussie Competitors at the Dakar Rally: Wrap Up

Date: 21-Jan-2013
The 2013 Dakar Rally provided adventure for the 735 competitors registered for the race, counting riders, drivers, co-pilots and mechanics. The route stretched over 8,000 kilometres, from the Peruvian capital of Lima to Santiago in Chile. This year, competitors not only battled the usual Dakar challenges of soft dunes, desert heat and extreme altitude, but also flooding in certain stages.

A first for Australia, a first for GHR, a first for Honda

Date: 17-Jan-2013
QUAD rider Paul Smith gained a Stage win on Stage 11 at the Dakar Rally. In doing so, Paul stands as the first Australian to clench a stage victory since the late Andy Caldecott, and the first Honda rider on two or four wheels to top the time sheets at this year's event. His finish 00:04:18 ahead of Gaston Gonzalez and 00:05:42 in front of event leader Marcos Patronelli elevates Smith to 8th overall.

Australian Competitors holding their own at the 2013 Dakar Rally

Date: 14-Jan-2013
The 2013 Dakar Rally is living up to its reputation of being the toughest motorsport event in the world and the Australian riders and drivers competing are more than holding their own.

Matt Fish 3rd at Dakar

Date: 07-Jan-2013
Congratulations to Safari MOTO competitor Matt Fish, who finished 3rd on Stage 2 of the Dakar Rally. The 32-year-old, the third-string rider in the works Husqvarna Rallye Team, completed the 242-kilometre second stage in two hours, 48 minutes and 24 seconds.

Follow your favourite Safari competitors at Dakar 2013

Date: 04-Jan-2013
The world famous Dakar Rally starts on Saturday 5 January in Lima, Peru. This year there is a large contingent of Safari competitors taking part. Here are some links if you want to follow their progress. Good luck everyone!

New dates for 2013

Date: 18-Dec-2012
The organisers announced a new date for the Start of the 2013 Australasian Safari. The Ceremonial Start will take place on Thursday 19th September, a day earlier than was previously announced. Leg 7 and the Official Finish will still be held on Friday 27th September.

Six Dakar Challenge competitors preparing for the Dakar Rally

Date: 10-Dec-2012
Their exploits in five races on four different continents netted them a place in the infamous Dakar Rally. The Dakar Challenge selection, held throughout the 2012 season, will give six riders/drivers and crews with the opportunity to compete with the best in the world.

Safari highlights to be be re-broadcast on OneHD

Date: 14-Nov-2012
The Safari highlights program was shown on Network 10 on Saturday 10 November. For those who missed it, or who want to see it again it will be re-broadcast on OneHD

Dates For Safari 2013 Announced

Date: 05-Nov-2012
On Friday 2 November the organisers of the Australasian Safari issued a statement announcing that the Australasian Safari 2013 would take place from Friday 20th to Friday 27th September.

After eight incredible days, the Australasian Safari has been contested and won

Date: 16-Oct-2012
• MOTO – Jake Smith - Honda, Warren Strange - Honda, Ryan Inghram - KTM • AUTO – Hederics/Weel – Holden Colorado, Herridge/Hill - Subaru Forrester, Owen/Cairns - Nissan Patrol • QUAD – Paul Smith – Honda, Young - KTM, Yeatman - Can Am • Dakar Challenge winner - Brett Cummings A beach dash along the Indian Ocean from Kalbarri to Geraldton in Western Australia was the finale of the eight-day off-road motorsport marathon Australasian Safari, Australia’s toughest motorsport event.

Dakar Challenge fought and won by Brett Cummings after a marathon week of competition in the Australian outback

Date: 29-Sep-2012
Eight riders from around the world came together in outback Western Australia last week with a common goal – to win the Australasian Safari Dakar Challenge and a free entry to Dakar 2013. The competition was won by South African rider Brett Cummings who took the lead at Leg 6 after Vern Strange, who held the lead for the first five legs, out with mechanical issues in Leg 6. Brett led the final two legs, finishing a convincing 3 hours 23 minutes ahead of the other Dakar Challenges.

Penultimate day tests Safari’s men and their machines

Date: 28-Sep-2012
• Stage wins for Faggotter, Cummings and Todd Smith • Olholm wins stages but Hederics holds the lead • Cummings set for Dakar Challenge win Competitors arrived in Kalbarri tired and battle weary but happy with today’s penultimate Leg of the Australasian Safari – 429km through cattle country, along the Murchison River and finishing at Murchison House by the stunning Kalbarri National Park.

Dakar Challenge update after Leg 5

Date: 27-Sep-2012
Since starting in Geraldton, Western Australia on Saturday 22 September, the Australasian Safari route has taken competitors north to Kalbarri, Carnarvon, and up to the Ningaloo Reef and the holy grail of surfing off Gnaraloo Station before heading inland to Gascoyne Junction.

Smith and Hederics at home on the range in Leg 5 of Australasian Safari

Date: 27-Sep-2012
• Honda holds top three with Jake Smith, Warren Strange and Ivan Erceg • Hederics enjoys the ride • Dakar Challenge tightens The vast and remote pastoral station of Bidgemia in the Western Australian Gascoyne region hosted today’s Leg of the Australasian Safari and although the country hospitality was warm and friendly, the course was just the opposite.

Safari competitors tackle ‘tiger country’ in Leg 4 of Australasian Safari

Date: 26-Sep-2012
- Honda riders Jake Smith and Warren Strange in top spots. Vern Strange moves to third - Hederics further secures his position When you hear the expression ‘tiger country’, you know you’re a deep into the Australian outback and that’s where Australasian Safari sent competitors today.

Date: 26-Sep-2012
Winner of the Taklimakan Rally, Zhou Tian naturally won the Chinese stage of the Dakar Challenge, and won his registration for the Dakar 2013. Another biker will have this privilege at the end of the week, when the verdict will be out on the 4th round on the Australasian Safari, in Australia.

YDR In Contention as Safari Near Halfway Stage

Date: 26-Sep-2012
Rod Faggotter and Vern Strange continue to take the challenge up to the leaders as the 2012 Australian Safari finished on day three with Faggotter currently in second place and team mate Vern Strange in fourth.

Spectacular coastline and action on Leg 3 of Australasian Safari

Date: 25-Sep-2012
- Yesterday’s auto leader Olholm out of contention - Jake Smith keeps the lead, Faggotter closes in and Fish gets wet Leg 3 of the Australasian Safari contained a huge 410km of competitive stages that were among the most extraordinary in the event’s history – and competitors ensured the action was also spectacular.

Mad Monday at Australasian Safari

Date: 24-Sep-2012
- Bruce Garland withdraws - Jake Smith increases lead It was a long, hard and eventful day on Leg 2 of Australasian Safari with 491km of competitive stages through coastal station country from Kalbarri to Carnarvon, where competing to finish the day and not for a fast time was the order of the day.

Yamaha Desert Racing Off to Strong Start in OZ Safari

Date: 23-Sep-2012
Yamaha riders are off to an impressive start to the 2012 Australian Safari with four Yamaha WR450F mounted riders inside the top 10 and all three Yamaha Desert Racing team riders inside the top seven.