2012 Australasian Safari - Leg 1

The GHR Honda rider will be allowed to start Leg 2 following repairs, but a significant time penalty (for not completing all three of Leg 1's stages) will rule him out of contention for the overall win, and potentially for the 'Dakar Challenge' component of the Safari, too.

Brother Jake Smith (GHR Honda) had better luck, winning the opening leg thanks in part to a super quick time through the day's third and final stage. "The beach was cool and I managed to keep away from the water," Jake said about the first stage on Coronation Beach.

Finishing just 40 seconds behind Jake, Warren Strange (GHR Honda) literally hit the waves.
"I got too close to the waterline and had a wave wash over me but the rest of the Leg was uneventful and the bike continued to perform well," Strange said.

Third after Leg 1 was Shane Diener (Yamaha Desert Racing), followed by Matt Fish (CPW Motorsports KTM) and Rod Faggotter (Yamaha Desert Racing), with less than ten minutes covering the top five.

With Todd Smith's woes, and Russell Scoble (JC Motorsport Honda) also having mechanical issues in Stage 2 of the opening leg, the Dakar Challenge has been opened up to the other entrants in this section of the 2012 Safari, which will see the winner granted free entry into the 2013 Dakar in South America. Of the 37 moto entrants in this year's Australasian Safari, eight have registered for the Dakar Challenge.

At the end of Leg 1, the fastest Dakar Challenge finisher was West Australian Vern Strange (Yamaha Desert Racing) who returns to the Australasian Safari after a four-year break. South African rider Brett Cummings (GHR Honda Rallye rider) is next in line, just two minutes behind.

Also entered in the Dakar Challenge is Alex van Ginkel (CPW/AvG Motorsport KTM) from the Netherlands. Van Ginkel is one of two Dutch riders who've entered the Dakar Challenge, and the KTM 450 EXC rider is enjoying the journey so far.
"I loved the beach, it was very much like riding at home. My bike has made no mistakes and the roadbook is good," van Ginkel said.

Leading the Quads is first-time Safari competitor, privateer Darren Bushby (Yamaha), followed by Safari veteran Paul Smith (GHR Honda).

Leg 2 of the 2012 Australasian Safari, will be a loop that will start and finish at Kalbarri, a popular WA holiday destination known for its beaches and limestone gorges.

For more information on the 2012 Australasian Safari, visit www.australasiansafari.com.au.

Images: Keith Hedgeland, Sabine Albers, courtesy of Australasian Safari/Bright Communications