2012 AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI - LEG 6 - JUST BIKES

2012 Australasian Safari - Leg 6

After 429 kms of riding, competitors arrived at Murchison House in Kalbarri tired and battle weary, but happy to have survived the day's three challenging stages, with the wins split between Rod Faggotter (Yamaha Desert Racing WR 450F) and Todd Smith (GHR Honda CRF 450X).

Todd Smith, past Safari winner and victor on the day's SS14 and SS15 stages, had no issues on the course and loved the ride. "They were some of the best stages of the event with nice flowing tracks, it was fun to ride and the bike went strong today."

Earlier crashes and mechanical mishaps from Faggotter and Todd mean their stage wins will have no impact on the overall results, with Jake Smith (GHR Honda CRF 450X), carrying a comfortable, but not insurmountable lead into the Safari's final day. Jake said he just took it steady on the penultimate day and enjoyed the ride.

"I didn't push it at all. It was fun riding - good tracks, good scenery, I could see the water at one stage - it was pretty nice," Jake said. "Everything's going to plan, I'm feeling a bit tired, but if I get through tomorrow, I'll be feeling even better."

Jake holds a lead of just under half an hour over his GHR Honda team mate, Warren Strange, who admitted he was nursing himself and his CRF 450X through the Safari's closing stages.

"Murchison Station was really scenic, I saw a few cattle and beautiful trees - it was the most enjoyable day so far," Strange said. "I nursed the bike and the body today and made sure I didn't make any mistakes. I'm really looking forward to finishing, I'm not used to this pressure! I think the key for this event is going hard in the first couple of days to get in front and then preserve position."

The big loser out of Leg 6 was privateer Ivan Erceg (Honda CRF 450X). Sitting in third overall going into this leg, Erceg failed to complete the day's third and final stage, with the 12 hour time penalty incurred by the DNF dropping him back to 15th overall.

Erceg's misfortune has moved Ryan Ingram (CPW Motoparts KTM 450) into third overall, but the Western Australian has South African Brett Cummings (GHR Honda Rallyerider CRF 450X) breathing down his neck. In addition to being a podium contender, Cummings is also leading the Dakar Challenge entrants. With a buffer of almost four hours over the next Dakar Challenge competitor, Cummings is now virtually assured of a free entry into the 2013 Dakar rally - the prize on offer for the Dakar Challenge winner (Moto Division only) in the 2012 Australasian Safari.

Cummings said he performed well in the first and second stages but had issues in the last stage of the day. "100km into the third, there was a big bang in the motor. It stayed running and I nursed it home. I'm disappointed as I was trying for third outright."

Safari stalwart David Schwarz (Husaberg Rallye Racing FE 570), continues to impress, sitting in seventh overall after a poor start that saw him as low as 22nd. Out of podium contention, Schwarz has set himself another goal for this Safari. "I'm aiming to finish tomorrow and if I do this will be my 10th Safari finish in a row. I cruised along today, pushed along a little, but didn't take any risks."

With one day remaining, Jake Smith leads the Moto Division from Warren Strange, followed by Ingram, Cummings and Paul Nappy (MMS Honda CRF 450X). The tail end of the top ten is made up of Jamie Chittick (JC Motorsport Honda CRF 450X), Schwarz, Chad Vernon (Yamaha WR 450F), Guy Henley (S Af - GHR Honda CRF 450X) and Michael Heuchan (Husaberg Rallye Racing FE 570).

In the Quad division, Paul Smith (GHR Honda TRX 700XX) continues to hold the top place. Despite a lead of just over an hour ahead of Heath Young (KTM 690 Rallye), Smith is taking the opposite tack to the Auto and Moto division leaders, saying he couldn't hold back.
"The first stage was like a rollercoaster in and out of sandy tracks. I should have been taking it easy, but I was having too much fun passing bikes!"

Tomorrow is the final leg and eighth day of the 2012 Australasian Safari. Competitors have two short stages ahead of them, including a beach sprint on the way 'home' to Geraldton. Spectators are welcome to the finish at Geraldton Senior College. First bikes are expected at 11:45am local time with podium presentations from 1:00pm. Full details are available on the spectator page at www.australasiansafari.com.au.

For more information on the 2012 Australasian Safari and the latest results visit www.australasiansafari.com.au.