Australasian Safari 2012

[Cdaledude]

Originally Posted by edfetz

+100000

One more day !!! Keep it up !!

You know we are all watching and cheering you on Jason!

[zenjen]

Looks like Jason made it through SS16, only 18k to go.

[NordieBoy]

Originally Posted by Dread Pendragon

A lot of great interviews in this video. Jason is interviewed starting at 4:19.

JayBo is the 2nd interview

[russbryant]

Jason,

Looks like you wicked it up a bit on today's stages. I bet you were grinning from ear to ear all day
We want to hear all about this amazing adventure after you decompress.

Congrats on a superb job !!!!


Russ
Tucson

[ferals5]

only 10mins covering positions 4 through 8

Overall
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total
1	2	SMITH Jake	Honda CRF450X	24:56:25
2	7	STRANGE Warren	Honda CRF450X	25:27:11
3	17	INGRAM Ryan	KTM 450	27:36:56
4	8	CUMMINGS Brett (D)	Honda CRF450X	28:39:18
5	25	NAPPY Paul	Honda CRF450X	28:40:37
6	20	CHITTICK Jamie	Honda 450X	28:42:37
7	9	SCHWARZ David	Husaberg FE570	28:48:28
8	51	VERNON Chad	Yamaha WR450	28:49:25
9	23	HENLEY Guy	Honda CRF450X	29:06:08
10	73	HEUCHAN Michael	Husaberg FE570	29:57:09
11	16	VAN HEERTUM Melchior (D)	KTM KTM530 EXC	32:02:58
12	26	BOUWKNEGT John	KTM 450 Rally	32:29:24
13	41	BOUNDS Craig	Suzuki DRZ400E	32:48:53
14	77	YOUNG Ben	Husaberg FE570	33:35:24
15	46	RISCHITELLI Damien	Husaberg FE570	33:54:02
16	19	ERCEG Ivan	Honda CRF450X	34:28:11
17	18	LUCCHESE Manuel	Husaberg FE450	34:44:21
18	3	FAGGOTTER Rod	Yamaha WR450F	34:53:42
19	31	JONES Tamsin	Suzuki DRZ400E	37:15:25
20	57	McKIE Stephen	Husaberg FE570	37:23:50
21	22	GRUNDY Glen (D)	Honda CRF450	38:00:25
22	47	WINTERBURN David	Yamaha WR250R	39:21:06
23	21	BELTRAMI Francesco	Honda 450X	40:07:20
24	66	BLIGHT David	Husaberg FE570	46:00:27
25	38	ADAMS Jason	BMW R65	47:45:21
26	36	SCOBLE Russell (D)	Honda CRF450X	50:31:14
27	1	SMITH Todd (D)	Honda CRF450X	50:58:27

and a few more retirements since I last checked

5	DIENER, Shane ,	2012 Yamaha WR450F	Knee Injury
6	FISH, Matthew ,	2012 KTM 500EXC	Withdrawn
10	JOHNSON, Michael (D) ,	2012 Honda CRF450X	Injury
12	VAN GINKEL, Alex (D) ,	2011 KTM 450EXC	Injury
14	BENSTEAD, Duncan ,	2012 Yamaha WR450F
15	SCHIMMEL, Simon ,	2009 KTM 450EXC	Withdrawn
27	DRYSDALE, Ian ,	2010 Husqvarna TE510	Badly twisted Knee
40	STRANGE, Vernon (D) ,	2012 Yamaha WRF450
		2012 KTM 500EXC After eight incredible days, the Australasian Safari has been contested and won Date: 29-Sep-2012 • MOTO – Jake Smith Honda, Warren Strange Honda, Ryan Inghram KTM • AUTO – Hederics/Weel - Holden Colorado, Herridge/Hill - Subaru Forrester, Park/Newbon - Toyota Hilux • QUAD – Paul Smith – Honda, Young - KTM, Brown - Honda • 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. Every competitor who crossed the finish line is a winner for completing a gruelling eight days of competition covering approximately 3500 competitive kilometers off-road on beaches, through sand dunes, over creeks, rocky riverbeds, claypans and cattle stations. Moto Jake Smith, 24, from NSW won the Australasian Safari moto division as he did in 2009. He held the lead for the entire event on his Honda CRF450X and finished with a comfortable 31 minutes to spare. With brother Todd Smith, last year’s Safari moto winner, they have a combined seven podiums in seven events in WA on three different marques - Honda, Yamaha and KTM. Jake said he was still feeling really good after the eight days of racing and was relieved it was all over. “It’s never over ‘til its over so I was taking it easy to get through the cool beach stages and cross the finish line. Having won last in 2009 it’s a really good feeling to win again,” he said. WA’s Warren Strange, 47, is no stranger to Safari and he rode his Dakar-built Honda CRF450X to finish convincingly in second place, one hour 39 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. “I’m really happy that an old guy like me can do this! I gave up motocross riding when these guys around me were kids! “I’ve tried to do quite a lot of events this year in my preparation for Dakar so I’m really pleased it has paid off.” Warren’s second place win was also a huge personal achievement for him, having had leukemia for 20 years. “I’ve been able to take time off work to train and now I’m following my passion, life’s too short,” he said. Ryan Inghram, 33, also from WA, achieved a third place podium finish on a KTM450 despite this being his first attempt at the Australasian Safari. “I’m feeling pretty good with this being my first Safari, it’s the longest event I’ve contested. It was harder than I thought, a tough week. The stages were good, the longer the better for me. The bike’s been great to me too.” David Schwarz, 42, from South Australia, on Husaberg FE450, has finished in the top ten of the last ten Australasian Safaris. This is a huge achievement for this marathon event. No other competitor has managed more than four and in 2012 he finished seventh outright. “Ten years of racing is a long time. I’m tired but happy. This year’s stages were great, I really enjoyed it, it ranks right up there with the other Safaris I’ve done. The variation in the terrain and the styles of riding were great and there were some true Safari stages. It was great to go somewhere new.” The winners of five of the last six Australasian Safaris have won on Honda bikes. Auto John Hederics (NSW) and Kees Weel (Qld) in the Holden Colorado finished a comfortable one hour 24 minutes ahead of their nearest rivals and drove a steady race over the past eight days. Hederics holds the record for most Australasian Safari wins on a moto and in an auto. Hederics is arguably the event’s most experienced competitor. He has won six out of seven Safari attempts on a moto and four out of seven attempts in an auto. It is Weel’s second win as a navigator and the fourth win for the car. Hederics said he was happy, relieved and glad to be back. “I had to rush back for the footy today to watch Sydney! We held the lead for three days and had it to lose. Driving conservatively is sometimes harder than going fast. “I’ve been on loads of Safaris as a competitor and as support, this is by far the best course. The difference in terrain and the variances have been really good. The organisation is good and there are experienced guys running the show and they know what’s required.” The second place win for West Australians Rob Herridge and Sam Hill was a huge achievement. Their Subaru Forester was entered in the Production Class, meaning the car had very few modifications. They finished an impressive one hour and 39 minutes ahead of third place holders and with their service crew managed to keep the car on track for the eight days. “I’m feeling pumped. We’ve been trying not to celebrate for three days because it’s not over ‘til it’s over. It went well beyond our expectations, not only did we win a few stages, we came second outright. It’s a testament to Subaru cars. We’re wrapped.” Veteran off-road racers of more than 40 years, Victorians Reg Owen and Russel Cairns, placed third in the autos, a well-deserved position after competing in an impressive 15 Australasian Safaris. Reg said it felt great. “We had to work for it. We were pushing quite hard today but 122 (Park/Newbon) made the bigger mistake. They were pushing as well. This event has been tops. They have got it 100 percent right. The tracks were great, they were marked well and it has made a big difference.” Quad Victorian Paul Smith, 35, won the Australasian Safari convincingly from start to finish on his Honda TRX700XX. He has contested each Australasian Safari since quads were introduced five years ago and won in 2010. He said he was relived and stoked. “Especially after last year’s stuff up and the helicopter ride to hospital with a broken leg, I’m really glad to be on top. In true Safari form, the event had to throw something at me, and in the last three kilometers I hit a sheep. It was OK and ran away. “I loved the Gascoyne region for Safari, the stages were awesome – pure evil! It’s the least troubles I’ve ever had on the event and it’s a credit to the guys who built the bike. I’m really happy, next stop Dakar!” Smith said. Dakar Challenge South African rider Brett Cummings (29) won the Dakar Challenge in his first marathon event. “I’m feeling happy to get through it, it was unknown pressure for me especially yesterday getting a 45-minute penalty. I made some stupid mistakes today, I went too slow in the sand and had a big crash in the second stage – my only crashes of the event have been today! “I’ve liked the organisation of Australasian Safari and the routes. I’ve learnt so much coming out of this race. I’ve had some great pointers from Jake and Todd (Smith) and I’m looking forward to next time. “Winning the Dakar Challenge means it will be easier for us to get sponsors, it lightens the load on the pockets. I was uncertain of how I would go on a multi day event and I’m so happy I’ve managed to maintain pace over the seven days.” 115 competitors started the Australasian Safari last Saturday (21 September) and after a Prologue and seven legs there were 92 competitors crossed the finish line today. The Australasian Safari, from 21 to 29 September 2012, is an eight-day endurance race that sees competitors travel mainly off-road tracks through the outback of Western Australia. The event is known as one of the toughest and most challenging motorsport events in the world. This year’s course was approximately 3500km through the mid west of Western Australia.

[AWM]

Jay,

Ya pushed that airhead 2 1/2K in your underoo's to finish!!!

You fucking rule!

I bet it was easy compared to push'n your R100.Hey remind me to get your autograph next time we go for a ride.

Safe trip home.

[BK.RD.RNR]

Way to go Jason!!!

Really proud of you man! I can't wait to hear the stories!

[MZcountryboy]

All class, that guy is all class.


I have this horrid mental image in my head now........Stagey, a super hot R65 and the producers of a BVD commercial dicsussing poses pushing the bike during the re-creation.





Way to go! Congrats!

[AWM]

Originally Posted by MZcountryboy

All class, that guy is all class.


I have this horrid mental image in my head now........Stagey, a super hot R65 and the producers of a BVD commercial dicsussing poses pushing the bike during the re-creation.





Way to go! Congrats!

The desert BVD collection by Calvin Klein.

"When its to hot to ride,push!"

[The Shred]

Team Airhead

[hardwaregrrl]

I knew it!!!! I was on to something with the ART underwear thing a few months back!!! Way to go Jason!!! Super proud to ride an airhead!!!! I'm assuming you're deep in a jack and coke right now....you certainly earned it!

[jonnykilo]

Well done Jason. Can't wait to hear all about it!

[Bluebull2007]

Well done to all the guys,

but especially

Jason on the that monster,
Brett - on your Dakar Challenge and 4th
John (Jaybo) on you outstanding, trouble free run.
South Africans Glen and Guy,
and Manuel for finishing despite everything.




It was superb to follow you all.

[Stagehand]

Well that was just about as amazing an experience as they get.

Thanks for the support along the way, guys, I feel privileged in a big way.

Im also shocked, awed, humbled and touched by the Caldecott award. I dont even know how to respon to that, other than its now one of my most treasured achievments.

I was bummed to sit on the bike for the last time this morning before loading it up... Not sure i'll get the chance again to hear it roar. This was an expensive adventure, and Paul would prefer a rider who was better at putting power on the ground than I. I need to learn more about suspension, and find a faster pace. But everytime I do something new its more experience i didnt have before, so i'm not disappointed. I never did figure out how to ride the rear wheel with throttle properly.
Im grateful for the support and the opportunity I've been afforded, and I just love the feeling between start control and finish control. I dunno whats next but im really looking forward to it.
As a lot of you guys know the other competitors are one of the best reasons to come do this. I made a lot of new friends. I wont bother naming names because they were all important.


Anyway thanks a lot for following, and now im going to make a list of stuff i broke in the last week that is going to make me broke till Christmas, Lol!

[DRjoe]

well done stagehand you deserved it