2012 Australasian Safari taking shape

With entries still open for about another 10 weeks, the 2012 Australasian Safari has already locked in some new faces from all around the globe, including top 10 Dakar Rally finisher, American Quinn Cody.

The Californian, who will be riding for the well-drilled CPW KTM team in the Australasian Safari from September 21-29, finished ninth outright in the 2011 Dakar Rally and also collected rookie of the year honours.

Cody said he was excited about the prospect of taking on the Australian outback.

"I’m looking forward to the new challenge of racing in Australia. I really have no idea what to expect from the terrain and competition, but I will give it my best and hope for a good finish," Quinn said.

Cody has a number of significant rally wins to his credit, including the Ensenada to La Paz Baja 1000 in 2006, 2009-2011, the Baja 500 in 2010-2011, and the 533-mile Vegas to Reno off-road race in 2010 – the only racer in the decade-long history of the event to win as a solo rider.

Cody will be joined by countryman Jason Adams in the Australasian Safari, while other new Moto faces will include German women Tina Meier (pictured), an experienced Dakar competitor, and teams from the Netherlands and South Africa. A couple of Dutchmen will also be taking part in the Adventure Tour -- the non-competitive arm of the Safari.

And the Thai singer and TV star? Well, that’s Kiatkamol Lata, who will partner Rachan Trairat in the auto division aboard an Isuzu Dmax.

This year’s Safari is taking a new coastal route in Western Australia, travelling north to Geraldton, through the wheat belt and Murchison to Carnarvon, before finishing back at Geraldton.

For more information on entries, visit www.australasiansafari.com.au. Entries close August 31, 2012.