Australasian Safari: leg five wrap

Craig Lowndes and Ben Grabham continue to hold onto sizeable leads with two legs remaining in this year’s gruelling Australasian Safari in Western Australia.

Yesterday’s leg five saw competitors complete 411km, with Lowndes remaining in front despite hitting a stump on the first stage and inflicting some suspension damage on the Holden Colorado he is sharing with Kees Weel.

“We bent the left hand rear suspension and survived that and the boys did a great job fixing it in the service. We were well set up for the second stage but we had an exhaust leak,” Lowndes said.

“It was a tough day in all. There were a lot of first gear corners, and a lot of different terrain. We had to pass a few bikes and that’s a hazard in itself. We were in their dust and looking for instructions and hazards and then there’s the bikes coming out of the dust - they can catch you out.  

“My plan is to try to maintain the gap tomorrow which will set us up for Saturday, which should be a shorter day, a kind of celebration.”

Darren Green/Wayne Smith (Nissan Patrol) retained second fastest position, ahead of Bruce Garland/Harry Suzuki (Izuzu D-MAX).

Garland and Suzuki had an early challenge on their hands when a drive shaft snapped early in the first stage, and they were forced to make repairs on the run.

“I just took the whole thing out and continued another 200km using 2WD,” said Garland. We also had three punctures. But we were back by the second stage and will be coming out strong tomorrow.”

Grabham (KTM 530EXC) enjoyed a rare trouble-free run through leg five, but his major opposition wasn't so fortunate: Rod Faggotter (Yamaha WR450F) skimmed a tree and has a suspected broken hand and dislocated fingers; and Matt Fish (530EXC) ran out of fuel and then had a massive highside.

West Aussie Warren Strange (CRF450X) also highsided, and he was choppered back to Safari headquarters in Esperance.

“I enjoyed the stages today, but even though we’ve finished pretty early this afternoon, it seems like a long day,” said Grabham. “The bike is going well so I’ll just hope for a trouble-free day tomorrow.”

One competitor who had a great run today was Brazilian Ze Helio (Husaberg FE570), who was third and fourth in two special stages.

However, he is out of the running for a top place in the event, having been forced to concede a five-hour penalty in leg two for having to do a full service on his FE570 after the first marathon day.

Todd Smith (530EXC) remains in second place overall.

In the quads, Paul Smith (Honda TRX700XX) still holds a comfortable lead.

Today (September 24) is the penultimate leg of the Australasian Safari, and competitors will ride south to the beautiful coastal town of Esperance, with sand dunes likely to be prominent as the event moves closer to the Southern Ocean.

Check out the official Australasian Safari site for more information on the event.