Australasian Safari revs up

The Australasian Safari is so close you can almost touch it, with the official start of the event taking place on September 17 at Hillarys Boat Harbour in North Perth (WA).

The extreme off-road rally is no cake walk, covering an energy-sapping 3600km across eight days of competition. It is sometimes referred to as the Dakar Down Under, such is its gruelling nature.

It winds its way through Australia's largest state and finishes up in Esperance on the south coast, and at the time of writing around 100 motorcycle, quad and auto competitors had signed up for the event.

The Australasian Safari's promoters are calling it "one of the world's great endurance events," and one of the big names attempting to cross the finish line in 2010 will be V8 Supercar star Craig Lowndes, driving a modified eight-cylinder Holden Colorado 4WD.

Competitors from around the world, including Japan, China, South Africa, Brazil, Sweden, and New Zealand, have already signed up for the eight day desert rally that takes in terrain from coastal dunes to remote desert and even historic goldfields.

Event Director Justin Hunt said the official start in the Perth at Hillarys Harbour will be a great showcase for the cars, bikes and quads, allowing spectators to see the machinery up close. And clean.

"Hillarys Boat Harbour will provide a great venue for the Official Start as it will showcase the beautiful Western Australian coastline to our interstate and international competitors and their support crews," said Hunt.

"Families can make it an afternoon and evening out by having a wander round the display of Safari-ready vehicles, wave them off on their journey and then enjoy the restaurants and entertainment of the Harbour.

"This is a really important aspect of the event for the competitors as they get prepared for a huge week, and many will be grateful to just complete the event and reach Esperance with their vehicles intact."

For more details on the Australasian Safari check out Australasian Safari.com.au.