Close battle in Australian Safari

The KTM of Andrew Channing and Honda of Ben Grabham (pictured) are battling for top honours in the Australian Safari at the close of day 5, with less than a second separating the pair.

The 5000km event started on 24 August and will conclude on 1 September, after crossing some of the most spectacular outback scenery the country has to offer.

The event diary reveals: Day 4 closed for the Dubai-based Team Gecko Honda at the International Australian Safari. Leaving Port Hedland and ending in Newman the team have faced the most challenging route yet as the rally turns inland towards the Australian Desert.

Lead riders Martin Cleary and Sean Linton crashed badly on the first special stage of the day but managed to recoup lost time in the remaining two. Steve Blackney continues in strength after his misfortune on Day 2 as the environment alters to match his extensive rally experience.

"It's been the most testing day so far," states Linton, "the bikes have all performed remarkably well and the team as a whole have shown outstanding resilience against the rocky outback." The day ended late for many riders totaling ride-time of over 12 hours in some cases.

The rally route continues further into the rocky outback where the many hours of practice in the Hatta Mountains will prove invaluable.

The HSE Rental-backed KTM team reports: The first special stage of the Australian Safari is in question today (28 August), as a local farmer who opened his grounds to the race closed the circuit only allowing the first 40 bikes to pass through.

HSE Rental KTM Motorex Rally Team's David Schwarz was one of those riders, which saw him make up ground from 19th to 13th place, yet his final standing is still to be decided as organisers determine if the first special stage will be included.

 "Until organisers decide if the first special stage will be included, I'm still not 100 percent on where I stand, but I know I passed a lot of guys out there today, said Schwarz.

 "I feel like I'm back in the game and ready to chase down the front runners to get back into the top ten."

Fellow team rider Adam Riemann is maintaining his position in the top ten and has moved up yet another place to be 8th outright.

 "The race leaders are starting to wear their engines out, and today's terrain really suited the 450 machines, so I got some good rhythm going," said Riemann.

Also riding the KTM 450 EXC, John Hudson had a get off today, which cost him some valuable time but he came out uninjured and geared to get back into business for tomorrow's racing.

 "I had a few crashes today where I was pushing myself a little too hard, so tomorrow's game plan will be to ride my own race and pace myself to my ability and the bike's ability, which still should see me make up some ground," said Hudson.

Top ten, day 5
1, A CHANNING (NSW), KTM 660 Rallye, 09:44:39
2, B GRABHAM (NSW), Honda CRF 450X, 09:45:08
3, J SMITH (NSW), Yamaha WR450, 09:52:18
4, A COAKER (NSW), Honda CRF 450X, 10:02:50
5, S DIENER (SA), Kawasaki KLX 450, 10:04:11
6, M FISH (VIC), KTM 525 EXC, 10:24:49
7, P NELLIGAN (NSW), KTM EXC 525, 10:32:10
8, A.RIEMANN (SA), KTM 450EXC, 10:40:43
9, I ERCEG (WA), Honda XR650, 11:00:16
10, McCULLAGH (NSW), KTM 450 EXC, 11:00:20

See Australiansafari.com.au