Grabham takes Safari

Australian Safari: Riding a Honda, Bathurst's Ben Grabham has won his second consecutive Safari, while the Auto division has been taken out by Victorian, Steve Riley, in his battle weary Mitsubishi Pajero.

South Australian John Maragozidis was the first quad bike home after many of his rivals struck trouble during the seven days.

Grabham had a comfortable lead heading into the last stage of the marathon seven-day event, but still pushed right to the finish, taking second place on the final 75 kilometre stage.

The factory Honda rider led the event from the very first stage in Kalgoorlie last Sunday (August 24), and controlled the event from the front. He took victory by nearly 22 minutes ahead of the Yamaha of Rod Faggotter.

Faggotter, from Queensland, crashed his bike on the third day, and despite suffering facial injuries that required stitches, he charged on in style. He eventually finished more than seven and a half minutes in front of the second factory Honda, ridden by Damian Grabham, brother of Ben.

The rest of the positions in the top five remained unchanged on the final 441 kilometre Leg from Geraldton to the Western Australian capital. Kalgoorlie's Warren Strange, on a Honda, held off the KTM challenge from Matt Fish.

AFL legend Tony Lockett finished his first ever Australasian Safari in 25th place from the 51 riders who started the event.