Smith in the Australasian Safari box seat

With just three stages remaining in the 3600km 2009 Australasian Safari, it seems that only disaster can stop Honda rider Jacob Smith from climbing on to the top step of the podium in Kalgoorlie.

The Condobolin rider held a commanding 25-minute advantage over his brother, Todd Smith (KTM), after the penultimate day of competition, with two-time winner Ben Grabham (KTM) third, less than two minutes further back.

With 16 of the event’s 19 timed stages now completed, it seems that Grabham’s dream of a third straight title is over.

Yesterday’s three stages covered 392km on many tight and overgrown tracks between Laverton and Kalgoorlie.
The day’s first stage was a relatively short 87km test, but the following 243km stage was where most expected Ben Grabham to make his final charge for victory.

While the Bathurst rider was the fastest through the stage, he was only three minutes and 42 seconds quicker than Jacob Smith, who finished the stage with a broken fuel line.

Smith scrambled to fix his fuel problem in the 15 minutes service time following the stage, but remained upbeat and confident he could hold on for victory.

“The first two stages went well, and they were good fun,” Smith said. “We’re gradually getting there. Minimising risks is now vital.”

Todd Smith has so far managed to protect his second placing, however he knows he will be chased all the way to the finish line by Grabham.

“The long stage was hard and tough,” Todd said. “I’m a bit buggered and my legs are pretty tired, but I’ve had no crashes and a pretty clean run.

“I think I can keep second place if I keep my mind on the job.”

Grabham is still pushing hard despite not making the inroads he’d been hoping for.

“The 243km stage was the hardest and most physically demanding of the event,” he admitted. “The bike was good, but there were a few spots where the track was hard to see because of trees, so it was quite difficult.”

Western Australian Ivan Erceg (KTM) is comfortable in fourth place, intent on getting his bike to the finish without problems, while South Australian David Schwarz has moved into the top five on his Husaberg.

Swedish rider Annie Seel (Husaberg) suffered a foot injury, but after treatment from the event medical team she continued on in 13th place.

The Czech Republic’s Josef Machacek (Yamaha) continues to lead the quad bike category, although Victorian Paul Smith (Can-Am) has reduced his lead by seven minutes during leg six. The Czech rider still has a 46-minute buffer, and the wily veteran is unlikely to throw that advantage away.

Today will see competitors embark on a two-stage, 165km loop out of the gold mining city of Kalgoorlie. Navigational skills will be tested over a number of tricky station tracks.

Following the day’s two stages, the podium finish will take place from 12.30pm.

MOTO
1 Jacob SMITH (NSW), Honda, 20:15.17
2 Todd SMITH (NSW), KTM, +25:22
3 Ben GRABHAM (NSW), KTM, +27:03
4 Ivan ERCEG (WA), KTM, +1h:46:16
5 David SCHWARZ (SA), Husaberg, +2h 17:05

QUADS
1 Josef MACHACEK (CZ), Yamaha, 26:01.36
2 Paul SMITH (VIC), Can-Am, +46.05
3 Martin PLECHATY (CZ), Borile Bory, +12:40.37

Click on the following link for full results and standings in the 2009 Australasian Safari.