WHO TO WATCH IN 2010 AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI
Date: 02-Sep-2010
Seasoned veterans, professional motorsport competitors and even some first-timers will challenge the 2010 Australasian Safari. Key competitors to look out for over the course of the 2010 Australasian Safari include:
Auto
‣ V8 Supercar champion Craig Lowndes who will be swapping the smooth tracks of Bathurst for the rugged Australian outback, in what will be his first Australasian Safari. His co-driver is former V8 Supercar team owner and experienced Safari competitor and past winner Kees Weel.
‣ Past Safari winner and regular Dakar competitor Bruce Garland, with co-driver Harry Suzuki returning to put up the challenge for a finals berth in their Isuzu D-MAX ute.
‣ Father and daughter team Brent and Sarah Twaddle, competing together for the first time, following Sarah’s successfully completion of the 2008 and 2009 Safaris.
‣ Auto driver Des Harrington who clocks up 14 Safaris over 25 years this year. His son Richard, 20, will join his father as his co-driver.
‣ Kiwi Toni Feaver, competing in her first Australasian Safari after competing in 15 Australian Rally Championships, six Tarmac Rallies and 12 World Rally Championships.
Moto
‣ Internationally-renowned Brazilian moto competitor Ze Hélio competing in his first Australasian Safari. He is Brazil's number one rallye racer, five-time winner of the Rallye dos Sertoes, and came 12th outright at Dakar 2009.
‣ Sweden's rally princess Annie Seel returning to the Safari for a second consecutive year. Annie is a veteran of the international off-road racing circuit, having competed in four Dakars (named 2010 Female Champion) and more than 60 international rally sport events.
‣ Ben Grabham, three-time Finke winner and two-time Safari winner in 2007 and 2008, fighting to regain his first place position.
‣ Last year’s outright moto winner Jacob Smith and brother Todd Smith who placed 2nd outright in 2009.
‣ David Schwarz – competitor in two Dakars and seven Safaris with multiple class wins and placings in 2009.
Quad
‣ 2009 Quad runner-up Paul Smith and 2008 Quad winner John Maragozidis, both who have competed in all Safaris since 2008 when the Quad category was introduced.
And finally…
‣ Our ‘vintage’ competitors Terry Pinson (age 63) and Les Walkden (age 62) in the auto category and Robin Humphrey (age 56) in the moto category. They’ll be showing the young guns how to survive the gruelling seven-day course.
