|
 | Australasian Safari: Leaders changed again - Craig Lowndes first in cars.
|
Wow folks, the Australians showed us, what real motorsport is. Here in Australia the results changes every day - and gives everybody the chance to win. Wednesday´s leg four of the Australasian Safari has been a day of getting down to business for the cars with the gaps widening at the top of the field.
The landscape changed again. The Rally travelled from the "gold miners city" Coolgardie into the South in the village "Norseman", which got it´s name from a dead horse (no Joke). The landscape becomes greener again with more trees, but also more stones and rocky hills near the finish.
The cars had to drive three stages during Coolgardie and Norseman (Western Australia), the bikes were stopped after the second stage for security reasons. The route was harder, more tricky and not as fast as in the days before, so the participants especially had to take care for their machines.
The Australian V8-Series Star Craig Lowndes and his Codriver Kees Weel "attacked" in the two hard stages Wednesday and claimed the lead with 19 minutes ahead of the field with their Holden Colorado (Isuzu D-Max with V8 Engine).
A good day was had by Isuzu-Pioneer and Dakar-Veteran Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki in their Isuzu D-Max Diesel as they move up two places to third fastest in the auto field, 32 minutes behind the leaders. "We are happy with the results" Garland told, "but we a still far away from our personal goal. You know, we would like to be the first winner with a Diesel-car in this rally" he said with a smile. "But the car is working great. It´s the first rally for the new Isuzu."
Darren Green and Wayne Smith with their Nissan Patrol also had a strong day, now in the second fastest position, also moving two places up the field. Father and son team Des and Richard Harrington (Nissan Patrol) have moved into fifth position. From 23 cars only 12 cars started in the race, but some want to come back on Thursday.
In the Motos Category, one of the Leaders, Jacob Smith with his Honda, retired Wednesday from the race after an accident. He was flown out with the rescue helicopter to Kalgoorlie Hospital, was injured at his shoulder but it looks like the accident sounds harder then it was.
It´s tighter now in the moto division, with the top four placings within 12 minutes of eachother. From 89 bikes only 40 Bikers are still in the ranking. The Australian Ben Grabham is currently in the lead by almost seven minutes ahead of Rod Faggotter, and nine minutes ahead of Todd Smith. Mathew Fish is also riding within the tight pack.
The top international competitor is currently Swedish competitor Annie Seel currently in 16th position of a field of 40.
Classifications for Stage 10 in regards to the moto category are under review by the event organisers. This means that for now the start order for Leg 5 is based on the classifications at the end of Stage 9.
Considered one of the world¹s great endurance events, the Australasian Safari is travelling from Southern Cross in the wheatbelt through to the historic Western Australian goldfields, desert, rugged bush and coastal sand dunes, finishing at Esperance.
A great source especial for the "Biker-Fans" is the Blog from our friend Justin from the US. Nice stories and daily interviews you can find at [ mxracer51.blogspot.com ].
2010/09/23 | 05:58 CET | EDITOR: MR/HS
|
|
