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NEWS
Lowndes steals the show on day one
The V8 Supercar champion sets the Australasia Safari alight in his Holden Colorado – despite getting himself lost…V8 Supercar enforcer Craig Lowndes has made a brilliant start to his foray into desert racing, dominating the opening leg of the 2010 Australasian Safari in Western Australia.
And he made his intentions very clear from the get-go, winning the first competitive section in his Holden Colorado by nearly 12 minutes.
The Queenslander, alongside navigator Kees Weel, also marched through the second competitive section, and the free-wheeling duo probably would have made it a clean sweep in the third had they not taken a wrong turn and got themselves lost. That stage was won by Warren Denham/Michael Denham (Mitsubishi Triton).
The navigational area was a small sting in the tail, but Lowndes/Weel still head into day two with close to a nine-minute lead over Bruce Garland/Harry Suzuki (Isuzu DMAX). Tony Quinn and Toni Feaver (Mitsubishi Pajero) are third, making it three different manufacturers in the top spots.
"The first two stages went really well, but we got lost in the last stage because we couldn't see the track," said Lowndes. "I'm actually glad in one way -- the last part of the stage was incredibly tight so the only way we knew where to go was to follow the tracks of the earlier cars."
Garland was pleased with the day’s racing, and was now preparing for the two marathon legs ahead.
"I will certainly back off tomorrow, so we’re set for leg three, after the maximum 30-minute service tomorrow night," he said. "It's one thing to drive fast, but you also have to be capable of driving slower to get through the two-day marathon."
Soft sand took out the clutches of two autos today -- the Pajeros of Geoff Olholm and Australian rally veteran Les Walkden.
In the moto division, two-time Safari champion Ben Grabham (KTM 530 EXC) leads the overall standings, over one minute ahead of reigning title holder Jacob Smith (Honda CRF450X). Yamaha's Rod Faggotter is third after pushing hard all day on his WR450F.
Grabham won the two of today's three stages, and Jacob the other.
Meanwhile, leading moto contender AJ Roberts (CRF450X) broke his wrist after an altercation with fellow top gun Todd Smith (530EXC).
Roberts is being treated at Kalgoorlie Hospital, with his 2010 Safari campaign now officially over before it really began. The latest incident follows on from last year's event when he was forced to retire after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Leading the quads is Colin Lawson on his Can Am Renegade 800, finishing less than a minute in front of Paul Smith on his Honda TRX700XX.
"Out of all three years, today had everything, but it was 30km of hell at the end trying to navigate through the bush," said Smith, who finished second in last year's Safari. "I made it through and had an awesome day."
And he made his intentions very clear from the get-go, winning the first competitive section in his Holden Colorado by nearly 12 minutes.
The Queenslander, alongside navigator Kees Weel, also marched through the second competitive section, and the free-wheeling duo probably would have made it a clean sweep in the third had they not taken a wrong turn and got themselves lost. That stage was won by Warren Denham/Michael Denham (Mitsubishi Triton).
The navigational area was a small sting in the tail, but Lowndes/Weel still head into day two with close to a nine-minute lead over Bruce Garland/Harry Suzuki (Isuzu DMAX). Tony Quinn and Toni Feaver (Mitsubishi Pajero) are third, making it three different manufacturers in the top spots.
"The first two stages went really well, but we got lost in the last stage because we couldn't see the track," said Lowndes. "I'm actually glad in one way -- the last part of the stage was incredibly tight so the only way we knew where to go was to follow the tracks of the earlier cars."
Garland was pleased with the day’s racing, and was now preparing for the two marathon legs ahead.
"I will certainly back off tomorrow, so we’re set for leg three, after the maximum 30-minute service tomorrow night," he said. "It's one thing to drive fast, but you also have to be capable of driving slower to get through the two-day marathon."
Soft sand took out the clutches of two autos today -- the Pajeros of Geoff Olholm and Australian rally veteran Les Walkden.
In the moto division, two-time Safari champion Ben Grabham (KTM 530 EXC) leads the overall standings, over one minute ahead of reigning title holder Jacob Smith (Honda CRF450X). Yamaha's Rod Faggotter is third after pushing hard all day on his WR450F.
Grabham won the two of today's three stages, and Jacob the other.
Meanwhile, leading moto contender AJ Roberts (CRF450X) broke his wrist after an altercation with fellow top gun Todd Smith (530EXC).
Roberts is being treated at Kalgoorlie Hospital, with his 2010 Safari campaign now officially over before it really began. The latest incident follows on from last year's event when he was forced to retire after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Leading the quads is Colin Lawson on his Can Am Renegade 800, finishing less than a minute in front of Paul Smith on his Honda TRX700XX.
"Out of all three years, today had everything, but it was 30km of hell at the end trying to navigate through the bush," said Smith, who finished second in last year's Safari. "I made it through and had an awesome day."
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