The Australasian Safari 2012 is now under way after a wet and blustery ceremonial start at Hillarys Boat Harbour last night. In spite of the foul conditions an enthusiastic crowd gathered to wave the field off.

Safari competitors are currently setting up bivouac at Geraldton and preparing for Prologue, due to start at 14.30 Perth time. GHR entrants are as follows:

MOTO
#1 Todd Smith (NSW) – M3.2
#2 Jacob Smith (NSW) – M3.2
#7 Warren Strange (WA) – M3.2
#8 Brett Cummings (SA) – M2.2
#10 Mike Johnson (USA) – M3.2
#22 Glen Grundy (SA) – M2.2
#23 Guy Henley (SA) – M2.2

QUAD
#92 Paul Smith (VIC) – Q1.2

AUTO
#178 Glenn Hoffmann (NSW) – BUGGY

GHR Honda team riders Todd and Jacob Smith will be the first to leave bivouac, both embarking on an attempt to win a second Safari, but with Todd defending his title from last year. Comments from Todd Smith:
“We’ve changed our bike setup this year and we’re running a new tank configuration. The bike has definitely come forward and both my training and riding have been going well. We just need everything to come together.”

When asked if he was going to challenge his brother Todd this year after coming second to him in 2011, Jacob simply replied, “of course”. There are no family orders, and Jacob would prefer that he and his brother “switch it around” throughout the event to keep it interesting but knows one-two finish is the best outcome for whomever ends up victorious.

Pictures to come…