Profile: Charlie Ball

Aug 18th

Posted by admin in Riders: Australasian Safari 2011

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Name: Charlie Ball

Age: 38

Home town: Katanning-Perth

Years riding: 32

Years racing: On and off 20 years

First bike: Honda MR50

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: My older brother and I were racing to a gate from slightly different directions on the farm when we were young once. On this day he misjudged his charge to get in front of me at the end, neither of us pulled up and we collided at the gate.

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: Broke handlebars on throttle side during a Pony Express. It was impossible to ride… fixed with tree branch and sticky tape!

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: Won’t have to answer a mobile phone for a week!

Aiming for a win, place or finish this year: Place

What else are you expecting from the event this year: Challenge of maintaining concentration and overcoming rider dis-comfort

Anything else you’d like to add: Looking forward to meeting new people, watching the few trying to win and competing with the GHR team.

Profile: Glen Grundy

Aug 18th

Posted by admin in Riders: Australasian Safari 2011

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Name: Glen Grundy

Age: 47

Home town: Witbank, South Africa

Years riding: 18

Years racing: 12

First bike: Honda XR 500 R

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: Entering the Roof of Africa as a complete novice in 1999, and almost killing myself.

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: My BMW HP2 blew the rear air shock, and I inserted a spade handle to keep the back up, and drove 400km offroad to get home.

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: To experience Rallye-type racing, and broaden my racing horizons.

Aiming for a win, place or finish this year: Aiming for a finish

What else are you expecting from the event this year: To establish a relationship with GHR, hopefully lasting into future events.

Anything else you’d like to add: I am most excited to be coming to Australia, heard about the legendary hospitality, and great sand riding there!

Profile: David Geeves

Aug 18th

Posted by admin in Riders: Australasian Safari 2011

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Name: David Geeves

Age: 30

Home town: Condobolin

Years riding: 25

Years racing: 10

First bike: Yamaha

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: Coming 5th outright in my first Condo 750

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: Putting tie wire through the chain to get the MX80 home

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: First opportunity to enter

Aiming for a win, place or finish this year: Finish

What else are you expecting from the event this year: Great experience and great people!

Profile: Todd Smith

Aug 18th

Posted by admin in Riders: Australasian Safari 2011

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Name: Todd Smith

Age: 26

Home town: Condobolin

Years riding: 19

Years racing: 19

First bike: Yamaha PW50

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: Finishing 2nd at Finke in 2010 and my two 2nd place finishes in the Australasian Safari ’09 and ’10

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: In last years Safari, I had an unrepairable crack in my radiator so had to baby my bike through a 200km stage with no coolant – it was a huge relief to get to the end of that stage!

Is this your first Safari: No, 2011 will be my fourth.

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: To have fun and finish one better than last year!

Aiming for a win, place or finish this year: Aiming for a win of course!!

What else are you expecting from the event this year: I’m hoping to have a clean run free of injuries and mechanical problems.