Team preparations

This week sees the GHR Honda team back in Western Australia making final preparations to defend their title in the 3000km 2012 Australasian Safari. The 7 day navigational event is the toughest motorsport event in the Asia Pacific Region and celebrates it’s 27th anniversary this year with a changed route that commences and concludes in Geraldton. Competitors will battle on new competitive sections held close to the coast for two days before turning inland for some trademark high speed outback running.

Aiming for a 6th outright victory in the bike class, the GHR Honda team is comprised of 7 Honda CRF450X motorcycles, one TRX700XX quad and one buggy. Team entrants include three South Africans, one American and a total of five competitors in training for the 2013 Dakar Rally. Brothers and key team riders Todd and Jacob Smith are both in fine form and each will be vying for a second personal victory in this ‘Dakar Down Under’. West Australian local and Safari veteran Warren Strange will also be racing hard on his CRF450X based GHR 2013 Dakar bike. Victorian quad rider and previous class winner Paul Smith will ride the team’s first quad entry.

Todd and Jacob Smith - pre-event testing

Jacob Smith – comments:

“Last Safari I came home injured. In hindsight I was probably doing too much too soon but 3 weeks after the race I had an operation on my foot to sort things out. It went very well and I was back training as usual soon after. The only hitch was I’d pull up sore very quickly. A day of waterskiing or pre-running at Finke would leave me struggling to walk on it. But in the last 3 or 4 months my training has been structured to minimise impact and I’m back feeling great. Heaps of cycling, lots of gym work focussed on strength and plenty of cardio work.”

“Safari is all about putting yourself in a position to win it, but picking the right moment to do it. This year Todd and I are both approaching the race with the same mentality as we had last year. If we can get up the front in the prologue and then stay out of trouble for a few days then we’re on track for good things. Todd put himself in the right position on Day 3 last year and then kept it clean. That’s how this race works. Compared to Todd I’ve struggled a bit with form, but the results for the team have been brilliant, with one-three at Condo and one-two at Yellow Mountain – can’t ask for more than that!”

Jacob Smith - pre-event testing

“It’s exciting to be going to some different places in 2012. Over the last couple of events we’ve seen the same bivouacs and some of the tracks have become familiar. Safari was always about an adventure so I’m looking forward mine even if we don’t stop to look at the scenery too often.”

Todd Smith – comments:

“So far this year has unfolded much the same way as last year. I haven’t had as much training time as Jake but that’s the reality of my job. I do as much as I can when I’m not working. Normally that means I’m on the bike once a week and same with the cycling. Some weekends I get to ride too. I haven’t been to the gym for a while but plenty of hours at work keep me fit even though it’s not motorcycle specific training.”

“My form coming off last year’s Safari win has been excellent. Condo and Yellow Mountain were excellent results and I came away with third at Finke. The background development for the team has been ongoing and the testing a couple of weeks back left us both with a sense of confidence. They always feel good and Simon (Wade) does an amazing job building them. We know we can come over here, just get on the bikes and do well.”

Todd Smith - pre-event testing

“The change in route this year will be interesting because we’re going somewhere new. We’re expecting new terrain with plenty of sand and rock until we get to Carnarvon, then we hit typical WA outback country which is always fast. I’m not sure how the navigation will unfold up near Carnarvon since it’s pretty open and flat from what I can see. The first two days will be full of sand and rock.”

Glenn Hoffmann – general comments:

“We’ve been busy as always on development even though the results last Safari meant we couldn’t fault the product. However, when we stand back and look at what we’ve built this year they look so compact and slim. It’s a really good thing. Our most recent testing showed both Todd and Jacob were very comfortable with the package straight away. The bikes turn beautifully and the corner speed they can carry is impressive. We’re all hoping for good things.”

The event’s ceremonial start will be held on Friday 21 September in Hillarys Boat Harbour and the field embark on the trip to Geraldton the following morning. On Saturday afternoon the prologue will determine Sunday’s Leg 1 start order departing from Carnarvon.