Today we finally managed to get everyone together in one place. This shot was taken following the riders briefing and just before the riders took off for the official start of the event.

It’s been a very busy 48 hours. Today was the ceremonial start and Safari Show at Whitford Nodes.  The crowds gathered on a stunning, sunny afternoon to meet the riders and see the machinery.

Tomorrow we travel to Geraldton for the prologue to set the start order. The paperwork and preparations are all over now. The race begins…

Some pics from documentation and scruitineering today. Rider’s briefing and ceremonial start tomorrow…

Age: 52

Home town: Condobolin

Years riding: 40

Years racing: 27

First bike: Bridgestone 90

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: Finke

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: Removing a spark plug top to repair a throttle cable

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: Now or never!

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

What else are you expecting from the event this year: Holiday trail riding in Western Australia

Name: Brett Cummings

Age: 28

Home town: Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Years riding: 11.5 years

Years racing: 10 Years

First bike: 1986 Kawasaki KDX 200

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: The last race that I won outright (even though it was a regional event)

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: Wiring the fuel pump to the flicker switch to get it running

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: It is the first of a lifetime dream

Aiming for a win, place or finish this year: Not sure, aiming for the best I can do (hope for a top 10)

What else are you expecting from the event this year: The experience of a lifetime

Anything else you’d like to add: This is the first of many Safari’s to come!!!

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.

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!

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!

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.

Age: 22

Home town: Condobolin

Years riding: 19

Years racing: 19.5

First bike: Yamaha Pee Wee 50

What is your most memorable experience on a dirtbike: Probably my 14yr old National MX Championship plus Safari Win… and the Dakar of course!

What’s your favourite MacGyver moment to keep a bike going: The good old Macca’s pepper when I crashed and put a hole in a radiator

Is this your first Safari: No

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: Plain and simple! WIN

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

What else are you expecting from the event this year: Tough competition and maybe a little more hype with Cyril being here

Name: Stuart Bowen

Age: 40

Home town: Valley Heights NSW

Years racing: 4

First bike: Honda Z50

Is this your first Safari: Yes

In 10 words or less why have you entered Safari this year: Tick Safari off the bucket list, celebrate turning 40

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