Ben Grabham wins 2008 Australian Safari
Honda’s Ben Grabham has won his second consecutive Australian Safar.
Honda’s Ben Grabham has won his second consecutive Australian Safari. Queensland Yamaha rider Rod Faggotter has taken second place from Ben Grabham’s brother Damian Grabham. South Australian John Maragozidis was the first Quad bike home after many of his rivals struck trouble during the seven days.
Grabham had a comfortable lead heading into the last stage of the marathon seven-day event, but still pushed right to the finish, taking second place on the final 75 kilometre stage. The factory Honda rider led the event from the very first stage in Kalgoorlie last Sunday (August 24), and controlled the event from the front. He took victory by nearly 22 minutes ahead of the Yahama of Rod Faggotter.
Faggotter, from Queensland, crashed his bike on the third day, and despite suffering facial injuries that required stitches, he charged on in style. He eventually finished more than seven and a half minutes in front of the second factory Honda, riden by Damian Grabham, brother of Ben. The rest of the positions in the top five remained unchanged on the final 441 kilometre Leg from Geraldton to the Western Australian capital. Kalgoorlie’s Warren Strange, on a Honda, held off the KTM challenge from Matt Fish.
AFL St Kilda and Sydney Swans football legend, Tony Lockett, finished his first ever Australasian Safari in 25th place from the 51 riders who started the event.
Competitors are now on their way back to Perth for the podium finish at Forrest Place, in the heart of the city. The crews will arrive at 1.30pm (Western Australian time).
FINAL PLACINGS (provisional)
MOTO DIVISION
1. Ben Grabham (#1) Honda CRF450X, 23h39m28s
2. Rod Faggotter (#66) Yamaha WR 450 F, 24h01m13s
3. Damian Grabham (#4) Honda CRF450X, 24h08m47s
4. Warren Strange (#18) Honda CRF450X, 24h35m20s
5. Matt Fish (#3) KTM 530EXC, 22h38m21s
6. Vern Strange (#40) Honda CRF450X, 24h52m55s
QUAD DIVISION
1. John Maragozidis, Polaris Outlaw IRS, 31h42m23s
2. Darrell Knight, CAN AM Renegade 800X, 33h27m28s
