Australasia Safari 2010 Day 3 Results
Day 3 of the 2010 Australasian Safari 
Leg 3 of the 2010 Australasian Safari
West Australian competitor Ivan Erceg was transported by helicopter to Kalgoorlie Hospital after an injury on Stage. Due to the requirement for the helicopter to be on standby before the stage can start, a delay was required.
Officials made the decision to cancel the final stage of the day to ensure competitors were not riding and driving out of daylight hours.
It is understood Erceg is stable but has injuries to his chest. More details about the situation are expected later in the day and a media release will be issued when possible.
At the end of Special Stage 6, a length of 245kms, Ben Grabham took the lead on his KTM530, finishing just over five minutes in front of Jacob Smith on a Honda CCC, and Rod Faggotter on a Yamaha WR450F.
Yesterday’s moto leader Todd Smith on KTM, nursing a sore shoulder from a fall yesterday, has moved to fourth position, only 20 seconds after Faggotter and with Matt Fish on KTM only 30 seconds behind him. The top five riders are approximately one hour in front of the remaining field.
Paul Smith is powering ahead of the quad bikes, slightly increasing his lead to approximately 35 minutes on his Honda TRX700XX.
Today’s stage saw the competitors travelling through the Western Australian goldfields from Leonora to Coolgardie, resting up in the old goldfields town overnight before taking on Leg 4 travelling south to Norseman for another day of tough outback action.
Rider Quotes Day 3:
Rod Faggotter, Yamaha WR450F, Longreach, QLD
“It was a pretty eventful day. We were all running in front of Ivan so we didn’t really know what was happening behind us. All five of us [Grabham, Fish, Todd & Jacob Smith] were racing in a group. I lead for 100km and caught some wire and locked up both wheels. I had to cut it out, the others passed me and I got caught in their dust. There was no dramas with the bike, and the tyres were good.”
Jacob Smith, Honda CCC, Mittagong NSW
“I started 5th and came in first on the stage so its a good day. I just made sure that I didn’t do anything stupid. The tyres are pretty worn out, when the knobs come off they get pretty slippery. But tomorrow is the start of a new race.
“I’m not fussed about whether I start first or follow. I’m happy to take it as it comes and ride accordingly. “
Todd Smith, KTM530EXC, Condobolin NSW
“It’s been quite an eventful day. I got some wire over the back wheel, it locked up and I came off. I got pinned under the bike and Fishy (Matt Fish) stopped to lift the bike off. Then I hit a bike at low speed, coming into a lane. Nothing serious though.
“Fishy, Rod & Ben went past, they went off the track and I rode with Jake for a while.
“There was some canvas showing on one of the tyres at the start of the day, so I was thinking about that. I couldn’t really go about 140km/h. But there were no nav errors, so that was good.
Matthew Fish, KTM530EXC, Kyneton Vic
“I punched a hole the size of a 50c piece in the engine and I didn’t even notice! When I came to the refuel you could see the oil coming out and so I patched it with some liquid metal. I lost a bit of time doing that. I’m enjoying the competition with the other guys.”
Ben Grabham, KTM530EXC, Bathurst NSW
“I’ve got a five minute lead after today. I had a couple of minutes yesterday and I managed to extend it. I rode consistently and didn’t have any big problems with the bike. “
Follow the event action at www.australasiansafari.com.au
