2014 Australasian Safari Insights

The Cane Toad, the Croweater and the two Californians…

Looking at the 2014 entry list, it was clear the only riders likely to trouble Active8 Yamaha Yamalube teammates, Queensland’s Rod Faggotter and South Australia’s Shane Diener, were four-time Baja 1000 winner, Quinn Cody, and his countryman Ian Blythe; both of whom were mounted on KTM-based CPW450 Rallye Replicas built by West Aussie, Don McGrath.

Don hoped one or the other would become the first international to win the Safari – a tough ask, as both Faggotter and Diener who ran 1-3 in the 2013 Safari had built up considerable experience on their Yamaha WR450F machines, which had been constantly refined since Faggotter’s podium back in 2008.

By the end of the second of seven days, and over 700 kilometres into the event, Faggotter had built a margin over Diener and both were moving ahead of the two Americans. But Diener had taken a tumble, breaking fingers on his throttle hand and was flown out to Royal Perth Hospital for micro-surgery. This left Faggotter out in front with Cody and Blythe keeping him honest, if not exactly under pressure.

A brace of West Aussie veterans, including Russell Scoble, Paul Nappy and Adam Clay were holding out Niel Gailey from Botswana and Cesare Zacchetti from Italy in the top ten, however the leading trio never looked vulnerable; even after Faggotter spent some time off course in company with Blythe and Nappy.

But after 2400 hard racing kilometres over little more than 24 hours, spread across a gruelling week, it was Rod Faggotter who, whilst not winning every stage, had maintained the lead from the outset. Quinn Cody was second and Ian Blythe was happy with third and a win in the Dakar Challenge – a free entry to the 2015 Dakar Rally.

As announced last June, the Western Australian government have ended their sponsorship of the Australasian Safari, leaving the event without a home. However, there were some rumours that the event might relocate to outback NSW or even the Northern Territory; but for now, both Rod Faggotter, Yamaha and Active8 may remain the current Safari champions for some years to come.

For the latest Safari news and full results for the 2014 event, click here.