Condo 750 Entry List expanded to 100

Peter Whitaker

Max Sullivan

Condo 750 Cross Country Rally Chairman Geoff Smith hopes the additional 15 starting slots allocated to the usually oversubscribed moto and quad categories will alleviate disappointment for riders who have been frustrated by washouts earlier this year (including the 400 signed up for the Transmoto 12-Hour last weekend).

Though the Lachlan River is not due to peak until mid March and Condobolin hasn’t suffered the inundation elsewhere in the state, local landowners maintain the terrain is perfect so the Easter weekend is shaping up to be an exceptional event. “We’ve had a lot of assistance from landowners and local riders,” explained Geoff, “and packed a lot of new sections into this year’s course. Though it’s still under wraps because we’re holding up the printing of the navigation rolls until the last possible minute, I can tell you it’s the longest course in the event’s history with 610kms of competitive sections and only 200km of transport sections.” Forget the steak knives, that’s an extra 60km of racing for no extra charge.

Last year’s winner, Longreach Yamaha Dealer Rod Faggotter, will be there hoping to be the first rider in the long history of the event to score a hat-trick. Local heroes and previous winners Jake and Todd Smith – both of whom suffered mechanical DNFs in 2011 – will be there to attempt a repeat of their Safari quinella for GHR Honda. And whilst Ben Grabham’s entry hasn’t hit the Condo officials yet, the three-time winner will be there to demonstrate who’s boss of the outback. All Ben has to do is decide what shade of orange he’ll ride – 500EXC or 450SX-F – to attempt Kato’s first Condo win in a decade. Ben’s elder brother, Damien, and Safari speedster, Shane Diener, will head the list of hopefuls riding in the dust for the favourites to fail or fall.

The Condo 750 lifted its profile several notches in 2011 with enthusiastic new sponsors, Slattery Auctions, who supplied a chopper for Medivac and media, a well attended and popular prologue and Street Parade after scrutineering on the Friday and a slap-up dinner on the Sunday. So diss your Easter bonnet, don your bash hat and get your entry in now.

For more information go to http://www.condo750.com.au.

CONDO 750 HONOUR ROLL

1988 – Steve Riley, Honda XR600
1989 – Steve Riley, Honda XR600
1992 – Andrew Norris, Husqvarna TE610
1993 – Glenn Hoffmann, Honda XR630
1994 – Michael Goddard, Kawasaki KLX650
1995 – John Hederics, Honda XR600
1996 – Paul Sinderberry, Honda XR600
1997 – Bruce Broad, Honda XR600
1998 – Paul Sinderberry, Honda XR600
1999 – Paul Sinderberry, Honda XR600
2000 – Bruce Broad, Honda XR650
2001 – Tony Green, KTM 520
2003 – Paul Sinderberry, Honda XR650
2004 – Jamie Cunningham, Honda XR650
2005 – Ben Grabham, Honda XR650
2006 – Ben Grabham, Honda CRF450X
2007 – Jacob Smith, Yamaha WRF450
2008 – Ben Grabham, Honda CRF450X
2009 – Todd Smith, Yamaha WRF450
2010 – Rod Faggotter, Yamaha WRF450
2011 – Rod Faggotter, Yamaha WRF450