Preparations for Yamaha Motor Australia‰Ûªs factory team entry into the 2007 Australian Safari are in full swing, with a quality field of 4 riders to head up the manufacturer‰Ûªs push for victory aboard the WR off-road range.
Considered to be one of the most gruelling contests of its kind in the world, the 9-day Safari is often described as Australia‰Ûªs version of Paris to Dakar, with competition taking place in the wilds of Western Australia.
On August 24, the revs will rise and the world-class field will set off to tackle a variety of terrain, from the rocky and hilly regions of north-west Australia, through deserts, coastal dunes and south towards the forestry roads heading into Perth.
The Ross Mitchell Yamaha Australian Safari Team will be headed by its namesake, Ross Mitchell, who is providing significant backing to the team and riders to ensure every chance of success.
Also lining up will be 2007 Condo 750 winner Jacob Smith, who became one of the youngest ever winners of the iconic national endurance event just a few months ago.
There will be a strong international flavour for the team, with expert riders Casey McCoy and Jonah Street joining the lineup, a duo that shares an unbelieveable amount of talent and top results.
For McCoy, 2007 will mark his fourth Australian Safari, with his best result coming in 2000 ‰ÛÒ 2nd place. Earlier this year, he recorded a strong finish at the Dakar Rally, and riding with an injury cloud managed to finish as the second fastest American, and 31st overall.
Extensive success in the US-based Best in the Desert (BITD) Series have McCoy looking like a real chance to take up the frontrunning fight in Western Australia this August.
The Rally PanAmerica Team has also generously loaned its lead rider in Jonah Street to Yamaha‰Ûªs factory fight this year, and he will certainly one to watch.
A contestant in this year‰Ûªs Dakar event, he was running incredibly strongly in 4th before an engine failure put pay to a great result. In 2006, his most notable achievement was a 3rd overall at the Baja 500, and he won his class comprehensively. He has previously taken a number of Baja and BITD titles, and will be a formidable opponent for rival riders to overcome.
Gary Williams, Manager of the RMA Yamaha Safari Team, said he was pleased to be heading up Yamaha Australia's effort once again and said the crew had acquired valuable experience throughout a number of years of competition.
"This will be my 10th year on Safari and third year with Yamaha Australia using the WR450F, and I am sure the knowledge we have gained over the years will put the team in a winning position," enthused Williams.
"We have a great group of people in the support crew, all with many years of Safari experience, and our riders will be a great blend of experience and youth with Jacob being a first time Safari competitor and Casey and Jonah with Dakar and Baja results on the board."
The rally will begin in Kununurra, and pass through such townships as Broome, Port Hedland, Meekatharra and Kalgoorlie before heading back to a finish in Perth.
The course is approximately 5500km long, and will be the ultimate test of man, mind and machine.
