After a difficult prologue, the final instalment of the Australiasian Safari commenced on Sunday with Leg One, covering over 280km across three competitive stages, which involved a wide range of challenges over river crossings, heavy ruts and the occasional dust storm over the scorched red earth.
The 26 entrants of the outright Autos class include vehicles as diverse as a modified BA Falcon Utility and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, while the Safari Challenge class (for standard four-wheel drive vehicles) is a Jeep Wrangler affair, the entry list including our own Matt Brogan and experienced co-driver Julia Barkley aboard a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X, prepared by Les Walkden Rallying.
After leading the Autos class on Saturday’s prologue, the newly-built Steve Riley/John Doble VF Holden Ute could only manage a 10th fastest time on the opening Greenough River stage.
Surging into the lead went well-respected motorsport all-rounder Tony Quinn, who was driving a Holden Colorado with former WRC-level co-driver Dale Moscatt. The crew’s time of 52min 31sec over the 88.48km stage was 19 seconds quicker than two-time ARC champion Rob Herridge and Sam Hill managed in their Subaru Forester.
On Murchison River – the second and, at 167.14km the longest test of the day, John Purshouse and Murray Hynes assumed the overall lead, their Ford Ranger setting a time 1min 52sec up on the second-placed Toyota Tacoma of Dave McShane and Bill Hayes. Quinn and Herridge both struck problems and recorded times over an hour and a half off the pace.
The short 26.22 Murchison Oasis, the final of the day before overnighting in Murchison, saw McShane take the stage win, only eight seconds ahead of Riley. Purshouse, however, remained in the lead overnight with a 43 second advantage over McShane, who was hampered by an electrical problem limiting his top speed to 150km/h.
"The car felt good. It's easy to drive and quite forgiving. The speed of the car can sometimes take you by surprise, it is very quick," explained Purshouse, who will lead the Auto field out after the motorbike runners on Leg Two.
In the Safari Challenge for standard vehicles Matt Raudonikis and Ian Wheeler opened strongly with victories on the opening two tests in their Jeep Wrangler, before motoring.com.au’s Matt Brogan and Julia Barkley won the final stage in their similar machine. With the third, older Wrangler of Jarrett and Clint Streathfield splitting them overnight, on overall time, the challenge is well and truly on.
Leg Two has the crews heading for Gascoyne Junction, where they will regroup for overnight stays over the next two days.
Top three (after day one):
1. John Purshouse/Murray Hynes
Ford Ranger 02:59:07
2. David McShane/William Hayes
Toyota Tacoma 02:59:50
3. Bruce Garland/ Hiraoki 'Harry' Suzuki
Isuzu D-Max 03:09:38