01 - Tuesday Event Preview

Australia's largest cross country valley is back in the spectacular Wentworth Shire in the southwestern corner of New South Wales. 9 years after its inception in 2017, the Sunraer Safari has become a true test of endurance, skill, and grit across some of the country's most challenging outback terrain. Over 4 days and just under 1,200 kilometers of competitive stages, moto riders and auto drivers will tackle everything from sandy creek beds to rocky trails and wide open station tracks. It's an adventure that blends motorsport with the rugged beauty of the Australian outback, bringing together competitors from across the nation and beyond. [Music] One of Australia's best bike riders isn't leading the charge in the moto division after falling short in 2024 in his leadup to Dhakar. I guess I spent my bad luck here on this event last year with the bike dramas on on day two that luckily they kept allowed me to keep competing and keep going. So I just jumped on another bike. Got that much needed bike time in um which was important but yeah let's let's hope that we have a little bit smoother run this year. >> Cory Banks took top spot last year and is aiming high again. >> Last year we came in second rally ever tried to do our best and we ended up at the top. So the last day last two days started to get a bit of pressure last year. Um, and now we got the pressure with number one this year. We lead out tomorrow, which is going to be a challenge. Lucky, last year I led out a few stages, so I know what I'm up for. >> Ben Langford will be second bike away and hoping to go one better this year. >> Same goals every year. Finish first of all and make u Yeah, not many mistakes. That's the key. >> How important is the navigation? >> Oh, that's everything. Yeah. Yep. Just if you nail the navigation, hopefully everything else sort of falls in. And young Archie Connor, who snatched third from a few of the fancied riders last year, has stepped up to a new ride. >> Onto the 450 this year. So, a bit more top speed and yeah, really keen to chase the 500s down. >> Any hot tips from Tangles? >> No, none at all. He's left me on me own this year. >> Why? >> I'm not sure. He thinks I'll get ahead of myself, maybe, but no, we'll figure it out. >> In the auto division, Dean Herage leads off in the Subaru Cross Track. I'm not sure whether it's good or bad to be at the front, but I'm going with the idea of it was different to what we've done in the past. So maybe your change is good. >> I mean, it can be sometimes advantageous to be first in some environments. I find in this event it's more comfortable being four or five because of the tracks, as that sounds. The bikes don't do a lot for us in regards to seeing the roads. It's more just probably the commitment that you know you're on the right path and not getting lost. Um, and this terrain changes a fair bit depending on the weather and stuff. So, look, it is what it is, but yeah, it's a different spot. >> Hard-hitting Andrew Travis will be out to make amends for last year, though, and he's likely to be setting the early pace. >> Absolutely. We're here to to make it happen. Um, learn a few lessons. We got to, you know, it's a game out there sometimes. And, uh, we're going to make the make the full distance though to to get to the end and and and get a win. But, um, it's eluded us over the last few years. We But we'll uh we'll put the pieces together and we'll make it happen. >> And let's not forget 2023 winner Tony Quinn. Can he pull off another win after crashing out early last year? We'll have to wait and see. Whether you're chasing the podium or just the thrill of finishing, the Sunraer Safari is more than just a rally. It's a celebration of math, determination, and the spirit of the bush. And it all starts here from the Whitmer Showgrounds first thing in the morning.