Hillarys Boat Harbour to host the 2010 Australasian Safari official start
Date: 13-Jul-2010
Motorsport enthusiasts will have the chance to see the world’s best extreme off-road competitors before they take off for their gruelling 3600km journey through Western Australia for the 2010 Australasian Safari.
The official start of the event takes off from Hillarys Boat Harbour on 17 September, finishing eight days later on 25 September in Esperance on the southern coast.
Heading the impressive line-up is V8 Supercar Champion Craig Lowndes who is competing off-road for the first time in his career.
Unofficially known as the Dakar Downunder for its extreme off-road challenges, the Australasian Safari attracts some of the worlds most talented and extreme moto, quad and auto competitors to a week of incredible adventure through the remote Western Australian outback. The course will travel through historic goldfields, remote desert, rugged bush and coastal dunes.
Considered one of the world’s great endurance events, the Australasian Safari is this year attracting international entries from countries including the Brazil, Sweden, China, South Africa, Japan, Sweden and New Zealand.
Australasian Safari Event Director Justin Hunt said the start in Hillarys would allow the public to see the competitors and their cars, bikes and quads up close, and have the chance to wish them luck before they take off on this challenging adventure.
Hillarys Boat Harbour will provide a great venue for the Official Start as it will showcase the beautiful Western Australian coastline to our interstate and international competitors and their support crews.
Families can make it a afternoon and evening out by having a wander round the display of Safari-ready vehicles, wave them off on their journey and then enjoy the restaurants and entertainment of the Harbour.
This is a really important aspect of the event for the competitors as they get prepared for a huge week, and many will be grateful to just complete the event and reach Esperance with their vehicles intact.
More than 100 competitors are expected to enter this year’s Australasian Safari and each competitor has a support crew, so the event has a positive impact on tourism in WA and the goldfields and southern coast.
The event is supported by the Western Australian Government with coverage of the event broadcast into key international tourism markets.
Hillarys Boat Harbour is an award-wining facility. Named Marina of the Year in WA in 2008, the harbour was awarded a Certificate of Excellence at the Australian Marina Awards in 2009.
People interested in competing in Australasian Safari must enter by Friday 13 August 2010.
Follow the event on Twitter - @AustSafari or on Facebook.
Media enquiries:
Janine Pittaway, Bright Communications, Ph +61 418 911 796 or jpittaway@brightcommunications.com.au
