VODAFONE AUSTRALIAN SAFARI – Wednesday, August 23
DAY 4: Alice Springs-Wycliffe Well
Total distance: 412 miles; competitive distance: 267 miles (3 stages)
South Australian rider Andrew Caldecott today coped best dodging anthills and mastering variable terrain to take a stranglehold on the Motorcycle division of the Vodafone Australian Safari international cross country rally through the Northern Territory, according to a press release from the organizers.
The 36-year-old from Keith, who is racing a KTM 660cc Rallye, emerged a convincing winner in the 267-mile competitive course from Alice Springs to Wycliffe Well and extended his lead to one hour, 16 minutes, eight seconds over second-placed Casey McCoy of the United States on a Honda XR400.
Caldecott began the fourth day leading by 44 minutes, 14 seconds, and extended his advantage by a further 31 minutes, 54 seconds at the halfway stage of the 2,522-mile Safari, which finishes in Darwin on August 27.
“Today wasn’t easy because the anthills were a nightmare,” said Caldecott. “Some of them were covered by long grass, and you couldn’t see them. I knocked back my speed in places because if you hit one of those things, they can bring you down. The final stage today was fast and a lot of fun – I had the rear wheel spinning in the sand at [80 miles per hour] in places.”
Caldecott said that despite his position, he was not over-confident because he led the 1999 Safari at the same stage before crashing on day five, and he was forced to withdraw with shoulder injuries.
“We’re in with a good chance, but there are still a thousand-and-one things that can go wrong,” he said.
McCoy, who is making an impressive Safari debut, conceded that he needed Caldecott to suffer either a mechanical problem or a crash in order for him to close the gap.
“The race is there for Andrew to take, unless he loses it,” said McCoy. “I’m getting everything out of my bike, and I’m hoping for some more tight sections because that’s my best chance to catch up.”
Former 500cc World Road Race Champion Kevin Schwantz, also riding in the Safari for the first time, slipped back from 11th to 12th on his Suzuki DR-Z400.
“I hit a couple of anthills out there, and it almost lifted the front wheel back over my head, but I managed not to crash,” he said.
Darwin teenager Andrew Roberts suffered a dislocated shoulder toward the finish. He was treated by St John’s Ambulance personnel and resumed racing and completed the section.
