Yamaha Australian Safari wrap
Yamaha Rallye Round out Safari in Top 3
30 Sep 2011
Rod Faggotter raced through the final day formalities without any drama to secure third place overall in the 2011 Australian Safari on board his Yamaha WR450F.
In what was a challenging event for Faggotter, the tough Queenslander endured three long days of racing in some of the most rugged and remote environments with a broken bone in his hand to secure the podium position in a true iron man performance.
Since the injury just prior to the mid way stage of the event, Faggotter has been in survival mode but using his years of experience, he managed to nurse his injured body home in what was ultimately frustrating experience for him.
“It’s great to be on the podium but for the last few days I have been doing more riding than actual racing to make sure I got home,” Rodney explains. “It’s not a good way to be in an event like this and I really wanted to give 100% but I was unable to do that after the crash, so in many ways it was tough out there.”
“I couldn’t have gone as far as I have without the support of my Yamaha team who have kept both me and the bike ticking along nicely. It’s a huge effort to do this race and as a team, everyone worked together and we had a great time.”
“I also want to pass on thanks to the Smith boys on a great event and just let them know we will be back next year and gunning for number 1.”
Shane Diener again scorched up the WA out back in the final day of competition taking two stage wins, an equal first and a second in the final four stages. In doing so, Diener won more stages than any other rider.
He finished the event in an amazing fifth spot, this despite receiving a 4.5 hour penalty for not completing a stage on day five.
“All I can say is that I gave it my best,” Diener laments. “There is no doubt my result would have been different had that DNF not occurred but that’s part of the challenge of racing in the safari and this style of event.”
“Winning the most stages and climbing back to fifth is good and I’m happy with the way I rode. The team also did an amazing job and this is the first time I have done an event like this with so much support and I’m thankful to Yamaha for giving me the opportunity,” he finishes.
For more information and results; www.australiansafari.com.au
Overall Standings – Complete – Motorcycles
1st Todd Smith – 27.35:27
2nd Jacob Smith – 27.55:31
3rd Rod Faggotter – 28.40:04 (Yamaha)
4th Damien Grabham – 29.31:21
5th Shane Diener – 30.12:23 (Yamaha)
6th Ben Williams – 30.31:56
7th David Schwarz – 30.42:14
8th Russell Scoble – 31.35:32
9th William Cooke – 31.58:31
10th David Geeves – 32.01:12
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