Mitch Van Vliet has joined the ranks of the greats of ATV desert racing in Australia with a second win in a row of the Finke Desert Race class 9 quads. Mitch joins fellow Victorians Paul Smith and Luke Beechey as the only other back to back winners of the class in the modern era of the class. 

Source: Reckless Desire

Event Director Justin Hunt is pleased he can finally reveal this year’s host towns.The host towns have been chosen and a new competitive course has been devised - this year’s 2014 Australasian Safari will have over 100 local and international competitors, racing through some of Western Australia’s most breathtaking landscapes.

“We decided to really throw out the challenge this year! New towns, a new course and a much a longer event, that’ll not only test the competitors, but also take the event to new areas of Western Australia.”

“Competitors will need to keep their focus throughout the seven day rally, which is bound to be challenging when tackling the harsh terrain,” said Mr Hunt.

Tourism WA’s Executive Director Gwyn Dolphin said it was fantastic to see the 2014 Australasian Safari take competitors through some of Western Australia’s extraordinary regions such as Perth, the Coral Coast, the Golden Outback and the North West.

“The event will not only showcase these destinations to competitors, crew and officials, but also deliver economic benefits to the towns along the route and add vibrancy to the community,” Mr Dolphin said.

Competitors will arrive at the Showgrounds in the leafy northern Perth suburb of Wanneroo for the family-friendly Safari Show on Friday 19th September. This will give motorsport fans an opportunity to see the colourful array of motorbikes, quads, side-by-side and auto vehicles whilst still in pristine condition.

From the Perth metropolitan area, competitors will head north to the Coral Coast region and the port city of Geraldton for the prologue event.

The next day competition will start in earnest when competitors head inland to Murchison in the Golden Outback region for Leg One. It’s here competitors will encounter the famous Western Australian ball bearing gravel for the first time.

Gascoyne Junction will host Leg Two and Three. A favourite with Safari competitors, the vibrant red dirt and rocky terrain in and around Gascoyne Junction is a sight synonymous with the Australian outback. 

The event then heads into the Pilbara and the coastal town of Onslow for Leg Four. Onslow is a town with unique beauty and a colourful history.

From Onslow the event then treks south back down the Western Australian coast stopping in at popular recreational destination Exmouth for Leg Five, and tropical Carnarvon for Leg Six.

Seven gruelling days of racing will come to an end on Saturday 27th September when competitors cross the finish line on Kalbarri foreshore.

Bivouac locations for 2014:

Saturday 20 September – Leg 0 – Geraldton
Sunday 21 September – Leg 1 – Murchison
Monday 22 September – Leg 2 – Gascoyne Junction
Tuesday 23 September – Leg 3 – Gascoyne Junction
Wednesday 24 September – Leg 4 – Onslow
Thursday 25 September – Leg 5 – Exmouth
Friday 26 September – Leg 6 – Carnarvon
Saturday 27 September – Leg 7 – Kalbarri

The overnight stops and final details of the course are still subject to local authority and Government approval.

The Western Australian Government supports the Australasian Safari through Eventscorp, a division of Tourism WA.

Entries to the 2014 Safari are now open - to register your interest in competing please contact the Safari office on +61 08 9445 2645 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For event updates and information please follow us on Facebook (/australasiansafari), Twitter (@austsafari) and our website www.australasiansafari.com.au.

RED TRACK AUSTRALIE 2014 - Première partie from GD FRANCE on Vimeo.

RED TRACK AUSTRALIE 2014 - Première partie from GD FRANCE on Vimeo.

The Quad Riders Club of Victoria will be hosting a 2 day offroad racing event over Easter as a replacement for the ThumbPump 300. Entries are still open for the event which will include Junior and Senior ATV Races as well as Senior Moto racing and an ATV night race. Head on over to www.qrcv.com.au for entry forms and more details.