Based at Wentworth in the far south west of New South Wales the 1500km rally over five days has attracted off-road stars such as Australasian Safari winner Jake Smith, Dakar veterans David Schwarz, Paul Smith and Allan Roberts in addition to last year’s podiums Nick Forsyth and Toby Hederics. There’s also a small group of adventure riders keen to see how their KTM desert sleds handle the sand dunes and spinifex of the mallee country.

And there’s equal interest in the Auto Division as ten time Australian Safari champion John Hederics takes on last year’s Sunraysia winner from John Pursehouse, former rally champion Rob Herridge, tarmac tsar Tony Quinn and former Finke Desert Race Champion Phil Lovett; now safely wrapped in a Can Am Maverick side-by-side.

IMAGE: Local hero Toby Hederics

By Peter Whitaker