Ivan Erceg riding the Australian Safari.

All aboard the Ivan Erceg experience!!!!

I am going along to my first Australasian Safari, and what better way to experience it than with the Ivan Erceg crew. 

I'll update at the end of each day on the progress of the race and a few photos to go with it. Stay tuned!!!!!

You think having a five letter surname it wouldn't be too hard to spell it, properly!!! 

Prologue

After nursing the foreign pumpkin (KTM) through the prologue, Ivan finished in 15th position. 

The prologue was held in the picturesque forest region of the Mundaring shire.

Ivan negotiating the KTM through the trees along the prologue section.

The ceremonial start was held in Russel Square in northbridge.

Day 1 - Perth to Geraldton

At the end of day 1, Ivan is currently in 9th position outright and the first 450cc production class bike in. Ivan did comment "a few more cc's in the sand would've been nice, but at least I've made it to Geraldton in one piece"

Negotiating the KTM (Not the XR 650) through the sand in the Special stage number 2 section on Golconda station.

Day 2 - Geraldton to Mt Magnet

At the end of day 2, Ivan is still sitting in a solid 9th position. A dirty fuel filter in the first stage of the day slowed the bike up, but after the service stop at Yalgoo all was good again.

Race favourite Ben Grabham had to ride about 60km on a destroyed rear wheel out of special stage 3 on the first race leg on day 2. Quite amazing how he made it back to the service stop.

Day 3 - Mt Magnet to Leonora

Day 3 unfortunately saw a number of riders being airlifted out to hospital. One with a broken leg and another with concussion. But aside from that, Ivan put in another solid effort which has found him in 6th position outright at the end of the 3rd day.

Here's looking forward to the next leg out to Laverton!!!

Day 4 - Leonora to Laverton

Day 4 took the riders through some harsh terrain, with navigation errors being common. It also  saw a few more riders come to grief, with one of the leaders A.J. Roberts dislocating a shoulder.

After having a few early navigational (blonde moments) dramas, Ivan had another solid day, finishing 5th outright, 9 minutes behind Tim

Vandenberg and 6 minutes in front of Paul Nellingan in 6th. He is leading his class by nearly an hour.

Tomorrow is a marathon day, which loops back to Laverton with over 460 km of special test stages.

Day 5 - Laverton to Laverton

Day five included 3 special stages totalling about 460 km. Ivan had another consistent day, finishing 4th overall at the end of the day.

"Apart from parking the bike atop a native bush after over cooking a corner, the day progressed smoothly with the bike performing above expectations (so far so good) and fingers crossed for the next two days "  Ivan commented.

Tomorrow sees the next leg travelling from laverton to Kalgoorlie, including 391 km of competitive stages with a 142 km transport leg between special stages 16 & 17.

Day 6 - Laverton to Kalgoorlie

The leg from Laverton to Kalgoorlie included 3 competitive legs totalling 391 km wit the longest being 242 km. 

Ivan had another consistent day finishing 4th overall and sits in a good position for a good result at the end of the event tomorrow, as long as things go smoothly in the two shorter legs tomorrow.

For those of you wondering if your eyes are seeing things, this is Ivan standing up on the pegs!!!!

Is Griffo reminding Ivan he's chasing him down??

Day 7 - Kalgoorlie to Kalgoorlie

Day 7 saw two competitive legs with tricky navigational sections complete the Australasian Safari. Jacob Smith won the moto section with brother Todd in 2nd ahead of Ben Grabham in third. Ivan finished off an extremely consistent week by finishing 4th outright and 1st in his class. 

Dicko rooting for the Erceg Express on the first competitive section on day 7.

The first 3 outright placegetters, from left, Todd Smith (2nd) Jacob Smith (1st) Ben Grabham (3rd) celebrate on the podium.

                                       Ivan and part of his crew, Paul, Shane, Dicko and Darryl.

                               CPW's Don McGrath with 2nd placed Todd Smith.

A few happy snaps from day 7.

                                              Ivan and Paul.                                                                            Did I tell you I like your smile Tim??

Post race tradition on the Erceg Truck. Griffo gives Holly a workout and then Ivan Tests the KTM. Is the KTM better then the Honda??

                       James Dixon from Bridgetown!!!                                                              The main man, Darryl.

        Dave Burford. Is he happy it's over or still hurting??                                                          Jarrod and Trev.

                                     Ivan at his quietest!                                                    Tim Vandenberg's ankle and Ray Farrel's lovely toe.

                         Griffo and his main man Mick.                                                                        Racin Ray Farrell.

                                                                            Griffo and Ivan - Gotta love friendly rivalries.

                         Matty "Go buy a lotto ticket" Fish                                                                       Robert "Army" Lang

                                             Griffo.                                                                                      Paul - Makes a bloody good snag!!