Similar to the famous Dakar Rally, The Australasian Safari, is a grueling seven day, 3700km torture test staged in the West Australian outback.
The Maximum Motorsport Subaru Forester XT, piloted by Rob Herridge and Tim Batten, survived the challenges of rocky breakaways, overgrown fence lines, severely rutted and washed away tracks, stone roads, flood plains and salt lakes to claim the inaugural 'Safari Production' class win.
"It's been an incredible week of rallying", a weary but happy Rob Herridge said at the Kalgoorlie finish line. "Everyday this event has thrown new challenges at us. We have asked a lot from the Forester , but it's amazing the way it has risen to the challenge."
Founding Maximum Motorsport partner Steve Wisby, who has been battling illness for 12 months, urged Maximum’s inaugural involvement in the Safari. Though gravely ill, he insisted on checking out of hospital prior to the event start to cast his eye over the project.
Many hospital visitors kept Steve up to date on the Forester’s progress during the event and he finally succumbed to his illness just one day after the event ended as the team returned home from the WA Goldfields.
"This win is one of mixed emotions. It’s a real testament to skill and versatility of our team, including Steve, and we’d like to dedicate this win to him."
"Apart from the safety features required by the event the Forester is basically showroom standard, with very few modifications. So to keep it racing, for seven days, over tracks where most people would never even consider taking a SUV like a Forester, underlines the skill and dedication of our team and the durability of the All-Wheel Drive Subaru."
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