Outback safari heads off

More than 100 competitors from around the world will be spending the next seven days in Western Australia's outback, participating in the gruelling Dakar-style Australasian Safari.

Tourism Minister Liz Constable will flag-off the first competitor in the 3,700km race at a ceremonial start in Northbridge today.

Competitors in their four-wheel drives, motorbikes and quad-bikes will test their driving skills against the challenging terrain from Perth to Geraldton, Meekathara, Mt Magnet, Leonora and Laverton, before concluding in Kalgoorlie.

"After each day's racing, about 500 competitors, support crew and officials will convene at a designated bivouac camp site that will double as the event's service park, generating an economic boost for the regional towns along the route," Dr Constable said.

"The Australasian Safari is a cost effective way to promote regional WA with the global television broadcast to millions of viewers.

"A Chinese team of 25 members, including Chinese television media, will be among the 4WD competitors. The team's progress will be covered along the way, generating media exposure in a massive tourism market for potential visitors."

The Minister said a lot of attention would be focused on Annie Seel, known in her native Sweden as the "Rally Princess".

Ms Seel completed the Dakar in South America in January on her KTM bike and, despite a broken hand and nose, battered and bruised body and a damaged bike, she finished 76th. She will be competing in Australia for the first time.

Alongside the competitive element of the Australasian Safari is the non-competitive

Adventure Tour, involving 18 participants.  It is open to anyone with a 4WD or bike and a sense of adventure.

Dr Constable said the Australasian Safari featured among the 2009 events that were estimated to attract more than 850,000 spectators in WA, lure visitors to stay almost 300,000 nights and generate over 2,000 hours of television broadcast to millions of viewers in more than 100 countries.