Matheson said the trip is a long one, but enjoyable, clocking some 7,500 klm (4,262 miles) return, or approximately 75 hours of driving.
Matheson said the long haul takes preparation and careful planning, as you don’t want to breakdown out there, the distances between help are vast. Logistically its similar preparation to crossing Australia, you really need to carry a lot of spares for the transporter, not to mention enough parts to race, repair and run the Fuel Bike.
Daytime driving is the safest, as you can see the hazards from road conditions to camels, horses, donkey’s, pigs, goats, kangaroos, stray stock and not to mention 100 Tonne Road Trains.
The sparse dry country makes wild animals travel long distances to survive, often crossing the roads in their hunt. The road kill provides the scavengers such as foxes, dingo’s, wild dogs, monitors and birds plenty of food daily.
As we head North, we need to be mindful of crocs and other deadly predators along the way.
When rolling out a swag on the side of the road in the outback to sleep, we need to consider what’s on the ground and what could come along during the night. A snake bite out there is surely a slow painful death, unless help is nearby, or you can contact the Royal Flying Doctor Service to land on the road to help.
Despite the danger or extra precaution, it’s a trip we enjoy and look forward to. Racing in the “Top End” is a highlight on our season calendar, the fans are passionate and turn up in big numbers to see the Fuel Bikes.
We have qualifying around sunset Friday night, then racing similar time on Saturday night. It’s unbelievable, even shortly before start time there is virtually no crowd, then as if someone yelled out “free beer”, the fans pour into the venue and stay till the very end, it’s just great!
Matheson has plenty of work to do once he gets to Darwin, as he is trailing in the Championships points chase and his form of late has been average.
Matheson said we will throw everything at the track, we want to win and run fast. It’s a long drive to Hidden Valley and a long drive home, so we will make it count.
The Track is great and we will bring our “A” game, mark my word.
The Hidden Valley Round will be held over Fri 11 and Sat 12 July 2014 at Hidden Valley Drag Strip, Darwin.
Thank you once again to our Sponsors & Supporters:
BlackAdda, WebCam, Red Line Oils, RB Performance, Rocket Industries, CRC Industries, PDS Graphics, Kitten Car Care Products, GT Radiators & Machining, Vance & Hines, Hi-Side Leathers, PR Factory Store, Boninfante Friction Inc. and special thanks to Larry “Spiderman” McBride & Steve McBride.
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