The Australasian Safari 2012 eight day endurance race has kicked off in Western Australia with an action packed first leg of racing.

Last year’s winner Todd Smith saw himself being knocked out of contention for the win early on after suffering a broken crank shaft. He is expected to re-join the race, with a significant time penalty.

Todd’s brother, Jake Smith, currently leads the Moto division on his Honda and says he enjoyed the first stage on Coronation Beach.

“The beach was cool and I managed to keep away from the water,” said Smith.

In second place, unable to avoid the water, was fellow Honda pilot Warren Strange who finished just 40 seconds behind Smith.

“I got too close to the waterline and had a wave wash over me,” said Strange. “But the rest of the leg was uneventful and the bike continued to perform well.”

Rounding out the top three after the first leg of action is Yamaha Shane Diener, Diener finished up the leg just under 3 minutes behind the lead rider.

The event will span from 21-29 September, using approximately 3500km’s of mid Western Australia to test the toughest riders and drivers in Australasia.