2012 AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI - WHO TO WATCH - JUST 4X4S

2012 Australasian Safari - who to watch

This year's Safari, which runs from 21 to 29 September, has a significantly increased field of auto entries, but the expected frontrunners include a number of experienced campaigners.

Key competitors to follow include:

- Five-time Australasian Safari champion and off-road rally veteran Bruce Garland who is back after missing last year due to an injury from Dakar 2011 and a heart attack which resulted in bypass surgery. Bruce's long-time co-driver Harry Suzuki will again be keeping him on course. He's driving a diesel Isuzu D-MAX and is determined to be the first diesel to win Safari.

- Young Thai singer and TV star Kiatkamol Lata (known as Tui AF3) will compete in his first Safari, alongside teammate Rachan Trairat who tackled the race for the first time last year. Both will also be competing in Isuzu D-MAX utes.

- Dakar competitor, Venezuelan Nunzio Coffaro, who be driving a Prototype Toyota Hilux.

- Geoff Olholm and John Hederics who are firing up a 20-year old rivalry, except this time they'll each be racing on four wheels. Olholm (Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort Racing Team) and Hederics (Team PWR Holden) were moto rivals over two decades ago when Hederics placed first and Olholm second at the 1992 Australasian Safari which raced from Sydney to Darwin. Hederics holds a record number of Safari wins - six in moto and three in auto and is back competing after a four year hiatus. Geoff Olholm has made a name for himself overseas in recent years, competing in the Dakar in 2011 and 2012 with a planned start for 2013.

- Australian rally champion, Perth's Rob Herridge, is back for his second Safari, flying the flag for Subaru and Maximum Motorsport in the Production class. He won his class in 2011.

- John Purshouse came out of nowhere to claim second place last year, and is a strong contender this year with an improved vehicle benefiting from more preparation and testing.

Notable amongst the entries this year are the number of Mitsubishi Pajero and Isuzu D-MAX entrants. Other vehicles entered are Mitsubishi Triton, Holden Colorado, Volkswagen Amarok, Subaru Forrester, Toyota Hilux and a Datsun 260Z.

For a full competitor list and more details visit www.australasiansafari.com.au. Updates are available on Facebook and Twitter at @austsafari and check out last year's event on our YouTube channel - AustralasianSafari.