Suzukis to the cape 2017

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fuzzychops
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Joined: Tue 24 Mar, 2015 8:56 pm

Suzukis to the cape 2017

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PRESS RELEASE - SUZUKIS TO THE CAPE 2017
In 2015 David Raeburn was asked to take part in the Aussie Outback Solar Challenge which was to attempt to cross the Simpson Desert in two solar powered Suzukis. The attempt failed due to technical difficulties and unexpected bad weather including cloud and rain, another attempt is to be made soon.
Davids 1976 two stroke, 500cc Suzuki was included to supply the old tech. comparison, so with his son Steve and grandson Jack Wickfeldt as support, along with the rest of the crew from the Solar Challenge, the little vehicle crossed the Simpson Desert without any problems and the group had a great time. So when it was suggested by David that we should do the epic trip to the tip of Australia, with a group of like minded Suzuki drivers, Alan Johnson of Seriously Suzuki and Piranha Offroad, a long time friend of David and Steve, said 'what a great idea' so the planning began for the trip to the Cape over some of the toughest tracks in Australia, including the Old Telegraph Track and many others.


David is driving the oldest Suzuki, being the oldest person on the trip at almost 74 years old. He has rebuilt a 1978 LJ 81 Stockman ute from the ground up, that he bought from Dave Burke about ten years ago. He'll be joined by his wife Libby and his son Steve and partner Ruth driving a 2000 Sierra that he has had for several years. Dave Burke and partner Jill are preparing a Stockman ute, Kevin Britten - another Bairnsdale boy, and partner Carrie who are currently working in the Northern Territory, will join the group in Cook town, driving a Sierra soft top. The group from Melbourne, are Alan and Barb Johnson -1992 Suzuki Vitara lwb series 1, Fedia and Laura Slusareff - Suzuki Vitara and Micheal Vaughn - Vitara series 2 lwb V6. The group will be travelling with others including Brad Toohey as support for the Bairnsdale vehicles. The trip will be captioned "Suzukis to the Cape 2017" Steve is bringing his to guitar to entertain the group.
The trip from Cook Town to the tip should take about ten days, but the total travelling time will be four to five weeks. Some of the older vehcles will be trailered to Cook Town because of their slow road speed.It will be a real challenge to the little vehicles as there are many deep water crossings some at more than one metre deep, severe corrogations and washouts as well as steep climbs and some very rocky sections.
The story of the Aussie Outback Solar Challenge including the story of the Simpson Crossing by the Suzukis is available free by typing in ...( unsealed 4x4 )on google and cape will be written on our return.
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