Wolfgang Fasching, 24-hour World Champion and winner of the RAAM, crossed Australia in favour of the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”.
In this 4200 km race he was able to beat the record of Hubert Schwarz in a time of 7 days, 19 hours and 47 minutes.
The sponsor “Biker´s Best” can proudly hand over a sum of 100,000 ATS to the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”. Some of this money will be used for a handbike for Mr. Maierhofer from Upper-Austria, who lost both legs in a terrible industrial accident.
Perth
On March 20th, 1998: the “Biker´s Best Trophy starts on behalf of the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”. Fasching is accompanied by a police escort, consisting of about 30 motorcycles and cars, to the suburbs of Perth. With the weather on his side, Wolfgang Fasching began the race across the continent at an incredibly fast pace. He is able to finish his first day in Australia with an amazing average pace of about 24 km/h and a total distance of 530 kilometers.
Northmann/Australien
After only two days the existing world record starts to crumble. Fasching rides a breathtaking 30 km/h average pace through the Australian steppes. The first 1000 km of the 4200 km-long continent are already behind him.
But, as we know, don´t count your chickens before they are hatched, because Fasching still has to pass Nullarbor Park. This means no trees, no shadows, and only endless dusty streets. He has to go through the longest straight on earth – 478 km!
Headwind and troubles with his stomach make the race more difficult than it already is. Luckily Dr. Ocenasek, his sports physician, always knows what to do in such situations.
An additional problem on Australian streets are the socalled “Roadtrains” - long trucks that race in a frightful pace through the outback. On top of taking up the entire width of the street, these trucks not only create an enormous shock wave of pressure in front of them, they alsp pull a strong undertow behind them. Both of these things make it difficult for Fasching to stay on his bike. In sum, this whole tour is a big adventure, and is ultimately something that will pay off for Fasching and the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”.
But, as we know, don´t count your chickens before they are hatched, because Fasching still has to pass Nullarbor Park. This means no trees, no shadows, and only endless dusty streets. He has to go through the longest straight on earth – 478 km!
Headwind and troubles with his stomach make the race more difficult than it already is. Luckily Dr. Ocenasek, his sports physician, always knows what to do in such situations.
An additional problem on Australian streets are the socalled “Roadtrains” - long trucks that race in a frightful pace through the outback. On top of taking up the entire width of the street, these trucks not only create an enormous shock wave of pressure in front of them, they alsp pull a strong undertow behind them. Both of these things make it difficult for Fasching to stay on his bike. In sum, this whole tour is a big adventure, and is ultimately something that will pay off for Fasching and the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”.
Nullabor/Australien
The third day in the race across the continent is a very tough one. Remnants of a hurricane at the Australian coast brake him in his pace. In a fight against powerful gusts of wind, sometimes Fasching can only crawl along. Only his unbending will gives him the power to go through the race – but the dream of a new world record lies in the distant future.
An average pace of about 20 km/h is not what he expected, but he keeps fighting one meter after another to the eastern coast of Australia, with nature being his most powerful opponent. By now, it is only a matter of time before he leaves the Nullabor National Park behind, and when he does he will have completed the toughest part of the “Biker´s Best Trophy”.
Nevertheless, Fasching still has to ride more than 2000 km – the distance of Port Augusta – Broken Hill – Sydney. But thus far, turbulent cyclones, frictional sand and huge trucks haven´t been able to stop Wolfgang Fasching in his try for a new world record!
An average pace of about 20 km/h is not what he expected, but he keeps fighting one meter after another to the eastern coast of Australia, with nature being his most powerful opponent. By now, it is only a matter of time before he leaves the Nullabor National Park behind, and when he does he will have completed the toughest part of the “Biker´s Best Trophy”.
Nevertheless, Fasching still has to ride more than 2000 km – the distance of Port Augusta – Broken Hill – Sydney. But thus far, turbulent cyclones, frictional sand and huge trucks haven´t been able to stop Wolfgang Fasching in his try for a new world record!
Nullabor National Park/ Australien
[Translate to English:]
Die Ausläufer des seit Tagen wütenden Zyklon erreichen nun auch Wolfgang Fasching und sein Team. Winde bis ca. 70 km/h und Sandstürme beginnen zu toben, doch Wolfgang Fasching denkt nicht einmal ans Absteigen, denn endlich haben wir den Wind im Rücken. Er hat zwar Schwierigkeiten, das Rad im böigen Wind zu steuern, doch die Tachonadel im Pacecar steht permanent auf 40-50 km/h. In einem leichten Bergabstück messen wir 85 km/h. Getrieben von Wind und Sandsturm fährt Wolfgang Fasching an diesem Tag über 600 km.
Cobar/Australien
According to schedule, Fasching finishes the last about 1000 km. He reaches Broken Hill, the last critical waypoint, 1150 km away from his target Sydney.
Apart from some Kangaroos on the streets, nothing happened on day 6 that was worth reporting. Light headwinds can´t stop Fasching. His sleeping plan is only about 2 hours/day. At the end of the day he reaches Cobar with strong knee pain and intermittent mental blocks but continues fighting for Sydney.
With only 750 more kilometers to go, Fasching starts his 7th day in the race. If he can hold his daily average quota, he will reach Sydney Sunday morning exactly on time, just like he wanted.
Apart from some Kangaroos on the streets, nothing happened on day 6 that was worth reporting. Light headwinds can´t stop Fasching. His sleeping plan is only about 2 hours/day. At the end of the day he reaches Cobar with strong knee pain and intermittent mental blocks but continues fighting for Sydney.
With only 750 more kilometers to go, Fasching starts his 7th day in the race. If he can hold his daily average quota, he will reach Sydney Sunday morning exactly on time, just like he wanted.
.
Sydney/Australien
It´s done!
Breaking the world record by nearly one day in a time of 7 days, 19 hours and 47 minutes he reaches, escorted by the police, the world famous opera house in Sydney.
What a performance in such difficult conditions.
Fasching´s doctor was also overjoyed about the successful end of the race. Dr. Ocensak had to tend to Fasching´s stomach and knee problems and change his nutritionel diet, something which was very risky.
Except for a power shortage in the organizers car, which destroyed the lightssystem, no problems arose that could stop Fasching. He had to cycle without lights and music on his way to his world record, but this was no real problem for a great Champion like Wolfgang Fasching.
Dr. Thuri, the race commissioner and head of the sportscenter “Südstadt” near Vienna, certificated the race and spoke highly of Fasching: “Sporting, fair and a very correct race. Gratulations!”
Hubert Neuper, chief of the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”, was really impressed with Fasching´s performance. “It is incredible that a human being is able to go through such tough mental and physical exertions. But for a good cause it is possible to motivate yourself in a great way.”
The profit of the fundraiser, about 100,000 ATS, is going to be handed over at the “Steirischen Nacht des Sports” from the sponsor “Biker´s Best” to the “ Österreichische Sporthilfe”.
Distance: Perth – Kalgoorlie – Norseman – Port Augusta – Broken Hill – Sydney
New record: In December 2007, Gerhard Gulewicz, from Bad Ischl in Upper Austria, beat the record Perth – Sydney with a time of 7 days, 8 hours and 49 minutes. Congratulations!
Facts:
Distance: 4125 km
Fasching´s record: 7 d 19 h 47 min
Donation to the “Österreischen Sporthilfe”: 100,000 ATS
Average pace: 22,5 km/h
Distance:
Perth (West Coast) – Sydney Opera House
The picture for your article!
Pictures for free
The footage represented is property of the “Sports Agency Doris Fasching”. Adventorial use is unrestricted and free of charge. For other purposes, written authorization is necessary. Please contact office@fasching.co.at
“Seven Summits” – generel
Pictures of the presentations
For individual questions
Media contact: Wolfgang Fasching
For more information or pictures, send an e-mail or contact us:
Sportsagency Doris Fasching
Oberschwaig 62
4671 Neukirchen, Austria
E – Mail: office@fasching.co.at
Breaking the world record by nearly one day in a time of 7 days, 19 hours and 47 minutes he reaches, escorted by the police, the world famous opera house in Sydney.
What a performance in such difficult conditions.
Fasching´s doctor was also overjoyed about the successful end of the race. Dr. Ocensak had to tend to Fasching´s stomach and knee problems and change his nutritionel diet, something which was very risky.
Except for a power shortage in the organizers car, which destroyed the lightssystem, no problems arose that could stop Fasching. He had to cycle without lights and music on his way to his world record, but this was no real problem for a great Champion like Wolfgang Fasching.
Dr. Thuri, the race commissioner and head of the sportscenter “Südstadt” near Vienna, certificated the race and spoke highly of Fasching: “Sporting, fair and a very correct race. Gratulations!”
Hubert Neuper, chief of the “Österreichische Sporthilfe”, was really impressed with Fasching´s performance. “It is incredible that a human being is able to go through such tough mental and physical exertions. But for a good cause it is possible to motivate yourself in a great way.”
The profit of the fundraiser, about 100,000 ATS, is going to be handed over at the “Steirischen Nacht des Sports” from the sponsor “Biker´s Best” to the “ Österreichische Sporthilfe”.
Distance: Perth – Kalgoorlie – Norseman – Port Augusta – Broken Hill – Sydney
New record: In December 2007, Gerhard Gulewicz, from Bad Ischl in Upper Austria, beat the record Perth – Sydney with a time of 7 days, 8 hours and 49 minutes. Congratulations!
Facts:
Distance: 4125 km
Fasching´s record: 7 d 19 h 47 min
Donation to the “Österreischen Sporthilfe”: 100,000 ATS
Average pace: 22,5 km/h
Distance:
Perth (West Coast) – Sydney Opera House
The picture for your article!
Pictures for free
The footage represented is property of the “Sports Agency Doris Fasching”. Adventorial use is unrestricted and free of charge. For other purposes, written authorization is necessary. Please contact office@fasching.co.at
“Seven Summits” – generel
Pictures of the presentations
For individual questions
Media contact: Wolfgang Fasching
For more information or pictures, send an e-mail or contact us:
Sportsagency Doris Fasching
Oberschwaig 62
4671 Neukirchen, Austria
E – Mail: office@fasching.co.at
