The recent Australian Safari, an eight-day cross country rally for 4WD vehicles, gave Cooper Tyres an outstanding result.

Two class wins for Victorian drivers, Reg Owen and Ian Begley, both in Nissan Patrols, proved that the robust construction and superior grip of the Cooper Tyres justified their selection.

The experienced Owens, from Warrnambool, and his navigator, Russell Cairns, fitted the Cooper Sure Trac ST pattern to their modified petrol Patrol for the tough event and were especially pleased with the traction and braking. They had only two punctures during the competition, far few than other competitors, some of whom averaged two or three each day.

Geelong's Ian Begley used the Cooper STT's to claim his class victory and a second outright placing in the showroom category behind Peter Brock's factory Jackaroo. Begley's new 4.8 litre petrol Patrol had safety modifications only (roll cage, harnesses and larger fuel tank) and had no punctures at all in the Safari. Only one tyre was changed as a precaution after the wheel rim was destroyed on a stump.

While many of the Australian Safari competitiors, including the factory Jackaroo team, used specially-constructed Kevlar belted tyres to avoid punctures, the American-made Cooper Tyres proved their durability under the toughest outback conditions. Importer Terry Smith, who watched the first four days of the event, was more than happy with the results, stating "This is further proof that our research and development in Australia is working."

For more information on Cooper Tyres and your nearest distributor, call 1800 681 298