Alister McCrae will use the A4DE this week to prepare for his Australasian Safari motorcycle debut.

Rally car ace Alister McCrae is gearing up to make a KTM-mounted switch at this week’s Australian Four-Day Enduro being held at Harvey, south of Perth.

The Asia Pacific Rally Champion of 2011, and younger brother of the late Colin McCrae, will compete in this year’s A4DE as a prelude to an even bigger challenge he’s chosen for later in the year.

McCrae, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, has decided to enter a KTM 500 EXC in the Australasian Safari, which takes place from 20-27 September in Western Australia’s mid-north west coast and through the Murchison & Gascoyne areas.

“When I was a kid I had about three years of motocross,” said McRae, “But even when I was competing in the WRC [World Rally Championship] in Europe I would still ride motocross for fitness. Not a lot of competition but just to enjoy it and be fit, but that was a while back.”

The 42-year-old who now calls Perth home hopes his experience in rallying will balance his relative lack of recent experience in motorcycle competition.

“I’ve done the Dakar twice in a car and the idea of doing a long distance event on a bike is a big challenge for me, so I want to do it before I get too old,” he explained. “On the one hand I’ll have a good idea what’s happening but maybe on the other hand …not a clue!

“I think the longer events are what I’m more suited to where I’ve got to use my experience and pace myself. In out and out speed alone I’m not quick enough to win but maybe where the longevity becomes a factor I might be able to get a reasonable result.

“It will also be a good chance to see the country and cover a lot more different terrain than I’ve seen since moving here. I’ve not been inland at all really so from that point I’m looking forward to it.”

McCrae hopes to use this week’s A4DE event to gain valuable seat time on the KTM 500 EXC at slower speeds before going all out in the Australasian Safari event.

“I’m expecting this week’s four day enduro to be a lot more technical with slower speeds, but for me to get four days in a row will be great just to get the mileage on the KTM500EXC day after day,” he added. “But I think I’m going to get my eyes opened a fair bit with the speeds that some of these guys can ride bikes!”