DREAM TEAM KELLY & SANDES JOIN FORCES IN TASMANIA CHALLENGE

Rick Kelly is set to take on a challenge of a different kind after the V8 Supercars Championship closes this weekend, when he’ll team up with ultra marathon runner Ryan Sandes to participate in the gruelling Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, which kicks off in Freycinet on Wednesday 7th December.

Kelly and Sandes will form Team Red Bull in the premium, five day, multi-discipline event taking in over 350km of terrain across some of Tasmania’s most stunning scenic locations. Competitors will mountain bike, kayak and trek various challenging courses daily. They’ll be pushed outside of their comfort zones along the way, as they’re challenged to activities designed to test competitors’ limits.

Team Red Bull has promised blood, sweat and tears to take out the competition in the event, which wraps up in Hobart on Sunday 11th December.

“The Challenge has always grabbed my attention and it’s awesome to get the opportunity to team up with Ryan, who is a fantastic athlete,” said Rick Kelly.

“I’m a keen runner myself and have been putting the hours in mountain biking and kayaking, plus I’ve got some great advice from people like Kenny Wallace too. So I’ll have no excuses when we get out there! I think I might be underestimating how difficult it’s really going to be, but that’s also why I’m so excited about it.

“I’m also really looking forward to spending time in the hills in Tassie – I love my outdoor training and absolutely cannot wait to get started.”

The Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge, inspired by Mark’s love of fitness and the great outdoors, is back in 2011 after a three-year hiatus. After breaking his leg in the 2008 event,

Mark vowed the event would return to its original location and the stunning backdrop of Tasmania’s breathtaking scenery. Mark is travelling straight to Tasmania after his F1 success in Brazil for the event, which is run to raise funds for the Mark Webber Foundation - supporting selected Australian charities.

Follow Rick and Ryan’s journey through their daily blog at www.redbull.com.au