Australian competitor Tom Landon-Smith (36) has been forced to withdraw from the 2006 Land Rover G4 Challenge less than 48 hours before the start of the event. He is replaced on the Challenge by his wife Alina McMaster, who was one of the reserve competitors for Australia - the other reserve, John Jacoby recently fractured his wrist during an adventure race, and is still unable to compete.

Landon-Smith cut his right foot while running on a beach during a recent holiday in New South Wales. The injury required stitches, but doctors in Australia assured the plucky Event Manager that he would be fit by the time the event starts in Bangkok, Thailand, on 23rd April.

Unfortunately for the Australian, his injury didn't heal as quickly as expected, and after a fitness assessment by Challenge Medical Director Mike Irani, the decision was made for Landon-Smith to withdraw. "He is obviously bitterly disappointed," explained the surgeon, "but the decision is not only for his own health and safety, but also that of his fellow competitors."

"I cannot believe that I have come so close to the Challenge, yet I am unable to compete," says Landon-Smith, "the disappointment is massive, but I wish my wife all the best and I truly believe that she has what it takes to win this year's Challenge."

McMaster started her career as a cross-country skier, winning numerous sport scholarships. She competed in the Australian cross-country ski team for many years before making the Olympic Squad in 1994. She then moved into multi-sport where she has won every major race in Australia. Her adventure-racing career has been extensive and successful. McMaster is the captain of Team AROC, Australia's top adventure racing team and one of the world's best.

As a result of her husband's misfortune, McMaster was one of 18 competitors on the starting line of the Challenge. She stands a chance of winning a brand new Range Rover as a prize, as well as becoming only the second winner of the ultimate global adventure. However, between her and victory lies two continents, four countries, a month of tough competition - and 17 other people who have exactly the same thirst for victory.

Volkswagen at Britain's CV Show
25th April, 2006
A key factor in Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' success has been the renewal of its van range, which will be completed with arrival of the Crafter ..... more

Vauxhall Unveils The UK's All-New Astravan
25th April, 2006
Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off its new Astravan – the latest edition of the company’s most established van brand ..... more

Audi R10 to Contest American Le Mans Series
21st April, 2006
Following the Audi R10 TDI's victorious debut at the 12-hour race at Sebring, Audi has re-defined its programme for the remaining races of the 2006 American Le Mans Series ..... more

Focus XR5 Turbo Boosts Ford Performance Arsenal
21st April, 2006
Ford has revealed the latest weapon in its high performance arsenal – the Focus XR5 Turbo; engineered in Europe and boasting performance levels that will be the envy of many larger car drivers ..... more

Aston Martin’s Retail Design Programme
21st April, 2006
Aston Martin enters 2006 with 125 dealers in 27 countries around the world, the results of an ambitious expansion led by a strong brand identity, with the emphasis on design and attention to detail ..... more

Volkswagen's Worldwide Sales Record in Q1
20th April, 2006
The Volkswagen brand achieved worldwide record sales in the first quarter of 2006. A total of 795,000 vehicles were delivered ..... more

Victory for Mitsubishi in Tunisia
20th April, 2006
Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team driver Stéphane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret clinched their third victory in the Optic 2000 Rally of Tunisia on Easter Monday ..... more

Peugeot Round Australia Re-Run
19th April, 2006
The ‘Peugeot Round Australia Re-Run’ will start from Sydney on Sunday, 23rd April and chart a course that will take in the route from several of the original Ampol Trials ..... more

VW Crafter Makes Its World Debut Next Week
19th April, 2006
This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC, in England, will see the worldwide public debut of Volkswagen’s latest model, the Crafter ..... more

New Ford Transit To Be Unveiled Next Week
19th April, 2006
The Ford stand at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show in England (26th-27th April), will be an array of new models for the commercial vehicle world ..... more

Start of Assembly of Hummer H3 in Russia
18th April, 2006
GM and Avtotor celebrated the start of production of the Hummer H3 in Russia at a ceremony at the Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad earlier this month ..... more

Mazda CX-9: Zoom-Zoom With Room-Room
18th April, 2006
Mazda debuted the 2007 Mazda CX-9 seven-passenger crossover sport-utility vehicle (SUV) at the New York International Motor Show ..... more

General Motors Opens "The Drive"
16th April, 2006
“The Drive” a unique, hands-on driving facility offers a first-of-its-kind “autotainment” experience within the United States ..... more

All-New Suzuki XL7 Makes World Debut
14th April, 2006
Suzuki debuted the all-new Suzuki XL7 at the 2006 New York Motor Show. With the introduction of the new model, Suzuki is moving forward to the next chapter in its ongoing SUV success story ..... more

Ford Posts Strong Small Car Sales In March
12th April, 2006
Fiesta registered 517 sales for the month, while Focus sales of 1,311 vehicles saw it record its best first quarter result ..... more

Nissan Pathfinder Ti Now With Diesel Option
12th April, 2006
Nissan has broadened its Pathfinder range with the addition of a luxury Pathfinder Ti diesel ..... more

GM to Sell Isuzu Shares
11th April, 2006
General Motors today announced it would sell its 7.9 percent equity stake in Isuzu Motors Ltd.  The commercial partnership between GM and Isuzu will continue ..... more

Aston Martin Rolls Bentley and Ferrari
10th April, 2006
Last month, Aston Martin rolled the competition by delivering 14 cars in Australia ..... more

The New Audi TT Coupe
7th April, 2006
The TT, launched in 1998 – sharpened the profile of the Audi brand. Now the second generation of this model is making its debut. The new TT Coupé is even more dynamic than its predecessor ..... more

The New Passat - Full of Unexpected Pleasures
6th April, 2006
What happens when designers interpret a clear, logical, intuitively perceivable style with even more power, muscle and passion than ever before can be seen in the new Passat ..... more

Morgan 4-seater Returns
4th April, 2006
The new Morgan 4-seater models that made their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006 are now available for sale in Australia ..... more

Australia's Cadillacs For 2007
15th March, 2006
Cadillac, the luxury car division of America's General Motors Corporation, is expanding the availability of right-hand drive models, hence putting Australia on their 'radar' ..... more

Precious Metal - The Peugeot 407 Coupe
7th March, 2006
Peugeot have announced the pricing structure for the stunning new 407 Coupe, which goes on sale in Australia later this month ..... more