Quit Targa West Update Day 2: Mechanical issues starting to surface

[Photo: Peter Major and Greg Flood narrow the gap. Credit: Tim & Travis Barnes]

Nine stages awaited competitors when they headed into the scenic Perth Hills region on the second day of the Quit Targa West tarmac rally. The day’s 65 competitive kilometres of long, fast park roads and tricky technical corners of the Kostera’s Zig Zag required commitment from drivers.
 
After a wet night in Malaga, competitors were thankful for a dry run. However, the rally still saw its fair share of drama with mechanical problems surfacing for some.
 
Modern competition 
 
From the first stage, Peter Major quickly set about working on closing the 18-second gap between himself and the Subaru WRX STI of Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes, but fell two seconds shy of claiming the top position.
 
Major and co-driver Greg Flood set the fastest time on all the Whiteman Park stages in the brand new Porsche 996 Turbo, despite experiencing some minor issues.
 
“The car has only just been built and this is its first outing, so we’re having a few little teething issues - but we pushed pretty hard in some of the stages today and managed to close the gap to the lead which is great,” said Major.
 
“We’ve been lucky there’s been a few others who’ve had issues too. Hopefully we can have a clean run for the rest of the event.
 
“This car is very different to the Mitsubishi Evo we ran last year. It’s heavier and has a lot more power, but it’s probably not as easy to drive.
 
“With the Evo you can throw it into a corner and drive it hard to get the most out of it. Whereas, the Porsche you need to be a little bit more respectful – it doesn’t respond the same way as the Evo. I am getting used to it now and we’ll just get faster and faster over the weekend, if we don’t have any more issues.
 
“I built the Porsche with the Maryville Downs stages in mind, so fingers crossedtomorrow it lives up to what I’m hoping.”
 
The modern category saw its fair share of problems arise, with Steve Jones and Toni Feaver breaking a couple of driveshafts in the Subaru WRX STI RA, and the Nissan Skyline R34 GTR V-Spec of Bruce Hawley and Mark McEwan retiring due to a cracked cylinder. Even outright leaders Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes were not entirely trouble-free, experiencing fuel surge issues.
 
Classic competition


 [Photo: Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti continue to lead the Classics. Credit: Tim & Travis Barnes]

Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti continue to lead the charge in Classic Competition. The Ford Capri Perana set the fastest time on four stages, with the Triumph TR7 of Mark Dobson and Nigel Jones never far behind.
 
“The short tight stages suit us, but the long straighter ones we struggle a bit with,” said Dobson. “That’s why we were matching Simon’s times on the Whiteman Park and Zig Zag stages, but the long Kalamunda ones we dropped a bit of time.
 
“I am quite confident we’ll do well tomorrow - but trying to get back some of that time we’ve lost could be a bit of a problem.”
 
The gap between Gunson and Dobson is currently 59 seconds, with third placed Graham Romyn and Neville Wilkinson in the Holden Torana A9X 2 minutes 17 seconds behind.
 
Modern Challenge
 

 [Photo: Sharon Gunson and Alexandra Wilde are quickly becoming a formidable team. Credit: Tim Allott]

All-female team Sharon Gunson and co-driver Alexandra Wilde continue their winning streak in the Mitsubishi Evo 7, but are wary that George Watts and Kerry Watts are waiting in the wings. 
 
“I’d prefer it to be a much bigger gap - 20 seconds isn’t a lot given what’s in storetomorrow,” said Gunson.
 
“It’s all action tomorrow with lots of short technical stages.
 
“My Evo loves the Maryville Downs and Bullsbrook stages – but I’m sure the Watts’ Evo will love it too! They’ll be hot on our heels.”
 
It is the first time Gunson and new navigator Wilde have paired up. Gunson says the duo’s teamwork continues to strengthen.
 
“We had a few teething problems yesterday with the calls – it’s a bit of learning curve for Alexandra on how I want my calls and when she should call them. We did some coaching yesterday and that’s really helped.  She nailed the calls from get go on Day Two, and is in her comfort zone now.”
 
Gunson and Wilde were first on the scene on the last stage in Whiteman Park when fellow Modern Challenge competitor Mike Oliver and Edward Griffith hit a curb in their Holden HSV Clubsport R8, destroying their sump.
 
“We got pulled up by a driver, because they hit the curb and had spilt oil everywhere, so we were the next car to come through on the oil,” said Gunson.
 
The stage was cancelled as a result. 
 
Classic Challenge
 

 [Photo: Lunnsmann's lost time but are still in the hunt. Credit: Tim Allott]

Husband and wife team Jurgen and Helen Lunnsmann experienced some trouble when they stalled their Ford Capri Perana on the Kostera’s Zig Zag - this gave Phil Peak and Sam Hackett in the BMW M3 an opportunity to extend their lead and finish 2 minutes 15 seconds in front of their nearest competitors.
 
Paul Thompson and Vanessa Saunderson occupy third place in the Porsche 911RS, 3 minutes 23 behind the category leaders.
 
Coming up
 
The 2016 Quit Targa West continues Saturday, when competitors venture outside of Perth’s metropolitan area and onto the fast flowing roads of Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook for Shannons Leg 2. Competitors will cover 118 competitive kilometres of long, flowing stages. Spectators are welcome to view the action for free at the many spectator viewing locations.
 
The 2016 Quit Targa West runs from August 11 to 14. The 124 competitors will complete in 32 stages and 242 competitive kilometres through Wanneroo, Malaga, Whiteman Park, Kalamunda, Toodyay, Lower Chittering, Bullsbrook, and Perth City.
 
For more information on Quit Targa West entries, road closures, event program and spectator locations please refer to www.targawest.com.au.
 
The 2016 Quit Targa West is proudly sponsored by Healthway and the Quit message.
 
SATURDAY 13 August 2016 - Shannons Leg 2
9.00am to 10.40am              Rally Stages on Racecourse SS in Toodyay.
9.15am to 1.30pm                Toodyay Service Park - Stirling Tce, Toodyay.
10.20am to 12.35pm            Rally Stages on Coondle West SS - breaks between runs.
11.20am to 1.10pm              Rally Stages on the Toodyay SS.
1.50pm to 3.30pm                Rally Stages in Lower Chittering - Maryville Stage.
3.30pm to 5.10pm                Rally Stages in Bullsbrook.
5.05pm to 7.30pm                Bullsbrook Service Park -. Corvette Rd, Bullsbrook


[Photo: Herridge and Hayes keep their narrow lead. Credit: Tim & Travis Barnes]

[Photo: Herridge and Hayes in the Subaru WRX STI. Credit: Tim Allott]

[Photo: Major and Flood hot on the heels of the leaders. Credit: Tim Allott]

[Photo: The Triumph TR7 of Dobson and Jones isn't missing a beat. Credit: Tim Allott]

[Photo: Haynes Street in Kalamunda was transformed into a motoring festival yesterday. Credit: Josh Cochrane]


[Photo: Haynes Street in Kalamunda was transformed into a motoring festival yesterday. Credit: Josh Cochrane]
 
 

2016 Quit Targa West Fast Facts

• Dates: 11 – 14 August, 2016
• Ceremonial Start: Forrest Place, Perth CBD, Thursday, 11 August, 11am to 2pm.
• Podium Finish: Langley Park, Perth CBD, Sunday 14 August, 3:30pm.
• Competition categories:
  • Competition: for CAMS compliant vehicles and crews
  • Challenge: for showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles
  • Modern: vehicles manufactured between 1986 - 2015
  • Classic: vehicles manufactured between 1947 - 1985
  • Rookie Rallye: a two day event held within the main event for first-time Quit Targa West competitors.

• Event total kilometres: 921.66kms (242.30kms competitive; 770.66kms liaison).
• Approximately 60 competitors (numbers yet to be finalised).
• www.targawest.com.au