Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Paul Crute in his 1965 Ford Mustang. Credit Stephen Blackberry

Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Entries are now open for the ninth edition of the Make Smoking History Targa South West tarmac rally that will take place in and around Western Australian south west towns of Pemberton, Manjimup and new this year, Northcliffe from 18^th to 20^th May 2018.

Held over two days competitors will travel over 380 kilometres in total which includes 130 kilometres of flat out competition on 22 closed-road Special Stages that range in distance from 3.11 kilometres to 15.13 kilometres through the spectacular Southern Forests area.

Targa South West Event Director Ross Tapper said that competitors are excited about some changes to the course.

“The addition of Northcliffe is new this year and there are two runs south and north on the Pemberton to Northcliffe road. The stage around Pemberton has also changed and that’s generating some exciting chatter amongst competitors,” Mr Tapper said.

Driver Andy van Kann who has who has competed in every Targa South West event and has checked the stages said the course this year has the best on offer.

"The forestry-type stages at Targa South West are amazing - Big Brook Dam, Kurandra, Pump Hill and Gloucester are all in breathtaking country,” Mr van Kann said.

“I’m excited to see the very best of the Gloucester stage chosen, I mean, what would Targa South West be without that rail crossing. The stage is now called Diamond Tree and is short and very exciting.

“Northcliffe is a fast flowing stage with lots of crests and dips and long sweeping corners through glorious forestry. It will require precise driver and co-driver teamwork as there’s no room for error over the narrow blind crests. It’s an awesome rally drive and run in both directions,” Mr van Kann said.

Competitors and crew can expect a warm welcome from the Northcliffe town folk with a service park and meal break in the main street of this romantic township.

Cars will start at 30-second intervals and race against the clock with the winner being the car that is fastest over all stages. Cars are grouped into classes and there are categories for Competition, Challenge and the new electric vehicle category.

“The automotive future is electric and we are receiving a fair bit of interest from WA dealers wishing to showcase electric cars in this environment - so we’ve included a new tour category for electric vehicles, a spirited enjoyable drive without the competition element,” Mr Tapper said.

“I encourage owners of electric cars to enter and enjoy a weekend in their cars along closed-roads – no experience is necessary.

“Make Smoking History Targa South West has a very relaxed atmosphere and provides a welcoming environment for first time rally competitors to learn the art of rallying and hone their driving skills without the pressure often associated with bigger events. Everyone who comes to Targa South West loves it.”

Mr Tapper said that rookies have special entry fee pricing.

“The essence of motorsport is competition, but what sets rallying apart from other codes of motorsport is the camaraderie and sense of community - a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing a common experience – a spirited drive in some of the State’s most picturesque areas.

“Rookies are made to feel especially welcome because everyone in rallying wants to see the sport grow,” Mr Tapper said.

Make Smoking History Targa South West usually attracts a wide variety of cars from classics like Ford Escorts, Mustangs, Toranas and Commodores to more modern turbocharged Mitsubishi Evos, Subaru WRXs and Nissan GTRs and this year, electric cars such as the Tesla Roadster and the ‘gull winged’ Tesla Model X.

The Make Smoking History Targa South West fraternity will bring 400 people into the towns of Manjimup and Pemberton.

For more information on Targa South West including how to enter, please visit www.targasouthwest.com.au

Organisers would like to thank Targa South West sponsors Healthway, along with the Make Smoking History message, Shannons, Cutts Transport, Manjimup Truffles, AAAC Towing and the Shire of Manjimup for their support along with series sponsors Go Gear and Perth Motorsport Tyres.

For updates, follow Targa West Events facebook page www.facebook.com/targawest.

Al Blakers in his 1977 Holden Torana

Media contact:
Dianne Bortoletto, Pronto PR, 0439 997 075, dianne@prontopr.com.au

Photos
High res photos available here. Please credit photographer as indicated in filename.

Glen Renshaw in His 2008 Holden VE SSV Ute. Credit: CMR Phtographic

Andy van Kann in his 2007 Honda Civic

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

07/12/2017, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 25090977

Cockram / Moir. Download high res click here

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

Healthway and the Make Smoking History message have extended their support as major sponsors of Targa West events for the next two years.

Healthway has been a longstanding supporter of Targa West events, with 2018 being the 14^th year of sponsorship.

“We are pleased the sport of rallying has again been chosen as advocates for living a healthy, active lifestyle, and as promoters of the important Make Smoking History message,” said Targa West Director Ross Tapper.

“Due to the growing popularity of tarmac rallying in Western Australia, our events portfolio continues to grow thanks to the support of sponsors like Healthway.”

Healthway is the title sponsor for Make Smoking History Targa South West, Make Smoking History Targa West and Make Smoking History Targa Cup.

Healthway is a state government agency that promotes and facilitates good health and activities which encourages healthy lifestyles.

Healthway’s Acting Executive Director Maree De Lacey said Healthway is delighted to continue to partner with Targa West events to help encourage smokers to quit and create smoke free environments.

“Tobacco smoking is the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disease in Australia, and quitting at any age has health benefits. Targa West events are the perfect vehicle to spread the Make Smoking History message to a wide audience.”

Tapper said that not everyone realises that motorsport requires a high level of fitness to compete.

“Rally in particularly requires fitness because the stages are long and demanding and you can’t afford to get fatigued,” Tapper said.

Perth’s longest and most demanding tarmac rally is Make Smoking History Targa West. Run over four days in Perth and the surrounding areas, it is the State’s premium tarmac rally attracting the best cars and drivers from WA and Australia.

Last year, a Targa Tour was introduced and novices participated in a spirited drive behind a professional lead car while learning driving techniques, co-driving tips and how rally events operate.

Healthway is also silver sponsors of the GT Fabrication Bunbury Sprint and the Shannons Targa Rallysprint series comprising of six events.

Competing in a Rallysprint doesn’t require the same time commitment or expense as competing in traditional Targa and rally events, thus making it a great introduction to the sport.

“Five of the six events are run on Thursday evenings after work at the Perth Motorplex making it easy to compete in motorsport during the summer,” Tapper said.

“We designed the Rallysprint events to be short and sharp, to cater for the time poor rally enthusiasts, those new to tarmac rallying as well as to provide an opportunity for experienced rally drivers to keep their skills sharp in between seasons.”

Tapper said that Rallysprint requires teamwork between driver and co-driver.

“Drivers need to negotiate obstacles in close vicinity of the road with the help of their co-driver whilst racing the clock, which is quite different to simply racing around on a race track.”

The next Rallysprint is on Thursday night (7 December) and held once per month until March at Perth Motorplex on a 3.25km course that is run four times, alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise each event.

The Targa season will kick off with Targa South West, a two-day rally on closed roads through the picturesque areas of Manjimup and Pemberton on 18 – 20 May.

“Targa South West is an event suited to all levels of motorsport experience - from the rookie competing in their regular road car, to the serious competitor with a purpose-built tarmac rally car. There’s a fantastic camaraderie between all competitors, which is one of the appealing characteristics of rallying as sport,” Tapper said.
To be kept up to date with Targa West events, please see www.targawest.com.auand like www.facebook.com/targawest

For assistance on quitting smoking, please see www.quitnow.gov.au.

The 2018 Targa West Rally Calendar

Make Smoking History Targa South West	18 – 20 May
Make Smoking History Targa West	9 – 12 August
Make Smoking History Targa Cup	Annual Series

2017/18 Shannons Targa Rallysprint Series.

Shannons Busselton Rallysprint	28 April
GT Fabrication Targa Bunbury Sprint	23 – 24 June
Shannons Targa West Track Day and Sprint	15 July

Shannons Rallysprint at Perth Motorplex

Thursday 2 Nov 2017
Thursday 7 Dec 2017
Thursday 11 Jan 2018
Thursday 15 Feb 2018
Thursday 8 Mar 2018

Crute. Photo: CMR Photography. Download high res here

Download high res here

Kalamunda Service Park. Photo: CMR Photographic

Bray and Gunson lining up for start at Kalamunda Service Park. Photo: ProntoPR

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Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

14/08/2017, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 23751558

Winner of Competition Modern Peter Major / Ben Searcy. Photo: CMR Photographic

Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

Patchy rain and a storm forecast didn’t deter hundreds of motorsport fans who flocked to Malaga and also the City, lining Victoria Avenue and Riverside Drive to cheer on Quit Targa West competitors as they crossed the finish line on the last stage of Perth’s premier tarmac rally.

Day 4 started in Malaga with an exciting 9-kilometre street stage run three times, with crowds entertained by the smoking sideways action of Australian Drift Grand Prix cars in between stages.

From Malaga, competitors tackled the final three stages, the 2.15 kilometre Targa City Sprint Stage which challenged competitors with its superkhana-style design that commanded precision driving before demonstrating the full extent of their power along the long straight of Riverside Drive.

Peter Major in Modern Competition category and Sharon Gunson in Modern Challenge category were both on a hat trick this year, going for their third consecutive win. The battle everyone was watching was in the Classic Competition between Ford and Holden respective drivers, Simon Gunson a two-time Targa West winner and Mick Bray.

Competitors are divided into Competition and Challenge categories with classes for Modern and Classic cars in each. The Challenge category is for showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles. Vehicles manufactured earlier than 1985 are classed as Classic and the Modern class for vehicles manufacture from 1986 onwards. There’s also an award for the Quit Targa West Rallye Rookie (first timer).

Competition Modern

Driving most of Quit Targa West without ABS in his 2004 Porsche 996, braking was extremely tricky particularly in wet conditions for Peter Major. Undeterred, he and co-driver Ben Searcy finished fastest, taking the top step on the podium.

Coming into the event on a hat trick, Major said he was thrilled with a win, this one his fifth at Targa West.

Leading by 29 seconds at the start of the final day, Quit Targa West was Major’s to lose.

“I’m really happy and I’m stoked to be going out on a high,” said Major, referring to his earlier announcement that this would be his last Targa West as he shifts his focus to his young family, business and other motorsport pursuits.

“It feels awesome, there’s been lots of emotion with this rally – lots of changing conditions and we’ve had issues with no ABS, aquaplaning on the wet stages and a few other niggling things we’ve had to nurse most of the rally – so it’s good to finish,” the 32-year-old father of two said.

Major joked and said that if no one buys his winning 2004 Porsche 996 he could be back next year and ‘do a John Farnham and keep coming back’.

Major / Searcy held off Peter Rullo and James Marquet all rally, finishing 24 seconds faster.

Rullo / Marquet in their 2012 Nissan GTR pushed hard all rally trying to catch Major after losing time on Friday’s opening stage. They managed to claw back more than half of the deficit but it wasn’t enough to take the top step, thus finished second.

“We were on the limit that’s for sure. This morning, every road was different with the wet weather, patches of sun drying the roads, some roads had more grip than others, but the car has been performing well, hasn’t missed a beat,” Rullo said.

Rullo said he was happy to have completed every stage of Quit Targa West after being plagued with mechanic issues every year since 2011.

“I’m happy we finished and I’d like to thank the crew for making the car reliable – we’ve been chasing this for a while now and although we came here to win, second is a pretty good result, in fact my best result to date,” said Rullo, who finished third at Targa West in 2010.

Finishing third and also taking the Targa Cup win was Will White and Matt Thompson in their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, supported by Store Local.

“I’m ecstatic! The car has held together well, the service crew has done a great job and my navigator has done a good job,” a jovial White said.

“Yesterday, the car was smoking like chimney – we changed the oil using a different brand and it stopped. Everything has just come together well, so I’m very happy.

“After winning Targa South West and a few Targa Rally Sprints events, taking the Targa Cup title here is just brilliant.”

The Targa Cup is awarded to the top placed rally driver who has competed in the new tarmac series that includes in its portfolio of events Targa Sprints and Targa South West.

Motorsport legend Jim Richards and his co-driver Barry Oliver had a great time at Targa West, finishing in ninth place.

“We enjoy Targa West and come here for Shannons. I like the shorter stages and the fact they are run multiple times – you improve with each run. It’s a well organised event, the locals are friendly and Barry and I always have a good time here,” the seven-time Bathurst winner and four-time Australian Touring Car Champion said.

Overall
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	58	MAJOR SEARCY	Porsche 996 Turbo	2:07:36 +
2	62	RULLO MARQUET	Nissan R35 GTR	2:08:00 +00:24
3	34	WHITE THOMPSON	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9	2:09:05 +01:29

Competition Classic

The rivalry between Ford and Holden continued with a fierce battle in the Competition Classic category.

Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti in their 1971 Ford Capri Perana started Leg 3 with a 12-second lead over rivals Mick Bray and Daniel Bray in their 1975 Holden Torana.

During Malaga’s opening stage, the heavens opened and rain bucketed down during Gunson’s run, forcing him to back off the pace, while Bray / Bray had a relatively dry run going flat out to finish 16 seconds faster.

Trailing by 7 seconds, Gunson / Armenti spent the remainder of the day pushing hard trying to close the gap on the Bray brothers.

Mick Bray said that he went into today with a plan.

“If we wanted to win, we had to go hard this morning and come out really fast, so that’s what we did. However, I lost a bit of time when I clipped a gutter in the second stage today so stopped pushing then,” Bray said.

“The battle with Gunson was good fun but intense and I’m really happy with a win,” Bray said.

This is the first time Bray has finished Quit Targa West; his previous attempt in 2012 was a DNF.

The Bray brothers finished 9 seconds ahead of two-time Targa winners Gunson / Armenti.

“We’ve had a ball and the battle with Bray came down to the wire,” Gunson said.

“The weather played a part and we pushed to catch him but and I only ever drive to my ability and don’t take too many risks – if the results come they come. I’m happy with our results,” the Ford Capri driver said.

In third place is 11-time Targa West veteran Simon Lingford and Avril Curtis in their 1973 Datsun 240Z.

Lingford, who in this car was the fastest privateer in the London to Sydney Marathon in 2000, said he was very happy to finish.

“We’ve managed lots of issues and managed to keep the car going until the end, so I’m delighted. We’ve had no instruments – no speedo, no taco, no oil pressure and the rest since Thursday night. We’ve had gearbox issues that we’ve had to nurse and a misfire that we couldn’t locate, so it’s an achievement just to finish, and amazing to finish third. I loved all the stages and we’ve a great time,” Lingford said.

Overall
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	5	BRAY BRAY	Holden Torana	2:13:43 +
2	16	GUNSON ARMENTI	Ford Capri Perana	2:13:52 +00:09
3	78	LINGFORD CURTIS	Datsun 240Z	2:19:00 +05:17

Challenge Classic

Celebrating a hat trick, Sharon Gunson and co-driver Helen Lunsmann of GTi Girls Racing in a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 is the most successful all-female team in Targa West’s history.

Dubbed the ‘Challenge Queen’ by her husband Simon Gunson, this is her fourth Targa West win.

Sharon said that their plan was to cruise today and defend their lead over rookies Nick Bailey and Kyle O’Neil in a 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

“It’s spectacular to have a hat trick!” Sharon Gunson said.

“We’ve been really lucky with the weather and Helen has done a great job with the notes. Overall it’s been amazing and I feel fantastic.”

Second place in Challenge Modern category were rookies Nick Bailey and Kyle O’Neil in a 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI, 2:40 minutes behind.

Overall
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	66c	GUNSON LUNSMANN	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7	2:24:10 +
2	R33c	BAILEY O'NEIL	Volkswagen Golf GTI	2:26:50 +02:40

Challenge Classic

In the Challenge Classic, a category for showroom or non-roll caged cars manufactured before 1986, Justin Gan and Greg Levene took title honours in their 1978 Porsche 911SC.

Steve Cherry and Glyn Crimp finished second in their bright red 1982 Toyota Starlet. And in third place, was Bob Fisher with his son co-driver Robbie Fisher in their 1967 Triumph TR4a.

Overall
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	8c	GAN LEVENE	Porsche 911SC	2:37:00 +
2	44c	CHERRY CRIMP	Toyota Starlet	2:44:44 +7:44
3	14c	FISHER FISHER	Triumph TR4a	(-4) 2:51:03 +

Rallye Rookie

The Rallye Rookie titles are awarded to competitors doing their first Targa rally.

Rallye Rookie
	Driver	Co-driver
Competition Modern	Dennis Heller	Keian Guy
Competition Classic	-	-
Challenge Modern	Nick Bailey	Kyle O’Neil
Challenge Classic	-	-
2 Day Rallye	Wayne Henderson	Brett Gascoigne

Targa Tour

New this year was the Targa Tour, a spirited drive behind a lead car along the same stages the competitors race, albeit not timed. All that’s required to participate is a road car and a helmet. It’s designed to give those interested in tarmac rallying a taste of the sport.

Targa Tour leader and rally champion Dean Herridge said the group had a good time.

“Rally is a specialised sport and the Targa Tour is great entry level way for people to learn about rallying. There’s no pressure, you don’t need a heap of gear and it’s good value,” Herridge said.

“The spirit and camaraderie in the rally community is something special and it’s what keeps so many of us in the sport for so long – it was wonderful to share that with those in the Targa Tour.

“My wife Natalie was my co-driver on the tour and that was her first experience in the hot seat - we had a ball. It’s always nice to spend time with my wife,” Herridge said with a smile.

About Quit Targa West

The 13^th Quit Targa West has attracted 64 rally teams in a mix of performance, classic and exotic vehicles.

Competitors raced the clock on 34 stages over 242 kilometres in Malaga, Wanneroo, Whiteman Park, Kalamunda, Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook before the finale on Sunday 13^th August at the City of Perth Super Stage and Shannons Classics car display adjacent to Langley Park on the Terrace Road car park.

Spectating was free and all 34 stages feature a number of locations where the public can witness prime motorsport action.

For more information visit www.targawest.com.au and www.facebook.com/targawest.

END

Winners Major / Searcy. Photo: CMR Photographic

Peter Rullo / James Marquet, 2nd Competition Modern. Photo: CMR Photographic

Bray / Bray, 1975 Holden Torana, Winner Competition Classic. Photo: CMR Photographic

Winner of Challenge Modern Sharon Gunson / Helen Lunsmann. Photo: CMR Photographic

White / Thompson, 3rd place in Modern. Photo: Barnies Photos

Gunson / Armenti, 2nd in Competition Classic. Photo: CMR Photographic

Gan / Levene, winners Challenge Classic. Photo: CMR Photographic

Lingford / Curtis, third Competition Classic. Photo: CMR Photographic

Fisher / Fisher third Challenge Classic. Photo: CMR Photographic

Co-driver Ben Searcy. Photo: Barnsies Photos

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Classic Ford versus Holden battle on Day 3 of Quit Targa West

13/08/2017, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 23732710

Gunson / Armenti, 1971 Ford Capri Perana lead Classics by 12 seconds. Photo: CMR Photographic

Classic Ford versus Holden battle on Day 3 of Quit Targa West

Day 3 of Quit Targa West took competitors to the rolling green hills of Toodyay, Maryville Downs and Bullsbrook for Leg 2 where they raced along 14 stages, 118 competitive kilometres and drove a total distance of 442 kilometres.

Quit Targa West is a premier tarmac rally that started on Thursday 10^th August in Forrest Place, Perth and finishes in the City of Perth on Riverside Drive tomorrow, Sunday 13^th August.

Leg 2 began with SS15, Racecourse 1 in Toodyay with torrential rain making the roads greasy. The rain stopped and the roads began to dry during the rest of the morning stages, however drivers still had to exercise caution with wet patches creating slippery conditions.

The afternoon stages in Marysville Downs saw some heavy showers come in with water running across the road, causing havoc for some competitors.

The fast flowing stages seemed to suit high horsepower vehicles and the wet conditions were favourable for the all-wheel-drive competitors.

Competitors are divided into Competition and Challenge categories with classes for Modern and Classic cars in each. The Challenge category is for showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles. Vehicles manufactured earlier than 1985 are classed as Classic and the Modern class for vehicles manufacture from 1986 onwards. There’s also an award for the Quit Targa West Rallye Rookie (first timer).

Competition Modern

Current leader of the Competition Modern and winner of the last two Targa West events Peter Major and co-driver Ben Searcy took a conservative approach today, starting Leg 2 with a comfortable lead of 1:04 minutes and driving without ABS in their 2004 Porsche 996.

“It’s been an interesting day - without ABS because it makes it that much harder to stop in the rain,” Major said.

“I didn’t turn right at one turn and ended up going through some bunting. We’ve had a few little niggles like that today so I’ve had to be a little cautious.”

Major said that the ABS couldn’t be fixed, so he’s hoping it doesn’t rain during tomorrow’s stages.

“I’m comfortable going into tomorrow with a 29-second lead and will be driving as fast as I can and we’ll see where we end up. I’m going into tomorrow like I always do and not putting pressure on myself, going out there to have fun and see what happens. It’s not over yet!”

Major / Searcy won 6 stages today and came equal first in SS21 with nearest rival Peter Rullo and James Marquet.

Finishing the leg in second place, Rullo / Marquet in their 2012 Nissan GTR pushed hard today, trying to make up for lost time after their incident on yesterday’s opening stage where they ‘kissed a tree’, bending a rear steering arm and smashing the passenger window, rear panel and almost ripping the rear bumper bar off.

Rullo / Marquet won seven stages today, came equal first in SS21 with Major, finished second to Major in five stages and came third in the very wet opening stage of the day.

“After the crew fixed the bent arm yesterday at the Kalamunda service, the car has been great, no problems whatsoever,” Rullo said.

“I like those long fast stages, they suit my car, and they also suit Peter’s [Major] too.

“We had a few big moments when we hit water that was flowing over the road. There’s not much you can do when that happens, you just become a passenger and just hope the grip to returns quickly – that happened about two or three times this afternoon.

“Still, we’ve managed to make up time and get back about half of the deficit. It’s disappointing we lost so much time yesterday, but it’s not over yet and anything can happen, and in motorsport it usually does,” Rullo said.

The gaffer tape that was holding his rear bumper bar on yesterday has been replaced with neat cable ties.

Will White and Matt Thompson in their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 finished Leg 2 in third place, finishing two stages second fastest (once equal second with Slater / Harbron), nine stages third fastest and three stages fourth fastest.

White / Thompson trail Rullo / Marquet by 1:03 minutes and current leaders Major / Searcy by 1:32 minutes.

Robert Slater and Richard Harbron in a 1999 Porsche GT3 had a solid start to the day, finishing SS18 in equal second to White / Thompson and consistently in the top 10 until SS24 where they lost 10:47 minutes.

“We lost our windscreen wipers and couldn’t see anything in the heavy rain and ended up hitting the pavement damaging a radiator. It’s all repaired now, but it slowed us up and we missed Stage 25. We are out of contention now, but will restart tomorrow and finish the event,” Slater said.

Overall after Leg 2
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	58	MAJOR SEARCY	Porsche 996 Turbo	1:43:48 +
2	62	RULLO MARQUET	Nissan R35 GTR	1:44:17 +00:29
3	34	WHITE THOMPSON	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9	1:45:20 +01:32

Competition Classic

The rivalry between Ford and Holden continues with a tight battle in the Competition Classic category.

Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti in their 1971 Ford Capri Perana started Leg 2 with a 4-second lead over rivals Mick Bray and Daniel Bray in their 1975 Holden Torana.

It was cat and mouse all day with Gunson / Armenti winning seven stages and finishing two stages in equal first with Bray / Bray.

The Bray brothers won four stages, finished two stages in equal first place and finished second fastest in all other stages, including SS24 where they lost 19 seconds.

“The weather rolled in and with the water running across the road, we were just sliding, aquaplaning, so had to back off a bit,” Bray explained.

“It was a challenging start to the day with a little bit of fog, rain and then the roads drying but still wet in patches.

“We’re pushing as hard as we can and I’m really enjoying the battle with Simon (Gunson), he’s a serious racer so I’m happy we’re able to keep up with him,” Bray said.

Gunson said that the Classic category was down to the wire.

“We’re pushing hard, put it this way, there isn’t much left in the car!” Gunson said, last year’s Targa West winner.

“With the weather conditions, it’s changing all the time – he’s faster, I’m faster - keeps things interesting. We’ll have to see what happens tomorrow.”

Bray / Bray sit in second place overall, trailing Gunson / Armenti by 12 seconds.

Overall after Leg 2
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	16	GUNSON ARMENTI	Ford Capri Perana	1:48:59 +
2	5	BRAY BRAY	Holden Torana	1:49:11 +00:12
3	78	LINGFORD CURTIS	Datsun 240Z	1:53:17 +04:18

Challenge Modern / Classic

Dubbed the ‘Challenge Queen’ by her husband Simon Gunson, Sharon Gunson and co-driver Helen Lunsmann of GTi Girls Racing in a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 have healthy lead of 1:46 minutes over second place rookies Nick Bailey and Kyle O’Neil in a 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

“We had a really awesome day. The car is going perfect, it’s fantastic, no dramas whatsoever,” Sharon Gunson said.

“The Motor Trade Association, our major sponsor, supply a senior mechanic and three apprentices who work with GTi Racing’s senior mechanic and together they do a fantastic job preparing the car.

“With the all-wheel-drive, we stick to the tarmac so the wet weather didn’t really affect us,” said Gunson, a three-time winner of Targa West in the Challenge category.

The driver of the event’s only all-female team said the rally was theirs to lose.

“Normally I smash it at Malaga, it’s one of my favourite stages, but this year because of our lead, there’s no need to push so I’ll probably take it a bit easier tomorrow.”

Overall after Leg 2
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	66c	GUNSON LUNSMANN	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7	1:58:44 +
2	R33c	BAILEY O'NEIL	Volkswagen Golf GTI	2:00:30 +01:46
3	8c	GAN LEVENE	Porsche 911SC	2:08:46 +10:02

Leg 3 tomorrow is the final day of Quit Targa West with three stages in Malaga and three stages in the City of Perth along Riverside Drive. The six stages total 35.76 competitive kilometres make up a total distance of 88.87 kilometres.

The Malaga City of Swan Stage that starts at 8.45am tomorrow will be run three times and include a demonstration from the amazing Australian Drift Grand Prix cars, guaranteed to be crowd pleasers.

The Targa City Sprint will rev the City’s motorsport extravaganza into gear with over 300 classic and modern cars on display at the Terrace Road car park, adjacent to Langley Park, and another 60 cars competing flat out along Riverside Drive from 9.30am. Quit Targa West rally cars will start at 1.00pm.

The Podium Finish will be at 3.30pm where the top three winners in each category will be presented with trophies, followed by the traditional champagne spray.

About Quit Targa West

The 13^th Quit Targa West has attracted 64 rally teams in a mix of performance, classic and exotic vehicles.

Competitors will race the clock on 34 stages over 242 kilometres in Malaga, Wanneroo, Whiteman Park, Kalamunda, Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook before the finale on Sunday 13^th August at the City of Perth Super Stage and Shannons Classics car display adjacent to Langley Park on the Terrace Road car park from 12pm.

Spectating is free and all 34 stages feature a number of locations where the public can witness prime motorsport action.

For more information visit www.targawest.com.au and www.facebook.com/targawest.

Full details of spectator points can be found in the Spectator Guide – download it here.

END

Current leaders in Modern, Major / Searcy. Photo: CMR Photographic

Peter Rullo / James Marquet. Photo: CMR Photographic

Bray / Bray, 1975 Holden Torana. Photo: CMR Photographic

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-resolution photos are available - download from Dropbox here

HD VNR Footage available to download from Dropbox or contact Dianne below.

Interview opportunities available

Media contact: Dianne Bortoletto, Pronto PR, 0439 997 075, dianne@prontopr.com.au

White / Thompson with spectators in the rain. Photo: CMR Photographic

Sharon Gunson / Helen Lunsmann. Photo: CMR Photographic

Current leaders in Modern, Major / Searcy. Photo: CMR Photographic

Sweep car. Photo: 3Abroad Photography

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Twists, turns and battles on Day 2 of Quit Targa West

11/08/2017, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 23706581

Rullo / Marquet after "kissing a tree" and hitting a sign on SS6. Photo: CMR Photographic

Twists, turns and battles on Day 2 of Quit Targa West

The first full day of rally action at Quit Targa West, Section 2 of Leg 1, saw competitors race the clock over 65.10 competitive kilometres split into nine stages at Whiteman Park, north of Perth and east in the Perth Hills. The total distance covered was over 266 kilometres, which ended with a Show ‘n’ Shine display in Perth’s nightlife hub, Northbridge.

Quit Targa West is a premier tarmac rally held in Perth and surrounds until Sunday 13 August.

From the picturesque but twisty stages of Whiteman Park, Quit Targa West moved to the Perth Hills around Kalamunda where competitors were challenged with fast, extremely tight and twisty stages including the infamous Zig Zag stage. Kalamunda’s Zig Zag road was once an old railway used to transport timber down the hill to Midland. Now it’s one of Perth’s most iconic roads that creates unique challenges for competitors, many unable to make the first hairpin turn in one motion without ripping on the handbrake.

From Kalamunda, competitors returned to Whiteman Park for the day’s final two stages.

Competitors are divided into Competition and Challenge categories with classes for Modern and Classic cars in each. The Challenge category is for showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles. Vehicles manufactured earlier than 1985 are classed as Classic and the Modern class for vehicles manufacture from 1986 onwards. There’s also an award for the Quit Targa West Rallye Rookie (first timer).

Competition Modern

On SS7, the opening stage of the day, Peter Rullo and James Marquet in their 2012 Nissan GTR “kissed a tree”, smashing the passenger window, door and rear left panel.

“On one of the early corners of the stage, I lost grip on cold tyres and just touched a tree and bent an arm on the left hand rear suspension. We’re all ok, it’s minor damage and a not a something that’s going to end our rally - it’s just a shame we lost a bit of time,” Rullo said.

The bumper of the Nissan GTR was held up with race tape and Rullo’s crew employed further bush mechanic skills using cable ties and gaffer tape to keep the bumper in place at the refuel stop. During the Minor Service in Kalamunda after SS8, his crew swiftly replaced the door, repaired the bent arm and straightened the left rear panel in 30 minutes.

The damage to Rullo’s car didn’t affect his times; he finished fastest on stages 10, 11 and 12 and second fastest on stages 13 and 14. Rullo / Marquet finished Leg 1 in third place overall, 59 seconds behind leaders Peter Major and Ben Searcy.

Peter Major also had a moment today, clipping the flying finish sign as he went wide on SS8 in his Porsche 996 Turbo, giving co-driver Ben Searcy cause to hold his breath. The experienced racer quickly corrected what could have turned into a serious incident, and finished the stage sans passenger mirror.

“The ABS sensor was out so we didn’t have traction control. I pushed a bit too hard trying to make up time and went a bit wide, clipping a sign post - I think I might’ve given Ben a scare!” Major said.

Ben Searcy said it was all in a day’s work.

“I’ve sat alongside with some pretty eccentric drivers in my time, drivers who shall remain nameless, who think there’s only one speed and that’s flat out. Peter is a great driver and he manoeuvred out of the situation well, but with one wheel in the air, I did think for a second that we were having a moment!”

Major / Searcy finished fastest on stages 6, 8, 13 and 14 and completed Leg 1 first overall, leading second place holders Robert Slater and Richard Harbron in their 1999 Porsche GT3 by 57 seconds.

In their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, Will White and Matt Thompson finished Leg 1 in fourth place.

“Today’s stages were great. The tight, twisty roads suit our car and it’s where we have an advantage over Major and Rullo – their cars have about 150 more horsepower than ours, so I’ve got to play to my strengths,” White said.

“I like the Zig Zag stage and successfully got around the first hairpin in one go with the handbrake – we’re having fun!”

White / Thompson finished fastest on SS7 and second fastest on SS6.

Overall after Leg 1
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	58	MAJOR SEARCY	Porsche 996 Turbo	47:15 +
2	24	SLATER HARBRON	Porsche GT3	48:12 +00:57
3	62	RULLO MARQUET	Nissan R35 GTR	48:14 +00:59

Competition Classic

It’s a Ford versus Holden battle in the Competition Classic category.

Brothers Mick Bray and Daniel Bray in their 1975 Holden Torana finished Leg 1 with a 7-second lead over current title holder Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti in their 1971 Ford Capri Perana.

Bray / Bray finished fasted on stages 7, 11, 13 and 14, while Gunson / Armenti won stages 6, 8 10 and 12.

Phil Peak and Sam Hackett won stage 9 in their 1988 BMW M3 and currently sit in third place after Leg 1, 11 seconds behind second placed Gunson / Armenti.

With just 18 seconds separating first to third place, it’s still anyone’s game.

Gunson said he exercised caution on the notorious Zig Zag stage.

“The Zig Zag is a great stage, but it’s one of those stages where you can lose a rally, but you can’t win a rally and it’s not forgiving if you make a mistake,” Gunson said.

“The car is going quite well, just a couple of little fuel issues with the carburettor. But we’re having a fun battle with the Bray brothers.”

Overall after Leg 1
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	16	GUNSON ARMENTI	Ford Capri Perana	49:07 +
2	5	BRAY BRAY	Holden Torana	49:11 +00:04
3	74	LINE KING	Porsche 911 Carrera RS	50:25 +01:18

Challenge Modern / Classic

The Zig Zag SS8 caused a few head aches for the Challenge competitors with the extremely tight hairpin bends.

In their 2010 Volkswagen Golf GTI, rookies Nick Bailey and Kyle O’Neil lead after Leg 1 by 9 seconds over Sharon Gunson and Helen Lunsmann of GTI Girls Racing in a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7.

Bailey said his goal is to finish Quit Targa West.

“I stuffed up the Zig Zag and turned too early. But it’s all part of the experience and I’m enjoying it,” Bailey said.

“I hate the Zig Zag!” Sharon Gunson said.

“I had to do a three point turn to get around the first hairpin and then stalled it and lost about ten seconds, it was a bit of a nightmare. It’s still early days, so I’m not worried about the time so much,” said the driver of the event’s only all-female team.

Overall after Leg 1
Pos	No	Crew	Vehicle	Total Gap 1st
1	R33c	BAILEY O'NEIL	Volkswagen Golf GTI	54:04 +
2	66c	GUNSON LUNSMANN	Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7	54:13 +00:09
3	8c	GAN LEVENE	Porsche 911SC	58:28 +04:24

Tomorrow, competitors head to Toodyay, Maryville Downs and Bullsbrook for Leg 2 where they will race the clock over 118 competitive kilometres and drive a total distance of 442 kilometres.

About Quit Targa West

The 13^th Quit Targa West has attracted 64 rally teams in a mix of performance, classic and exotic vehicles.

Competitors will race the clock on 34 stages over 242 kilometres in Malaga, Wanneroo, Whiteman Park, Kalamunda, Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook before the finale on Sunday 13^th August at the City of Perth Super Stage and Shannons Classics car display adjacent to Langley Park on the Terrace Road car park from 12pm.

Spectating is free and all 34 stages feature a number of locations where the public can witness prime motorsport action.

For more information visit www.targawest.com.au and www.facebook.com/targawest.

Full details of spectator points can be found in the Spectator Guide – download it here.

Quit Targa West Highlights

Saturday, 12th August: 9am to 5pm - Rally action can be seen in Toodyay, Lower Chittering and Bullsbrook
Sunday, 13th August: 9am to 3:30pm – Shannons Classics in the Park, adjacent to Langley Park on the Terrace Road car park (Rally action can be seen in Malaga and Langley between 9:00am to 3:00pm)

END

Peter Major / Ben Searcy. Photo: CMR Photography

Bray / Bray. Photo: 3Abroad Photography

Gunson / Armenti. Photo: 3Abroad Photography

Sharon Gunson / Helen Lunsmann. Photo: CMR Photographic

Rullo / Marquet with new door and gaffer tape. Photo: ProntoPR

Kalamunda Service Park. Photo: CMR Photographic

Bray and Gunson lining up for start at Kalamunda Service Park. Photo: ProntoPR

White / Thompson. Photo: 3Abroad Photography

Sweep car. Photo: 3Abroad Photography

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Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

09/08/2017, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 23680160

Winner of Competition Classic category in 2016, Simon Gunson/Murrray Armenti in 1971 Ford Capri. Photo: Tim Allott

Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

Starting tomorrow (Thursday 10 August 2017), Western Australia’s premier tarmac rally, Quit Targa West, will rev excitement into Perth into until 13^th August 2017.

The 13^th Quit Targa West has attracted 64 rally teams in a mix of performance, classic, exotic vehicles and even an electric rally car, ready to race the clock on some of Perth’s most iconic roads.

Participating in the new Targa Tour category, is Gemtek Automation’s electric rally car, a converted 2004 BMW i3.

Gemtek Commercial Director Florian Popp said that his electric car has a top speed of 240 kilometres per hour and a range of 130 kilometres.

“This year, our new car is purely electric. There’s no need for us to take a generator around with us like we did last year,” Popp said.

“In Germany, car manufacturers will be producing electric cars in the next five years and the German government has announced that no petrol cars will be registered from 2030. We’ve got a bit of catching up to do in Australia, and that’s why we’ve entered our electric car into Targa West, to promote the future of the automotive industry.

“We want to raise awareness that infrastructure for electric cars is required in the city, that apprentices need to be trained up on how to service electric cars – there’s a giant opportunity ahead and I’m excited to help showcase that this weekend,” Popp said.

The Gemtek BMW i3 will be piloted by Jurgen Lunsmann with co-driver Jon Edwards as they participate in the Targa Tour on Sunday.

The Targa Tour, which runs alongside the main competition of Quit Targa West, is new in 2017 and designed to be a fun and cost effective introduction to Targa events – it’s a spirited drive behind a lead car at 15-second intervals. All that is required is a helmet and a road car.

Jurgen Lunsmann said he’s looking forward to driving a different car and putting on a spritely display.

“The electric car has remarkably quick straight-line acceleration and it handles surprisingly well for a city car – whilst it’s not a performance racing car, we’re looking to hold our own amongst the field of other competitors,” Jurgen Lunsmann said.

“The Targa Tour isn’t timed, so I won’t be racing per se, but putting on a spritely display to raise the profile of electric cars – after all, they’re coming in the not too distant future,” the 52-year-old said.

Quit Targa West main competition is divided into Competition and Challenge categories with classes for Modern and Classic cars in each. There’s also an award for the Quit Targa West Rookie (first timer). The Challenge category is for showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles. Vehicles manufactured earlier than 1985 are classed as Classic and the Modern class for vehicles manufacture from 1986 onwards.

Winner of last year’s Competition Classic category, Simon Gunson, is this year is driving a 1971 Ford Capri, the same car that came second in Targa West in 2015.

“We won Targa in another Ford Capri last year, but we’re hoping for this car to get a win this year. So I can even up my score with the wife,” Simon Gunson said.

Simon’s wife Sharon Gunson is also a rally driver, competing in the Challenge Modern category in a 2001 Mitsubishi Evo 7 with co-driver Helen Lunsmann. The pair makes up Targa West’s only all-female crew.

“Sharon has won her category three times and I’ve only won twice, so the stakes are high!” quipped Simon Gunson, who is about to compete in his ninth Targa West event.

Sharon Gunson’s co-driver Helen Lunsmann is the wife of Jurgen Lunsmann who’ll be driving the event’s only electric car.

Targa West gets underway tomorrow with the Ceremonial Start in the heart of the CBD from 11am to 1.30pm at Forrest Place, after which competitors will head to stages in Wanneroo and Malaga.

On Friday 11^th August, the rally action takes place in the Perth Hills before returning to the City of Perth where pride will be paramount as shiny cars including classics like the Mustang, Holden Torana, Porsche 911, Datsun 240z and Ford Escort line up alongside modern machines including Lotus Elise, Holden HSV, Mitsubishi Evo, Porsche 996 and Subaru WRX at the Northbridge Show and Shine on James Street from 6pm to 9pm.

The Malaga Stage on Sunday morning [13th August] will have added entertainment for motorsport fans – drift cars will put on a smoking showcase of sideways action in between runs of the rally cars.

Racing for the fastest time over 242 competitive kilometres, stages will be held at Barbagallo Raceway and in Malaga, Whiteman Park, Kalamunda and the infamous Zig Zag as well as the picturesque open country roads of Toodyay, Lower Chittering and Bullsbrook, before the grand finale City of Perth Super Stage held at Langley Park on Sunday from 12pm.

Spectating is free and all 34 stages feature a number of locations where the public can witness prime motorsport action.

For more information visit www.targawest.com.au and www.facebook.com/targawest.

Full details of spectator points can be found in the Spectator Guide – download it here.

Quit Targa West Highlights

Thursday, 10th August: 11am to 1.30pm - Ceremonial Start, Forrest Place, Perth CBD (Rally action can be seen in Wanneroo and Malaga between 2pm to 8pm)
Friday, 11th August: 6pm to 9pm – Northbridge Car Display, James St, Northbridge (Rally action can be seen in Whiteman Park & Kalamunda between 9am to 5pm)
Saturday, 12th August: 9am to 5pm - Rally action can be seen in Toodyay, Lower Chittering and Bullsbrook
Sunday, 13th August: 9am to 3:30pm – Shannons Classics in the Park, Langley Park (Rally action can be seen in Malaga and Langley between 9:00am to 3:00pm)

END

The Gemtek Automation electric car BMW i3 at Quit Targa West 2016

Quit Targa West 2016 winner Peter Major / Greg Flood. Photo: Barnsie

Opening Ceremony Forrest Place flag off. Photo: Targa West

Opening Ceremony Forrest Place. Photo: Dean Knowles

Langley Park. Photo: Gemma Lucas

Photo: Motorsport legend Jim Richards, a competitor in this year's Quit Targa West

Langley Park hosts motorsport action Sunday 13 August. Photo: Targa West

Opening Ceremony Forrest Place. Photo: Tim Allott

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Quit Targa West Day 4: Major holds off competition to claim back to back wins

15/08/2016, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 19013581

Quit Targa West Day 4: Major holds off competition to claim back to back wins

[Photo: Outright podium L - R, Matt Thompson, Will White, Peter Major, Greg Flood, Stewart Liddle, Michael Lloyd. Credit: Tim Allott]

Thousands of motorsport fans lined Riverside Drive to cheer on Quit Targa West competitors as they crossed the finish line on the final stage of the four day tarmac rally.

Competitors started their final day on Sunday by tackling the 9 kilometre Malaga Shamrock Stage three times, before moving into the city to complete the 2.2 kilometre Targa City Sprint Stage. The city stage began with a superkhana-style course that commanded precision driving, before testing the full extent of their power along the long straight of Riverside Drive.

There was back to back wins on the line for both Peter Major in Modern Competition category and Sharon Gunson in Modern Challenge category. There were also first time competitors who found themselves with the possibility of a podium place just within their grasp.

Modern Competition

[Photo: Peter Major and Greg Flood on a mission in Malaga to secure the podium. Credit: Travis Barnes]

No stranger to the Quit Targa West podium, last year’s champion Peter Major expertly drove his brand new Porsche 996 Turbo to claim his fourth win. He and co-driver Greg Flood completed the 242 competitive kilometres in 1 hour and 55 minutes.

“For a car that was built in seven weeks and then driven for the first time in an event untested, this is an amazing result,” said Major. “I can’t thank the guys at Racing Dynamics enough, they’ve put a lot of hours into it. Once we tune and tweak it a little bit, it’s going to be a weapon of a rally car.”

“I love this event. Any time you can do a rally in your home town is great – all your friends and family are able to come and support you, plus it is such a great setting here in the city to finish the event. We enjoy it, and we’ve got good backing here in Perth with Shamrock and Wheels World.”

Will White and Matt Thompson (Mitsubishi Evo 9) had Major and Flood in their sights, but the hope of any slip up from their competition didn’t eventuate and the 46 second gap couldn’t be closed.

“We had a go today,” said White. “Peter obviously knew we were going too, so he went quite hard as well. He did a great job of holding us off.

“We had a blast and it’s great to be here. We’ll try and have another go next year, you never know what can happen.”

White and Thompson were the new additions to this year’s podium with Stewart Liddle claiming back to back third place. Liddle and his new co-driver Michael Lloyd crossed the finish line in the Mitsubishi Evo 10 1 minute and 26 seconds behind the leaders.

There was a sigh of relief from John O’Dowd after he pulled the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggra safely into the service park for the last time.

“I can put my cheque book away now,” joked O’Dowd, who had the vehicle loaned to him by its Targa Tasmanian winning owners.

“The car was fantastic and it ran really well all weekend. It was just a matter of me getting used to it, I wish we had another three days now! If I receive an offer to do it again, I certainly would consider it.”

O’Dowd and co-driver Ben Searcy crossed the finish line in 15^th position. The car will be transported back across the Nullarbor early next week.

Classic Competition

[Photo: It all went right for Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti. Credit: Tim Allott]

Simon Gunson, Murray Armenti and their Ford Capri Perana stayed a formidable force for the entire event. The team finished with a time of 1:59.43, a result that saw Gunson take his second Quit Targa West win and share the podium with wife Sharon, who also won her category.

“We’ve made it – another one, the second one is even better than the first one,” said Gunson. “This is the first time Sharon and I have both been up on the podium together.

“We’ve had a few manageable issues with the car. Last time we finished first the car was just holding together at the end with battery and alternator issues, but this time it has been very good.

“The car is a bit tired and needs some loving, so we’ll give her a bit of a spruce up after season and we will be back.”

Consistent driving and a reliable car saw Mark Dobson and Nigel Jones in the Triumph TR7 sit in second place from the first Leg to the last. The team finished 2 minutes and 57 seconds behind Gunson and Armenti.

“We’re happy with second,” said Dobson. “We realised we couldn’t quite make Simon’s pace, but we did well and have achieved our fastest ever times. The car has performed faultlessly – only at one service did we put a little bit of oil in it and put on some new tyres.”

Simon Lingford and Avril Curtis rounded out the top three in their Datsun 240Z. The duo crossed the finish line with a 6 minute 28 second gap to the leaders.

Modern Challenge

[Photo: Modern Challenge Podium L-R George Watts, Kerry Watts, Sharon Gunson, Alexandra Wilde, Todd Zani, Jon Mortimer. Credit: Tim Allott]

Sharon Gunson and Alexandra Wilde did a fantastic job holding off the competition in the Modern Challenge category. Gunson and Wilde are a new pairing, with Gunson’s previous co-driver Helen Lunsmann co-driving for her husband Jurgen this year.

“The win feels fantastic,” said Gunson. “With a new co-driver and a car that was having a few issues at events prior to Targa, I came into the competition with a little bit of an uneasy feeling. We also didn’t get off to a great start on Thursday, but Alex picked it up fantastically and we improved with every stage.

“We’ll be back next year – we might as well make it a fourth time. Simon and I have been taking turns on the podium in previous years, but to both get on the podium this year – I think that’s a first for Targa to have a husband and wife podium in separate cars!”

After a fantastic third leg Todd Zani and Jon Mortimer in the HSV Clubsport R8 briefly had claimed second place off husband and wife team George and Kerry Watts. The Watts team gave the final stage their all, and their Mitsubishi Evo 10 which had a broken turbo seal held together for them. They finished the day in second with a 12 second gap to the leaders, leaving Zani and Mortimer having to settle for third with a 1 minute 43 second gap. “

“The improvement in ourselves and our driving is so much better this year, and it can only continue,” said Kerry.

“Last year we were over a minute behind and this year we are only 12 seconds, so we’re pretty happy with sub 20. Not bad for a husband and wife team with nobody else other than our neighbours here to support us – we’re pretty happy.”

“We took the competition up to them this time,” said George. “We probably had them looking over their shoulder even though it wasn’t reflected in the times until the dying minute here.

“We came second so we didn’t have to break the car,” joked George who said the previous day ‘that he was willing to drive the car to destruction’. “We’re stoked, and we’re going home with a car that will drive home.”

Challenge Classic

[Photo: Hard work pays off for Phil Peak and Sam Hackett. Credit: Tim Allott]

It was first time Quit Targa West entrant Phil Peak and co-driver Sam Hackett who claimed the win in the Classic Challenge category. Peak and Hackett finished the event in the BMW M3 with a very respectable 4 minute 23 second lead over last year’s category winner Paul Thompson and Vanessa Saunderson in the Porsche 911RS.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better result, we worked hard all weekend,” said Peak. “We went into Malaga this morning knowing that Jurgen would be really pushing us, so we just went out there and gave it everything we had.

“It feels fantastic to take the win, especially since we are a family and friends team - we haven’t got the money to put into the car, and we don’t have any spare parts so we try and prepare the car as much as possible beforehand.

“We’ve enjoyed the City of Perth stages, the carpark is a bit tricky but the crowds are here and that’s what it is all about – we’re enjoying giving the crowd some entertainment.”

Category favourites to win, Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann had an event plagued with car issues in their Ford Capri Perana which put the team out of contention. It was Bob Fisher and daughter Louise Paul who took third place in their Triumph TR4a.

Rookie Rallye

There were six Quit Targa West newcomers who entered the Rookie Rallye category this year. The category is a two day event within the main event for first time entrants. This year Keith Bromfield and Ian Bruce took out top honours in their Mercedes AMG GLA45.

“Phenomenal experience,” said Bromfield. “It’s the first time I have ever raced a car and to come out and win our class is ‘wow’ – not something we were expecting.

“A few Rookie mistakes were made along the road, but I guess that is why we’re rookies. It was an absolutely brilliant experience and I’m already planning to do it again.

“The car ran perfectly. These AMG’s are made for performance, the only problem was today we had no grip. I’ve shredded the tyres because I did not know about race tyres, so that will be one thing I’ll be changing for next year.

For a complete listing of results please see www.rallyresults.com.au/targawest/2016.

The 2016 Quit Targa West is proudly sponsored by Healthway and the Quit message.

[Credit: Tim Allott]

[Credit: Josh Cochrane]

[Credit: Tim Allott]

[Credit: Tim Allott]

[Credit: Travis Barnes]

[Credit: Travis Barnes]

Modern Competition

Car no	Driver / Co-Driver	Car	Time
58	Major / Flood	2004 Porsche 996 Turbo	1:55:08
34	White / Thompson	2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9	1:55:54
30	Liddle / Lloyd	2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10	1:56:34

Classic Competition

Car no	Driver / Co-Driver	Car	Time
16	Gunson / Armenti	1971 Ford Capri Perana	1:59:43
80	Dobson / Jones	1975 Triumph TR7 V8	2:02:40
78	Lingford / Curtis	1973 Datsun 240Z	2:06:11

Modern Challenge

Car no	Driver / Co-Driver	Car	Time
66c	Gunson / Wilde	2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7	2:13:19
10c	Watts / Watts	2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10	2:13:31
28c	Zani / Mortimer	2015 HSV GTS	2:15:02

Classic Challenge

Car no	Driver / Co-Driver	Car	Time
3c	Peak / Hackett	1988 BMW M3	2:19:43
1C	Thompson / Saunderson	1977 Porsche 911RS	2:24:06
14c	Fisher / Paul	1967 Triumph TR4a	2:32:30

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

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Quit Targa West Day 3: Drama filled day serves up highs and lows

14/08/2016, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 18997464

Quit Targa West Day 3: Drama filled day serves up highs and lows

[Photo: Peter Major and Greg Flood take the lead. Credit: Tim Allott]

It was a rollercoaster of a day for the Quit Targa West tarmac rally field, with the Toodyay and Chittering stages serving up plenty of highs and lows.

Day 3 of the event featured fourteen stages with a combined total of 118 kilometres, but after a serious incident where Car 54, a Mitsubishi Evo driven by Kerry Wade and Mike Kennedy, rolled early on in the Marysville stage the event was shortened.

Wade and Kennedy were transported to hospital immediately following the accident where they are currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Modern Competition

It helped to have grunt on today’s course, with many of the higher horsepower vehicles excelling on the Toodyay and Bullsbrook stages. It was exactly the type of environment that Peter Major’s Porsche 996 Turbo was built for, and he and co-driver Greg Flood finally took the lead off Dean Herridge and William Hayes (Subaru WRX STI). Major says the team are in a good position to take home back-to-back wins tomorrow.

“The car has been good,” said Major. “We’ve had a few minor issues such as the brakes getting too hot, but we’re just managing it. Considering we built the car in seven weeksand turned up to the rally with it untested, so far we’ve been pleased with its performance.”

“We’ve just got to stay on the road, and if we don’t have any mechanical issues we should be right to get another win. We will be a little conservative, and hopefully get to the finish line.”

Will White and Matt Thompson (Mitsubishi Evo 9) have worked their way up the leaderboard the past three days and now hold onto second place, 49 seconds behind Major and Flood. White says he’ll be pushing for the top podium spot.

“We have had a good day,” said White. “We like the stages and we just wanted to press on.”

“We had some mechanical difficulty on the first day of the event, which may have been down to driver induced psychosis. The rain brought on some nerves and jitters, so I banged on the car’s snow setting and just launched it - as a result tore three diff bolts out. But it was an easy fix because I brought with me every Evo part known to man! That was our bad luck over with, I hope.”

“We’re prepared to push tomorrow - I’ve got a brand new pair of tyres, and we’re putting some new brakes pads in now. We want to put the pressure on Pete a little bit in the hope he makes a mistake.

“The carpark in the city is quite tight, and the Evo will be the nimbler car out of the two - so we’re going to give it our all in the morning and see where we end up.”

It could be de ja vu on the podium if last year’s third place winner Stewart Liddle retains his current position tomorrow. The Mitsubishi Evo 10 driver and his co-driver Michael Lloyd sit 1 minute 16 behind the leaders.

The stars of Leg 2 were Peter Rullo and Jimmy Marquet, setting the fastest time in their Nissan R35 GTR Skyline on eight of the thirteen stages. It was a better day for the team, who experienced electrical issues on Day One which put them out of contention.

Classic Competition

[Photo: Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti have a great day behind the wheel. Credit: Tim Allott]

While 13 may be an unlucky number for some, it certainly wasn’t for Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti who set the fastest time on all 13 stages. The team extended their lead over Mark Dobson and Nigel Jones (Triumph TR7 V8) to 2 minutes 21 seconds.

“We’ve got a comfortable lead going into tomorrow and the plan is just to manage it,” said Gunson.

“Hopefully the car goes alright – as long as she doesn’t break down we’ll be good.

“Car went well today, but we’re starting to hear all the vibrations and noise. So here’s hoping that it all stays together for tomorrow!”

Graham Romyn and Neville Wilkinson had spent much of the event in third place, but that came to an end on today’s fifth stage when the team left the track and ended up in a ditch.

“We were going a bit too quick and one of the wheels locked up,” said Romyn. “At first I thought I could recover it but I couldn’t, and we ended up in a ditch.

“There’s a little bit of damage. We need to the fix the radiator, and hopefully once that’s done we can get it back on the road.

“This is the first crash I have had in 10 years of doing Targa.”

Romyn and Wilkinson were able to have the damage quickly repaired and re-joined the field later in the afternoon. The incident moved Simon Lingford and Avril Curtis (Datsun 240Z) up into third, 5 minutes 37 off the pace.

Modern Challenge

[Photo: Conservation is not a word in the Watts' dictionary. Credit: Tim and Travis Barnes]

The competitive spirit is alive and well in the Modern Challenge category, with husband and wife pair George and Kerry Watts saying they’ve changed their strategy to all or nothing.

“This is our second full Targa West and we’ve also competed in the Rookie category one year,” said Kerry. “We came in with the aim to improve on last year, which we’ve done. So we’ve achieved our objective and anything in addition to that is a bonus.”

“We’ve done a turbo seal and we are losing lots of oil - half a litre per service,” said George. “So as long as we can keep it in oil, we’ll be right. We’ll run it to destruction and go home with smiles on our faces. If we don’t go home with anything else – we can say we broke something!”

For the majority of the event it has been Watts in a Mitsubishi Evo 10 and the team of Sharon Gunson and Alexandra Wilde in a Mitsubishi Evo 7 consistently setting the top two times. However, on Leg 3 the Evo’s were no match for the horsepower of Todd Zani and Jon Mortimer’s Holden HSV.

Zani and Mortimer won seven of the day’s stages – a result that propelled them into second, 46 seconds behind Gunson and Wilde. Watts and Watts step down to third, with 1 minute 15 to catch the leaders.

Classic Challenge

[Photo: Despite losing some buffer yesterday Peak and Hackett are in a comfortable position. Credit: Tim Allott]

Phil Peak and Sam Hackett (BMW M3) are still holding off Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann (Ford Capri Perana). The Lunsmanns did manage to narrow the gap throughout the day from 2 minutes 13, to just 57 seconds. Peak says he is surprised at their position.

“We went into today with a little bit of a buffer, we expected Jurgen to come back because this car isn’t as well suited to these stages,” said Peak.

“The event is going better than we planned. Honestly, we just wanted to compete and finish it.

“The car is holding up well, this is the first service we’ve done. All we have to do now is give it a checkover - the service crew isn’t allowed to do anything, which is how it should be.

“Tomorrow I’ll be there to compete and have fun. We’ll be going out there with exactly the same strategy as what we’ve had the entire event - to put some good times down!

“Our car is suited to the city type stages like Malaga, so hopefully we can hold it together.”

Paul Thompson and Vanessa Saunderson occupy third in the Porsche 911 RS, 4 minutes 35 seconds behind Peak and Hackett.

Coming Up

Sunday is the final chance competitors have to secure a place on the 2016 Quit Targa West podium. In the morning, competitors return to Malaga to compete in three tight technical stages totalling just over 28 competitive kilometres, before they head to the Perth CBD to blast along Riverside Drive for the final three stages. The 2016 Quit Targa West winners will then take to the podium in Langley Park at 3.30pm.

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.

SUNDAY 13 August 2016 - Leg 2
8.45am to 11.15am        Special Stages in Malaga, always awesome action
9.30am to 12:30pm    Targa City Sprint - Exotic, Historic and Classic race car sprints.
9:30am to 3.30pm        Shannons Classics on the Park display at Langley Park
1.00pm to 3.30pm    Grand Finale City of Perth Super Special Stage on Riverside Drive & Governors Ave.
3.30pm to 4.00pm        Podium Finish under the Arch at Langley Park

High resolution photos are available.

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

READ MORE

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

13/08/2016, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 18986838

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

READ MORE

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

12/08/2016, Western Australia, Motorsport - Rally, Targa West, Article # 18972931

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

[Photo: Outright leaders Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes in the Subaru WRX STI. Credit: Tim Allott0

It was only four timed stages and just less than 20 competitive kilometres, but the first day of competition saw the Quit Targa West tarmac rally’s leaderboard undergo many changes as competitors tackled the two very different courses.

The 62 vehicles entered in this year’s event started the day at Forrest Place in the Perth CBD, where they gathered to form a colourful display for the lunchtime crowd to peruse, while they awaited the event to officially start. After The Right Honourable Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffadi opened the rally by giving her well wishes, competitors were waved off from the Ceremonial Start and headed to Barbagallo Raceway to launch into competition.

Modern Competition

The Wanneroo Special Stages featured plenty of variety from the fast flowing smooth circuit roads where the larger high performance vehicles could hit their stride, to the tight corners and hairpin in the pit area where the more nimble vehicles excelled.

From the first stage it was obvious Kerry Wade and Mike Kennedy meant business in their Mitsubishi Evo 8, winning both the Wanneroo Stages and putting a 14 second buffer between themselves and Peter Major and Greg Flood in the Porsche 996 Turbo.

The Malaga Night stages saw both the heavens open and Wade and Kennedy’s luck change, when the rear differential housing to their Mitsubishi broke. The pair rigged the broken part up enough to complete the day but it cost them in time.

Peter Rullo and Jimmy Marquet briefly took over the leadership until they experienced electrical problems in their Nissan R35 Skyline GTR which prevented them from starting the last stage of the night. The pair hope history isn’t repeating, with their event last year also marred by electrical issues.

By the end of the first day, it was Dean Herridge and Bill Hayes leading the field in their Subaru WRX STI. Herridge, who has been absent from tarmac rallying in recent years, said he wasn’t expecting to be at the top of the leaderboard.

“I haven’t competed in a Targa West since 2009, and the last tarmac rally I did was about four years ago so I am pleasantly surprised,” said Herridge. “I would have been happy to ease our way into the event so to speak.

“We managed to keep our nose relatively clean despite the combination of conditions, so we’re pleased.

“It was the luck of the draw with the weather. We had one run where we thought we were caught out a bit by the rain - but give and take, everyone was experiencing the same tough conditions. The standing water at night can make it hard to judge the corners.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that there is still lots of rallying to do and lots of different stages and rhythms to come. There’s still another three tough long days to go with lots of fast people who still haven’t come on yet.”

Herridge and Hayes finished the day five seconds ahead of Mike Conacher and Andrew Conacher in a Nissan R35 Skyline GTR. The Top 3 was rounded out by ex-Targa West champion Steve Jones and co-driver Toni Feaver who sit 14 seconds behind the outright leaders in their Subaru WRX STI RA.

[Photo: Classic Competition leaders Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti in the Ford Capri Perana. Credit:: Tim Allott]

Classic Competition

Last year’s Classic Competition runner-up Simon Gunson eased into the event this year, finishing seventh quickest on the first timed Wanneroo stage. But Gunson and co-driver Murray Armenti, quickly found their stride to win the next three stages, and finish the day with their Ford Capri Perana leading the classics.
“The conditions were changing at Barbagallo, some had dry runs and some had wetter runs – so it was up in the air a bit,” said Gunson. “Malaga everyone experienced similar conditions because it was wet for most people.

“The Malaga stage is great for the spectators. Our car is 46 years old, so the lights aren’t great on it, even after we’ve upgraded them we have trouble. So we just conserve ourselves in the night stages.

“The car is going well. No major issues, but it was also a short day. We enjoy the Kalamunda stages and do reasonably well there so we’re looking forward to it.”

Gunson is hoping both he and wife Sharon, who is competing in the Modern Challenge category, will both take home wins.

“I won one and then Sharon won last year, so we’re hoping that we both can get on the podium together this year.”

Mark Dobson and Nigel Jones were hot on Gunson and Armenti’s heels in the Triumph TR7 until the last stage of the day, where the leaders were able to widen the gap to 15 seconds Graham Romyn and Neville Wilkinson claim third place in their Holden Torana A9X, with a 34 second gap to the leaders.

Challenge Category

[Photo: Modern Challenge leaders Sharon Gunson and Alexandra Wilde in the Mitsubishi Evo 7. Credit: Travis Barnes]

History is repeating in the Modern Challenge category, with the battle of the Mitsubishi Evos’ of last year’s winner Sharon Gunson and second-placed George and Kerry Watts carrying on into 2016. Gunson and her navigator Alexandra Wilde lead by 13 seconds. Andy Van Kann and Madelin Kirkhouse sit in third place 37 seconds behind in the only front-wheel drive of the category, a Honda Civic Type-R.

There were plenty of leadership changes in the Classic Challenge between the team of Phil Peak and Sam Hackett in the BMW M3, and husband and wife duo Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann in the Ford Capri Perana. Despite the Lunsmanns posting the category’s quickest times around the Wanneroo stages, Peak and Hackett’s excellent performance in the wet saw them finish with a respectable 24 second lead. Paul Thompson and Vanessa Saunderson hold third place in the Porsche 911RS.

Today the 2016 Quit Targa West competitors head to Whiteman Park for the Go Gear Stages before facing some of the Perth Hill’s iconic roads such as the Zig Zag Scenic Drive and Mundaring Weir Road.

The centre of Kalamunda will turn into a motoring festival, with Haynes Street becoming a service park between the Hills stages. Joining the competition cars on display from 11am will be a variety of Vintage Cars alongside modern day exotics including Lamborghini, Ferrari and AMG's as Kalamunda embrace Quit Targa West. In the afternoon, competitors return to Whiteman Park for two stages.

After the day’s stages are finished, competitors will be in Northbridge for the Northbridge Show ‘n’ Shine vehicle display along James and Lake Streets. Here, the public can see the colourful array of rally vehicles up close from 6pm to 9pm.

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 206 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.

[Photo: 3rd place outright Steve Jones and Toni Feaver in the Subaru WRX STI RA. Credit: Travis Barnes]

[Photo: Peter Major and Greg Flood tackle the Malaga night stages. Credit: Travis Barnes]

[Photo: Mark Dobson and Nigel Jones are hot on the heels of Gunson and Armenti Credit: Travis Barnes]

[Photo: Current leader of the Classic Challenge Phil Peak and Sam Hackett in their BMW M3 Credit: Tim Allott]

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

READ MORE

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Targa West (Motorsport - Rally)

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Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

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Classic Ford versus Holden battle on Day 3 of Quit Targa West

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Twists, turns and battles on Day 2 of Quit Targa West

Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

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Quit Targa West Day 4: Major holds off competition to claim back to back wins

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Quit Targa West Day 3: Drama filled day serves up highs and lows

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

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

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

Related Leagues

Quick Sports

Regional Sports News

Targa West (Motorsport - Rally)

Latest News & Results

Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

Targa West announce Healthway sponsorship to continue until 2019

Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

Two hat tricks, Major finishes on top and Holden wins classic battle

Classic Ford versus Holden battle on Day 3 of Quit Targa West

Classic Ford versus Holden battle on Day 3 of Quit Targa West

Twists, turns and battles on Day 2 of Quit Targa West

Twists, turns and battles on Day 2 of Quit Targa West

Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

Electrifying Quit Targa West starts tomorrow

Quit Targa West Day 4: Major holds off competition to claim back to back wins

Quit Targa West Day 4: Major holds off competition to claim back to back wins

Quit Targa West Day 3: Drama filled day serves up highs and lows

Quit Targa West Day 3: Drama filled day serves up highs and lows

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

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

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

First day of Quit Targa West tarmac rally provides plenty of action at the top of the leaderboard

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