After its giant-killing performance last year, the Team Škoda carsales.com.au Octavia RS wagon is back for another high-speed tilt at Targa, driven by carsales.com.au editor-in-chief, Mike Sinclair, this year with experienced navigator Bill Hayes alongside. And you won't be able to miss the newly repainted Octavia as it sports the bright orange livery of new AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants -- new sponsors of the team.
In 2010, the unlikely looking front-wheel drive Octavia wagon humbled some very big automotive names and was the first FWD car home in its class, finishing an outstanding 21st in the Modern Class. In the two-wheel drive production category it was only beaten by two Porsche 911 GT3s and a Chevrolet Corvette, two acknowledged supercars.
"To finish as fastest front-wheel-drive car in the 2010 Pure Tasmania Modern category demonstrated the potential of the RS against exotic machinery," said Matthew Wiesner, Head of Škoda Australia.
"This year we're pleased to be able to compete in the new two-wheel-drive Showroom class. We'll still be up against hardcore performance cars but we're hoping to be able to reinforce the unique package the Octavia RS offers -- hot hatch performance in an automatic family-sized wagon"
With its wide power band, maximum torque available from 1800 to 6000rpm and a nimble chassis, the Octavia proved to be a rapid point-to-point weapon in last year's event. This year there have been a host of changes to comply with the new Showroom category, but the basic building blocks remain -- solid turbo performance and a well balanced chassis.
The all-important Showroom category is a priority for Targa as it directly pits real road cars against each other. The cars are virtually standard save for safety features like a rollcage; tweaked suspension and brakes; and semi-race tyres.
Again, the Team Skoda carsales RS will have some formidable opposition for the overall class win with 4WD Showroom category entries like Mitsubishi Lancer Evos turning out in force. Direct class competition comes from nimble Mazda MX-5s, a BMW 130i and Mazda3 MPS, driven by young rally ace, Brendan Reeves.
But with one Targa now under its wheels and Sinclair entering his fourth, hopes are high for another headline performance from the Octavia RS.
Changes made to the car should improve its potential stage times and at its final shakedown before the rally, thing went smoothly, Sinclair said.
"Short of closing off a mountain road, testing options are limited with Targa cars, but we're happy with the way the changes we've made to the car have bedded in," Sinclair said on the eve of the team's departure.
"Skoda has given us the scope to make some changes to the car so it's better matched to the level of preparation of the fastest cars in the class, so we're confident that it will have the pace to surprise a few people."
For more on Team Skoda carsales at Targa visit www.carsales.com.au/targa
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