Star support for Team Skoda at Symmons

Team Skoda carsales Octavia RS managed some extra shakedown kays at Symmons Plains Raceway, during the traditional media and sponsor ride day early this week.

Greater Western Sydney Giants coach, Kevin Sheedy was there to wish the team luck and find out just how quick the Octavia RS is.

After a couple of rapid laps with team driver, carsales editor-in-chief, Mike Sinclair, a slightly pale Sheedy said: "I didn't think a Skoda could go so fast!"

Sheedy was also unaware that 'Sinkers' is not a professional racing driver but a very experienced motoring journalist and blanched when he found out post-laps…

Sinclair was very happy with the car and reported no problems with the Octavia.

"The changes we made to the car for this year's Targa seem to be on target," he smiled.

"At Symmons, the car felt like it had better handling and better traction out of the slower corners."

And what about his famous passenger?

"Kevin knows all there is to know about football but he's a motorsport rookie -- I think he had fun. He's known for his inspirational addresses to teams and he gave us a lot of encouragement and really revved us up for the week ahead."

Co-driver, Bill Hayes, flew in directly from a rally in Malaysia just in time to strap Sheedy into the car and said he was looking forward to calling the pace notes for Sinclair again. The pair last did Targa together in 2007.

"Mike and I gelled well the last time we did Targa so I reckon our communication will be even better this year," Hayes said.

"Today was the first time I saw the Octavia and it looked really great on the track... I think it's going to surprise a few people."

Later, at Targa's Launceston HQ, The Silverdome, the crew from Performance Parts & Engineering, which prepared the car for Targa, gave the Octavia a thorough spanner check, fitted new tyres (only six are permitted for the rally), and bled the brakes. That's all it needed.

Today, Targa Tasmania begins in earnest with the Prologue to set the rally starting order, which is run through the streets of George Town.

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