SunCoast Classic gears up

All the portents are good for the Aeromil Pacific SunCoast Classic, the first tarmac rally to be run in Queensland.

Toowoomba-based driver Ray Vandersee will be bringing along his rapid-fire Skelta G-Force sports car. The Skelta is powered by a 2.0-litre Honda engine from the S2000 and has competed in a number of tarmac rallies around the country.

Last year, Vandersee (pictured with co-driver Jahmeil Taylor) posted a record time for road-registered vehicles at a Noosa hill climb event, completing the 1.5km course at Tewantin in 59.88secs.

Short of reliability issues or human error, the Skelta will be the car to beat in this event.

Father and son, Tony and Klark Quinn (also pictured), will be out to stay ahead of each other, following dad Tony's top five placing in the Targa Tasmania. Klark, who also competed in the event, wasn't so lucky and will be looking for payback in Queensland.

Both will be sponsored by Tony's company, Team VIP Petfoods, but Tony will be driving a Porsche Turbo and Klark will be in a Mitsubishi EVO VIII.

"The EVO is the best rally car next to the Porsche and the car I have run in my previous two rally ventures at 2003's Targa Tasmania and last year’s Mt Buller Sprint, so I am happy to run it this week" said Klark.

They are among almost 25 per cent of the rally contingent who also took part in Targa Tasmania this year, so the SunCoast Classic will boast a lot of experienced crews right from the word go.

To be held over July 5-8, the rally has secured sponsorship from brewery Coopers and Geelong vigneron Scotchmans Hill. Cheers!

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