TARGA: motoring's Megane hits Tasmania's North East

There was a threat of rain on the eastern horizon as the motoring.com.au Renault Sport team left their Launceston base…to tackle the North East Loop for Leg Two of Targa Tasmania action.

Covering eight stages with a lunch-time stop at the stunning coastal town of St Helens, 2013 saw the loop run in reverse direction to tradition, with the team tackling Rossarden first and The Sideling late in the day, before the traditional Longford non-competitive town stage.

By the end of the day, the motoring.com.au Megane, driven by Mike Sinclair with Bill Hayes in the navigator’s chair, consolidated their third position in Showroom class and are feeling more and more confident as the rally continues.

“The Sideling is one of my personal favourites. Never having done it in reverse direction before was a challenge, but we had a good run through,” said Sinclair.

“Early on in the day things were slippery and there were patches of moisture, but as time went on the roads dried out and we felt the stages coming to us,” he continued.

Hayes added: “Thanks to the Walkinshaw Performance crew, the car’s performance is improving each day. Mike and I are also learning about what we can do from within the cockpit to improve our times.

“It was good to have ‘The Sideling’ stage late in the day. It’s very technical, and Friday’s drive west to Strahan will offer a similar test.”

The duo’s Renault Sport Megane RS 265 will continue to chase the leading Megane of Adam Spence and Erin Kelly, along with Renault Sport Australia teammates of Grant Denyer and Dale Moscatt, currently in second.

Friday’s Leg Three adds a further eight stages to the Targa total, including the legendary stages of Cethana and Hellyer Gorge, with the daunting 33km of Rinnadeena completing the day.

Latest rally news from Targa Tasmania 2013 at motoring.com.au

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