Targa Tasmania: Day Zero
Results are in for the Targa Tasmania PrologueCompetitors set off on the Targa Tasmania Prologue yesterday. The non-competitive route took the entrants through George Town, on the eastern bank of the Tamar River.
A Porsche 911 Turbo, driven by Matt and Casey Close, was the fastest car to complete the course, with a time of 3.12.72. That time also handed them the top spot in the Modern Category, followed by Kevin Weeks and Rebecca Crunkhorn in the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. Third place in the category went to Jim Richards and Barry Oliver in their Porsche 911 GT2.
In other categories, Bill Pye and Grant Geelan in a Porsche 911 RS led the Classic Category with a time of 3.22.12. They were followed home by the Rex Broadbent/John Lillyman team, also in a 911 RS, and Gavin James and Neil McLeod in a 944 S2.
Rick Bates and Rhianon Smyth, driving their Mazda3 MPS, topped the Showroom 2WD category with a time of 3.32.58. The crew's sister car, driven by Alister McRae and Iain Stewart (pictured) placed second with 3.37.05. In third place, the Simon and Sue Evans car was the first TRD Aurion home.
Mitsubishi's Lancer Evo 9 has secured all three top placings in the Showroom 4WD category. Greg and Rhonda Burrowes set a time of 3.37.60 in their Evo 9 to take out the win in the category. Very close behind, with a time of 3.37.83, came the Evo 9 crewed by Scott Millar and Christopher Dean. Also very close, in third place, was the team of Malcolm Klopp and Damien Pearce (3.38.84).
"Today's Prologue was a good opportunity for us to reacquaint with the Mazda3 MPS and get back into the groove," commented Mazda driver Rick Bates.
"Everything went perfect today, and we are exactly where we want to be. That said, I told the guys to take it easy in order to preserve their cars and tyres. After all, the real competition starts tomorrow," said Mazda Motorsport Team Manager, Allan Horsley.
The competition proper begins today, with nine competitive stages totalling 61km. Crews depart from Launceston in Tasmania's north-west and the route ends back at the start.
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