Targa Tasmania gets underway
Mixed start to Mazda's three-pronged Tassie attackAn electric problem on Mazda's new RX-8 SP put a dampener on an otherwise promising opening day for the company's assault on the Targa Tasmania tarmac rally. Mazda has entered the Australian-developed RX-8 SP alongside a pair of Mazda3 MPS entries for its 2009 campaign.
Action for the five day event began yesterday with the 5km Prologue around George Town. The Prologue is a warm-up for today's 325km loop around the roads north of Launceston on the north coast of the Apple Isle. That distance includes nine timed stages covering 71km.
Rising local rally star Brendan Reeves impressed in his MPS by claiming the second fastest time in the Prologue -- less than two seconds behind the Showroom class pacesetter, Rod Salmon. The two-wheel drive Mazda3 proved it will be a threat to Salmon's all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X with Reeves' teammate Rick Bates claiming the third quickest time.
"It was great to finally get our Targa Tasmania campaign underway," Reeves says. "The car felt fantastic today and our strategy for the rest of the event is to get to the end of each day and finish at the top of the Showroom leader board."
But the efforts of Reeves and Bates were tempered by a problem for the RX-8 SP driven by defending Modern class winner Steve Glenney. Developed by Mazda Motorsport manager Allan Horsley and his Sydney-based team, the RX-8 SP lost turbo boost only moments into the stage, costing Glenney precious time.
"The Mazda RX-8 SP felt fantastic before we lost boost," says Glenney.
"Of course it's a little disappointing that the car wasn't running at full capacity, but the development of this car was always going to be a steep learning curve."
The team was able to repair the fault overnight and Glenney is still well in contention to defend his Targa title.
Eight-time Targa winner Jim Richards won the Prologue Modern class to take an early lead in his Porsche 911 GT2. He was followed by fellow Porsche driver Matt Close with Tasmanian Jason White third fastest in his Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.
Mazda has created a dedicated Targa Tasmania website that will allow fans to track the team's progress through each day. Visit more here.
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