QUIT Targa West will get under way with a prologue from 3pm on Thursday afternoon at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana, which will see the drivers competing to set the fastest times in order to determine the rally start order.
In its third year, QUIT Targa West has already secured itself a spot as one of the major tarmac rallies in Australia. Each year the competition grows attracting some of the biggest names in tarmac rallying and boasts a field of some of the best cars in the country.
Richards, who has taken the honours in Targa Tasmania eight times and the Bathurst 1000 seven times, is competing in QUIT Targa West for the first time in 2007 and will be joined by some of the big names from the world of Australian motor sport, such as Tony Longhurst – also a multiple Bathurst winner, Ross Dunkerton, Tony Quinn and Darren Windus.
QUIT Targa West Clerk of Course Ross Tapper is encouraging locals to come out in force to support the drivers and their teams across the weekend.
“We are encouraging everyone to head out to one of the many designated spectator points on route, where they will be in pole position for some of the most exciting motor sport action in WA this year,” said Tapper.
“Best of all, spectator viewing across the entire weekend is free!”
Friday’s rallying will take place through the Perth hills in the Shires of Kalamunda and Mundaring, while Saturday and Sunday will return again to the Chittering and Toodyay Shires.
On top of the great action out on the roads the service parks based in Kalamunda (Friday), Bindoon and Toodyay (Saturday/Sunday) will give spectators the chance to see the teams working on the cars as they come back into service.
On Friday night fans will have the opportunity to see the cars up close, and meet the drivers at the Show and Shine being held in James Street Northbridge, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.
The opening day of competition will be run in memory of the great Australian motor racing legend Peter Brock, who passed away in a tragic accident on the first day of the 2006 event.
QUIT Targa West Director Bob Schrader said organisers are keen to ensure that his memory lives on through the sport he loved.
“While the day will be one of high emotion for the whole motor sport community, we are keen to ensure it is run as a celebration of Brock’s life and memory as opposed to a ‘memorial’ event,” said Schrader.