CAMS Australia Targa Championship Classic GT points leader Michael Bray hopes to extend his winning run in his class at the inaugural Targa Great Barrier Reef.
Bray and co-driver Daniel Bray have guided their 1975 V8-powered Holden Torana to victory in their class at the last four Targa events, including the signature Targa Tasmania in April.
The crew is acutely aware that the Cairns-based event, that will see 18 stages around the Atherton Tableland, is loaded with unique challenges and difficult twisting ascending and descending runs.
“We haven’t had chance to go up to Cairns yet so we will try and find some time to go up and have a bit of a look at the stages beforehand,” Michael Bray said.
“It’s going to be a hell of a challenge. Some of those stages are very tight and it’s going to be hot so we will have to think about the tyre situation.”
“We’ve won our last four events so we are on a bit of a roll.”
At Targa Tasmania the Brays were locked in a tense battle with the 240Z of Jon and Gina Siddins before the Datsun crashed out of the event after launching a blistering charge.
“At one stage in Tassie after Siddons crashed, we changed our strategy to play it safe,” Bray recounted.
“We were driving about 75 percent but that actually didn’t work because the car needs to be driven to its potential.
“So we reverted back to driving 100 percent and didn’t have any problems.”
However, Bray remains guarded about pushing too far in Cairns at a new event which will have fresh geographical as well as temperature challenges.
“There is no advantage in taking too much of a risk because we have a pretty good lead in the points in our class.”
Targa Great Barrier Reef will start from the Cairns Reef Hotel Casino on August 31 before the field makes its way to the first of 18 stages at Green Hill.
Locals will also be able to get up close to the cars at Targafest, to be held on The Esplanade in Cairns on Saturday September 1 from 4pm to 9pm.
SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO READ THE FULL STORY
RallySport Magazine Subscription
Select Subscription Level
Select Subscription Length
Recurring Subscription Cost
A subscription to RallySport Magazine give you access to all our rally
content from Australia, New Zealand and around the world – with news,
features and experiences nobody can match.
Our team are dedicated to providing an unrivalled experience which
shares, supports and promotes the sport of rallying.
By clicking "Subscribe Now" you agree to receive news, offers and updates on RallySport Magazine.
If you do not wish to receive marketing communications, you can update your preferences in My Account.
We will commence charging your payment method after the 7 day free trial expires.
If you cancel after expiry of your trial, cancellation will take effect from the end of your current monthly subscription period.
You will not be refunded any fees paid to RallySport Magazine unless otherwise set out in the terms and conditions.
Account Created!
Welcome to RallySport Magazine VIP Membership.
Get ready for your rally news experience to completely transform.
Start browsing news, exclusive VIP content or check out your account.
