Ninty-nine (99) crews will contest the event, which is celebrating its fifth birthday this year and has now firmly entrenched itself as one of the highlights on the national tarmac rally calendar.
“We are delighted to have such a huge field join us to celebrate our fifth anniversary,†QUIT Targa West Event Director Bob Schrader said.
“The record number of crews when coupled with several fantastic improvements to the rally stages is already a strong indication that 2009 is going to be our best year yet.â€
Local favourites Steve Jones and Ruari Soutar-Dawson (Nissan GTR 35) head a stellar field in the Modern Competition class and are aiming to top the time sheets again to take out their second QUIT Targa West title.
“Targa West is best described in one word…Awesome!†Steve Jones said after his win last year.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to race against the best in the business run by some of the best officials and rally organisers in Australia.â€
The duo will face tough competition from Targa Tasmania winners Tony Quinn and Naomi Tillett (Nissan GTR 35), former World Rally Championship driver Alister McRae and his co-driver Bill Hayes (Mitsubishi Evo X RS), and the Asia Pacific Rally Championship pairing of Dean Herridge and Chris Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti).
Former Modern Competition challengers, Kevin Weeks and Rebecca Crunkhorn (Porsche 911 RSR) will be leading the charge in the Classic (pre-1982) Competition alongside husband and wife team David and Vicki Moir (Datson 240Z) who are being tipped as the dark horse of the category.
Mark Conacher will be adding an international flavour to the event by pairing with his Texas-based brother Andrew, to contest the Modern Challenge in a Nissan GTR. Past winners Rob Darrington and David Abetz will be competing in a new car (Audi S4) and will also be ones to watch in the category.
Rohan Green and Andrew Cutten (Porsche 911) are early favourites to take out the Classic Challenge but will be tested by Martin and Sharon Eyer (Triumph TR8) who are looking to improve on third place last year.
QUIT Targa West 2009 will once again offer spectators a visual feast across action packed stages and colourful displays throughout the Kalamunda, Chittering and Toodyay shires.
The event will get underway at 3:00pm Thursday 20 August with the Searle Race Equipment Prologue at the Perth Motorplex in Kwinana when all entrants compete to determine the start order for Friday.
The prologue will provide an excellent opportunity for spectators to meet the crews and get up close to the fantastic variety of cars on display.
The Official Start will be held in Perth’s Forrest Place and Murray Street Mall from 7:30am on Friday 21 August again offering a great chance to see the entire field, take pictures and enjoy the live atmosphere which will include the 96fm Breakfast Crew broadcasting live.
At 9:00am the first car will be flagged away by the City of Perth Lord Mayor and head to the RAC Driving Centre for the first Special Stage of Leg 1. Highlights of the day will include the renowned Zig Zag Special Stage as well as the newly extended Kalamunda Special Stage on Mundaring Weir Road.
The Friday night ‘Show-n-Shine’ will be held on James and Lake streets in Northbridge giving fans the chance to see the cars and talk to the drivers after the completion of the first full day of action.
The fast, flowing and popular stages of the Chittering and Toodyay regions are the base for Saturday’s (Leg 2) and Sunday’s (Leg 3) stages.
Special stages run around the houses in Muchea, along Western Range, Bindoon and the two long and fast stages through Toodyay are a highlight for competing crews and spectators alike with plenty of places to see the cars in full competition mode.
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