Driving the Home Loan Centre Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX that he drove to victory in the recent Rally Tasmania, Glenney will start as one of the outright favourites in the Modern category, when Targa starts in Launceston on April 15.
Acknowledged as one of Australia’s best rally drivers, both on tarmac and on gravel, Glenney last competed in Targa Tasmania in 2006, in a Subaru Impreza WRX. After leading the event after the first day, excessive tyre wear saw him drop to second place, before he eventually retired from the rally on the final day.
This year, however, he has set himself to win the event, but admits that deciding on a plan of attack is not going to be easy.
“The Tasmanian weather is the main indicator on how you plan your strategy,” he says. “Obviously to win you need to start fast, but there are a number of factors that need to be considered this year.
“For a start, the course is different, and you need to pay close attention to the weather, how your tyres are wearing, and, of course, how fast your main rivals are going.”
Glenney names Jim Richards, Tony Longhurst and Jason White as his biggest threats.
“Jim (Richards) is driving the heavier Porsche GT2 this year, and while it has more power and is very fast in the dry, it is not as quick in the wet, so hopefully it will rain and give our Lancer Evo IX the advantage.”
The unpredictable weather makes tyre choice vital too.
“If the forecast is for a wet week then you just select a softer compound tyre, but if it’s predicted as being dry, or a bit of both, then you need to choose a harder tyre that will last the distance.”
After his recent success in the Evo IX, Glenney says that the Mitsubishi seems to be faster than the Subaru he drove in Targa in 2006.
“The Lancer seems to have a bit more torque and a bit more punch than the Subaru, but we have some fine tuning to do before we get to the event.
“I’m not totally happy with the handling, which is a bit stiff and harsh, so hopefully we can make the car a little nicer to drive at a pre-event test session leading up to the rally.”
That test will most likely take place at Baskerville Raceway, and by then Glenney and co-driver, Bernie Webb, should have more of an indication as to what the weather will be like, and how to set up the Lancer for its toughest challenge yet.
“I think we have the car to do the job,” Glenney added. “Targa Tasmania is a prestigious event, and I’d love to be able to add my name to the winners’ trophy.”
Targa Tasmania has gained an international reputation since its first running in 1992 and continues to attract competitors from around Australia, the USA, UK, UAE, Japan and Hong Kong.
The event kicks off from Launceston on April 15 and will take competitors along some of the best roads in the world as they make their way to the Hobart finish line on April 20.
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