Drivers in Targa Wrest Point’s Modern competition drive the fastest cars in the field, and while they’re all good friends out of the car, no quarter will be asked for, or given, during two days of fierce tarmac rallying competition across 14 stages and 208 competitive kilometres.
Reigning Targa Tasmania champion Jason White will start as the outright favourite in the event, but rivals from Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria will be determined that the home state hero doesn’t have it all his own way.
White’s Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera is well suited to the roads to the south west of Hobart, where the event is based, but so is the similar car of South Australian Kevin Weeks.
Weeks is also Lamborghini mounted, and fresh from his victory in November’s Targa High Country, and as the leader in the Australian Targa Championship, he’ll fancy his chances, as will fellow South Australian Steve Glenney in the factory Mazda RX8 MPS.
Glenney’s rear-wheel drive Mazda will revel in the Targa Wrest Point stages, particularly if the weather stays dry, while the wily veteran, Jim Richards (Victoria), can never be discounted in his Porsche 911.
Queenslander Tony Quinn is certain to be at the pointy end of the field in his Nissan GT-R, and as a former Targa Tasmania winner, the pedigree of the VIP Petfoods owner cannot be underestimated.
Western Australia’s best hope of victory will come from former Subaru factory rally team driver Dean Herridge in his WRX STI, while Victorian Matt Close is getting faster with every event in his Audi TT RS.
Inaugural Targa Wrest Point winner, Greg Garwood, is another of Tasmania’s big chances, and will be hoping to repeat his 2009 result in his Porsche.
Only seconds are expected to separate the leading drivers in the Modern competition after the two days of competition.
The third running of Targa Wrest Point will be held on January 29 and 30.
Organised by Octagon, Targa Wrest Point is round two of the three round Australian Targa Championship that also includes Targa Tasmania, and Targa High Country in Victoria.
For further information on Targa Wrest Point, go to www.targawrestpoint.com.auÂ
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