Mazda Motorsport boss Allan Horsley has yet again upped the ante, announcing that the team will run both RX-8 SPs, as well as the Mazda3 MPS at round 3 of the championship.
“Targa Tasmania is probably the most prestigious marathon rally in the world and we want to give ourselves every opportunity to take home the Silverware” said Horsley.
Highly experienced Tassie champions, Jamie and Simon Vandenberg have been recruited to pilot the second RX-8 SP in a two-pronged attack against the competition.
Both Jamie and Simon are familiar with the testing nature of Targa Tasmania, having competed in the gruelling event in their home state on three occasions.
Simon Vandenberg is no stranger to the Mazda team, having stepped in as co-driver to Brendan Reeves in the Mazda3 MPS at Targa Wrest Point, where the pair delivered a convincing Showroom Class win.
Targa Tasmania 2011 will be the first time Jamie Vandenberg has driven for the Mazda Motorsport team and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m really excited to have scored the opportunity to drive for the Mazda factory team. I’m looking forward to a great event and I’m hoping to deliver some top results for Mazda” said Jamie.
Steve Glenney will be looking to go one better in his RX-8 SP than the second place behind Jason White in his Lamborghini Gallardo achieved at Targa Wrest Point.
Glenney has been inching closer to the number one prize with each rally event and will be eyeing a position on top of the podium at the big one in April.
Both RX-8 SPs will undergo a complete test program and some final electronic tuning in the lead up to the event to ensure they are in prime condition when they hit the start line.
Off the back of the World Rally Championship in Portugal on March 24, Brendan Reeves will once again team up with Rhianon Smyth and attempt to add another Showroom victory to the long list of results for the Mazda3 MPS.
The 20th anniversary running of Targa Tasmania starts on Tuesday, April 5.
After a 5.1 kilometre prologue stage around the streets of George Town to decide the event running order, competitors tackle 38 Targa stages over five days, ending at Wrest Point on April 10.
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