Unfavourable weather conditions in the South West last weekend may have put the brakes on Quit Targa South West entrant’s competitive spirit, but not the enjoyment of tarmac rallying on some of Pemberton and Manjimup’s most picturesque roads.
Going into the event, Will White was leading the points table for the WA Targa Cup and was looking to further extend his lead. However, the weather conditions quickly shifted his and other competitors focus towards preservation mode, not wanting to risk any damage before the Quit Targa West event in August.
It was a smart strategy as the slippery road conditions quickly took their toll on several teams - none in more spectacular style than Car 43 the R33 Nissan Skyline of Denver Parker and Lachlan Beresford who found themselves upside down in a creek bed.
“It was just a slippery road. We came into a corner and just pinched the front brakes, from there we found ourselves very quickly skating across the road. Denver tried to grab the handbrake and turn it in but the car wouldn’t cooperate. We caught the edge of the bridge, cleared the creek and it then rolled onto its lid,” said Mr Beresford.
“We’re thankful that the safety gear did exactly what it was meant too, and we’re hoping to rebuild the car in time for the Quit Targa West in August,” added Mr Parker.
In what seemed like a theme ‘Skylines on their lids’, Bruce Hawley and Mark McEwen’s event was going smoothly until their R34 Skyline GTR left the road on SS7 and rolled.
“The fact we were able to hop out of the car completely fine is a true testament to the amazing safety gear we use,” said Mr McEwen. “If you are ever thinking about racing in a car without a roll cage, my advice is don’t”.
The end of first day saw Mark Greenham and Mandy Lister leading the Competition Modern category in the Mitsubishi Evo 7, almost two minutes in front of the Mitsubishi Evo 9 driven by Will White and Matthew Thompson.
The full report from Targa South West will be available in the next digital issue of RallySport Magazine, available on May 9
Final results
Competition Modern
Greenham and Lister (Mitsubishi Evo 7) 46:57 mins
Templemann and Howlett (Mitsubishi Evo 8) 51:50 mins
Wolfe and Harbron (Porsche GT3) 52:44 mins
Competition Classic
Gunson and Armenti (Ford Capri Perana) 51:24 mins
Major and Screigh (Porsche 911RS) 51:27mins
Romyn and Wilkinson (Holden Torana A9X) 55:35 mins
Challenge Modern
Stiles and Ridgway (Nissan Skyline GTR) 57:42 mins
Van Kann and Kirkhouse (Honda Civic Type R) 59:31 mins
Gilbert and Allen (Holden HSV R8) 1:00.06 mins
Challenge Classic
Peak and Hackett (BMW M3) 59:42 mins
Gan and Levene (Porsche 911SC) 1:04:38 mins
Blakers and Pratt (Holden Torana A9X) 1:04:42 mins