Queenslander Tony Quinn has taken his Nissan GT-R to outright modern honours at Targa High Country after a day that took a big toll on the 165-car field.
The win is his first in the Targa series since Targa Tasmania in 2010, and is one better than his second placing here at Mt Buller in 2011.
Overnight leader, Jason White, had mechanical issues with his Lamborghini early on day two, which left him stranded on the side of the road on the day’s second stage.
Quinn took the lead and never looked back, stretching his buffer over Victorian Matt Close in an Audi TT RS on every stage, to cross the line at Mt Buller with a 56 second winning margin.
Motorsport veteran, seven-time Bathurst winner, Jim Richards, finished in third place in his Porsche 911 GT2 RS 63 seconds further back.
Classic honours went to Queenslander Donn Todd, driving a 1971 Ford Capri Perana. The V8 had too much power for the Datsun 240Z of Jon Siddins, who had to settle for second 43 seconds in arrears, but scored Early Classic handicap honours.
Adam Spence easily won the Showroom class in his new Renault Megane RS 250, while Dean Evans had a runaway win in Showroom 4WD in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
The eight classes across 130 competitive kilometres saw many cars succumb to mechanical issues or driver error. White was the biggest loser of the day, ending his winning streak, which now ends at five.
Quinn was delighted to be back on top of the Targa podium, with long-time co-driver Naomi Tillett.
“It was easy,” Quinn joked at the finish. “It’s the same as every other day – you go as hard and as fast for as long as you can, and that’s all we did.
“The car was good and we’ve had a great weekend. The car was brand new last year and we had a lot of trouble with it, but this year’s it’s been very reliable.
“It would have been better if Jason (White) had stayed in the event, so we kind of coasted home over the afternoon stages and it’s great to win here for the first time.”
Todd was delighted to make it back-to-back wins at Mt Buller.
“It’s been a really good day with close competition, which is one of the enjoyable parts of rallying,” Todd said.
“The car has been faultless all day, but those guys (Siddins) in the Datsun, gee they’re quick!”
Michael Pritchard won Early Modern in his 2003 Porsche 911 GT3, Craig Dean was always well in control in Showroom Sports in his 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Robert Gambino was the Late Classic handicap winner in his 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB, and Ed Kreamer, driving an Mitsubishi Evo 7, easily won Regularity.
The next round of the CAMS Australian Targa Championship, the third in the series, is Targa Wrest Point in Hobart in February.
FINAL RESULTS TARGA HIGH COUTRY (Provisional)
RDA BRAKES MODERN
1. Tony Quinn / Naomi Tillett, 2011 Nissan GTR
2. Matt Close / Casey Close, 2010 Audi TT RS, +56s
3. Jim Richards / Barry Oliver, 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, +1m59s
4. Robin Knaggs / Steve Glenney, 2008 Nissan GT-R, +3m43s
5. Frank Purdey / Cameron Reeves, 2009 Nissan GT-R, +6m26s
SHANNONS CLASSIC OUTRIGHT
1. Donn Todd / Dean Tighe, 1971 Ford Capri Perana
2. Jon Siddins / Darren Ferguson, 1970 Datsun 240Z, +43s
3. Craig Haysman / Neil Branum, 1981 Truimph TR7 V8, +1m34s
4. Matthew Cardinaels / Jason Page, 1972 Datsun 240Z, +3m08s
5. John Ireland / Michael Ribot, 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3, +4m30s
SHANNONS EARLY CLASSIC HANDICAP
1. Jon Siddins / Darren Ferguson, 1970 Datsun 240Z
2. Ross Steuart / Nathan Steuart, 1962 Ford Anglia 105e, +3m39s
3. Donn Todd / Dean Tighe, 1971 Ford Capri Perana, +4m15s
4. Robert Devenish / Karien Heimsohn, 1971 Datsun 240Z, +4m43s
5. Max Williams / Bruce Bush, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, +8m02s
SHANNONS LATE CLASSIC HANDICAP
1. Robert Gambino / Dennis Neagle, 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB
=2. Lindsay Stone / Simon Martin, 1985 Mazda RX-7, +3s
=2. Matthew Cardinaels / Jason Page, 1972 Datsun 240Z, +3s
4. Craig Haysman / Neil Branum, 1981 Truimph TR7 V8, +30s
5. John Ireland / Michael Ribot, 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3, +1m00s
RDA BRAKES EARLY MODERN
1. Michael Pritchard / Gary Mourant, 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
2. Danny Stutterd / Richard Scoular, 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, +1m24s
3. Liam Howarth / Larry Howarth, 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec, +2m55s
4. Tim Hendy / Joanne Sibley, 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec N1, +3m19s
5. Darren Williamson / Rex Williamson, 2001 Porsche 911 GT2, +4m40s
RDA BRAKES SHOWROOM
1. Adam Spence / Erin Kelly, 2011 Renault Megane RS 250
2. Gavin James / Rorey James, 2011 Renault Megane RS 250, +4m22s
3. Glyn Crimp / Paul van der Mey, 2010 Ford Focus RS, +7m50s
4. Bunjamin Noor / Lee Challoner-Miles, 2011 Renault Megane RS 250, +7m52s
5. James Hallett / Alice McKenzie, 2005 HSV Clubsport DTS, +10m10s
RDA BRAKES SHOWROOM 4WD
1. Dean Evans / Matthew Harriott, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
2. Scott Millar / Christopher Dean, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, +4m44s
3. Ben Newman / Crichton Lewis, 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +6m46s
4. Dean Coutts / Brett Portbury, 2011 Volkswagen Golf R, +6m55s
5. Gregory Burrowes / Rhonda Burrowes, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, +7m45s
RDA BRAKES SHOWROOM SPORTS
1. Craig Dean / Emma Quigley, 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
2. Neill Ford / Nathalie Ford, 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, +3m15s
REGULARITY
1. Ed Kreamer / Marc Sobbel, 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, 83 points
2. Martin Duursma / Michael Walter, 2011 BMW M3, 248 points
3. Bill Gill / Kathy Gill, 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera, 286 points
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