Jim Richards looks set to upset West Australian local Ross Dunkerton’s aim of securing a QUIT Targa West hat-trick, as he holds a commanding lead over the field at the completion of the second day of competition.
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Richards, who is competing in a 2007 Porsche GT3 RS, built on his overnight lead throughout the day and leads nearest rival Tony Longhurst (Skelta G-Force) by 1 minute 37 seconds. Longhurst and Dunkerton (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) battled it out throughout the day, but Dunkerton dropped off the pace late in the afternoon, ensuring Longhurst is sitting comfortably in second place.
The wet conditions that greeted competitors in the early stages of the day caused havoc throughout the field, forcing the retirements of several cars and some considerable damage to a few vehicles.
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The Holden Monaro of Matt Waters ended up on it’s roof during the second stage of the day, and Paul Davis’ Ferrari will need to be sent to the panel beaters after it found a solid resting place, becoming tangled in a fence on Stage four.
West Australian local Hans De Corti (Porsche 911 RS) has a solid lead over the Competition Classic field, with the battle for second through fourth being fought out between David Moir (Datsun 240Z), Laurie Burton (Mazda RX7) and Stewart Attwell (Porsche 911 RS).
Brad Kidd (Porsche 911 RS) put in some impressive times throughout the latter stages of the day but still trails the leader of the Challenge Modern class, John Donohoe (Holden HSV), by one minute.  Â
With mechanical difficulties thwarting the efforts of most of the Classic Challenge field, the competition for the lead is coming down to a tussle between Luca Giorgella (Jaguar Mk1) and Anthony Clarke (Holden Torana GTR).
With the start of the morning stages held off due to weather conditions the final cars wound their way through the last stages of the day as the sun set on Leg Two of the QUIT Targa West.
Leg Three will again be held in the Chittering and Toodyay Shires on Sunday.