Sullens, Broadbent are Targa champs

Gosford’s Tony Sullens, driving a Subaru Impreza WRX, has won the modern section of Targa Tasmania for a second time.

The 2004 champion beat home eight-time drivetravel.com modern winner, Jim Richards in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS, by 46 seconds, with two-time Bathurst winner, Tony Longhurst, also in a Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a further 58 seconds back in third.

The Shannons Classic title went to Melbourne’s Rex Broadbent in his 1974 Porsche 911 RS. He beat home the 1977 Porsche 911 RS of Bill Pye by 30 seconds, with Steve Coad’s Holden Monaro GTS in third place, three minutes 52 seconds off the pace.

Sullens and navigator Julia Barkley took over as the lead modern car on the Weldborough Long stage on Day 2 (Thursday) of the event after Allan Simonson and Jason White both crashed out.

But it was not until Saturday afternoon, on the final four stages in the state’s northwest on the way to Burnie, that he built a significant 48 second buffer over his nearest rival.

On the final day, across 130 competitive kilometres, Sullens maintained his pace under intense pressure to bring his car safely to the finish line at Wrest Point, dropping only two seconds during the seven stages.

Broadbent and navigator Michael Goedheer were thrilled to win the inaugural outright Classic trophy. Previously they won the Classic Handicap title back in 2002, but that title this year went to New South Wales pair, Bill Pye and Grant Geelan.

Top 3 – drivetravel.com Modern Competition
1, Tony Sullens (NSW)/Julie Barkley (NSW)
2, J Richards (VIC)/B Oliver (TAS) +30 secs
3, T Longhurst (NSW)/M De Vere (QLD) + 1min 44 secs

Top 3 – Shannons Classic Competition
1, R Broadbent (VIC)/M Goedheer (VIC)
2, B Pye (NSW)/G Geelan +30secs
3, S Coad (VIC)/ S Vandenberg (TAS) +3mins 52 secs

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