Twelve months ago on the opening day of Targa North West, Jason White’s campaign ended disastrously, the mechanical failure of his Dodge Viper eventually costing him the 2018 Australian Targa Championship.
The local Tasmanian driver would go on to win the next three rounds of the year, but his total lack of points from the series opener cost him the season’s title.
But in 2019 there were no such issues for the star Targa driver on the first day of the new season.
White and his co-driver, uncle John White, dominated the day’s proceedings, finishing the six stages and 83 competitive kilometres 60 seconds clear of fellow Dodge Viper team, John Ireland and Janet Binns.
The battle for the final place on podium was an intriguing tussle between reigning Australian Targa champion Paul Stokell in his Lotus Exige and the Porsche of Michael Pritchard, with just two seconds separating the pair.
White also leads GT2 while Jesse Medwin and Zak Brakey, in a 2011 Subaru WRX STI Spec C, lead GT4.
The Devonport-based White was delighted to be back on roads that he knows so well.
“We’ve had a very good run today,” White said. “The weather has been kind and we loved going through Oldina and Hellyer Gorge South in dry conditions.
“The gorge was completely dry, which is rare, apart from a couple of small damp patches.
“We were sort of hoping it would be a bit more damp, but had a really good run through there and we think today was close to the quickest we’ve ever done though the gorge.”
Leading Early Modern is Jon Mitchell and Anthony Carr in their 2006 Subaru S204. Veteran Tony Quinn was a threat early for class honours, but crashed out on the final stage of day.
In the classic handicap competition, Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter, driving a 1985 BMW, have a handy 21 second buffer over Nik Prieston and Dylan Braithwaite, in a 1975 Fiat Abarth Rallye.
In Shannons Classic GT. Mick Downey and Jarrod Van Den Akker had a clean run in their 1979 Holden Commodore VB.
Mitchell Ringuet and Darryl Ringuet, 2017 Lotus Exige Sport 350 had a good day to lead the GT Sports Trophy, while the veteran pairing of Jack Waldron and Vin Gregory lead the Thoroughbred Trophy in their 1981 Mitsubishi Stigma.
In the TSD Trophy competition, Peter Taylor and Tristan Taylor in a 2013 Lotus Elise S are showing how it’s done.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyEluyl418Q
RESULTS – DAY 1 of 2, TARGA NORTH WEST (Provisional)
Outright
1. Jason White and John White, 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme
2. John Ireland and Janet Binns, 2017 Dodge Viper ACR, +60secs
3. Michael Pritchard and Adam Butler, 2016 Porsche GT3 RS, +1min 12secs
4. Paul Stokell and Kate Catford, 2014 Lotus Exige, +1min 14secs
5. Peter Nunn and Keith Johnstone, 2016 Porsche GTS, +1min 39secs
6. Ben Manion and Mitchell Lukasz, 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR, +2mins 11secs
7. Craig Deana and Mary Hughes, 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT+ 2mins 11secs
8. Jon Mitchell and Anthony Carr, 2006 Subaru S204, +2mins 29secs
9. Jesse Medwin and Zak Brakey, 2011 Subaru WRX STI Spec C, +2minds 39secs
10. Tony Quinn and Eddie Maguire, 2001 Porsche 966 Turbo, +3mins 09secs
GT2
1. Jason White and John White, 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme
2. John Ireland and Janet Binns, 2017 Dodge Viper ACR, +1min 00secs
3. Michael Pritchard and Adam Butler, 2016 Porsche GT3 RS, +1min 12secs
GT4
1. Jesse Medwin and Zak Brakey, 2011 Subaru WRX STI Spec C
2. Ralph Norton and Malcolm Norton, 2008 Subaru Impreza STI, +47secs
3. Luke Anear and Alan Stephensen, 2015 Subaru WRX STI, +1min 28secs
Dutton Garage Early Modern
1. Jon Mitchell and Anthony Carr, 2006 Subaru S204
2. Tim O’Connor and Stuart Benson, 2006 Subaru WRX STI Spec C, +40secs
3. Ben Newman and Adam Kudra, 1997 Nismo 400R, +2mins 05secs
Shannons Classic
1. Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter, 1985 BMW E30 325e
2. Nik Prieston and Dylan Braithwaite, 1975 Fiat Abarth Rallye, +21 secs
3. Shane Navin and Glenn Evans, 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo, +2mins 23secs
Shannons Classic GT
1. Mick Downey and Jarrod Van Den Akker, 1979 Holden Commodore VB
GT Sports Trophy
1. Mitchell Ringuet and Darryl Ringuet, 2017 Lotus Exige Sport 350
2. Tony Seymour and Sandra Seymour, 2014 Lotus Exige, +13secs
3. Anthony Grace and Craig Jones, 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +46secs
Thoroughbred Trophy
1. Jack Waldron and Vin Gregory, 1981 Mitsubishi Stigma
2. Geoff Storr and Steve Caplice, 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV, +49secs
3. John Stanton and Julie Winton-Money, 1981 Porsche 924 Turbo, +4mins 22secs
TSD Trophy
1. Peter Taylor and Tristan Taylor, 2013 Lotus Elise S, 5 points
2. Matthew Jones and Harrison Jones, 2006 Porsche 911, 24 points
3. Roberty Bryden and Ian Noble, 2017 Lotus 380 Cup, 29 points
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