Our reporter caught up with some of the class winners following the 12^th running of TARGA High Country.

Overall and Mt Buller GT Outright winner

Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)

“The main thing for us was the long stage (Jamieson), we were on it and we got about halfway through and thought we had a flat but it turned out we didn’t,” Morton said.

“We kept going and came across the crash and had to pull over but the good news is no-one was badly injured.

“I started at TARGA High Country in 2016 and only got my racing licence 10 months before the event and we ended up doing TSD in my Lotus Elise and we ended up getting on the podium.

“I was hooked after that.

“I had a third in High Country in 2018 behind Jason White and Matt Close in the Lotus Elise and I thought I need to find a car that I could feel I could win in.

“Going up Mt Buller on the last stage today, was just awesome as we felt really hooked up.

“To come over that line and have the amazing feeling of winning, I felt like I’m in a dream.”

Shannons Classic GT winner

Roger Lomman/Anne Bainbridge (1974 Datsun 240Z)

“The competition gets tougher every year with new cars in Classic GT which is fantastic,” Lomman said.

“It’s really good to see cars like the Giocattolo, the Stratos and the old Jaguar and we are happy to be a part of it.

“The Datsun hasn’t have the power of the V8s but it is just really well balanced and the fast flowing roads are really good for us.

“We had a bit of a dice with Adam (Kaplan) in the Giocattolo on Day 1 then they had some issues creep in and they had a driveshaft failure on the start line at the last stage.”

Dutton Garage Early Modern 4

Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X)

“We were just finding our way on Friday then we clicked up another gear and didn’t look back,” Moss said.

“We were fifth overall on Friday, fourth overall on Saturday and then third overall at the end of the weekend.

“It’s been three years since we’ve been in the car in a rally at least. Business has been pretty tough in the business and tourism industry the last couple of years.

“We are stoked to come back in EM4 which is a highly competitive category.”

Shannons Classic Handicap

Peter Gluskie/Samantha Winter (1989 BMW 325i)

“We are very pleased with our speed and the win,” Gluskie said.

“But I just want to acknowledge all the volunteers and officials who worked really hard to get this event over the line.

“It is more important at this point in time to acknowledge them. I know there has been some hard yards done to get this one over the line and we really do appreciate everything they do.”

Sydney driver Jeff Morton has completed a career defining achievement with a dominant victory at TARGA High Country in Victoria’s alpine region.

With his regular co-driver Daymon Nicoli alongside calling the notes, Morton broke the shackles on his TARGA career in emphatic style.

It was a supreme display of tarmac rallying by Morton who dominated the three-day event, winning by 2mins24s, after increasing his advantage by 43seconds on an incident-filled final day.

Leading from the start on Friday, Morton maintained a controlled pace to stave off all challengers in the 2019 Porsche GT2 RS which he calls ‘red thunder’.

“We were here to enjoy this rally and we didn’t expect to be in a position we are in,” the talented Morton said.

“It’s also valuable testing for us ahead of TARGA Tasmania (April 26-May 1). There is no bigger test for a tyre than the Jamieson/Eildon stages.

“This is just a dream result and we are over the moon.”

Experienced driver Angus Kennard was ready to pounce throughout with Steve Glenney calling the notes as the 2015 Nissan GT-R pair finished second overall.

Third overall was the Early Modern 4 class 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X of Anthony Moss and Julie Hunter following an outstanding run.

Morton also claimed the MT Buller GT Outright category ahead of Kennard with Tony Quinn and Kate Catford third in their 2018 Nissan GT-R.

South Australians Roger Lomman and Anne Bainbridge withstood a strong challenge to win Shannons Classic GT in their 1972 Datsun 240Z. In a cruel twist their main rivals, Adam Kaplan and Aleshia Penney (1988 Giocattolo Group B) broke a driveshaft on the final stage.

Melbourne pair Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter successfully defended their crown in Shannons Classic Handicap, leading throughout in their 1989 BMW 325.

Queenslanders Mark Griffith and Neill Woolley (2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG A45) completed a dominant victory in Mansfield Shire GT Production.

Brisbane duo Paul and Claire Buccini were never headed to win Dutton Garage Early Modern 2 in their 2008 BMW 135) while Dutton Garage Early Modern 4 saw Anthony Moss and Julie Hunter finish powerfully to claim the class in their 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X.

New South Wales pair, Matthew Gibbens and Timothy Jurd (2020 Lotus Exige 410) prevailed in a keenly fought Mansfield Shire GT Sports Trophy class.

Stephen and Jack Gould took the honours Mansfield Shire Thoroughbred Trophy decisively in their 1985 BMW 323.

In the time, speed and distance regulated Mt Buller TSD Trophy, Tracy Hoven and Garth Davies landed the class by finishing on 20 points in their 2018 Alpine A110, dropping only two penalty points during the day.

The opening stage off Mt Buller (TS15 Mirimbah) was downgraded to touring after an incident with a tour car before there was another lengthy delay for an incident on the 48.91km Jamieson stage (TS16).

Classic GT driver Geoffrey Nicolls (driver The Mercedes-Benz 450SE) was taken to hospital following a crash 28.4km into that stage. His co-driver Ray Farrell escaped serious injury.

The incident caused a lengthy delay with the Skyline stage (TS18) downgraded to touring status.

TARGA will be back for the 30^th anniversary edition of TARGA Tasmania from April 26-May 1.

Final results – Day 3 of 3 (provisional)

Overall

1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)

2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +2min24s

3 Jason Wright/Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R) +7min42s

4 Tony Quinn/Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) +7min47s

5 Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth (1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R) +9min05s

Mt Buller GT Outright

1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)

2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +2min24s

3 Tony Quinn/Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) +7min47s

Mansfield Shire GT Production

1 Mark Griffith/Neil Woolley (2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG A45)

2 Crichton Lewis/Anthony Carr (2015 Subaru WRX Sti) +2min15s

3 Barrie Smith/Anthony McLoughlin (2017 Audi TTRS) +6min02s

Dutton Garage Early Modern 2

1 Paolo Buccini/Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135i)

2 David Blunden/Jaidyn Gluskie (1977 Nissan Skyline GTS) +4min56s

3 Allan Rumble/Casey Rumble (2003 Holden Commodore) +15min06s

Dutton Garage Early Modern 4

1 Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X)

2 Jason Wright/Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R) +1min36s

3 Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth (1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R) +2min59s

Shannons Classic (handicap)

1 Peter Gluskie/Samantha Winter (1989 BMW 325)

2 Philip Jon-Buggee/Paul Freame (1975 Fiat 131) 11min01s

3 Darryl Bennett/Mary White (1989 Suzuki Swift GTi) +22min19s

Shannons Classic GT

1 Roger Lomman/Anne Bainbridge (1972 Datsun 240Z)

2 Meng Chung/Nicholas Vardos (1987 BMW M3) +2min22s

3 Mark Clair/Lee Harper (1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR) +5min29s

Mansfield Shire GT Sports Trophy

1 Matthew Gibbens/Timothy Jurd (2020 Lotus Exige 410)

2 Steven Sher/Fergal Murphy (2016 Lotus Exige) +49s

3 Robert Bryden/Ian Noble (2020 Lotus Exige) +1min25s

Shannons Thoroughbred Trophy

1 Stephen Gould/Jack Gould (1985 BMW 323)

2 Geoffrey Corah/Sharon Alcock (1973 Alfa 105) 9min13s

3 Jack Waldron/Vin Gregory (1981 Mitsubishi Sigma) +21:32s

Mt Buller TSD Trophy

1 Tracy Hoven/Garth Davies (2018 Alpine A110) 20 points

2 Neville Emond/Stephen Jones (1996 Volvo 850R) 51 points

3 Justin Marshall/Spencer Marshall (2011 Volkswagen Polo)  66 points

Brain cancer survivor Jeff Morton continued his sizzling form by completing the second day of TARGA High Country with a solid lead.

Negotiating the day’s six stages, Morton and co-driver Daymon Nicoli returned to Mt Buller armed with a 1min41sec advantage in their 2019 Porsche GT2 RS.

Angus Kennard and Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) hold second overall while Trevor Macleod and Ian Wheeler (2009 Nissan GT-R) are third.

With 14 of the 20 stages in the books, the methodical Morton is on track to pull off what would be a dream result 12 years after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

The Sydney competitor has remarkably won all but one of the timed stages going into the final day.

“We managed to win the Mansfield street stage and I was a bit conservative but still enjoyed it,” Morton said.

“The car is amazing and is built for exactly these type of roads. But we were tested a bit today with some changeable and bumpy conditions.

“I didn’t expect to be in the position we are in and we are very happy with where we are but it’s also testing for us ahead of TARGA Tasmania in late April.”

While everything was clicking into place for Morton the same cannot be said for Luke Anear and co-driver Andy Sarandis.

The pair had another day soured by mechanical issues in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R when a power steering belt broke on TS10. The team returned for the Mansfield street stage at the end of the day but have dropped way down the order.

The GTO category is led by Morton from Kennard while Tony Quinn and co-driver Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) is in third.

In a dramatic development at the top of Shannons Classic GT standings, South Australians Roger Lomman and Anne Bainbridge (1972 Datsun 240Z) powered into the lead.

Adam Kaplan and Aleshia Penney (1988 Giocattolo Group B) clutched a narrow lead on TS10, but were struck with a mechanical issue on TS11 (Harrys Creek), taking them out of the Classic GT top three.

Perennial front-runners Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter edged closer to another victory in Shannons Classic Handicap, the Melbourne pair clutching a 5min09s lead.

Mansfield Shire GT Production sees Queenslanders Mark Griffith and Neill Woolley hold a solid 2min11s lead.

Dutton Garage Early Modern 2 and Early Modern 4 are topped by Paul and Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135) and Trevor Macleod/Ian Wheeler (2009 Nissan GT-R) respectively.

Lotus machines dominate the GT Sports Trophy class with Matthew Gibbens and Timothy Jurd (2020 Lotus Exige 410) holding a slender 11-second lead as the brand occupies the top three spots.

Mansfield Shire Thoroughbred Trophy is topped by Stephen Gould and Jack Gould (1985 BMW 323), the pair holding a cushion of over three minutes.

In the regularity TSD Trophy section, Tracy Hoven and Garth Davies (2018 Alpine A110) have surged into the lead after sitting outside the top three after the opening day.

Results – Day 2 of 3 (provisional)

Overall
1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)
2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +1min41s
3 Trevor Macleod/Ian Wheeler (2009 Nissan GT-R) +3.37s
4 Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X) +4.26s
5 Jason Wright/Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R) +5mins

Mt Buller GT Outright
1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS) 
2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +1.41s
3 Tony Quinn/Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) +5.30s

Mansfield Shire GT Production
1 Mark Griffith/Neil Woolley (2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG A45)
2 Barrie Smith/Anthony McLoughlin (2017 Audi TTRS) +2min11s
3 Crichton Lewis/Anthony Carr (2015 Subaru WRX Sti) +2.47s 

Dutton Garage Early Modern 2
1 Paolo Buccini/Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135i)
2 David Blunden/Robert Sheppard (1977 Nissan Skyline GTS) +2.47s
3 Christopher Exner/Bernie Webb (1995 Mazda RX-7 SP) +3.13s

Dutton Garage Early Modern 4
1 Trevor McLeod/Ian Wheeler (2009 Nissan GT-R)
2 Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X) +49s
3 Jason Wright/Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R) +1.23s

Shannons Classic (handicap)
1 Peter Gluskie/Samantha Winter (1989 BMW 325)
2 Philip Jon-Buggee/Paul Freame (1975 Fiat 131) 5min09s
3 Darryl Bennett/Mary White (1989 Suzuki Swift GTi) +11.21s

Shannons Classic GT
1 Roger Lomman/Anne Bainbridge (1972 Datsun 240Z)
2 Mark Hammond/Dirk Witteveen (1980 Jaguar XJS) +1.50s
3 Meng Chung/Nicholas Vardos (1987 BMW M3) +2.15s

Mansfield Shire GT Sports Trophy
1 Matthew Gibbens/Timothy Jurd (2020 Lotus Exige 410)
2 Simon Trude/Dion Morrison (2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410) +11s
3 Steven Sher/Fergal Murphy (2016 Lotus Exige) +23s

Shannons Thoroughbred Trophy
1 Stephen Gould/Jack Gould (1985 BMW 323)
2 Geoffrey Corah/Sharon Alcock (1973 Alfa 105) 3:27s
3 Jack Waldron/Vin Gregory (1981 Mitsubishi Sigma) 4.57s

Mt Buller TSD Trophy
1 Tracy Hoven/Garth Davies (2018 Alpine A110) 18 points
2 Steven Brumby/Heather Brumby (1999 Alfa Romeo GTV 29 points
3= Justin Marshall/Spencer Marshall (2011 Volkswagen Polo) 31 points
3= Neville Emond/Stephen Jones (1996 Volvo 850R) 31 points

Several frontline competitors are engaged in an arm wrestle for supremacy after an enthralling Day 1 of TARGA High Country.

The showpiece Mt Buller-based event has seen Sydney driver Jeff Morton and co-driver Daymon Nicoli clinch a 38 second lead after a superb display of tarmac rallying.

The pair produced a polished run in their 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, winning all seven of the day’s timed stages as the opening stage off Mt Buller was declared a non-timed ‘warm-up’ stage.

“There’s a lot to get used to with the new regulations and the maximum speed limit but I think we did the best job we could,” Morton said.

“I haven’t done High Country since 2018 and today it was all about the final Mt Buller stage for us.

“We managed to top all of the stages and some of them were close but I think we have the right car here. It just seems built for these roads.”

Moving into second outright was Angus Kennard and co-driver Steve Glenney who chipped away all day with some cracking runs.

In a late development Luke Anear and Andy Sarandis dropped out of third after encountering a mechanical problem close to the finish of the final stage.

The problem for the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R left Jason and Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT R) to move into third outright.

Adam Kaplan has enjoyed a solid return to action in his Giocattolo Group B, ending the day with co-driver Aleshia Penney to lead the Shannons Classic GT class by 21 seconds.

Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter have taken a handy lead in Shannons Classic Handicap in their ever reliable 1989 BMW 325i.

Queenslanders Paul and Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135) continue to show strong form following on from their TARGA Great Barrier Reef win last year, to lead Dutton Garage Early Modern 2.

The battle in Dutton Garage Early Modern 4 class remains tight with the Wrights, who inherited third overall, leading by a slender 8 seconds

In the trophy classes, TSD Trophy Neville Emond and Stephen Jones (1996 Volvo 850R) snatched the lead after the day’s final stage, dropping just 11 points to shade Steve and Heather Brumby (1999 Alfa Romeo GTV) by one point.

GT Sports Trophy sees Matthew Gibbens and Timothy Jurd lead while Thoroughbred Trophy is headed by Stephen Gould and Jack Gould (1985 BMW 323).

Results – Day 1 of 3 (provisional)

Overall

1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)

2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +38s

3 Jason Wright/Fion Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R) +2min10s

4 Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth (1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R) +2:18

5 Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X) +2.22s

Mt Buller GT Outright

1 Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS)

2 Angus Kennard/Steve Glenney (2015 Nissan GT-R) +38s

3 Tony Quinn/Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) 2:32s

Mansfield Shire GT Production

1 Mark Griffith/Neil Woolley (2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG A45)

2 Barrie Smith/Anthony McLoughlin (2017 Audi TTRS) +1min00s

3 Critchon Lewis/Anthony Carr (2015 Subaru WRX Sti) +1:57s

 Dutton Garage Early Modern 2

1 Paolo Buccini/Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135i)

2 David Blunden/Robert Sheppard (1977 Nissan Skyline GTS) +1:11s

3 Edward Merewether/Jennifer Gillott (2007 Renault Megane F1 R26) +2.25s

Dutton Garage Early Modern 4

1 Jason Wright/Fiona Wright (2008 Nissan GT-R)

2 Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth (1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R) +8s

3 Anthony Moss/Julie Hunter (2008 Mitsubishi Evo X) +12s

Shannons Classic (handicap)

1 Peter Gluskie/Samantha Winter (1989 BMW 325)

2 Philip Jon-Buggee/Paul Freame (1975 Fiat 131) +2:57s

3 Darryl Bennett/Mary White (1989 Suzuki Swift GTi) +6:16s

 Shannons Classic GT

1 Adam Kaplan/Aleshia Penney (1988 Giocattolo Group B)

2 Roger Loman/Anne Bainbridge (1972 Datsun 240Z) +21s

3 Mark Hammond/Dirk Witteveen (1980 Jaguar XJS) +1:34s

 Mansfield Shire GT Sports Trophy

1 Matthew Gibbens/Timothy Jurd (2020 Lotus Exige 410)

2= Steven Sher/Fergal Murphy (2016 Lotus Exige) +23s

2= Simon Trude/Dion Morrison (2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410) +23s

Shannons Thoroughbred Trophy

1 Stephen Gould/Jack Gould (1985 BMW 323)

2 Jack Waldron/Vin Gregory (1981 Mitsubishi Sigma) +2:32s

3 John Stanton/John Blake (1981 Porsche 924 Turbo) +4:15s

 Mt Buller TSD Trophy

1 Neville Emond/Stephen Jones (1996 Volvo 850R) 11 points

2 Steven Brumby/Heather Brumby (1999 Alfa Romeo GTV) 12 points

3 Justin Marshall/Spencer Marshall (2011 Volkswagen Polo) 13 points

Accomplished tarmac and gravel rally competitor Luke Anear is hoping favourable conditions will give him an edge as he chases outright victory at TARGA High Country from February 11 to 13.

The exotic GT R spearheads a solid entry list in the GT Outright (GTO) class where Anear will again be partnered in the Mercedes with Andy Sarandis.

The event will represent only the fourth TARGA start for the powerful coupe which has been painstakingly constructed with unique Reiger suspension and was prepared by Peter Nunn Motorsport with the rollcage installed by TARGA legend Jason White.

After debuting with a second in GTO standings at TARGA Great Barrier Reef in 2020, the GT R was third in GTO at High Country last year before winding up in the top 10 at its TARGA Tasmania debut a few months later.

In a late switch for TARGA Great Barrier Reef last September, Anear decided to campaign a 2010 Subaru WRX STi which saw him and Sarandis take out the GT Production, GT Outright and the overall win.

“We wanted to try some different tyres on the Mercedes but we couldn’t get hold of them in time for the Queensland event so that’s why we decided to go with the Subaru,” Anear explained.

Anear is excited about returning to the GT R but warns there are some technical gremlins to overcome.

“We did a test in it recently and it’s all looking good,” he said.

“But we have to work out the best way to manage the speed limiter which is cutting power at low speeds when the limiter is on for some reason.

“We are still trying to source tyres so there is a bit of work to be done which won’t be in time for TARGA High Country.”

Anear says TARGA fans will hear a noted difference when the coupe fires into action on the stages. He has heeded some advice and beefed up the soundtrack of the long-nosed, bobtail coupe.

“We’ve put a straight pipe on it now. One of the things people were saying was that it was too quiet when it went past them. So it makes a bit more noise now and sounds like a V8 should, which is good.”

Dry roads are what Anear is praying for over the three-day event.

“The GT R is such a nice car and in dry weather it is pretty quick.

“Certainly in the wet it struggles but we’ll do the best we can at the moment and continue to look for a soft tyre.”

As a sidenote, Anear has enjoyed an exciting build-up in between winning TARGA Great Barrier Reef last September and the upcoming TARGA High Country. He tested the new M-Sport Rally1 hybrid Ford Puma WRC car in northern England last November.

“It was certainly a highlight to test the Rally1 car and after that I sat in for a test day with Sebastien Loeb (winner of the WRC season-opening Monte Carlo rally) in France which was amazing.

“But now I’m really looking forward to getting back into TARGA action and I’m looking forward to the Mansfield street stage which will be fun.”

Among the hearty list of GTO runners is the ever-present threat of Tony Quinn/Kate Catford (2018 Nissan GT-R) and Jeff Morton/Daymon Nicoli (2019 Porsche GT2 RS).

There are 20 competitive stages scheduled across the three days with eight stages listed for the opening day where the lunch stop is at Whitfield.

Saturday action sees six stages with the lunch break at Euroa before the field finishes the day with the popular street stage through Mansfield.

TARGAfest will follow immediately after the street stage with the first competition cars expected at 5pm.

The final day sees another six stages with the first competition cars expected at the Eildon lunch stop at 11.10am.

The field will then tackle the final three stages – Skyline, Eildon and the final run to the Mt Buller summit where the first competition cars are set to be flagged away at 3.41pm.

For more information including full road closure details head to targa.com.au

Experienced driver Adam Kaplan has confirmed a key change of machinery with the unique Giocattolo poised for a long awaited comeback at TARGA High Country from February 11 to 13.

Kaplan has garaged the popular HSV – that is adorned in tribute livery of the 1990 Bathurst 1000 winning Holden at the hands of Win Percy and Allan Grice – in favour of the Giocattolo.

The Noosa-based competitor has revived the Giocattolo which was all but destroyed in a huge accident at the 2007 Classic Adelaide rally.

“It was a significant accident with the car scrunched up into a little ball that we had to straighten out. It took a long time,” Kaplan explained.

“The GFC and other business challenges got in the way of us spending time on it for a while there.”

The Giocattolo is an Australian creation from the mid-to-late 1980’s that is built on an Alfa Sprint body. Kaplan’s example is powered by a Holden V8 which is mated to an Albins 6-speed sequential transaxle.

It is believed only about 15 were produced in a project that involved former McLaren engineer Barry Lock. The super light car is armed with a prodigious amount of performance given its colossal power-to-weight ratio.

Set to do battle in the Classic GT section of TARGA High Country, the Giocattolo (which means toy in Italian) is no stranger to TARGA competition having seen action at various times in the 1990’s and 2000’s at the signature TARGA Tasmania.

“This will be its first run in 15 years so there might be a bit of sorting out to do,” Kaplan said, who has been in possession of the machine for more than 20 years.

“TARGA High Country will be a bit of a live shakedown because we have entered the Giocattolo for the 30th Anniversary TARGA Tasmania in a few months.

“It has a long TARGA history, so we are looking forward to jumping back in the car.

“The car won’t turn a wheel until the first stage at TARGA High Country. It’s a brand new build and most of it is custom manufactured.”

Kaplan will again be helped by regular co-driver Aleshia Penney in the hotly contested Classic GT category.

In what is shaping as another gripping battle, Liam and Larry Howarth (1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R) will do battle with Geoff and Toni Hewitt (2009 Nissan GT-R) in the Early Modern 4 class. The pair were second and third respectively at the 2021 edition of the High Country classic.

Queenslanders Paolo and Claire Buccini (2008 BMW 135i) will be seeking back-to-back wins in Early Modern 2. The pair won the EM2 class at TARGA Great Barrier Reef last September.

A record number of more than 210 entries have been received for TARGA High Country.

There are 20 competitive stages scheduled across the three days with eight stages listed for the opening day where the lunch stop is at Whitfield.

Saturday action sees six stages with the lunch break at Euroa before the field finishes the day with the popular street stage through Mansfield.

TARGAfest will follow immediately after the street stage with the first competition cars expected at 5pm.

The final day sees another six stages with the first competition cars expected at the Eildon lunch stop at 11.10am.

The field will then tackle the final three stages – Skyline, Eildon and the final run to the Mt Buller summit where the first competition cars are set to be flagged away at 3.41pm.

For more information including full road closure details head to targa.com.au

Regular Classic competitors Peter Gluskie and Samantha Winter are itching for TARGA High Country to spring back into action from February 11 to 13.

COVID restrictions meant Gluskie and Winter were forced to remain in their home city of Melbourne during the last TARGA rally at Cairns in September.

For the Mt Buller-based event, Gluskie and Winter return in their reliable 1989 BMW 325 in the Classic Handicap section where they were successful in February last year.

“TARGA High Country is our local event. Both Sam and I are from Melbourne so we are looking forward to it,” Gluskie said.

“We’ve always done pretty well there but I think this year there are some strong crews in both Classic Handicap and Classic GT.

“The entries look really healthy. I think there is a bit of pent-up demand. Everybody wants to get out and start racing again because it’s been a patchy year on that front.”

Being unable to travel to Queensland for the last TARGA event means Gluskie and Winter have not competed since TARGA Tasmania last year where they finished fourth in class.

“We, along with many other interstate competitors, were unable to get approval to travel to Queensland with COVID,” Gluskie said.

“The previous year the Government said, ‘yes we will give you an exemption’ but obviously last year it became harder and there was more worry about the risk.

“It was a shame because it’s one of those events we do enjoy.

“We moved heaven and earth and more to get to Queensland in 2020 but that’s the joy of the pandemic, you’ve got to work with these things.”

In the interim, Gluskie has kept his enthusiasm burning with some track time in the E30.

“I’ve done a couple of track days just to keep my inspiration levels up. Apart from that there hasn’t been a lot of work to do with the car.

“The same set of tyres from TARGA Tasmania last year are still on the car. It is just ready to roll with a wash and a clean required.

“It makes life so much easier to have a reliable vehicle which is one less thing you have to worry about too often.

“I think we will have some good weather, it probably could be a bit hot but we’ll see what we are confronted with on the weekend.”

TARGA High Country regulars Jack Waldron and Vin Gregory are among nine entries in Thoroughbred Trophy while the penalty points based TSD Trophy features a strong line-up that includes the experienced Steve and Heather Brumby in their 1999 Alfa Romeo GTV.

GT Sports Trophy has drawn a highly competitive field with 2021 winners Simon Trude and Dion Morrison returning in their 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 410.

There are 20 competitive stages scheduled across the three days with eight stages listed for the opening day where the lunch stop is at Whitfield.

Saturday action sees six stages with the lunch break at Euroa before the field finishes the day with the popular street stage through Mansfield.

TARGAfest will follow immediately after the street stage with the first competition cars expected at 5pm.

The final day sees another six stages with the first competition cars expected at the Eildon lunch stop at 11.10am.

The field will then tackle the final three stages – Skyline, Eildon and the final run to the Mt Buller summit where the first competition cars are set to be flagged away at 3.41pm.

For more information include full road closure details head to targa.com.au

Tasmanians will have the rare opportunity to join the field of TARGA Tasmania when the 30^th running of the ultimate tarmac rally gets underway on April 26 next year.

For the first time, the field, which showcases a cavalcade of motoring history, will include a special Tasmanian Tour section just for Tasmanian residents.

After three decades of unwavering support from the local community, event organisers have decided that Tasmanians deserve a well-priced opportunity to do what they have always wanted to do; drive in TARGA Tasmania!

TARGA CEO, Mark Perry said “The Tasmanian community have been right behind TARGA from day one in 1992, with literally thousands of people turning out each year to cheer on the cars and crews taking part, while also being there for us in sad times like we experienced earlier this year.

“Many Tasmanians have dreamed of taking part just once and we understand that this can be a difficult and expensive exercise. So, with there being touring options these days we thought what better way to thank Tasmanians than to remove these obstacles  and make it as easy as we can for Tasmanians to join us in celebrating 30 years of their event, TARGA Tasmania.

“The price for the Tasmanian Tour has been set at just $500 for a single day experience like nothing you have ever done before. While there are some restrictions on the choice of car, you won’t need an expensive or rare collectable classic fitted out with the latest safety gear in order to take part.  In fact, this tour is perfect for the motoring enthusiast who has always wanted to drive on a TARGA Stage and is happy to do it in the family’s every day transport.”

Launched in time for Christmas, this will be the perfect gift for Mum,Dad or any member of the family who loves cars.  A Christmas gift to remember with all entries receiving a TARGA Tasmania Christmas gift card ready for wrapping up and putting under the tree.

Spots are naturally very limited for this exclusive and rare opportunity to take part in one of the world’s greatest motoring experiences in the 30^th anniversary event.

Enquiries and further information to be a part of it all and secure your spot should be emailed to enquiries@targa.com.au.

In order to maximise the impact of TARGA Tasmania’s 30th anniversary event, organisers have reverted to a traditional late April date to move beyond any likely COVID-19 restrictions.

The event was due to move to an earlier time-slot in 2022 – from March 8 to 13 – but will now be held from Tuesday April 26 to Sunday May 1.

The later date also facilitates the running of TARGA High Country from February 11 to 13, the same slot used earlier this year for the Mt Buller-based event, and away from the scheduled November 2021 dates that were likely to still be heavily impacted by COVID-19 protocols.

TARGA Australia CEO Mark Perry said the new dates buy both events vital time for Australian states to move beyond severe pandemic restrictions.

“The 30th running of TARGA Tasmania is a huge opportunity for everyone who has been involved over the years to join in and celebrate this magnificent milestone,” Perry said.

“Our competitors and tour participants come from all over Australia, and people need certainty in planning their travel and confidence that the event will take place.

“This new schedule buys everyone an additional seven weeks and in our early survey of competitors this was welcomed, seen as a real plus.

“We want to make the 30th anniversary something special – the event of the year for motorsport and car enthusiasts. We have some exciting things planned – not just for our entrants but all the TARGA fans in Tasmania as well.

“These might have been in doubt with a March event but now we can continue to build on our exciting plans to make the 30th TARGA Tasmania something really special.

“TARGA High Country is also an important event on our calendar and the February date will allow far more mainland competitors to take part than if we ran it in November this year as originally planned.

“So the date moves are a win, win. Great for TARGA Tasmania and also for TARGA High Country and great for competitors and also TARGA enthusiasts.”

TARGA Tasmania will get underway on Tuesday April 26, with participants spending the first three nights in Launceston.

The competition cars will then spend the Friday and Saturday nights in Strahan, while Tour entries will stay in Cradle Mountain. The event will conclude in Hobart on Sunday May 1.

TARGA High Country will remain based out of Mt Buller, with three days of competition in Victoria’s north east, starting on Friday February 11 and finishing back in the alpine village on Sunday February 13.

Media contact details

Ian Chesterman – 0417 530 902