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Ian Chesterman
Sportcom

Drivers Quotes - Day 5

28-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

Here are a selection of quotes from some of our drivers following Day 5 of Targa Tasmania.

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Drivers Quotes - Day 4

27-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

Here are quotes from some of our leading drivers after Day 4 of this year's Targa Tasmania.

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Drivers Quotes - Day 3

26-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

Here are quotes from some of our leading drivers after Day 3 of this year's Targa Tasmania.

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Day Two heads to George Town

26-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

Day two of Targa Tasmania heads to George Town this afternoon for the Super Stage, one of the most popular stages of the event.

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Jason White in action in 2016

Drivers quotes - Day 2

25-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

Here are quotes from some of our leading drivers after Day 2.

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White remains on top after Day 2

25-Apr-2017  Ian Chesterman

After a hectic opening day that took the Targa Tasmania field from Launceston to St Helens and back, day two of the epic rally was the event’s shortest, with just a quick sprint around the streets of George Town in the state’s north.

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Jason White on today's George Town stage

Winners celebrate at Targa High Country

06-Nov-2016  Ian Chesterman

Victorian Matt Close has taken his Porsche GT3 to outright victory and GT2 competition honours at Targa High Country, which finished at the top of Mt Buller late today.

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Matt Close in his Porsche GT3 (Pic Angryman Photography)

Targa High Country kicks off

04-Nov-2016  Ian Chesterman

Reigning Champion, Matt Close, is the outright leader of Targa High Country after the opening day of competition of the three-day rally in Victoria’s North East.

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Matt Close is looking for back-to-back wins at Targa High Country

Winners crowned in 25th Targa Tasmania

16-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Matt Close has won Targa Tasmania for the first time, winning the 25th anniversary event by an emphatic margin of six minutes and 41 seconds in the premier GT2 class.

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Winners are grinners at Targa Tasmania 2014

Day 4 proves a testing Targa day

14-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

The Dodge Viper of Jason White holds a narrow 10 advantage in the GT2 competition after the run from Burnie to Strahan on the fourth day of Targa Tasmania 2016.

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The roads to Strahan are both beautiful and challenging

What some had to say on Day 3

13-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Our in-field reporter Martin Agatyn was on the job again today, catching up with some of the competitors and getting the stories straight from the drivers' mouths.

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Action galore on the road to Burnie

13-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Devonport’s Jason White leads the GT2 category of 25th running of Targa Tasmania after an enthralling day of competition, which saw the lead swap on more than one occasion.

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Jason White has grabbed the lead in GT2

Classic battles on Day 2 of Targa

12-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Melbourne driver, Matt Close, leads the GT2 class in the 25th running of Targa Tasmania after seeing off the challenge of reigning champion, Jason White, on day two of the six day event.

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Peter Ullrich leads the way in Shannons Classic

Close leads GT2 after day of drama

11-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

The opening day of the 25th running of Targa Tasmania saw high drama, with five-time champion Jason White copping a 60-second penalty on the very first stage, leaving him 57 seconds off the lead of the prestigious GT2 class at the end of the opening day of the six-day enduro.

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Matt Close at George Town

What some had to say at the end of Day 1

11-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Our in-field reporter caught up with a number of competitors in George Town today after the first of six fund days of Targa Tasmania.

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Let's get this Targa happening!

10-Apr-2016  Ian Chesterman

Following the traditional warm-up at Symmons Plains, the cars are now ready for action for the 25th running of Targa Tasmania.

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Jason White experienced a few technical issues today at Symmons, but should be ready for action on Monday

Matt moves closer to High Country win

07-Nov-2015  Ian Chesterman

Victorian Matt Close has put his stamp of authority on Targa High Country, dominating the second day of the event in his 2015 Porsche GT3.

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Matt Close in his new Porsche GT3

Trevarthen and Brooke have strong leads

07-Nov-2015  Ian Chesterman

Daniel Trevarthen and co-driver Chris Ward, driving a 2006 Holden Commodore SS, have dominated the Sports Trophy competition on Day 2 action.

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Daniel Trevarthen and co-driver Chris Ward

Statement by Targa Australia

06-Nov-2015  Ian Chesterman

Targa Australia, the organisers of Targa High Country, are deeply saddened by the loss of competitor Richard Davis, who passed away at Mt Buller this afternoon (November 6) having earlier completed the opening day of the event.

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Sixth Targa High Country ready to roar

05-Nov-2015  Ian Chesterman

Over 200 sports and classic cars will take to the roads of north-east Victoria this weekend when the sixth instalment of Targa High Country roars into action.

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Craig Haysman

Ullrichs win Early Classic

02-May-2015  Ian Chesterman

Peter and Sari Ullrich from New South Wales, driving the eye catching 1963 Jensen CV8, has led from start to finish to take out the Early Classic Handicap at Targa Tasmania.

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TSD a hot contest

02-May-2015  Ian Chesterman

In one of the most keenly fought and competitive sections of this year’s Targa, Alan & Heather Gluyas have taken out the title in their 2012 Toyota 86 GTS.

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A strong performance sees Alan & Heather Gluyas victorious in TSD

Finally, Targa is good to go

26-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

Targa Tasmania roars into action on Monday with Day One certain to produce another spectacular days racing with four stages to be fought out climaxing with the George Town street stage.

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21 years and still going strong

25-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

Few Targa Tasmania competitors could match the commitment of Devonport’s Drew Kent.

Drew will line up next week for his 21st crack at the event – a remarkable record when you consider Targa Tasmania has only been going for 24 years.

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Sports Trophy puts the fun in Targa for Pisko

24-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

Hobart’s Peter Pisko will be aiming to break his Targa duck in next week’s Budget Sports Trophy section of the event.

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Targa’s early classic cars are head-turners

22-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

The field for this year’s Targa Tasmania Shannons Early Classic competition will bring memories flooding back for automotive enthusiasts.

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Targa regulars Simon and Amanda Davison, from Ulverstone

Targa remains Glenn's 'Event of the Century'

21-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

The lure of competing in Targa Tasmania and driving on brilliant roads in a competition vehicle is the common theme among Targa competitors, whether they be motor mechanics, plumbers, business owners or, in the case of Glenn Ridge, a television and radio personality.

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Redback Racing to make history at Targa

20-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

The Redback Racing pairing of Adam Spence and Erin Kelly are set to make history in this year’s Targa Tasmania. They will be the first race team to run their Nissan R35 GTR with a one piece, full carbon fibre wheel set, produced by Australian company Carbon Revolution.

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The latest carbon technology

Targa excitement building in TSD category

19-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

One of the fastest growing categories in tarmac road rallying around the world is TSD – and it’s the same case for Targa Tasmania.

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Tasmanian team Alan and Heather Gluyas

Performance cars of old face Targa showdown

14-Apr-2015  Ian Chesterman

Many of them were once the performance cars motoring enthusiasts dreamed of owning, and now, with the passing of time, they’ve become more affordable and part of one of Targa Tasmania’s most popular categories - Early Modern.

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Geoff Bott in his Nissan GTR -

Targafest a first for Hobart in 2015

11-Mar-2015  Ian Chesterman

Targa Tasmania’s commitment to Hobart continues to expand with the announcement that the state capital will now host Targafest on Friday, May 1, the penultimate eve of the six-day classic tarmac rally.

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Fans will be able to see all the cars in Hobart and undercover. But we'll still need our great officials out in the field.

Rookies take the prizes at new Targa

07-Feb-2015  Ian Chesterman

The inaugural Targa Hellyer Gorge has been a battle of the rookie drivers, with the first time Targa entrant Gippsland’s Brent Coleman taking the modern rookie honours, Tasmanian Steve Maguire was the Early Modern winner and Melbourne’s Peter Gluskie the quickest of the classic car novices.

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Steve Maguire and Steve Glenney

Showroom – Jim scores another trophy

09-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

In Showroom class, Day 2 ended with the margin between Neill Ford and Jim Richards at 10 seconds, but within 600 metres of the start line on Day 3 everything had changed – Ford had a moment, lost 46 seconds on the stage and suddenly Richards had clean air out in front.

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Regular pair assisting others

08-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

A regular combination at Targa and other rally events over a long period of time has been the pairing of Steve Glenney and Bernie Webb. With Steve behind the wheel and Bernie calling the notes, they have experienced great success over the years.

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Jason Whitburn and Bernie Webb

Tasmanians thrive in hot conditions

08-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

Two Tasmanians have dominated the second day of competition at Targa High Country, thriving in the sweltering conditions as the field tackled 73 competitive kilometres on day two of Targa High Country.

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Jason Whitburn and Bernie Webb hold the Early Modern lead at the end of the second day

Class action - day 2 at High Country

08-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

Check out all the action - class by class - from Day 2 at Targa High Country, where the action was hot in and car, and out.

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Eddie Maguire leads Modern

New competitions make Targa debut

07-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

Launceston’s Ben Newman, leads the way in the inaugural Sports Trophy competition at Targa High Country, spending the opening day of the three day event creating a handy one minute 11 second buffer over his nearest rival, Martin Farkas.

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Ben Newman and the Jaguar impressed on day one

Vandenberg late starter for High Country

06-Nov-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa Tasmania winner, Jamie Vandenberg, is a last minute entry into this weekend’s Targa High Country, which gets underway at Mt Buller on Friday morning.

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Vandenberg and Sims at Targa Tasmania

Targa High Country expands format for 2014

20-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa High Country, Victoria’s premier tarmac rally, will be expanded in 2014, providing competitors with another day of competition and more stages than its historical two-day format.

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Craig Haysman's in THC13

Targa Adelaide off calendar for 2014

19-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The new owner of Targa Adelaide has postponed the next running of the tarmac rally until 2015 while it reviews its business plan and operations.

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CAMS Australian Targa Championship winners

14-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The results of the CAMS Australian Targa Championship were announced on Monday Night at the official Targa Tasmania dinner in Hobart.

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Roger Paterson and Richard Geue - Classic Outright champions

Day of drama ends Targa Tasmania

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Burnie driver, Jamie Vandenberg, has held on across a dramatic final day to win his first Targa Tasmania modern title.

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Winners are grinners at Targa Tasmania 2014

Showroom wrap - end of 5

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

When you’re competing against the likes of motorsport champion Jim Richards in your category, Michael Minshall probably wasn’t contemplating claiming the RDA Brakes Showroom Sports category title.

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Andrew Bollom won Showroom

Classics – day 5 wrap

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Barry Faux and Therezia Mihajilovic have snared victory in the Shannons Late Classic handicap after a vigorous final day’s race to Hobart.

Racing in a 1985 RX-7, Faux built on his overnight lead to convincingly beat Steve McClintock also in an RX-7.

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Modern - Muscle and Early - Day 5 wrap

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Liam and Larry Howarth are celebrating finishing on top of the podium by claiming a decisive win in the RDA Brakes Early Modern category.

Tactically, the pair raced conservatively on the final day to protect the lead they secured on day four when they surged from fifth into first.

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Friths take Regularity - again

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Philip and David Frith have claimed back-to-back titles in the increasingly popular Regularity category of Targa Tasmania.

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The Friths were the stars of Regularity

Catch the action from the Day 5 News Package

11-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

All the highlights from Day 5 of Targa Tasmania

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Glenney out of Modern

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Overnight modern leaders, Steve Glenney and Bernie Webb have been forced to withdraw their Nissan GT-R from Targa Tasmania after failing to fix a gearbox problem overnight.

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Steve Glenney's GT-R sits in the streets of Strahan after the rest of the field headed north

Day 3 news story

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Action from day 3 captured by Southern Cross

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One of Targa’s toughest tests

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The fourth day of Targa Tasmania is renowned for producing drama, a reminder that the event is a test of endurance as much as speed. In 2014, ‘Super Saturday’ was one of the more dramatic in the event’s 23-year history.

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Jamie Vandenberg is suddenly the modern leader

Classics wrap - Leg 4

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Late Classics leader Leigh Achterberg has crashed out on day four with the title expected to come down to the wire on the final day given just four seconds separates the new top two contenders.

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Barry Faux

Early modern/Modern Muscle – Leg 4 wrap

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Category favourite Ben Manion relinquished his lead in the RDA brakes Early Modern category after suffering mechanical problems early on day four.

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Craig Dean

Showroom wrap - Leg 4

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Day four and the atrocious wet conditions saw an end to racing car veteran Jim Richards’ bid to claim victory in a new category.

Richards and co-driver Barry Oliver crashed out on TS28 Riana.

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Clinton Arentz

Regularity wrap – Leg 4

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The Frith team has maintained composure to stay in top spot on day four of the regularity category but the notorious Riana stage claimed second placed Darryl Marshall.

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The Friths

News package from Day 4

10-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Day Four news package sent around Australia

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TV news package from Thursday

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Check out the action that went out to TV stations on Thursday May 8.

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Late day three action increases tension

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Across the first seven stages on day three of Targa Tasmania, on the run from Launceston to Strahan, nothing could separate the front two runners in the battle for modern honours.

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Steve Gleeney had troubles late in the day

Regularity wrap – day three

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

For a team not even going to enter, you’d think you’d be happy in third place in the regularity category, but Jeff Beable just reckons he’s getting confused. He shouldn’t – it’s his 21st Targa Tasmania.

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The Beables

RDA Brakes Early modern – Day 3 action

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Ben Manion’s Nissan Skyline GTS-t started the day 51 seconds clear of Peter Nunn’s 1990 Porsche 944 S2 and set the pace across the day to stretch his lead over his fellow Tasmanian out to three and a half minutes after a further eight stages and 145 kilometres of testing rallying.

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Ben Manion

RDA Brakes Modern Muscle Cars - Day 3

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

It came down to three contenders in the RDA Brakes Modern Muscles on day three after the husband and wife team of Daniel and Nathalie Ford in a 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 were among those that had problems on TS18 Cethana stage, crashing into a bank.

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Muscle Cars are popular at Targa

Classics – the day three wrap

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

There was plenty of great action amongst the Classics on Day 3 of 2014 Targa Tasmania. For starters, Andrew Miedecke returned to the fray after suspension troubles with his 1970 Ford Perana late on Day 2.

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Peter Ullrich

Showroom wrap - Leg Three

09-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Showroom action aplenty on day three and it’s a nail-biter in the RDA Brakes 4WD showroom, but Clinton Arentz in his 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X came out on top on in enthralling two-way battle.

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Ben Newman and Crichton Lewis

Leader boards still tight after two days

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Despite winning seven of the day’s eight competitive stages, South Australian Steve Glenney extended his overnight lead by just 11 seconds in a tight day of racing on the loop to St Helens and back to Launceston.

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Craig Hayman finds himself leading Classic Outright

Rookie Rallye winners true beginners

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The Rookie Rallye has been run and won for 2014 with a motorsport debutant, Sam Livesley, taking the honours.

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Sam Livesley and James Goodchap

Manion and Dean hold on

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Ben Manion’s Targa experience is proving beneficial with the Tasmanian holding the lead for a second day in the RDA Brakes Early Modern competition.

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Craig Dean

Classics wrap - Leg Two

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The shock departure of classics favourite Andrew Miedecke has left the battle for the early classics up for grabs.

Miedecke’s 1970 Ford Perana suffered front suspension problems on the final competitive stage of the day; the notorious Sideling stage.

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Miedecke was the early leader

Showroom wrap - Leg Two

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Arguably, the greatest battle shaping up in this year’s Targa Tasmania is in the RDA Brakes 4WD Showroom category with just seconds splitting the top two on every stage today.

Launceston’s Ben Newman in a 2010 Subaru Impreza WRX STI fought neck and neck with Clinton Arentz in a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.

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Andrew Bollom leads Showroom

Friths take Regularity lead

08-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

The father and son team of Phil and David Frith have surged into first place on day two, sending  a message to fellow competitors that they are the team to beat in the Regularity category. 

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“Lifeline” car spreading good message

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Victorian rally team Michael Minshall and Kirrilee Gentleman have a simple message they want to deliver during this week’s Targa Tasmania, and that is that help is only a phone call away.

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Perfect day for Targa opening

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

There may still be four days to run but 2008 winner Steve Glenney has given notice that he is the man to beat in this year’s modern section at Targa Tasmania with an impressive opening day drive in his Nissan GT-R.

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Andrew Miedecke is leading Classic and Early Classic

Showroom wrap - end of Leg One

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Racing veteran Jim Richards is proving a different category and new wheels are no barrier after claiming class honours in every competitive stage on day one of Targa Tasmania. 

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The Classics wrap - Leg One

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa stalwart Andrew Miedecke has a handy 29 second lead in the EARLY CLASSIC handicap after day one. Miedecke (1970 Ford Perana) is being chased by fellow NSW driver Peter Ullrich (1963 Jensen CV8). Miedecke was on top most of the day, taking all of the day’s stages except the Paloona stage, which he relinquished to Ullrich.

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Flag car leads the way

The two Rs - Rookie and Regularity

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Dave Thompson considers himself lucky to be leading the Rookie Rallye category despite winning every competitive stage on day one. 

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Early modern and Modern Muscle - Leg One wrap

07-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

It’s been a great contest between the two leaders in the Early Modern category on day one of Targa Tasmania.

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Prologue over: The test is all ahead

06-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

After a devastating week where he lost both his father and grandfather, reigning champion Jason White has bounced back to set the fastest time in the official Temco Prologue in George Town on the opening day of Targa Tasmania.

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Commodore looks ready for action

05-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Sydney driver Adam Kaplan came to Tasmania to compete in this week’s Targa Tasmania, but has found himself involved in another race – against time.

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The big V8 on show

Old Holdens never die

05-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Before V8 Holdens and Fords hit the racetracks of Australia, the circuits were populated in the 1950s by FX and FJ Holdens and Ford Customlines, among other makes.

It’s where the now traditional Ford v Holden rivalry started.

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Like a brick on wheels

05-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Many drivers competing in this week’s Targa Tasmania have chosen to do in cars that can handle the tight, twisty and demanding roads of the iconic motorsport event. But West Australian competitor Mike Moylan definitely isn’t one of them.

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Let the show begin ....

05-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

When Targa Tasmania started 23 years ago, its founder John Large described it as “a multi-million dollar motor show on wheels.”

Hundreds of thousands of Tasmanians have since witnessed the event, which still shows no signs of slowing down, as the 2014 edition gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday).

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Jason White talks to the media at Symmons Plains

Wild Cave Tours offers Mole Creek fun

04-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Competitors completing the opening stage on Friday morning, Mole Creek, should make a mental note to return on a quieter day to take part in one of the great caving experiences in the world.

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Kickstart for kids puts smiles on young faces

04-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa legends and Targa drivers took part in the annual Kickstart for Kids rides at Country Club Tasmania in Launceston this afternoon.

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Targa legend, Barry Oliver, with Jordan Dvorsky

Experienced Dave enters Rookie Rallye

02-May-2014  Ian Chesterman

Dave Thompson is no stranger to rallying and no stranger to racing unusual or iconic cars – but mainly on gravel roads.

The Devonport-based driver has been competing in the forests of Tasmania and the mainland for more than 31 years, but will make his Targa Tasmania debut next week in the Rookie Rally section of the iconic tarmac rally event.

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North-West to star

30-Apr-2014  Ian Chesterman

The roads of the North-West and West Coasts will be the real stars of Targa Tasmania when the iconic motorsport event blasts off for the 23rd time next week.

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Burnie's Jamie Vandenberg

Rickards chases Targa Tasmania victory

29-Apr-2014  Ian Chesterman

Fresh from his maiden victory at Targa Wrest Point in February, Hobart’s Matt Rickards has his sights set on upsetting the more fancied runners in this month’s Targa Tasmania.

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New car for Vintage Rallye

28-Apr-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa veteran, Queenslander Graham Copeland, will again be out there taking on the elements in the Vintage Rallye at this year’s Targa Tasmania, but he’ll be completing the journey in a “new” car.

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Rod McMullin (owner - standing), Graham Copeland (driver) & Josh Herbert (navigator)

Mac Makes it 22 Straight

23-Apr-2014  Ian Chesterman

Targa Tasmania will be held for the 23rd consecutive time this year, and one man from the state’s north west, Mac Russell, has done all but one of them.

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Mac Russell and his beautiful 1976 Morgan Plus-8

A classic team for the ages

26-Jan-2014  Ian Chesterman

The car, and its drive team, are the most experienced in Targa history.

Jack Waldron, along with co-driver Vin Gregory and their trusty 1955 Fiat Abarth 750, have competed in a total of 32 Targa events since the first Targa Tasmania was run back in 1992.

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The mighty Fiat Abarth 750 at Wrest Point in 2013

Newman wants home win in Showroom 4WD

22-Jan-2014  Ian Chesterman

Subaru driver, Ben Newman, is set for Targa Wrest Point, looking to take Showroom 4WD honours in his Impreza WRX STI, complete with a new co-driver.

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Ben Newman at Targa Wrest Point in 2013

Miedecke leads strong classic field

20-Jan-2014  Ian Chesterman

Former Tasmanian Andrew Miedecke returns to his home state at the start of February hoping to add some Targa Wrest Point silverware to his mantelpiece.

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Andrew Miedecke is back in Tasmania for Targa Wrest Point

Tarmac rally ace adopts Cayman S

13-Jan-2014  Ian Chesterman

Porsche ambassador and tarmac rally specialist Jim Richards will tackle the 2014 Targa Tasmania in the ultimate mid-engine sports car – the Porsche Cayman S.

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Jim with the Porsche Cayman S he will drive at Targa Tasmania

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