news

Targa Tasmania: Results from the Apple Isle

A strong outing for Lotus, while a Dodge Viper ACR took out the overall standings


The annual Targa Tasmania is one of the longest-running, best-respected events in Australian motorsport, taking participants on a tour of the Apple Isle's finest – and most challenging – driving roads. Here's a quick look at who excelled in each class of the the 2018 event, and who needs to up the pace next year.

Click on any of the images to check out the gallery, provided by the team at Simply Sports Cars Lotus. On that note, the Lotus brand saw a fair amount of success over the event, taking home two class wins, one second- and one third-place finish.



Shannons Classic

The Copeland - Herbert pairing won the Shannons Classic class, driving a 1941 GMC Jimmy Special. They were followed by the Yelds - Hughes combination and their 1961 Volvo 122S, ahead of Gilliver - Shellshear in a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTB.

A huge range of classics entered the race, with everything from a 1985 E30 BMW 325i to a 1973 Chrysler Valiant Charger E48, with some old Porsches throw in for good measure.

There were three DNFs, two of which were BMWs, while the 1955 Austin A30 bearing #1 came in last.


Shannons Classic GT

Holden fans rejoice, a 1975 Torana piloted by Bray - Bray took out Classic GT, ahead of Hammond - Neagle in a 1980 Jaguar XJS and McAuley - Etienne in their 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera.

Just two cars failed to reach the event's end, in a class that included a 1964 Ford Thunderbird Coupe, a 1982 Mitsubishi Starion and a 1971 Porsche 916.


RDA Brakes GT4

It was an all-wheel drive only affair in GT4, led by Glenney - Sarandis in a 2015 Subaru WRX STI. They snuck home just 3 minutes 55 ahead of Kennard - Wheeler in their 2015 Nissan GT-R R35, and 10 minutes 37 in front of Dowie - Webb in a 2010 Audi TT RS Plus.

There were three non-finishers, who came in behind a mix of WRX, Audi TT, Nissan GT-R and Audi R8 entrants.


Dutton Garage Early Modern

Japanese metal dominated the Early Modern class, in news to warm the cockles of any late-1990s or early-2000s rally fans. A 2006 Subaru WRX STI S204 piloted by Sutcliffe - Mitchell won the class, followed by Howarth - Howarth in a 1995 R33 Nissan GT-R V Spec and Lilleyman - Lilleyman in a 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.

A not-insignificant seven cars failed to see the finish line, while finishers included a 2007 Corvette Z06, a 1995 Mazda RX-7 SP and a bevvy of Lancer Evolutions.


Country Club GT Sports Trophy

The pairing of Duursma - Wodhams took their 2013 Lotus Exige S V6 to first place in GT Sports Trophy, ahead of Downing - Webber in a 2011 Subaru WRX STI and Pisko - Pattullo in a 2012 Audi TT RS.

The only car to not finish was a 2015 Porsche 911 GT3, although Hope - Hope and their 1996 Nissan Skyline GTS-t finished almost two hours behind the eventual winners.


Spirit of Tasmania Thoroughbred Trophy

With just three entrants, everyone left the Thoroughbred Trophy with a medal. Waldron - Gregory took the title in their 1981 Mitsubishi Sigma, followed by Storr - Caplice in a 1987 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV and Kelly - Kelly in their 1984 Audi Quattro coupe.


Budget TSD Trophy

The three top cars in Budget TSD was all two seaters, and they were all rear-wheel drive, but they were all very different. Marshall - Marshall took the class in a 2002 Ford Falcon Pursuit Ute, followed by Taylor - Taylor in a 2013 Lotus Elise S. The pairing of Bashford - Taylor came in third, hustling their 2005 Mazda MX-5 SE all the way.

A brace of Porsches – a 1989 944S2 and 2017 Cayman GTS – failed to reach the finish line, while other notable entrants included a 2016 Jaguar F-Type SVR and a 2005 Alfa Romeo GT.


 

Rookie Early Modern

BMW notched a victory in Rookie Early Modern, with Gosling - Noble taking out the class in a 2002 E46 M3. The pairing of O'Brien - Llewellyn came home second in their 2005 Mitsubishi Evolution, while Ford - Browne took third in a 2003 Honda Integra Type R.

In keeping with a theme set earlier, a 1991 Porsche 944 S2 didn't make the finish line, along with a 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV. The field was home to a 2003 Lotus Elise 111S, along with a 2002 Renault Clio.


Rookie GT

Jumping up to Rookie GT brought about a Lotus win, with Morton - Fisher hustling their 2017 Lotus Exige to first in class. Medwin - Brakey followed in a 2011 Subaru STI Spec C, while Gibbens - Jurd and their 2008 Nissan GT-R R35 rounded out the placings.

Only one team didn't finish, with Moss - Hunter and their 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X recording a DNF.


 

Wrest Point GT2

GT2 class is where the serious racers come to, er, race – and the winning car was a decidedly serious 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme piloted by White - White. Pritchard - Mourant came second in their 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, followed by Stokell - Kelly in their 2014 Lotus Exige S.

Five cars failed to finish, including a second Dodge Viper, a 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24 and a 2012 Renault Megane RS250.


MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
MORE:Lotus Showroom
MORE:Lotus News
MORE:Lotus Reviews
Chat with us!







Chat with Agent