The 2009 Targa Tasmania is set to begin today, Tuesday April 28, with the Temco Prologue from Launceston to George Town and return. This leg gives crews the chance to showcase their wares and offers a final shakedown run, before the serious business of Targa 2009 gets underway with Wednesday’s Leg One Northern Loop.
Weather looks like playing a very big part in results, with Tasmania experiencing freezing conditions and some of the heaviest autumn rain on record.
This is highly likely to suit the Jim Richards/Barry Oliver Porsche 911 GT2 as Richards lines up for his 16th tilt at the Targa. Richards’ ability in the wet is legendary and the good judges rate his chances very highly indeed.
The Unique Cars crew of Greg Leech and Phillip Walker will participate in the Tour section in the Unique Cars Project HG Premier. While the Tour section is non-competitive, it runs the Targa route just prior to the racing competitors, offering mere mortals the chance to get a real feel for the Targa experience.
“The car has been very warmly received down here”, says Leech.
“It is incredible that we can park it next to Porsches, Ferraris and the like, and the greater attention is focussed on the old Prem!”, he adds.
Stay logged on to uniquecarsmag.com.au for regular news updates from Targa 2009. We will have regular video instalments as we follow the Unique Cars HG Premier in addition to footage of the big boys as they go at it in the south.
Pictures: Launceston’s Silverdome is a hive of activity as this year’s 276 entrants make final preparations for the 2009 Targa Tasmania; The car checks in right on dusk; Leech (closest to camera) and Walker book in.
Click here for the video
Click here for the Project HG files