2000 TARGA 8 – 14 May

Cartoons by

Jump to List of Contents Page 1 of 17

2000 FLAG CAR

1916 Ford Speedster crewed by Jock McLean and Geoffrey Reader The car was rebuilt by Jock McLean to the same specifications as was raced at Indianapolis in 1923. It was capable of reaching 170km/h

John Shortland and Barry Hynes on the ‘Hobart’ targa stage in their 1930 Desoto CF Roadster

Jump to List of Contents Page 2 of 17

LIST OF CONTENTS

1. THE COURSE

2. ENTRIES

3. PLACINGS

4. ORGANISATION

5. COMPETITION

6. PHOTOGRAPHS

Acknowledgement of the major references I used to research the information from which I have taken direct quotes, and photographs, are: • – ‘The Ultimate Tarmac Rally – 1992 to 2001 The First 10 Years’ produced by Octagon Motorsports edited by Michael Browning; • ‘The Legend’ published by Media Productions Pty Ltd, covering the 1992 to 1995 events. • ‘Targa Tasmania 1992-1993’, Clipper Press, Hobart; • Targa Tasmania Official Programs, 1992 to 2003; • Internal event documents from 1993 to 2003 that I have in my possession.

I take full responsibility for the information listed and I apologise for any errors made by me and will be most pleased to hear from anyone seeking to correct any issue – [email protected].

Jump to List of Contents Page 3 of 17

1: COURSE

MAP LEGEND DAY COLOUR LOCATION - LOCATION 0 Pink George Town Prologue 1 Brown Launceston-Launceston 2 Pink Launceston - Launceston 3 Blue Launceston - Hobart 4 Dark Blue Hobart - Hobart 5 Green Hobart - Burnie 6 Red Burnie - Hobart

To commemorate the Millennium Targa Tasmania the event was conducted over six days instead of the usual five. The extra day was the introduction of two loops from and back to Launceston.

Schedule of Targa Stages - 54 DAY 1 - 9 DAY 2 - 10 DAY 3 – 10 DAY 4 - 7 DAY 5 - 9 Legana 5.6 Deloraine 12.2 The Sideling 13.8 Mount Nelson 1.2 Hobart 3.3 High Plains 6.5 Kimberley 7.9 Derby 5.5 Howden 7.2 Colebrook 5.9 Moriarty 6.8 Devonport 16.5 Winnaleah 6.4 Oyster Cove 12.0 Ross 2.8 Latrobe 4.0 Nook 5.7 Weldborough 12.0 Woodbridge 8.2 Cressy 10.4 Glengarry 3.2 Sheffield 14.6 Pyengana 6.5 Cygnet 14.4 Quamby Brook 10.3 Deviot 6.3 Mole Creek 8.8 St Marys Pass 5.5 Longley 11.8 Cethana 37.8 Hillwood 8.4 Montana 11.0 Elephant Pass 10.9 Ridgeway Park 3.7 Wilmot 5.8 Lilydale 4.3 Selbourne 3.2 Cranbrook 10.2 Gunns Plains 14.7 Launceston 2.6 Westwood 4.4 Triabunna 3.3 Riana 36.1 Longford 3.6 Grasstree Hill 8.0 # Town Stage

Jump to List of Contents Page 4 of 17

DAY 6 - 9 Hellyer Gorge 15.0 Mount Black 8.6 Rosebery 17.4 Strahan 32.7 Queenstown 6.3 Mount Arrowsmith 50.5 Tarraleah 8.7 Ellendale 10.2 New Norfolk 1.2

Changes to Course compared to 1999: • Change from five days plus Prologue to six days plus Prologue; • Day 1 - inclusion of new stages called ‘High Plains’, ‘Glengarry’, ‘Deviot’, ‘Hiillwood’, and ‘Lilydale’; • Day 2 - inclusion of new stages called ‘Kimberley’’, ‘Montana’ ‘Selbourne’, ‘Westwood’; • Day 3 - inclusion of ‘Pyangana’; • Day 4 - no change; • Day 5 - inclusion of ‘Quamby Brook’ (which was ‘Deloraine’ in reverse), ‘Burnie’ dropped due to lack of effective spectator control due to spectator numbers; • Day 6 - no change.

2: ENTRIES

James Earl and Phillip Schudmak in the 1933 MG L-Type Magna

Some 360 applications for a maximum field of 300 were received by the organisers and 331 acceptances were issued. With the usual dropout rate of 10% to 15% taking place a record field of 299 competition crews started the new six-day Millennium Challenge, eclipsing the previous record of entries of 278 of 1994. The finishing cars numbered 248, a finishing rate of 83%.

Category Historic Touring Classic Classic Modern Clubman 1 Vintage 1900 - 1930 2 Post Vintage 1931 - 1946 3 Touring Classic 1947 – 1965 4 Thoroughbred 1947 - 1961 5 Early Classic 1962 - 1965 6 Classic 1966 - 1971 7 Late Classic 1972 - 1976 8 Post Classic 1977 - 1981 9 Early Modern 1982 – 1990 10 Late Modern 1991 - 1997 11 Contemporary 1998 - 2000 12 Clubman All years Jump to List of Contents Page 5 of 17

The Historic and Touring Classic competed over less number of days (five) and stages per day than the Classic, Modern and Clubman (which was added as a separate category for the first time).

PERIOD NO. 1 Vintage 1900 – 1930 11 2 Post Vintage 1931 – 1946 5 3 Touring Classic 1947 - 1965 10 4 Thoroughbred 1947 – 1961 17 5 Early Classic 1962 – 1965 29 6 Classic 1966 – 1971 55 7 Late Classic 1972 - 1976 49 8 Post Classic 1977 - 1981 29 9 Early Modern 1982 - 1990 25 10 Late Modern 1991 - 1997 36 11 Contemporary 1998 - 2000 26 12 Clubman All years 7 TOTAL 299

• Of the 331 acceptances 245 drivers and 168 navigators were returning and the remainder were new competitors. The potential field comprised: Historic 13; Touring Classic 13; Classic 200; Modern 105; Total 331. • Representation was from NSW 77; ACT 4; Vic 96; Qld 50; SA 12; WA 10; Tas 66; International 16. • 56 marques were represented: Alfa Romeo 10 Dodge 1 Leyland 2 Riley 1 AMC 1 Essex 1 Lotus 9 Roaring Forties 1 Aston Martin 1 Ferrari 6 Marcos 1 Robnell Cobra 1 Audi 1 Fiat 6 Mazda 16 Rolls Royce 1 Austin Healey 8 Fraser-Nash 1 Mercedes 4 Saab 1 BMW 14 Ford 24 MG 16 Shelby Cobra 1 Bolwell 3 Giocattolo 1 Morgan 1 SJ Countach 1 Bristol 2 Hillman 1 Morris 11 Speedwell 1 Chevrolet 6 Holden 23 Nissan 18 Sunbeam 2 Chrysler 2 Honda 2 Oakland 1 Toyota 14 Clubman 8 Jaguar 13 Peugeot 1 Triumph 8 Daimler 1 Jensen 2 Pontiac 1 Ultima 1 Datsun 12 Lancia 5 Porsche 45 Volkswagen 2 DeSoto 1 Lexus 2 Renault 2 Volvo 6

Historic Competition (16 starters) A great lineup of 16 Historic cars from pre-World War 11 crossed the start line on Day One. John and Andrew Lawson brought back the superb 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder, whilst 1999 placegetters John Shortland and John Fielder both decided to drive in 2000 - Shortland in a 1930 Desoto CF Roadster with Barry Hynes, and Fielder in his 1930 Oakland 8 - 101 with Hugh Venables as navigator.

Three ‘Speedsters’ were entered - a 1916 Ford Model T Speedster of Jock McLean/Geoff Reader, a 1917 Dodge Speedster driven by Cledwyn Davies with Rodney Griffin as navigator, and a 1919 Buick Speedster of David and Charlie Cassar.

Other marques included a 1933 MG L-Type Magna (James Earl/Phillip Schudmak), 1928 Chevrolet National AB Roadster (Wes and Dianne Wilkinson), 1920 Essex Super 6 Tourer (Philip Tilley/Peter Bushby), 1925 Vauxhall OE 30-98 (Ron House/Patrick Phillips) and 1924 Alvis 12/50 SC (Marry and Cheryl Batagol).

Touring Classic Competition (10 starters) Designed for owners of early Classic cars who did not want to subject their magnificent vehicles the rigours of a full Targa Tasmania experience, yet wanted to compete over an easier and less strenuous course, this Competition attracted ten entries.

1999 Touring Classic Competition winner Dan Bowden, with Michael Brown, was back in his black 1956 Porsche 356A Carrera Speedster, as were their 1999 rivals, Brian Titheradge/John Shuttle in their 1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC.

Classic Competition (179 starters) The winner of 14 World Rally Championship events, Walter Roehrl, who also competed in Targa Tasmania in 1997 in a Porsche Germany Museum 1982 SC RS in the Modern Competition and finish second. For 2000 he was navigated by German journalist Michael Peterson in a 1960 Porsche 356 GT.

Jump to List of Contents Page 6 of 17

Classic Adelaide Rally Clerk of Course Graeme Browne entered his highly desirable Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF with Stella Plenderleith as navigator; and back again were Classic Competition stalwarts Paul Stuart/Connolly (1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 - eighth in 1999), Brian and Linda McDermott (1962 Austin Healey 3000 Mk11- sixth in 1999), and Geoff and Leon Duggan in their 1969 Datsun 2000 Sports - 10th in 1999.

Modern Competition (94 starters) Jim Richards/Barry Oliver returned in a 1999 Porsche 911 GT3 Clubsport after having missed the 1999 event due to a clash with circuit racing commitments and 1999 Modern Competition winner Peter Fitzgerald, with Michael Mansour entered the 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo. Dick Johnson made a return to the event in the 1999 Ultima Coupe with Peter Svensson navigating, whilst son Steven, with Gary Brown, contested the event in a 1988 SJ Countach. Other notable competitors were , Lynn Rattray, Ray Lintott and winner of the first two Targa Tasmania events, Greg Crick who drove a 2000 Honda Integra Type-R.

Targa Tasmania stalwarts, Wakujiro and Ruriko Kobayashi were back for their eighth event with a 1990 Nissan GT-R.

International Competitors (27 people) Five Japanese entries were received, and three from Germany.

International competitors included: Car Driver Country Navigator Country Vehicle No. State State 213 Walter Roehrl GER Michael Petersen GER 1960 Porsche 356 GT 317 Allen Tice GB Mike Briggs GB 1963 Austin Healey 3000 BJ7 318 David Rayner GB Neil Revington GB 1964 Sunbeam Tiger 323 Klaus Bischof GER Hermann Ruettger GER 1963 Porsche 356B 2000 GS 443 Teresa Davenport USA Cheri Huntoon USA 1968 Saab Sonett 530 Mark Clements Tas Neil Goodwin NZL 1975 Datsun 260Z 555 Chris Andrew SAF Jeff Lunny Vic 1972 Chevrolet Corvette IMSA 623 Ian Raper Vic Tim Hemingway NZL 1977 Holden Torana A9X 725 Wakujiro Kobayashi JPN Ruriko Kobatashi JPN 1990 Nissan GTR 805 Yuji Yamazaki JPN Hiroaki Matsuki JPN 1994 Honda NSX-R 817 Hiroyuki Fujiwara JPN Danny Loypur Vic 1996 Nissan GTR 825 Yoshikuni Ichikawa JPN Kazumi Mikami JPN 1996 MGF Trophy Cup 830 Masaru Katsuyama JPN Yuko Eto JPN 1996 MGF Trophy Cup 832 Eiyuki Endo USA Jan Masuda USA 1992 Porsche 911 RS Cup 855 Michael Stoschek GER Maximillan Stoschek GER 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo

International Competitors in Event Drivers Navigators Total Historic 0 0 0 Classic 7 7 14 Modern 7 6 13 Total 14 13 27

Female Competitors (57 people) Female Competitors in Event Drivers Navigators Total Historic 0 2 2 Classic 3 35 38 Modern 0 17 17 Total 3 54 57

The organisers were delighted that almost 60 women competitors were attracted to the event, eager to face the challenge of fierce competition and not just a tourist drive around the Island. And how well they featured in the final results: • Historic: 3rd and 12th overall; • Touring Classic: 6th overall; • Classic: 1st, 6th and 9th in the first 10 placings, with 10 finishing in the top 30 places; • Modern: 3rd, 4th and 10th, with 7 finishing in the top 30……

…….and equally delighted that there were many, many hundreds of women amongst the 2500 volunteer officials who made the conduct of the event possible.

Jump to List of Contents Page 7 of 17

3: PLACINGS General Classification PLACINGS – based on the Elapsed Timing System Spec. Legend: SS – Standard Specification; LMS - Limited Modification Specification; MS – Modified Specification

HISTORIC (1900 to 1965) Placings determined by Handicap System Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 31 John Lawson Andrew Lawson 1938 Alfa Romeo Spyder LMS 28m57s 2 33 Robert van Wegen Nigel Quinsee 1949 Bristol 400 MS 34:42 3 22 Barry Batagol Cheryl Batagol 1930 Bentley Speed Six SS 42:45 4 34 James Earl Phillip Scudmak 1933 MG Magna L MS 51:01 5 23 Des Donnan Tony Donnan 1928 Frazer-Nash Boulogne MS 1:06:12

John and Andrew Lawson in the 1938 Alfa Romeo Spyder

TOURING CLASSIC (1947 to 1965) Placings determined by Handicap System Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 50 John Williamson David Patterson 1960 Austin Healey Sprite MS 20m13s 2 56 Philip Nichols Philip Blake 1958 Austin Healey Sprite MS 21:42 3 61 Dan Bowden Michael Browne 1956 Porsche 356 A Carrera LMS 24:28 4 52 Brian Titheradge John Shuttle 1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC MS 38:35 5 53 Andrew Williams Graham Smedley 1959 MG A MS 57:38

CLASSIC (1947 to 1981) Placings determined by Handicap System Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 445 Jeremy Browne Stella Plenderleith 1969 Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF LMS 20m22s 2 551 Gregory Garwood Christopher Bulk 1974 Porsche 911 RSR LMS 25:07 3 523 Paul Stuart Mark Connelly 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 SS 25:17 4 426 Geoff Duggan Leon Duggan 1969 Datsun 2000 Sports SS 25:54 5 501 Chris Latter Terry Smith 1972 Holden Torana GTR SS 28:02 6 203 Brian McDermott Linda McDermott 1962 Austin Healey 3000 Mk11 LMS 28:51 7 545 Peter Cook Brendan Spurr 1972 BMW 2002 Ti SS 29:19 8 618 Tony Holmes Matt Holmes 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS SS 29:20 9 209 Paul Freestone Christine Freestone 1962 Austin Healey BN4 100/6 LMS 29:43 10 315 Norman Henry Kyry Keo 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super SS 34:01

Jump to List of Contents Page 8 of 17

Lancia Fulvia - photograph from 2008 Classic Adelaide

MODERN (1982 on) Placings determined by Elapsed Timing System Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 919 Jim Richards Barry Oliver 1999 Porsche 911 GT3 LMS 17m06s 2 811 Peter Fitzgerald Michael Mansour 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo LMS 22:58 3 807 Jeff Beable Nerida Beable 1997 Nissan GTR V-Spec N1 LMS 23:18 4 907 Neal Bates Coral Taylor 1999 Lexus IS200 MS 24:00 5 803 Lynn Rattray Tony Jackson 1995 Mazda RX7 SS 27:29 6 849 Garry Scott Richard Francke 1995 Mazda RX7 LMS 27:42 7 915 Greg Crick Guy Dunstan 2000 Honda Integra Type-R LMS 28:28 8 921 Paul Stokell Peter Roberts 1998 Lotus Elise LMS 29:27 9 836 Bernie Stack Mark Forgie 1995 Porsche 911 RS LMS 30:01 10 939 Max Warwick Ruth Williams 2000 Porsche 911 GT3 LMS 31:07

Jim Richards and Barry Oliver display their 2000 event finishers’ medallions

Jump to List of Contents Page 9 of 17

Clubman Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 908 Ray Vandersee John Allen 1999 Van Demon Westfield 0h47m04s 2 906 Lloyd Beger Peter Rose 1998 Caterham 7 Roadsport 1:01:49 3 819 David Ayers David Dungey 1997 Lucalia Clubman 1:02:59

Targa Trophy Winners 176 of the 598 competitors who participated in the 2000 Targa Tasmania achieved a Targa Trophy with 60 of these attaining Golden Targa Trophy, 26 a Millennium Targa Trophy and 5 a Platinum Targa Trophy.

Millennium Targa Trophies (Note: Golden and Platinum Targa Trophy Winners also received a Millennium Targa Trophy) As a special celebration of the new Millennium, competitors who successfully qualified for a Targa Trophy in 1998, 1999 and 2000 were awarded a Millennium Trophy.

113 drivers and navigators were eligible for the Millennium Targa Trophy, with 26 were successful:

Brian Austin Craig Dean Glenn Ridge Graham Bell Bob Edwards John Skippen Max Brookman Simon Finlay Ken Smith Mel Brookman Christine Freestone Paul Tucker Jeremy Browne Paul Freestone Terry Warren Keith Buckingham Garry Jones Tony Wilson Jeff Church Pat Kent Graham Copeland Tim Pyne

Golden Targa Trophy Winners There were 60 drivers and navigators eligible to win a Golden Targa Trophy and the following 44 were successful:

Blake Philip Tas Landon Peter NSW Bray Colin NSW Learoyd Brian Qld Browne Jeremy SA Millikin Peter Vic Bunn Ken Qld Morris Ian Vic Coad Rachael Vic Moylan Mike WA Coad Steve Vic Palmer Hugh Vic Cook Peter Tas Potter John Qld Dean Kerry Tas Reeves Martin NSW Dean Travis Tas Robinson Brian NSW Dermot Brian Vic Row Andrew Qld Dermott Linda Vic Row George Qld Dickson Greg NSW Scott Garry NSW Dickson Peter NSW Smith Lorraine Tas Fitzgerald Peter Vic Taylor Robert Vic Francke Richard NSW Temminghoff Rob Vic Garrioch Ken Vic Thomas Warwick NSW Gill Jeff Qld Thomson Peter NSW Gill Melanie Qld Thomson Simon Tas Ireland John NSW Tierney Gary Vic Kent Graham Tas Tierney Mark Vic Kent Leigh Tas Williams Ray Tas Kent Scott Tas Wood Michael Vic

Platinum Targa Trophies There were 7 drivers and navigators eligible to win a Platinum Targa Trophy and the following 5 were successful:

Angus Macleod John Pooley Lynn Rattray Neville Smith Robert White

Jump to List of Contents Page 10 of 17

Chairman’s Plate The Chairman’s Plate was introduced in 1996. It was a perpetual trophy to be awarded to the winning State Team and was designed to recognise and add spice to the friendly rivalry between competitors from each state. A coefficient determined from a mathematical formula equalised the disparity of population numbers in each state and the distance competitors had to travel from their home state to Tasmania.

State Coefficient Tasmania 3.47 Victoria 3.57 New South Wales (incl ACT) 4.71 Queensland 14.71 South Australia 16.67 Western Australia 32.72 Northern Territory 38.24 International 20.83

State Points Queensland 15031 Western Australia 11803 New South Wales 11172 Victoria 10618 Internationals 8729 Tasmania 6942 South Australia 6198

1916 Ford Model T Speedster with Jock McLean and Geoffrey Reader as crew

4: ORGANISATION It was with some trepidation the organisers approached the 2000 event. From nine months prior to the event in April 2000 it was obvious that a record number of entries would be received, providing officials with the herculean task of conducting a successful on-the-road event with such unprecedented numbers. That this was indeed achieved was of great credit to the thousands of volunteers who came forward to carry out a multitude of tasks, made extremely difficult in driving rain and strong winds over the last two days.

This great armada of officials, the most for any motor sport event conducted in Australia, were led by the three Area Coordinators and their Deputies: • North: Pontus Reutersward and Pam von Stieglitz; • North West: Neville Truskett and Hamish Marquis; • South: Paul Darko and Tim Kingston

Jump to List of Contents Page 11 of 17

2000 SENIOR COMPETITION OFFICIALS Chairman John Large Managing Director Robin Wheeler Operations Manager/Chief Safety Officer Ken Roddam Clerk of Course Tom Snooks Deputy Clerk of Course Ken Roddam Competition Event Secretary Sian Fox Area Coordinator South Paul Darko Area Coordinator North Pontus Reutersward Area Coordinator North West Neville Truskett Town Stage Coordinator Mark Cruse TTT/CET Coordinator Brett Leppard Community Relations Officer Noel Harris Chief Competitors Relations Officer John Keeffe Chief Technical Officer Ken Price Chief Scrutineer Stewart Barling Chief Results Manager Garry Boyd Results Consultant Garry Searle Emergency Services Manager Peter MacFarlane Chief Communications Official Keith Thompson Support Services Officer/Equipment Officer Ron Brown Recovery Manager Ross Richardson Section Coordinator Jonathan Williams CAMS Checker Stuart Lister

‘St Marys Targa Stage Start’

All the Competition Committee members were, by the year 2000, well versed in their roles and approached the big Millennium event, which proved to be the biggest yet conducted with its 299 starters and run over seven days (including the Prologue), with confidence. Many of them had been officiating in Targa Tasmania for numerous years and looked forward to the challenge of conducting such an event which was one of the largest vehicle rallies ever held in Australia.

Targa Stages Downgraded Three stages out of the 54 conducted were downgraded, all due to competitor incidents: • Day 2: ‘Devonport’ (only for Modern competitors); • Day 2: ‘Sheffield’; • Day 4: ‘Ridgeway’.

Octagon Worldwide After the running of the 2000 event it was announced that Targa Tasmania had been acquired by Octagon Worldwide, one of the world’s three largest sports marketing agencies. Managing Director was Steve Frazer.

Jump to List of Contents Page 12 of 17

Headquarters

Launceston - Country Club Casino

Hobart - Wrest Point Casino

5: COMPETITION

Jump to List of Contents Page 13 of 17

Historic Competition Arguably, the participants in this Competition were the real heroes of the 2000 Targa Tasmania. Their dedication to preparing their somewhat fragile machines for the grueling task of taking on the event was extreme, as was their determination to repair them when necessary during the event in order to reach the finish. It is to their great credit that of the 16 historic vehicles entered only two were unfortunate not to finish.

The Competition was run under the Handicap System and was won by John and Andrew Bryson in their 1938 Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Spyder Replica, nearly six minutes ahead of second placegetter Robert Van Wegen/Nigel Quinsee in their 1949 Bristol 400, a ‘run-on’ of the 1946 model. Third place, after another 8 minutes went to Barry and Cheryl Batagol in their 1930 Bentley Speed Six. Nine minutes was then to fourth place taken by James Earl/Phillip Scudmak in a 1933 MG Magna L, whilst fifth placegetters were Des and Tony Donnan driving a 1928 Fraser-Nash Boulogne. They were 15 minutes after the fourth placed car.

It was wonderful to see these historic cars in full competition flight, so ably captured in the Tasmanian Southern Cross Network footage of that year. Where else in the world could you see these magnificent machines driven the way that they were some sixty to eighty years before the event.

Touring Classic Competition Running as an independent competition under the Handicap System the first three placegetters were only three minutes apart - John Williamson/David Patterson took their 1960 Austin Healey Sprite to the lead at the finish; they were followed just over a minute later by Philip Nichols/Philip Blake in a 1958 Austin Healey Sprite, and a further just under three minutes to third filled by Dan Bowden/Michael Brown in a 1956 Porsche 356 A Carrera. Fourth was regular Targa Tasmania competitors Brian Titheradge/John Shuttle, crewing a 1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC, 14 minutes from third.

In all ten entries were received and only one failed to finish.

Classic Competition German rally champion Walter Roehrl, four times winner of the famous Monte Carlo Rally, showed his class by being a clear leader in the Classic Competition for much of the event, until gearbox problems with his rare 1960 Porsche 356 GT pushed him back in the final placings.

First place was awarded to Jeremy Browne/Stella Plenderleith in the 1969 Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF, under five minutes ahead of second placed Gregory Garwood/Christopher Bulk in a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR. Third, only 10 seconds behind second, was Paul Stuart/Mark Connelly in a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 and fourth, a further 37 seconds, went to Geoff and Leon Duggan driving their 1969 Datsun 2000 Sports.

Regular husband and wife crews to Targa Tasmania finished sixth (Brian and Linda McDermott) and ninth (Paul and Christine Freestone).

Jump to List of Contents Page 14 of 17

Modern Competition Long-time motor sport driver Jim Richards, with his regular Targa Tasmania navigator, Barry Oliver, fought off very keen competition from Ray Lintott/Fred Gocentas until the latter withdrew early on Day Five of the Six Day event. So close was the competition between these two crews that only 11 seconds separated them at the end of Day Four. Richards was in a 1999 Porsche 911 GT3 and Lintott in a 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo.

Warwick Freemantle/Nick Watchhorn took over second place in their 1965 Nissan GTR V Spec N1 to hassle Richards but the vehicle suffered mechanical problems on the last day and their attack on first place fell by the wayside.

This allowed 1999 Targa Tasmania Modern Competition winners, Peter Fitzgerald/Michael Mansour, to take their 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo to second place, almost four minutes behind Richards/Oliver, and they were followed by Jeff and Nerida Beable crewing a 1997 Nissan GTR V-Spec N1, only 20 seconds behind. A further 32 seconds was to fourth place Neal Bates/Coral Taylor, in a 1999 Lexus IS200.

The win gave Richards/Oliver their fourth win of the event, as well as two second places in the early years of the event.

Women Involvement Almost 60 women competitors were attracted to the event and how well they featured in the higher placings: • Historic - 3rd and 12th; • Touring Classic - 6th; • Classic - 1st, 6th and 9th in the top ten, and 10 in the top 30; • Modern - 3rd, 4th and 10th, with 7 finishing in the top 30.

Two 14 Year Old Navigators Two 14 year old navigators had the experience of their life to date in navigating for their fathers in the 2000 Targa Tasmania. One was Matt Holmes with dad Tony in a 1979 Ferrari 208 GTS finishing eighth in the Classic Competition and first in both category and class; another was Sarah Curry, with dad Ian in a 1970 Chrysler VG Pacer, and they finished 31st in the Classic Competition and second in their class.

6: PHOTOGRAPHS

Robert van Wegan/Nigel Quinsee in the 1949 Bristol 400

Jump to List of Contents Page 15 of 17

Michael Browning with Bob Watson in the 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2

Peter Fitzgerald and Michael Mansour in their 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo

Jump to List of Contents Page 16 of 17

Geoff and Leon Duggan in the 1969 Datsun 2000 Sports

Maxwell and Richard Lane on the ‘Cygnet’ targa stage in their 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spyder

Jump to List of Contents Page 17 of 17