Tony Quinn (QLD) and Naomi Tillett (SA) in a 2008 Nissan GT-R have won this year’s Targa Tasmania. Quinn was at the pointy end of the field throughout the event, but he faced an eight second deficit to the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera of Kevin Weeks (SA) leading into the final day. And what a drama filled day it proved to be.
The cool and wet conditions which faced the drivers meant it was a case of finding that balance between pushing hard and simply staying on the black stuff.
The first stage of Leg 5, TS35 ‘Strahan’, was a 33.3km long stretch of unforgiving slippery tarmac. And with the start point on the edge of the town itself, drivers were given little chance to work much needed heat into their tyres and brakes.
Quinn fought desperately hard in the heavy GT-R and was 11 seconds faster than Weeks. The ball was now in Weeks’ court and he attempted to wrestle back the lead on the following 6.4km ‘Queenstown’ stage. The stage begins with a tight and twisty climb out of the mining town, before opening up into a frighteningly quick downhill section. It was here that the result of the rally was decided when Weeks lost control and flew off the bitumen into the roadside scrub and bushes.
It was a savage incident and Weeks and navigator Rebecca Crunkhorn were airlifted to Hobart General Hospital. Fortunately, both suffered little more than bruised pride, Crunkhorn was released later that day, but Weeks remained in hospital overnight with suspected rib injuries. The South Australian is expected to make a speedy recovery.
Local competitors Jason and John White, also in a Lamborghini Gallardo were now in second place. For the previous four days they formed part of a very tight leaderboard, but mechanical gremlins suffered by the Lambo on the final few stages meant that Tony Quinn would claim a six minute winning margin. The largest in the event’s 18 year history.
Quinn and Weeks have both come very close to winning Targa Tasmania in the past. Both are likeable characters and either driver would have proved to be a popular winner. Speaking at the post-rally function the following day “Quinny” was gracious in victory and expressed heartfelt thanks to the numerous well wishes and support he and navigator Naomi Tillet had received.
Targa Tasmania is a gruelling event, extremely tough on cars and a fierce mental test of driver and navigator, anyone who thinks Quinn won this event simply because he was driving a GT-R is kidding themselves.
