2008 QUIT Targa West Rally News
This page will be regularly updated throughout the event with live action from each day's competition.
LEG 3 - Withdrawals
41-Bartter (Subaru Impreza WRS Sti) - Mechanical
19-Pollard (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti) - Rollover
21c-Thompson (Holden Clubsport) - Off road
32-Huberr (Ford Futura Coupe)
36-Pollard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10) - Clutch
39c-Brown (Ford Falcon BA GT) - Mechanical
63-Longhurst (Subaru Impreza WRX Sti) - Off road
77-Wilson (Porsche 911 Carrera) - Engine
79-Williams (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 RS) - Off road
Saturday 6 September
LEG 2 - Withdrawals
12-Burton (Porsche 928 S) - Mechanical
59-Sutton (Mitsubishi Evo 8) - Head gasket
66-Attwell (Porsche 911 RS) - Broken Flywheel
88-van Loenhout (Mitsubishi Evo 9) - Engine bearing
QTW 2008
With an entry list of 87 vehicles, 2008 will be QUIT Targa West's biggest event to date.
2008 is the fourth year that competitors will take to the WA roads for the QUIT Targa West Tarmac Rally. The event ran for the first time in 2005 and is now one of the major tarmac rallies in Australia. Each year it attracts some of the most well known names in tarmac rallying and the best cars in the country.
Competitors will once again be taken throught the stunning countryside of the Kalamunda, Chittering and Toodyay Shires.
Stage 28 - Coondle West
Competition Modern:
Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2)is pushing hard and has won this stage, his is still trying to peg back the 20second lead held by Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR). Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) is hanging in there a further 4seconds behind Richards.
Competition Classic:
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) extended his lead over David Moir (Datsun 240Z). to 7:08.0 by winning SS28. Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) is in third.
Challenge Modern:
Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) and Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) are battling it out in the Challenge Modern class with Illman holding a slim 5second lead after Gunson won the stage. Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) remains in 3rd nearly two minutes behind.
Challenge Classic:
Andy van Kann has a 3:36.0 lead over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) with Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8) in third. Bernard Cecchele (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series), Colin Marsh (Ford Escort) and Van Kann finished the stage tied on the fastest time of 2:38.0
Stage 26 - Lake Chittering 2
Competition Modern:
Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) is back into second but still has 21seconds to find if he wants to catch Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) in first. Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) is one second behind Richards.
Competition Classic:
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) still leading from David Moir (Datsun 240Z) and Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore).
Challenge Modern:
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) extends his lead to 5seconds. Bruce Hawley (Skyline R34 GTR) continues to take time out of Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) but will there be enough stages left in the day for him to catch him.
Challenge Classic:
Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) now leads by 5seconds. Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) and Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8) have been slow through the last few stages but still have a strong hold on their positions.
Stage 25 - Bindoon Country 3
Stage has been stopped. Car 19 has rolled near flying finish and emergency crews have responded. Driver and co-driver are out of the car and ok. They are on the way to Royal Perth Hospital for checks.
Stage is undeway for Competition cars.
Stage cancelled for Challenge vehicles due to lost time.
Start delayed as QUIT Targa West emergency crews attend to local resident.
Stage 24 - Chittering Long
Competition Modern:
Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) is charging up the time sheets jumping into second after another fantastic stage. Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) still leads by 19 seconds. Troy Wilson Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII put in a blinder of a stage only 3seconds behind Weeks, closing the gap on 4th.
Competition Classic:
Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) has recovered from a mistake on SS23 posting the second fastest stage time. He’s holding onto third but is facing a challenge from Kim Stewart (Ford Mustand GT350).
Challenge Modern:
Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) won the stage with the class leader Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) only managing fourth fastest. 3seconds slower than second placed Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon), Illman now only has a 2second lead.
Challenge Classic:
Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) has dropped 28seconds to the leader but still holds onto second. Andy van Kann won the stage by 3seconds.
Stage 23 - Western Range 3
Competition Modern:
Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) topped the time sheets for the stage closing the gap to Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) in second. Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) still holds the lead, 14seconds ahead of Richards.
Competition Classic:
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) has taken 34seconds out of his closest rival for the stage, David Moir (Datsun 240Z). Hans de Corti (Porsche 911 Carerra RS) lost some time to fourth placed Kim Stewart (Ford Mustand GT350) with the gap now down to 2seconds.
Challenge Modern:
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) won the stage and continues to hold the class lead. Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) is in second and Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) is in third.
Challenge Classic:
The Camp Quality “Ride of a Lifetime” continues to be just that. Andy van Kann and his novice co-drivers are dominating the class, leading by over 2minutes.
Andy van Kann auctioned off the place beside him in the co-drivers seat for Camp Quality, raising $13,000 for the charity. Both rides were purchased by anonymous individuals who requested the rides be taken by those affected in some way by cancer.
Co-driving for Andy on Thursday was Brook Martinsen whose daughter suffers from cancer and at only 18-years-old James Marquet is currently completing his second day in the hot seat.
Car 60 is in the service park.
Stage 22 - Muchea 3
Competition Modern:
As predicted Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) has come out firing taking the first stage win of the day. Overnight leader Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) and Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) tied the stage in second. Jones still has an 8second lead over Richards.
Competition Classic:
Alister McRae isn’t backing off despite taking a 5:55 lead into the final day. He leads the class followed by Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) and Hans de Corti (Porsche 911 Carerra RS).
Challenge Modern:
After some reshuffling of times late last night Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) took a 1second lead into the first stage of the day, but it was the man who lead for most of yesterday Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) who took the opening stage win, jumping ahead of Gunson to lead by 1second. Paul Davis (Holden HDT VC Retro) who put in a blinder second leg jumping into third late in the day yesterday, has held his ground and has hit sights set on the two leaders with nine stages left in the rally.
Challenge Classic:
With overnight leader Andy van Kann running at the back of the field we’re still waiting for his first time of the day, however the rest of the field have come out fighting with only 5seconds separating all competitors.
Saturday 6 September
Steven Jones takes the lead...
Perth young gun Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) is the new leader of QUIT Targa West Competition Modern class overtaking Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) on SS19
Jones, who sacrifices weight advantage and tarmac rally experience to Weeks and tarmac legend Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2), pushed both drivers to the final stage, recording stage wins across the day, finishing 11 seconds ahead of Richards in second.
A blistering time set by Jones on SS19, and a pace noting error by leader Weeks, saw the 23-year-old take the rally lead.
Jones will have a fight on his hands on the final day of competition tomorrow with 2007 QUIT Targa West Competition Modern champion Richards sure to come out hot on his heels in a quest to defend his title.
Former World Rally Championship driver Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS), continued the blistering pace he showed yesterday, finishing the leg with a commanding 5:55.0 lead over the chasing field.
Behind McRae, David Moir (Datsun 240Z) is holding out second, but Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) has been the stand out driver of the class, setting top two stage times across the day and jumping from seventh at the end of Leg 1 to sit in third at the end of Leg 2.
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) continues to lead the Challenge Modern class ahead of Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) and Bruce Hawley (Skyline R34 GTR).
Andy Van Kann, whose second Camp Quality nominated co-driver James Marquet, got a turn in the hot seat today has stretched his lead to 2:10.0 over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series). Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8) is in third.
Western Range continues to impress:
Western Range, which last year was credited by Jim Richards co-driver Barry Oliver as “the best stage we have done in 15 years,” continued to impress drivers today with Kevin Weeks and former World Rally Championship driver Alister McRae unable to control their enthusiasm after the first pass today.
Kevin Weeks:
“Western Range is a sensational stage, I absolutely loved it! Talk about on the edge racing.”
Alister McRae:
“It was good to do a long stage and it was a very enjoyable stage, the best so far!”
Stage 19 – Coondle West 1
Competition Modern
Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) is the new leader, following an off route excursion by Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera). A pace-noting error saw Weeks drop 41seconds, and he now sits in third behind Richards and Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) who is in second.
Competition Classic
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) is continuing to increase his gap over the field, now leading by 5:21.0. Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) is in second and Kim Stewart (Ford Mustang GT350) is in fourth. David Moir (Datsun 240Z) has dropped back to 9th.
Challenge Modern
Bruce Hawley (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR) has set the fastest time on the stage and moved back into second place almost 1minute ahead of Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) who sits in third. Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) continues to hold the lead.
Challenge Classic
Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) has a 1:57.0 lead over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series). Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8) has moved into third.
Bindoon Service:
Kevin Weeks:
“Western Range is a sensational stage, I absolutely loved it! Talk about on the edge racing.”
Alister McRae:
“It was good to do a long stage and it was a very enjoyable stage, the best so far!”
Stage 16 - Lake Chittering 1
Car 84 did not start.
Car 10c did not start.
Car 66 has withdrawn from the event.
Car 59 has withdrawn from the event.
Stage 15 - Wells Glover
Competition Modern
Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) has set the fastest time on a stage where the top seven competitors were separated by only seven seconds. Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera), still leads from Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) and Jones.
Competition Classic
Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) is continuing to set top two stage times cementing his spot in third and closing the gap to David Moir (Datsun 240Z) in second.
Challenge Modern
Bruce Hawley (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR) takes the stage win. Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) holds the lead from Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) and Hawley.
Challenge Classic
Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) has stretched his lead to over 1minute over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) who is a further 1minute ahead of Bernard Cecchele (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series).
Stage 13 - Western Range 2
Competition Modern
Leaders Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera), Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) and Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) are continuing to dominate with the chasing pack unable to take much time out of the trio.
Competition Classic
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) now leads by 3:15.0. David Moir and new co-driver Alan Stean are doing a great job sitting in second.
Challenge Modern
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) and Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) set equal stage times. Gunson has now moved into second outright ahead of Bruce Hawley (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR). Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) continues to set top 5 stage times.
Challenge Classic
Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) now has a 44second lead over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series). Colin Marsh (Ford Escort) stopped on stage after blowing an oil seal however the crew are hoping to rejoin the rally.
Car 12 DNF
Car 10c stopped on stage, trying to rejoin.
Stage 12 - Muchea 2
Competition Modern
Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) and Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) have recorded identical stage times on the second running of Muchea. Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) is holding onto third but is facing a fight from Tony Longhurst (Subaru Impreza WRX). Competition Classic
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) has extended his lead over the field to 2:32.0. Shane Atwell (Porsche 911 RS) has moved into third and Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) has joined the battle with Kim Stewart (Ford Mustang GT350) and Hans de Corti (Porsche 911 Carrera RS) for fourth.
Challenge Modern
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) continues to hold the lead however the battle for second in hotting up. Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) and Bruce Hawley (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR) are tied on 44:20.0. Robert Darrington (Aston Martin Vantage) is a further 39seconds behind.
Challenge Classic
Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) took the stage by 2seconds but has increased his lead over Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) to 15seconds. Colin Marsh (Ford Escort) is continuing to set top two stage times.
Car 93 has stopped on stage.
Stage 11 - Western Range 1
Car 59 has blown a head gasket and did not start the stage.
Car 28 is stopped on stage after sliding off road.
Car 43 is returning to service.
Competition Modern
Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) has jumped into second, now leading Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) by 2seconds. However, Kevin Weeks has increased his lead to 22seconds.
Competition Classic
Kim Stewart (Ford Mustang GT350) has completed a fantastic stage jumping into third. Shane Atwell (Porsche 911 RS) and Hans de Corti (Porsche 911 Carrera RS) are fighting for fourth place with only one second separating them.
Challenge Modern
The battle for top spots is on with less than a minute separating the top four cars of Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo), Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon), Bruce Hawley (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR) and Robert Darrington (Aston Martin Vantage).
Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) put in a blinder, taking the stage by 2seconds.
Challenge Classic
Colin Marsh won the stage by 15seconds! Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) has regained the outright lead, taking 5seconds out of Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) on the stage.
Stage 10 - Muchae 1
Competition Modern
Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera) has increased his lead over the chasing cars of Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) and Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) at the end of SS10, the first stage of today’s competition.
Competition Classic
Alister McRae is continuing to build on his commanding lead. David Moir (Datsun 240Z) is holding onto second but is facing a renewed fight from Hans de Corti (Porsche 911 Carrera RS) and Laurie Burton (Porsche 928 S).
Challenge Classic
Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) and Andy van Kann (Toyota Levin) are tied in first more than two minutes ahead of their nearest rival Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8).
Leg 2 Start
82 Cars have started day two of QUIT Targa West. Today’s event takes crews north to Muchea then through the Chittering Valley to Toodyay.
There’s no stopping Kerry Wade’s co-driver, Alan Stean, he has rejoined the rally co-driving for David Moir as David’s co-driver, Vicki Moir, has taken ill.
Friday 5 September
City of Perth and Kalamunda Shire Excited!
City of Perth and the Shire of Kalamunda have praised the organisers of QUIT Targa West which got underway this morning with a fantastic display in the Murray St Mall.
After further increasing their support of the event in 2008, City of Perth look set to continue their association in 2009, with a council representative saying they can't wait for next year!
The lunch stop in the main street of Kalamunda also received high praise with representatives from the Kalamunda Council voicing their enthusiasm about the event.
One of the major tarmac rallies in Australia, QUIT Targa West is currently running through the Shire of Kalamunda and will continue through the Shires of Chittering and Toodyay over Saturday and Sunday.
City of Perth and the Shire of Kalamunda have praised the organisers of QUIT Targa West which got underway this morning with a fantastic display in the Murray St Mall. After further increasing their support of the event in 2008, City of Perth look set to continue their association in 2009, with a council representative saying they can't wait for next year! The lunch stop in the main street of Kalamunda also received high praise with representatives from the Kalamunda Council voicing their enthusiasm about the event. One of the major tarmac rallies in Australia, QUIT Targa West is currently running through the Shire of Kalamunda and will continue through the Shires of Chittering and Toodyay over Saturday and Sunday.
Weeks takes day one honours...
Kevin Weeks/Rebecca Crunkhorn have taken the Competition Modern honours on day one of QUIT Targa. Weeks, driving a Lamborghini Superleggera, completed the leg in 22:34.0 and holds a seven second lead over his closest rivals, Steven Jones/Rauri Souter-Dawson (Nissan Skyline GTR), who are a further two seconds ahead of Jim Richards/Barry Oliver (Porsche 91 GT2).
Alister McRae, competing in his first QUIT Targa West, has a convincing 1:26.0 lead in the Competition Classic class in his Porsche 911 RS. McRae/Hayes posted an overall time of 23:25 which is only 51.0 seconds behind Kevin Weeks. David Moir/Vicki Moir (Datsun 240Z), Kim Stewart/Frank Zanotti (Ford Mustang GT350) and Hans de Corti/Mark de Corti (Porsche 911 Carrera RS) have a bit of work to do tomorrow if they want to put any pressure on McRae.
A close battle still ensues in the Challenge Modern class between Kym Illman/Antonia Spiers (Porsche 997 Turbo) and Bruce Hawley/Karl Howard (Nissan Skyline R34 GTR) with Illman edging out Hawley by 14.0 seconds at the end of competition today.
Andy van Kann/Brook Martinsen have jumped to a 53.0 second lead in the Challenge Classic class heading into day two of competition. Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo) had a disappointing last stage, dropping him to second and previous leader Colin Marsh (Ford Escort) missed the final stage of the day. The result for van Kann and Martinsen was one of the standout performances of the day given it was Martinsen’s first attempt at co-driving.
Andy van Kann, who auctioned off the co-drivers seat in his Toyota Levin for Camp Quality, will be joined by a new co-driver Jamie Marquet tomorrow. Both Martinsen and Marquet are involved with Camp Quality through family and personal experiences with cancer.
Results Update SS07 - Canning Mills
Competition Modern
Kevin Weeks has increased his lead over tarmac legend Jim Richards with the gap between his Lamborghini Superleggera and Richard's Porsche 911 GT2 now out to 10seconds. Klark Quinn (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) sits in third position only one second in front of Tony Longhurst (Subaru Impreza WRX), both drivers are facing a close battle with youngster Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR) a further 2seconds behind.
Competition Classic
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) has a handy one minute leave over Burton (Porsche 928 S), Moir (Datsun 240Z) and Stewart (Ford Mustang GT350) who are jostling for seond place with only 5 seconds separating them.
Challenge Modern
Illman (Porsche 997), Hawley (Nissan Skyline) and Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon) were neck and neck for the first three stages today, but a slow time for Gunson on SS04 has seen him trail behind the other two. At the end of SS07 Illman is holding out Hawley by a slim 5 seconds with Darrington sneaking up on them a further 21seconds behind.
Challenge Classic
Marsh (Ford Escort), Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo) & van Kann (Toyota Levin) have been swapping positions throughout the day for honours in the Challenge Classic class. At the end of SS07 Marsh is leading the class with Rahimatulla 34seconds behind.
Emergency Crews tested on SS03 & SS06 - Zig Zag
There were two incidents on day one of QUIT Targa West. The incidents occurred on stages 3 & 6, the scenic Zig Zag Rd in Perth's hills, early in the rally. Experienced champion race driver Kerry Wade (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) driving Ross Dunkerton's 2006 QTW winning car, had an incident at speed. Both Kerry and co-driver Alan Stean are reported to be ok owing to stringent safety regulations required by Confederation of Australian Motorsport to be installed in their vehicle.
Well known Perth motoring journalist Bill Buys (Proton Satria GTi) with his son Robert also had an incident on the second running of the same stage. Both Bill and Robert have been taken to hospital for observation. The Clerk of Course, Ross Tapper, will issue an update on their condition as available.
Both cars were attended by medical crews within minutes of the respective incidents. To allow the emergency response teams to do their job safely, competition was halted on both of these stages. Competitors who were unable to record a competition time for these stages will be allocated a derived time by the organisers.
QUIT Targa West uses medical teams who are considered amongst the best trained emergency response teams in the world, specialising in trauma incidents. The Clerk of Course reiterated that the event does not compromise on safety and is extremely pleased with the response times and performances of the emergency medical crews.
SS01 - Barbagallo Raceway
Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS) posted a great time in the Competition Classic class sitting in equal fourth outright along with Quinn and Jones. He leads the Competition Classic class by 9 seconds, ahead of Shane Atwell (911 RS) and Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore).
After the completion of the opening stage of QUIT Targa West the following competitors are leading the Challenge classes:
Challenge Modern | | |
Kym Illman/Antonia Spiers | Porsche 997 Turbo | 2:51.0 |
Simon Gunson/Murray Armenti | Ford F6 Typhoon | 2:57.0 |
Robert Darrington/David Abetz | Aston Martin Vantage | 3:00.0 |
Challenge Classic
| | |
Colin Marsh/Suzanne Marsh | Ford Escort | 3:00.0 |
Andrew Van Kann/Brook Martinsen | Toyota Levin | 3:02.0 |
Nick Rahimtulla/Peter Murray | Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series | 3:03.0 |
Ceremonial Start
It has not been the perfect start to the event for Tony Quinn and his co-driver Naomi Tillett with their Porsche 911 GT3 suffering from some electrical gremlins before it had even had the chance to cross the start line. Some quick work seems to have rectified the problem but we'll be keeping an eye out on their progress throughout the morning stages.
Competitors have now headed to Barbagallo Raceway, Western Australia's biggest raceway, which is providing the perfect stage for crews to warm up before heading out for the first road stage of the event.
Thursday 4 September
Prologue completed...
The QUIT Targa West Prologue has been run and won at the Perth Motorplex this afternoon with cars completing two laps around the 3.47km circuit to determine the starting order of the rally which gets underway tomorrow morning.
2007 Class winners, Jim Richards and Barry Oliver will be defending their title in the Competition Modern Category, whilst Hans and Mark de Corti will have some strong competition from Alister McRae and Bill Hays in the Competition Classic Category. The Challenge Classic Category will be a close call with Tony Clarke looking to fend off competition from Andy Van Kann and co-drivers Brook Martinsen and James Marquet.
After the completion of both laps the following competitors are topping the time sheets: