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Targa Tasmania 2008 gets thumbs up
2008-04-30 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge The 17th running of Targa Tasmania has been given the nod as the best ever by competitors, according to event director, Mark Perry. While Targa is an established part of Australia?s motorsport calendar, the event underwent many changes in 2008. Competitors spent more nights in Launceston, less time on liaison between stages and took on a number of new stages. Devenport hosted its first street stage, Strahan hosted its first overnight stop, and the Hobart Domain was returned to the competition schedule, and attracted a huge crowd. Perry says he has been overwhelmed by the positive response from the competitors, and also delighted with how the event was viewed by sponsors and supporters. ?Any change means taking risks, but it seems like everything we have touched this year has turned to gold,? Perry said. ?Launceston provided a fantastic base for the first five nights of the event, and people really enjoyed staying in the city and not having to p...
Targa Tasmania 2008 Classic Results
2008-04-27 00:00:00 Targa 2008 Classic Results Final (Provisional) 1. 577 Rex Broadbent (VIC), John Lillyman (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 17:22 2. 736 Gavin James (VIC), Neil McLeod, (VIC), 1989 Porsche 944 S2 , 18:46 (+1:24) 3. 573 Peter Eames (VIC), Will Logan (TAS), 1974 Porsche Carrera RS, 18:51 (+1:29) =4. 413 Steve Coad (VIC), Rachael Coad (VIC), 1971 Holden Monaro GTS, 21:24 (+3:02) =4. 465 Jon Siddins (QLD), Darren Ferguson (QLD), 1970 Datsun 1600, 21:24 (+3:02) 6. 574 Gary Tierney (VIC), David Carra (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 22:12 (+4:50) 7. 718 David Morton (NSW), Malcolm McDonald (NSW), 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo, 23:12 (+5:50) 8. 643 John Ireland (NSW), Michael Ribot (NSW), 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera, 23:42 (+6:20) 9. 686 Rob Sherrard (QLD), / Roberts (TAS), 1981 Porsche 930, 25:36 (+8:14) 10. 607 Barry Faux (ACT), Therezia Mihajlovic (ACT), 1979 Mazda RX7, 28:58 (+11:36)
Broadbent?s Classic victory hopes deflated at Targa Tasmania
2008-04-20 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge The hopes of Melbourne?s Rex Broadbent for back-to-back victories in the Shannons Classic Outright competition of this year?s Targa Tasmania were severely deflated on Tasmania?s West Coast when he suffered tyre problems on the penultimate stage of Day 4. One of the soft compound front tyres of his 1974 Porsche 911 RS replica began deflating in the Bastyan Dam penultimate stage of the day, but sealant applied to stem the leak during the following transport section caused major steering vibrations. As a result, he and NSW co-driver John Lilleyman lost 54 seconds to his key rivals on the following Reece Dam final stage and he limped to the finish with the tyre still deflating. Because the roll cage of his former circuit-racing Porsche does not allow space for a spare tyre to be carried, Broadbent was trying to borrow one from anther competitor overnight. If successful, he will incur a two minute time penalty, which will drop him to second place ? 24...
Targa Tasmania, the 1974 Porsche 911 increased his lead in the Classic Comp
2008-04-18 00:00:00 Targa tasmania 2008 Classic Competition" > Click on the picture to enlarge South Australian Steve Glenney has held his challengers at bay on day three of Targa Tasmania, and holds a comfortable 37 second buffer with two days remaining. Glenney took a 40 second lead into the day over Jim Richards? Porsche 911 GT2, and while the margin has narrowed slightly, he still has a commanding break and is now clearly the man to beat. Another South Australian, Kevin Weeks, driving a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, has moved up to second place after the eight stages around Tasmania?s North West. Richards slipped one place, but is just two seconds further back and very much in the play as Targa heads west to its next stop in Strahan. Fine and dry conditions have helped to ensure that the leading competitors in Targa Tasmania enjoyed a drama free day today. Rex Broadbent, driving his 1974 Porsche 911, increased his lead in the Classic Competition and is now nearly two minutes clear of the ...
Crushing victory in the 2008 Targa Tasmania Rookie Rallye for Classic Cars
2008-04-18 00:00:00 Gavin James and Neil McDonald in their 1989 Porsche 944 S2" > Click on the picture to enlarge Queenslander David Griffiths has taken a crushing victory the 2008 Targa Tasmania Rookie Rallye for Classic Cars, after the two day event concluded at Longford this afternoon. Driving a 1989 Nissan Skyline GTS-t, Griffiths, with his brother Max calling the pacenotes, finished the event over three minutes clear of the 1974 Porsche 911 of Victorians Aaron Silluzio and Josh Franzi. In third place were fellow Victorians, Shane Woodman and Kylie Kastelic, in their crowd-pleasing 1977 Holden Torana A9X. In the Rookie Rallye for Modern Cars, Victorians Stephen Bradford and Richard Huggins drove their 1999 Subaru Impreza WRX STI to a 45 second victory over the thundering Holden Commodore ute of Launceston?s Michael Nicholls and Peter Locket In a 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Paul Summers and Brendan Anesbury, both from Western Australia, took third place, ahead of local Tasmanian rally stars, David...
Targa Tasmania off to a flying start
2008-04-17 04:56:00 An unusual rivalry has manifested following the completion of Day One in the Targa Tasmania. Very much a family affair, fueled by the bitter rivalry between the two manufacturers, competition between the Mazda3 MPS and TRD Aurion entries is heating up. Read more… Mazda drivers Rick Bates and Alister McRae ...
Day one leaves tight fields in all Targa Tasmania Classes
2008-04-16 00:00:00 Targa Tasmania Day 1" > Click on the picture to enlarge Eight time Targa Tasmania winner, Jim Richards, driving a 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, leads the Modern Competition field after the first day of the five-day tarmac rally. The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, currently has a one second advantage of South Australian, Steve Glenney, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Another former Bathurst winner, Tony Longhurst, lies third in a Les Walkden Rallying-prepared Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a further three seconds back. In the Classic Competition, 2007 winner, Rex Broadbent, has dominated day one of the event in his 1974 Porsche 911 RS. Broadbent holds a lead of ten seconds over Peter Eames? 1974 Porsche 911 RS, while Bendigo?s Gavin James lies a further 11 seconds in arrears in his 1989 Porsche 944 S2. The Mazda3 MPSs have dominated the Showroom 2WD category, with Rick Bates holding down a nine second lead over his team mate, former World Rally Championship star, Scotland?s Alister McRae. Reig...
The 2008 Targa Tasmania got underway with the official Temco Prologue
2008-04-16 00:00:00 Targa Tasmania 2008, Porsche" > Click on the picture to enlarge The 2008 Targa Tasmania got underway with the official Temco Prologue in George Town on Tuesday afternoon, with Matt Close setting the fastest time for the second year running. Driving a 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo, the Burnie-born Close was 2.2 seconds faster than Kevin Weeks in his 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, with eight-time Targa winner Jim Richards, driving his 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 third, a further 1.72 seconds back. The battle among the Classic cars was also tight, with pre-event favourite Bill Pye first, 3.86 seconds clear of arch-rival and 2007 Targa Classic Champion, Rex Broadbent. Both are driving 1974 Porsches - the Carrera 911 RS, but there is now considerable doubt if Pye?s car will make it to the start line at the Country Club on Wednesday morning after experiencing mechanical problems following the Prologue. Leading the way in the 2WD Showroom class in the 4.88 kilometre sprint around the street...
Philip Blake will be contesting his 13th Targa Tasmania
2008-04-10 00:00:00 Philip Blake will be contesting his 13th Targa Tasmania, which gets underway on April 15, but for this local, the rally is only the start of one big adventure. The author of ?Secret Tasmania? won?t be sitting behind the wheel or driving his beloved Fiat for this year?s event. ?A lot of people recognise my car, but this year I will be navigating for Philip Nichols in his 1958 Austin Healey Sprite.? The Italian Car Club member says it takes someone special and unflappable to be a navigator. ?Being in a car for five days and travelling in fast conditions, the pressure soon starts to build. A driver worries about the current corner they face, while the navigator is already planning an attack for the next two approaching corners.? Blake is not just busily preparing for the start of Targa Tasmania, he is also in the process of organising his car for an international adventure. ?My Fiat will be on the high seas when Targa gets running.? The Fiat fanatic is shipping his 53-year-old cl...
2008 Mazda3 MPS Targa Tasmania
2008-04-09 08:12:00 Mazda Australia has today unveiled its brand new Mazda3 MPS rally car ahead of its race debut at Targa Tasmania next week. Mazda will have two of its specially prepped rally cars competing, driven by Rick Bates and Alister McRae. Read more… Competing in the 2WD Showroom competition, the near ...
A movie icon will be competing in the 17th running of Targa Tasmania
2008-04-09 00:00:00 A movie icon will be competing in the 17th running of Targa Tasmania, with Latrobe?s Annette Skinner set to take the legendary car through its paces when the starter?s flag drops in Launceston on April 15. The mother of three will drive a 1981 Pontiac Trans AM, which was the cult car which starred in the ?Smokey and the Bandit? movies during the late 70s. ?The car is stamped number three and we found out it starred in the old movies and was the Pontiac used in the street scenes of the movie,? Skinner said. ?They even sent us a letter of authenticity to say the car was in the film.? The midnight blue beast certainly turns heads. Skinner also surprises many when she gets out of the car. Women still make up a small, if growing percentage, of drivers of performance cars. ?I don?t do Targa to ?one up? the boys. I do it because I love it. I grew up with it and started navigating for my father (John Palmer) a few years ago. He?s going to be co-driving with me this year.? To hear the ...
Targa Tasmania in a classic 1985 Jaguar XSJ
2008-04-09 00:00:00 While Geoffrey Bott, from Springwood in NSW, will be tackling Australia?s ultimate tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania, in a classic 1985 Jaguar XSJ, he will be showcasing some very modern, state-of-the-art technology. Bott?s car number 703 has been fitted with a unique tracking device which will give real time stats on the team as they drive along the 2000 kilometre course from April 15 to 20. ?Anyone can track us during the event,? Bott said. ?It will give a reading every 45 seconds and locate us on a map which can be found on our website. The tracking tag is the size of a small smoke detector and uses similar technology to that in a mobile phone. I?m sure it will be put through its paces as we travel through some of the remote terrain through Tasmania.? To hear the interview, click here: The 58-year-old grandfather will be competing behind the wheel of his Jag after assisting Targa Tasmania for a number of years. ?In 1995 I was a CRO (Competitor Relations Officer) and last ...
McRae Mazda3 MPS for Targa Tasmania
2008-01-31 13:07:00 Taken from McRae Mazda3 MPS for Targa Tasmania on ZerCustoms Mazda announced that Alister McRae , the former British Rally Champion, will compete in the Targa Tasmania at the wheel of a Mazda3 MPS . McRae 's Mazda3 MPS is powered by a turbocharged engine that develops 190 kW and 360 Nm of torque. T... Complete text here: McRae Mazda3 MPS for Targa Tasmania Photo gallery here: McRae Mazda3 MPS for Targa Tasmania PhotosMore Mazda news on ZerCustoms
By: ZerCustoms
Nissan GT-R Coming to Targa Tasmania
2007-12-08 09:50:00 We thought that Nissan was in the ‘considering’ stage where Targa Tasmania was concerned, something that they notoriously never get past. Apparently, we’re wrong according to the JDM car lovers over a JPCN. Nissan is actually bringing their new weapon to the event, and we couldn’t be happier. In an event dominated by various flavours of ...
Safer Targa Tasmania sets course to build bright future
2007-08-06 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge The 2008 Targa Tasmania course released today continues the three year rotation policy of ensuring all areas of Tasmania gain benefit from the multi-million dollar event and addresses the strong competitor demand that Australia?s ultimate tarmac rally continues to provide a fresh challenge annually. Additionally, the new course also addresses vital competitor and general public safety issues by minimising travel time and focussing on user-friendly roads. Event Director Mark Perry believes the changes will strengthen the event for the long term. ?Pivotal in all the changes included, and there are many, is that we continue to conduct the best event of its kind in Australia and produce an event that keeps competitors coming back year after year in the face of increasing competition from the mainland.? ?In some ways Targa has become a victim of its own success. People have seen what we have done here in Tasmania and over the last few years, many new ...
Hyundai Tiburon at Targa Tasmania
2007-05-02 02:10:00 Targa Tasmania is one of the very few popular tarmac-based rally events held in Australia, the event has been taking place annually since 1992 and shows no sign of slowing down. However apart from the categorization of Modern (post 1990)/Classic (pre 1990) cars which gives incentive for old cars to join the rally, the majority of ...
Targa Tasmania Stage 40 Results
2007-04-23 13:50:00 Stage 40 of the 2007 Targa Tasmania was held on Sunday 22nd April in Queenstown. Competitors had there lunch break in Orr St with cars line up up along the main street giving spectators great opportunity to not only say g,day to there favourite drivers but also the opportunity to walk around and view ...
End of the Targa Tasmania
2007-04-23 00:00:00 The Targa Tasmania is now finished. Some pictures of the event have been added in the Targa Tasmania pictures gallery. Here some quotes from the winners of the classic cars category: 1st Shannons Classic Outright - Rex Broadbent We are just wrung out. This is definitely the hardest event we?ve ever been and we are so glad to be here. Introducing an outright classic car category has been a boon to competitors like me. The handicap system is great to make equity for all, but the organisers have recognised there should be an outright and there is now and full credit to the event for doing so. We are thrilled to win it. 2nd Shannons Classic Outright and 1st Classic Handicap - Bill Pye We are a bit surprised to have gone close in outright classic. The rain helped us a bit today and had we had a little bit more we may have got both (outright and handicap). We?ve been working for three years to get this ? we are rapt. It was good to drive past all the stages on the last day in wh...
Bana crashes in his classic car in Targa Tasmania
2007-04-22 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Actor Eric Bana has crashed out of Targa Tasmania after his classic car, a 1974 Ford Coupe, left the road and hit two trees on the challenging Cethana stage just after lunchtime today. Bana and his close friend and navigator Tony Ramunno, who had been running in 53rd place outright in the Shannons Classic Competition out of 115 starters, were unhurt. However, Bana?s previously immaculate Falcon coupe, which he has owned since he was 15 and was recently the subject of hundreds of hours of a total restoration to V8 Supercar standards, was battered and bruised. Initially it had been hoped that the car could be repaired to continue the final day of Targa tomorrow from Burnie to Hobart, however a closer inspection by his support crew revealed that the front right hand steering and suspension were too badly damaged for a safe repair in time. The accident occurred 25.7km into the 37.7km Cethana stage south west of Sheffield in Tasmania?s North West as B...
Quality Classic Cars at Targa Tasmania this year!
2007-04-22 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Classic cars may be more reliable than any modern car in this years Targa Tasmania. Robert Priddle is very happy with his Classic car, a 1975 Jaguar XJS V12, with its second hand engine which he got for a bargain and hardly drove before the event. ?The engine we?ve currently got we bought second hand for $1,000 ,? said Robert. ?We put it in and crossed our fingers and so far so good.? Robert said it?s been four years since he last drove the Jaguar in a Targa. ?I?ve had to re-acquaint myself with this classic car.? Continue reading "Quality Classic Cars at Targa Tasmania this year!"
Targa tasmania: Broadbent surges into Classic lead
2007-04-22 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge The Melbourne Porsche crew of Rex Broadbent and Michael Goedheer have charged from third to first place in the Shannons Classic competition on Leg 2 of Targa Tasmania as it moved south from Launceston. Driving hard, yet without taking risks in their classic car, a 1974 911 RSR replica, they surged past the similarly-engined 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 of Leg 1 leaders Bill Pye and Grant Geelan from Sydney before they hit St.Helens on the East Coast and had moved 35 seconds in front by the time they reached Hobart. However Pye/Geelan retained their lead in the Shannons Classic Handicap Competition, from the fellow NSW crew of Mike Batten and John Doble in their 1961 Volvo PV544, with Broadbent/Goedheer third and Paul and Christine Freestone in their 1958 Austin Healey 100/6 fourth. The Freestones are rapidly making up time after finding their Healey virtually undriveable on Day 1 with its new suspension set-up, but major re-working of the car?s fr...
Targa Tasmania off to flying start
2007-04-18 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Targa Tasmania has got off to a flying start with 276 modern and classic cars setting a hot pace around the streets of George Town in the official Tempco Prologue stage. Leading the way in the drivetravel.com Modern section was Matt Close with his wife Casey in the co-driver?s seat of their Porsche 911 Turbo. The pair set a blistering pace across the 4.81 kilometre stage to finish 0.61 seconds clear of Allan Simonsen, driving the Les Walkden Rallying-prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Eight-time Targa champion, Jim Richards, in his Porsche 911 GT3, was in third place a further 1.81 seconds back. Leading Tasmanian contender, Jason White, had his Lamborghini in ninth place, 4.08 seconds off the lead, but happy to be out on the track after a fire caused by oil on the exhaust spoiled their preparation yesterday. Continue reading "Targa Tasmania off to flying start"
Classic cars in Targa Tasmania: 1963 Jensen
2007-04-18 00:00:00 With it?s fierce visage, the 1963 Jensen CV8 of Peter & Sari Ullrich from Somersby NSW is one of the more individual looking classic cars in Targa Tasmania. Boasting a 7.4 litre Chrysler big block V8, the couple are not short on power at least! The Jensen was found in a barn at Kalgoorlie according to Peter. Normally their business is yacht building and they have a string of great race winning boats to their credit. The Targa is a welcome relief from their busy schedule and they are looking forward to great event for 2007. Continue reading "Classic cars in Targa Tasmania: 1963 Jensen"
Porsches battle for early Classic honours in Targa Tasmania
2007-04-18 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge An enthralling battle amongst four top Porsche crews and a stirring drive by four V8-engined cars in challenging conditions has set the scene for a fascinating four days ahead in the Shannons Classic competition of this year?s Targa Tasmania. Leading from the front as he has done until the final moments of the past three Targas are the NSW crew of Bill Pye and Grant Geelan in their 1977 Porsche Carrera 3.0. But hot on his tail and just 15 seconds behind on provisional results is the front-engined 1989 Porsche 944 S2 of Victorians Gavin James and Neil McLeod, with a five second lead over former Shannons Classic winners Rex Broadbent and Michael Goedheer in their 1974 Porsche 911 RSR replica. ?We took it easy because of the changing conditions,? said Broadbent. ?There was also a lot of gravel over the road on one or two stages.? In fourth is David Morton and Malcolm McDonald in a Porsche 944 Turbo a further five seconds back. Continue reading "Pors...
Classic cars comeback to Targa Tasmania
2007-04-16 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge They won?t necessarily be the fastest, but the cars that will bring the most smiles and attract the biggest crowds to this year?s Targa Tasmania rally will all have been built prior to 1991. The Classic cars have made a major comeback in 2007 to the event that began with them as its mainstream in 1992. But in recently years many competitors were drawn to the hope of more media attention and sponsorship in Modern cars. That?s now history. This year the biggest entry this century will contest the Shannons Classic, which has been totally re-shaped and revived with the addition of a new Outright category to eclipse the more modern cars in both numbers and public and media fascination. And many of the competitors who previously entered the latest Modern cars they could afford are now back in Classic ? not only because the competition is closer than ever, but because they have found that playing Targa with the older cars is also much more fun. The hig...
Targa Tasmania: Veteran Competitor looks to night fun
2007-04-15 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Veteran Targa Tasmania competitor, Tim Lynas, has given a thumbs-up to the Glenorchy night stage, believing it will be a great showcase for all the classic cars in the field. Tim will be behind the wheel of his Ford Mustang taking on the special one kilometre stage on Thursday night, April 19. ?I?m very keen to have a go at the Hobart night stage. It should be a lot of fun.? The classic cars in the field are dear to the South Australian?s heart. Since competitng in the very first Targa in 1992, he has raced a number of cars. In the inagural Targa, Tim drove a 1990 Laser TX3 4WD, which he used until 1994 to achieve his Gold trophy. In 1995, that car was banned from the competition. so he had to get his pride and joy out of the shed, a Cabriolet Porsche, which he drove that year. Continue reading "Targa Tasmania: Veteran Competitor looks to night fun"
Northern Territorian set for Targa Tasmania
2007-04-15 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Northern Territory?s Andrew White will travel from one end of the country to the other with his classic car, a Volvo 122s to take part in Australia?s ultimate tarmac rally, Targa Tasmania, which gets underway at the Country Club in Launceston on April 17. With over 250 competitors set for the 2007 Targa classic, the man from the township of Gunn, near Darwin, has had to make sure he is organised for the Tassie event. ?The biggest difficulty of living in the Northern Territory is not getting to the event,? said White. ?I put my Volvo on a truck a week and a half ago, and we?ll meet it in Melbourne and catch the boat over to Tasmania.? No, his biggest challenge is maintaining his pride and joy, his classic car. ?There are not many suppliers up here, but anyone who?s an enthusiast knows about Targa.? ?It?s the best form of motor sport imaginable. It gives me a buzz for the rest of the year.? Continue reading "Northern Territorian set for Targa Tasm...
Targa Tasmania Rally
2007-04-12 13:18:00 On Sunday 22nd April the Targa Tasmania Rally comes to Queenstown, for day 5 of this magnificent event, The rally was named after The Targa Florio which was a motoring event in Italy. The Targa Tasmania first began in 1992 and has been a annual event ever since with competitors and spectator coming from all over ...
Mt Lawley driver set for tenth Targa Tasmania
2007-04-12 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Mt Lawley driver, Syd Jenkins, is making final preparations as Australia's ultimate touring event is about to come to a roaring start. Jenkins, driving a 1965 Morris Cooper S, will be starting in his 10th Targa Tasmania this year, teaming with Tasmanian navigator, Aaron Creed, when the event gets underway on April 17. A Mini enthusiast, he loves the challenge of Targa and Tasmania?s tormenting roads. ?It?s five and a half days of pushing yourself and your car to the limit,? Jenkins said. The West Australian?s passion for Targa Tasmania started back in 1996, after often hearing and reading about the renowned event. Continue reading "Mt Lawley driver set for tenth Targa Tasmania"
Seaforth engineer set for Targa Tasmania
2007-04-12 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge John Williamson isn?t a superstitious man. In fact, when he arrives in Tasmania on Friday the 13th of April to prepare for the famous Targa Tasmania five day enduro, he's expecting nothing but good fortune to be travelling with him. Williamson is confident he has prepped his 1960 Austin Healey Sprite well in anticipation of another strong performance in the great race around Tasmania. An engineer from Seaforth in New South Wales, he bought the car in 1982 in bits and pieces. ?I thought I would teach my boy how to build a motor car,? said Williamson. ?He had to finish his HSC for school, so I ended up finishing the car myself.? Williamson says his red car always attracts plenty of interest. ?It?s the smallest in the competition, but being so small means the roads are a lot bigger.? Despite being small, the Healey still packs a fair punch for Williamson who has had many a spirited drive around the event?s testing roads. Continue reading "Seafort...
Arthur's Creek Coupe set for Targa Tasmania Challenge
2007-04-12 00:00:00 Click on the picture to enlarge Targa Tasmania is about the passion for cars and need for speed, which is why Arthur?s Creek couple, Henry and Roslyn Drapper, will line up in Launceston on April 17 in their classic car: a 1961 Morris Mini Minor. ?Targa Tasmania is a must do event?, said Henry. ?We?ve been doing it for years.? The Drapper?s first entered Australia's ultimate touring event back in 1996. ?It?s something special that can?t be done anywhere else in Australia, or the world.? Their beloved 1961 Morris Mini Minor has a fair amount of grunt in it when Henry puts it through its paces. ?It?s a little car but it?s quick down the hills,? said Henry. ?We?ve had a couple of crashes over the years but that?s what sorts out who can really drive.? Continue reading "Arthur's Creek Coupe set for Targa Tasmania Challenge" |



