Prologue stages a great way to start 20th Targa Rally

Metalman Classic class regulars Andy Mygind and Anthony Baker driving their Datsun 240Z. Photo: Fast Company/ProShotz.

Today's two prologue stages in an around Christchurch were a great way to start the 20th annual Targa tarmac motor rally says top prospect Glenn Inkster.

Former rally ace Inkster and co-driver Spencer Winn (Ecolight Mitsubishi Evo 8) have been regular front-runners in Targa tarmac events since Inkster's full-time switch from gravel five years ago and the duo looked like main event winners two years ago before a big crash on the second to last day.

Since then Inkster has upgraded to a later model Mitsubishi Evo and upgraded the car with bigger wheels, brakes and a sequential 6-speed gearbox.

He says today's two prologue stages - the first a 16km dash along Christchurch's Summit Rd, and the second a 4-lap dash round the Ruapuna motor racing circuit at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, were perfect for settling in and getting any bugs - not to mention butterflies - out of the system.

"Without the times counting it just gave us the opportunity to make sure everything was working, from little things like making sure the (seat) belts are set right, to making sure everything on the car is doing what it should be."

"It was like a dress rehearsal, if you like, for the rest of the week."

This year Inkster and Winn are part of a four-strong group of top locally-based drivers expected to give returning five-time event winner, Queensland-based Scot Tony Quinn and co-driver Naomi Tillett in Quinn's all new Lamborghini Huracan a run for their money.

Allcomers class favourites Tony Quinn and Naomi Tillett Lamborghini Huracan. Photo / Fast Company/ProShotz

Having beaten Quinn and Tillett to stage but not overall event wins in the past Inkster knows that to finish first, first you have to finish, and though confident he is realistic enough to know that there is a long way - still just over 2,500km - to go before the finish line in Queenstown in five days' time.

"I'm definitely feeling comfortable about what's ahead but a lot can happen in five days, particularly now we are down here in the South Island on roads that are going to be new for everyone."

And Quinn?

Like Inkster and Winn, he and Tillett spent the day settling in, in their case to Quinn's brand new Lamborghini, the pair giving the all-new Italian supercar its world competition debut in the event.

"As a first-off effort straight off the showroom floor it was very good too, very good, "said the man as well known to Kiwis as the owner of the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell as he is for his exploits in Targa events here and in Australia.

Quinn often attributes his success in long-distance road events like this year's Targa South Island, to watching and listening to former event winner, expatriate Kiwi Jim Richards, who believed in playing a long game, and he said today that there were 'at least four or five other guys' who he expected to match his pace in the new Lamborghini, particularly early on in the event.

"But," he said,"as long as we are within 30 seconds of the leader each day then we can have a crack on the last day if we need to."

With the two prologue stages now complete, the first timed stages of the 20th anniversary Targa South Island start in Timaru tomorrow (Tuesday) and continue through South Canterbury and North Otago before the first of two overnight stops in Dunedin.

After a day full of stages in the North Otago hinterland (and lunch and service stop in Oamaru's historical precinct) on Wednesday the field returns to Dunedin before heading south on Thursday to Invercargill - and a day's end stage at Teretonga Park.

Friday October 31 is then spent completing stages through Eastern Southland, West and Central Otago before finishing at Cromwell's Highlands Motorsport Park.

Competitors then spend the final day (Saturday November 01) in the Lakes County with stages to and from Glenorchy and across the Crown Range before the official finish in downtown Queenstown and the prize giving function the next day.

All told, just on 200 entrants will contest 807kms over 34 closed special stages linked by 1828km of open road transport stages.

Targa New Zealand events are organised with the support of sponsors Ecolight, Federal motorsport tyres, Global Security, Highlands Motorsport Park, Instra Corporation, Kids In Cars, Metalman, NZ Classic Car magazine, Race Brakes, TeamTalk, TrackIt, VTNZ. and Woolrest Biomag.