Mitsubishi driver Eddie Maguire continued to lead the Targa HIgh Country tarmac rally on the second day of competition.
Tasmanian Maguire (Lancer Evo) stayed on top after 73km of competitive stages in the Modern category, building a 29s lead over the Tim Hendy (Nissan Skyline) on the return journey from Mt Buller to King Valley.
Another Tasmanian, Launceston’s Peter Nunn, grabbed control of the Classic car battle in his 1985 Porsche 944, extending his lead out to 53s over second placed South Australian, Craig Haysman (1981 Triumph TR7 V8).
“Things went fairly well today, although I think the roads suited Tim’s (Hendy) car a bit better, but tomorrow s(should suit us more so we’ll just plug away and keep going,” Maguire said.
“We’ve had a few little glitches, but I think that’s just because of the serious temperatures we’ve had today.
“I really think that tomorrow will be our day, and with Pete Nunn doing so well in the classics, it’s been a great event for the Tassie boys.”
Nunn is eyeing off his first Classic Targa title.
“We’ve had a good consistent day with good times in every stage, and everything’s going well,” Nunn said.
“We’ve been pushing reasonably hard but taking no risks.
“We’ve gone to a turbocharged engine for this event, which has put us back into the classic competition instead of early modern, so it’s got a bit more power and torque which makes it a little easier to drive.
“Tomorrow will be a bit harder on tyres because it’s tight and twisty, but we’re confident we can hold onto our lead.”
Second-placed Haysman has not given up despite differential troubles that have slowed him.
Showroom 4WD sees Stuart Liddle’s Evo tied with the WRX of Angus Kennard after two days and 153km of competition.
In Showroom action, just 10s separate the top teams.
Evergreen Jim Richards (Porsche Cayman S) lost his overnight lead to Neill Ford’s Chevrolet Corvette.
In Early Modern, Jason Whitburn and Bernie Webb finished the day with a 29s lead in their 1999 Mitsubishi Evo.
Ben Newman has established a big lead in Sports Trophy while Keith Brooke heads Thoroughbred Trophy with Alan Gluyas showing the way in the highly competitive TSD class.
In the handicap battles, Peter Ullrich has a four minute 42s lead in Early Classic, while Peter Nunn not only leads Classic Outright, but the Late Classic as well.
Targa High Country concludes tomorrow afternoon after a final eight stages and 126km of tough terrain to negotiate on the road out to Jamieson and back to Mt Buller.
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