![](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/asset_33219__p1cb6jhg5u1q4512un12de1ptv1vc75.jpg)
Defending Targa Tasmania champions Jason and John White hold a five-second lead after Day 1 of the 2018 edition.
Jason White pushed his Dodge Viper hard through George Town in particular to establish the early advantage over Paul Stokell and Erin Kelly.
“Leading after day one is a good start, but we probably tried a bit harder than we really should in George Town as far as tyre wear goes, but it’s just too hard to resist,” said White.
“You get to George Town and there’s people everywhere and it would be a shame not to drive around as quick as you can.”
Stokell also pulled out a big effort in his Lotus Exige on the 4.74km town sprint.
“I went as hard as I could and it was only the horsepower of the Whites and their Dodge Viper which beat me,” he said.
Matt Close and Cameron Reeves (Porsche GT3 RS) are close behind in third, from 2018 Targa North West champions Steve Glenney and Andy Sarandis (Subaru WRX STI) and 2017 Targa Tasmania runners-up Michael Pritchard and Gary Mourant (2016 Porsche 911 GT3).
The rally continues tomorrow.
See below for course map
Highlights: Day 1
Overall classification: After Day 1
Pos | Driver/Co-driver | Car | Split |
1 | Jason White/John White | 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme | |
2 | Paul Stokell/Erin Kelly | 2014 Lotus Exige S | +0:00:05 |
3 | Matt Close/Cameron Reeves | 2017 Porsche GT3 RS | +0:00:07 |
4 | Steve Glenney/Andy Sarandis | 2015 Subaru WRX STI | +0:00:08 |
5 | Michael Pritchard/Gary Mourant | Porsche 911 GT3 RS | +0:00:09 |
6 | Jon Siddins/Gina Siddins | 1970 Datsun 240Z | +0:00:10 |
7 | Angus Kennard/Ian Wheeler | 2015 Nissan GT-R R35 | +0:00:10 |
8 | Jeff Morton/Steve Fisher | 2017 Lotus Exige | +0:00:11 |
9 | Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth | 1995 Nissan Skyline GTR V-Spec | +0:00:13 |
10 | Joshua Hilton/Rodney Vanderpoel | 2016 Nissan Skyline GT-R R35 | +0:00:13 |
Class leaders
Class | Driver/Co-driver | Car |
Wrest Point GT2 | Jason White/John White | 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme |
RDA Brakes GT4 | Steve Glenney/Andy Sarandis | 2015 Subaru WRX STI |
Shannons Classic GT | Jon Siddins/Gina Siddins | 1970 Datsun 240Z |
Shannons Classic | Graham Copeland/Josh Herbert | 1941 GMC Jimmy Special |
Duttons Garage Early Modern | Liam Howarth/Larry Howarth | 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTR V-Spec |
Country Club GT Sports Trophy | Jeff Beable/Nerida Beable | 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R N1 |
Spirit of Tasmania Thoroughbred Trophy | Jack Waldron/Vin Gregory | 1981 Mitsubishi Sigma |
TSD Trophy | Brian Marshall/Justin Marshall | 2011 VW Polo GTi 1 point |
Rookie Classic GT | Justin Gan/David Hart | 1978 Porsche 911 |
Rookie Early Modern | Adam Gosling/Ian Noble | 2002 BMW E46 M3 |
Rookie GT | Jeff Morton/Steve Fisher | 2017 Lotus Exige |
Course map
![](https://speedcafe.us/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/targa_tas_map_2018-800x764.jpg)