Highs And Lows For Mazda At the 2009 Targa Tasmania Prologue
29 April 2009 · posted by Staff
Highs And Lows For Mazda At Targa Prologue
There were highs and lows aplenty for Mazda Motorsport today as its
triple turbo treat hit the streets of George Town for the 2009 Targa
Tasmania Prologue.
In what was a great start to Mazda’s 2009 Targa Tasmania campaign, the
turbocharged Mazda3 MPS of first-time Targa
competitor Brendan Reeves was the quickest two-wheel drive car in the
event’s Showroom competition today.
Reeves and his co-driving sister Rhianon Smyth completed the tight
and twisty 5km tarmac stage in just three mins 31secs, only two seconds
from the quickest Showroom car.
“It was great to finally get our Targa Tasmania campaign underway,”
said 20-year-old Reeves. “The car felt fantastic today and our strategy
for the rest of the event is to get to the end of each day and finish at
the top of the Showroom leader board.”
Rick Bates and his co-driver Anthony McLoughlin, also in a Mazda3
MPSS, finished third in Showroom and only one
second behind his younger team mate.
“It was a nice clean run for the Mazda3 MPS
today,” said Bates. “Our car is in really great form and I’m looking
forward to getting into the event.”
“It also looks like Brendan and I are in for some healthy
competition, which is great because it keeps both of us on our toes and
focused on the end goal – finishing with a great result.”
The Mazda RX-8 SP, still under Mazda Motorsport development,
experienced a small electrical gremlin causing the rotary-powered sports
coupe to lose turbo boost two corners into the stage.
The problem is able to be corrected and the Mazda Motorsport team
will work on the car overnight to ensure the Mazda RX-8 SP is in fine
fettle for day one of racing..
“The Mazda RX-8 SP felt fantastic before we lost boost,” said Glenney
of his Mazda RX-8 SP. “Of course it’s a little disappointing that the
car wasn’t running at full capacity, but the development of this car was
always going to be a steep learning curve.
“I am confident the Mazda team will have the car in top-notch
condition ready for day one of serious competition.”
Mazda motorsport manager Allan Horsley was delighted with the
performance of team today and is confident all three cars will produce
good results this Targa.
“I am just ecstatic with both Brendan and Rick’s result,” said
Horsley. “Once again the showroom-spec Mazda3 MPS
is demonstrating its outstanding rally capabilities in this very
challenging event.
“We had a minor set-back with the Mazda RX-8 SP but if you’re going
to have teething problems in this rally, Prologue is a good day to find
them. We still have the opportunity to correct any issue with the car
and have it ready for competition proper.”
Day One of Targa Tasmania comprises a 325km loop north of Launceston.
Competition cars will drive 71 competitive kilometres over nine stages,
stopping in Beaconsfield for lunch.
Stay tuned to Mazda Frontline Updates throughout the day.
Track the team’s progress at www.mazda.com.au/targa
|
