Tony Sullens may have collected outright honours at the 2007 Targa Tasmania event earlier this year but there’s no denying Ray Vandersee’s Skelta G-Force was the most celebrated.
The overall competition tally for the Toowoomba driver in his self designed sports car totaled 23 outright victories and such an effort places him among the top rung of drivers to contest the inaugural Aeromil Pacific Suncoast Classic to be held on the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
Reflecting on his efforts in the International tarmac feature it was difficult for the former Queensland rally champion not to be disappointed by a minor rear suspension problem suffered on day one.
“It was a simple thing, when a lower suspension arm bolt came loose and caused the attachment bracket to break, ” said Vandersee.
“We were able to make quick repairs overnight and knowing how competitive the car was in the earlier stages we decided to continue and chalked up the best individual results of any other competitor.
“Only on three occasions did we finish outside the top three of all stages contested and disregarding the rear suspension woes of day one, the Skelta G-Force was the most dominant of vehicles.
“But for such a healthy tally it was hard to come away with nothing and that’s why we’re going to be giving it our all to win the inaugural Suncoast Classic.
“It’s our first ever home tarmac event since the evolution of the Skelta G-Force in 2004 and I really must commend the organisers for their persistence in making this year’s event a reality. ”
While boasting confidence in the Skelta G-Force package, Vandersee isn’t prepared to make any rash predictions about his overall chances on the untested 25-stage course.
He sees the Aeromil Pacific Suncoast Classic as providing a clean slate for a host of first class competitors and will rely on girl power in the form of Adelaide based navigator Jahmeil Taylor to give him that added edge.
“Jahmeil has navigated for me during our past two Targa campaigns and on each occasion it’s been just a minor slip-up that has denied us an opportunity on the podium, ” added Vandersee.
“It’d be great for both of us to get a taste of the victory champagne but we’re under no illusions that we’ll have things our own way during the Suncoast Classic.
“Whenever you have Jim Richards and Barry Oliver in the field you know it’s going to be a tough ask to take line honours.
“You can throw into the mix the experience of Tony Quinn in another Porsche and the there’s no shortage of quality drivers lined up for this event.
“I think given dry conditions one driver to watch will be fellow Toowoomba competitor Guy Beddington driving an Ultima, which is an English built car boasting a Chevy V8 engine. ”
Skelta Sports Cars has a stock of comprehensive promotional DVDs that outline the original concepts, engineering and overall performance capabilities of this unique Australian made sports car.
| 
|