Queenslander Ray Vandersee and co-driver Jahmeil Taylor have mastered a top 10 place in the Skelta G-Force during today’s Targa Tasmania Prologue in George Town. While today’s results will be simply used to allocate starting positions for tomorrow’s first leg of the 2007 event, the short 4.81 kilometre Prologue proved the perfect shakedown for the Skelta team as they aim up for the ultimate of International tarmac campaigns.
Along with all 284 starters at this year’s event, the Vandersee/Taylor combination has their strategy plotted in order to gain redemption and aim for a maiden podium in the International tarmac event. Earlier this week, Vandersee met up with fellow Queensland driver Tony Quinn who will be driving the 2006 Porsche 991 GT3.
Both drivers only just failed to finish the journey during their 2006 Targa campaigns and the outcomes had little to do with the ability or resilience of man or machinery. Fast forward 12 months and the demons of 2006, where each driver’s charge was mercilessly cut short on the final day, have served as a motivating force.
“We have some unfinished business at Targa Tasmania after being forced out of the race when placed second last year with just two stages remaining, ” said Vandersee. “That was through no fault of our own after a rock had strayed up and pierced the rubber boot casing on the rear CV joint.
“But that was of small consolation and I know Jahmeil was just as disappointed when we were left stranded on the side of the road. “After going so close last year, in what was my first racing event in the car, and now with a lot more miles under my belt we’re shooting for a solid result this week. ”
Targa Tasmania is considered one of the toughest races of its kind where vehicles are this year required to cover more than 2000 kilometres, including 450 competition kilometres over 42 stages.
The 2007 Targa Tasmania schedule:
Day One – The Northern Loop (Launceston to Launceston) – Wednesday 18th April
Competitive start time – 8.45am
Stage 1 – Entally – 5.62km
Stage 2 – Deloraine – 8.44km
Stage 3 – Reedy Marsh – 5.27km
Stage 4 – Paradise – 14.48km
Lunchbreak – Sheffield
Stage 5 – Nookville – 5.33km
Stage 6 – Devonport – 16.04km
Stage 7 – Harford – 5.50km
Stage 8 – Holwell Reserve – 7.70km
Stage 9 – Beaconsfield – 2.20km
Leg one total distance – 308.76km
Competitive kilometers – 70.58km
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