While getting acquainted during his first ever competition ride in the Skelta G-Force sports car Tony Longhurst has netted the perfect start to QUIT Targa West, stacking up consistent stage times to be placed third after day one.
Longhurst’s greatly anticipated start to the Perth event was highlighted by six overall top five stage finishes, including a pair of second and third placings, while also clearing Canning Hills without penalty.
A total of almost 50 kilometres of competitive stages were completed today and for Longhurst they provided a good introduction to the event, but more importantly gave him ample opportunity to hone his proven driving skills in line with the capabilities of the Skelta G-Force.
“There’s no doubt I’m not quite up to speed with the car as yet, particularly today as it was raining for the duration. With the overall grip of the Kumho tyres I’ve been a little cautious in exploring the car’s limits in the difficult conditions, ” said Longhurst.
“Ray (designer Ray Vandersee) has done a tremendous job with the set up and I didn’t want to change a thing because it really is just a matter of me catching up with the potential of the car.
“In a new car, with a new co-driver, in wet conditions, I’m pretty happy with third and expect us to be better for the run come tomorrow. ”
Nine-time Bathurst winner and renowned tarmac rally specialist Jim Richards will prove a difficult front-marker in the Porsche GT3 RS after opening up a 45-second buffer to second placed Graham Furness in the Subaru WRX.
Longhurst is a further five seconds back in third, but with a more comprehensive knowledge of the remaining stages of QUIT Targa West and the combination with navigator Jahmeil Taylor sure to have been enhanced he’s expecting a better day of driving during the second leg.
“We were improving as the day went on and now I’ll look to trim myself up and get stuck right into it from tomorrows start.
“I probably have a more thorough knowledge of remaining stages and was more intensely focused on day two and three of competition during our initial recce.
“Jimmy (Richards) has opened up a handy lead out in front so we can’t let him get too much further ahead.
“Today there was no room for error and I was relying a lot on Jahmeil’s calls. Come tomorrow the roads are a bit wider and a lot faster so I’m confident we can improve and be in even better shape by the end of it. ”
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