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Longhurst Confirms Skelta Drive At Targa West |
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Tuesday, 14 August 2007 |
Two time Bathurst 1000 winner Tony Longhurst will drive the revolutionary Queensland designed and built Skelta G-Force sports car during this year’s QUIT Targa West tarmac rally event in Perth on September 6-9.
Longhurst, who secured Mt Panorama victories in 1988 in a Ford Sierra, before claiming victory in a Holden Commodore during the 2001 feature event, has already completed a number of laps in Ray Vandersee’s self designed Honda S2000 powered machine.
“I probably put in about a dozen laps around Queensland Raceway and it
was a fantastic experience. I couldn’t believe the grip. There was
seriously more down force than a V8 Supercar,” said Longhurst.
“The Skelta really bites and then hangs on which was a bit surprising.
“I’ve contested Targa Tasmania before but never a Targa West so it’s
all new to me and I’m looking forward to heading to Perth and see how
we go.
“I’m finding the tarmac format really challenging and a true test of driver and machine.
“In these events you just don’t know what’s coming up and from my
initial experiences in the Skelta it’s a comfort to know I’ve got a
reliable car that boasts exceptional handling.
“I’m now getting more serious about tarmac competition and I know driving the Skelta is going to be a great ride in itself.”
Such is Longhurst’s confidence in the Skelta he sees no need for
further testing of the car and will look to complete a reconnaissance
of the Targa West layout over coming weeks, accompanied by regular
Skelta navigator Jahmeil Taylor of Adelaide.
Taylor is fresh from a successful Suncoast Classic campaign where she
assisted Vandersee in claiming the overall spoils from Queensland’s
inaugural tarmac rally event.
From a designer’s perspective Vandersee is excited to see another
driver take the wheel of his Skelta G-Force creation and will assist as
part of the crew during the Targa West campaign.
“We were always keen to see the Skelta run at Targa West but hadn’t budgeted for it in our 2007 racing program,” said Vandersee.
“Tony (Longhurst) expressed interest in leasing the car for the event
and we were able to put together a deal with the continued support from
our existing sponsors, Vanderfield Pty Ltd, Gold Coast Hino and Kumho
Tyres.
“During the short test Tony was very complimentary of the car and keen to move forward with the entry in WA.
“He appeared very keen for the opportunity to get into the car in a
competitive environment and get a real feel of what it’s going to be
like.
“I would have been keen to follow up our Suncoast victory with another
good result on a personal level in the driver’s seat but will gain
great satisfaction seeing the car do well in someone else’s hands.
“The Skelta can be a real proposition for anyone who wants to be competitive in these sorts of events.”
In the mean time Vandersee will have the opportunity to defend his
Leyburn Sprints title during the one kilometre time trial event this
weekend.
This is as local as it gets for Vandersee and as he shoots for a three
peat of Leyburn titles he’ll no doubt be also looking to break his own
existing record of 41.70 seconds around the tight street course.
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