2011 Targa Wrest Point Day 1

MIEDECKE FAILS, KENTS LEAD

Armed with the same Perana which he used to dominate the Porsches in Targa High Country, Andrew Miedecke started Targa Wrest Point with four crushing stage performances, pulling out up to 30 secs a stage on the Porsche RSR of Peter Eames. Then, on the second run down the twisting forest road to the Tahune Airwalk, the Perana cried enough. What broke ?  The Miedecke camp are keeping quiet about the details, but car 434 was parked and going nowhere.
 
The Classic field is somewhat depleted with only 40 starters, compared to 64 last year and 89 in Targa High Country and the HTCAV pre-73 field is only 14 starters; before the Miedecke Perana DNF, there were five DNS all from Ford V8's including the Catlin's Mustang when Gayle was hit by illness and stand in Jamie Vandenberg had to cry off to navigate a works Mazda. Gayle will be right for Big Targa, she promises. The lower entry is likely partly due to the recent new Victorian Targa High Country and the early (pre-Easter) dates for the monster 20th anniversary running of Targa Tasmania starting in only 9 weeks.
 
But on the bright side, the Kent brothers Ford V8's are leading the HTCAV Championship table with Mick Cross' Group Nc Torana 3rd, the Large / Dredge Falcon 4th and the amazing Killick 65 Cortina in 5th spot. Yes, that's true – our first five crews are Tasmanian and of our 14 starters no less than eight are locals. Ralphy reports having a good day – beautiful cool summer weather – with no mishaps and is currently 22nd overall and 7th in our Championship. Results after Leg one are set out below.