More than 40 competitors have braved the weekend’s brutal West Australian weather to contest the 12th running of the Make Smoking History Targa South West.
Racing against both the clock and the hot humid conditions over 15 stages throughout WA’s Southern Forest region, all of the crews were tested physically and mentally as they powered through 117 competitive kilometres.
Coming away with a dominant outright and modern class victory were Steve Jones and Caleb Ash in the David Heaton prepared Nissan GTR Nismo.
Right from the get-go, the duo commanded the field to win the first seven stages, which ultimately set up their well-deserved 46-second victory over Mark Cates and Bernie Webb in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Photo: Image165
Falling just one second short of the Motorsport Australia Targa Championship regulars to round out the podium were Heuson Bak and Roger Tan in their 2017 Lotus Exige.
Although he is a four-time winner of the Make Smoking History Targa West, the weekend’s event was Jones’ first time running the Targa South West, making the victory all the more impressive.
Despite taking an extended leave of absence from rallying to raise his daughter, Jones showed no sign of rustiness and was thrilled to mark his return to the sport with a win.
“We wanted to build a gap early on and then we wouldn’t have to push later in the day and could preserve the car, after all, it’s not my car,” Jones said.
“Dave’s car is amazing, up there with the best rally cars in the country.
“It’s a very capable car and even when I backed off, it’s still seriously quick, and it’s comfortable.
“The roads are amazing, we’re so lucky to be able to use them.
“It was a really fun weekend, I had a ball and I’m really happy with the result and grateful to Dave for letting me drive his car, it’s been years since I’ve competed.”
Photo: Tim Allott
It was an even bigger buffer between the winner and runner-up in the competition class as Simon Gunson and Murray Armenti steered their 1971 Ford Capri to 12 stage wins and a two-minute victory.
Like Jones and Ash, the duo were in control throughout the whole event and were just too strong for last year’s winners Tim Wolfe and Scott Beckwith in the 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, while husband and wife team Simon and Sussanah Lingford were a further minute behind in their 1973 Datsun 240Z.
“We went to have a good weekend away, and that’s what we did. I got Murray back in the car, and it was good to share the day with a good mate,” Gunson said.
“It was a casual day for us, the car ran faultlessly and we had a ball.
“The roads were very good - the Capri likes the fast-flowing stages so the Pemberton to Northcliffe stage was great for us.
“The rally was well organised, and it all went to plan – the lunch stop at Northcliffe was very good with all the volunteers.”
The final competition of the weekend saw rookies Mat St Guillaume and James Brittain claim the restricted speed class, the Targa 165, in a 2006 Porsche Cayman.
Photo: Image165
Although less dominant than Jones and Ash, it was still a solid performance from the debutants, who enjoyed a 44-second victory over 1999 Honda Civic drivers Ben Pang and Brandon Chin.
“The Targa South West roads are amazing and it’s so good that we can enjoy driving fast in a safe and controlled environment,” Jones said.
“We had a ball, the whole KTEC crew were fantastic. I’d highly recommend rallying to anyone who loves driving”
The next Targa West event is the famous Make Smoking History Targa West event on 16-19 September 2021.