Shannons sponsors Targa High Country Classic
Shannons is sponsoring the Classic Competition in Victoria’s first multi-stage tarmac rally –Targa High Country 2010.
This is consistent with Shannons long-standing support of the high-profile Classic categories in Australia’s other major tarmac rallies – Targa Tasmania, Targa West and, until its recent demise, Classic Adelaide.
Targa High Country 2010 will be run from 5-7 November in northeastern Victoria over an 849km course that incorporates 17 closed-road stages totalling 200km.
The rally’s ‘Eildon’ stage is 28.6km long and will be run in both directions, making it the longest tarmac stage on the Australian mainland, while the final 16.6km ‘Mt. Buller’ stage will take competitors to the roof of Victoria’s High Country via a dizzy 1,096 metres climb.
Australia’s newest and potentially most popular tarmac rally is already a sell-out success well ahead of its starting date. Originally intended for a maximum of 175 competitors, Targa High Country has proved so popular that the current entry stands at 225 – around the same size as the Competition field in this year’s 19th annual Targa Tasmania – while there is a healthy waiting list.
Of these, more than 100 will be in the Shannons Classic Competition for cars built prior to 1985.
They include four-time Targa Tasmania Classic Competition winner Rex Broadbent in his 1974 Porsche RSR replica, fellow-Victorian Paul Freestone in his stunning 223kW 1948 ‘FX’ Holden ‘Street Machine’ and crowd favourite Len Catlin in his 410kW 1970 Boss Mustang built to V8 Supercar standard.
The oldest Shannons Classic entrant to date is the 1955 Fiat Abarth 750 of Targa Tasmania veterans Jack Waldron and Vin Gregory, while the most modern are the 1985 model Porsche 944 of Peter Hudson, the 1985 BMW 325i of Malcolm Allen and the 1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6 of Alan Broadhurst.
Welcoming Shannons sponsorship of the Targa High Country Classic Competition, Event Director Mark Perry said it was an appropriate association of two great brands committed to motoring enthusiasts.
“Shannons has been associated with tarmac rallying in Australia since the earliest days of Targa Tasmania,” he said. “Founder Robert Shannons was a keen competitor in his 1930 Invicta and many hundreds of classic vehicles have since competed under the Shannons Classic banner.”
Shannons Business Development Manager, Richard Sanders, said it was appropriate for Shannons to sponsor the Classic Competition in Australia’s newest tarmac rallies.
“Shannons supports enthusiasts in hundreds of events around Australia each year,” he said. “Many have a passion for tarmac rallies and this is an exciting new opportunity for all of us.”
For further information on Targa High Country visit www.targahighcountry.com.au
