Articles by James Bresnehan

His car is worth only a fraction of the state-of-the-art Porsche GT2 twin-turbo of runner-up Jim Richards.But Glenney was on fire aboard his 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer, which had been upgraded to Evo 9 specifications.The thoroughbred horse breeder and trainer took over the outright lead on The Sideling stage on Thursday morning and never relinquished it, giving Mitsubishi an historic first win in the 17-year-old tarmac rally.Glenney held a 57s lead over eight times champion Richards and his Tasmanian navigator Barry Oliver going into day five, the final day, yesterday.By the time the Modern category field had cleared the monster hauls across Strahan and Mt Arrowsmith, and the winding ascent out of Queenstown, Glenney had established a 1m18s buffer.Then came the cork-screw drop into Tarraleah gorge and out the other side, and Risdon Brook on the outskirts of Hobart, and by the time the field got to the Domain stage Glenney was 1m31s ahead and only had to finish the 1.36km Hobart stage to claim his first Targa Tasmania trophy.Third was West Australian rally specialist Dean Herridge in a Subaru WRX STi, 2m28s behind Glenney, followed by Queenslander Ray Vandersee in his self-designed and built Skelta G-Force.Tasmanian Jason White, who damaged his car in a crash on Friday, got back in the rally on Sunday but withdrew at Strahan with a broken gearbox.Glenney's performance was even more meritorious given his four-wheel-drive Lancer was suited to wet conditions but the event was the first ever rain-free Targa.“The event was very tough and we probably competed under conditions which didn't suit our car, which has made the win all the more pleasing,” he said.“I would love to come back and defend the Targa title next year and look forward to it.”After dominating the first four days of the 2WD Showroom competition, Rick Bates' Mazda3 MPS dropped out of contention because of a broken fan belt on the Mt Arrowsmith stage.But its twin, driven by his Scottish teammate Alister McRae, won the title by a whopping 26m35s over Phil Buggee (Vic).Tasmanian Tony Warren had an all-the-way win in the 4WD Showroom class, having set up his win with a super day three.Victorian Rex Broadbent claimed back-to-back Classic titles, but made it two in a row only with the generosity of a rival driver.Peter Eames, of Victoria, gave him a tyre, which came with a two-minute penalty from officials, but Broadbent still got home by 1m25s.“The generosity of Peter Eames was a gesture of fantastic sportsmanship,” Broadbent said.“We weren't hanging around this morning and we really had to go for it as we were starting the day 24 seconds behind.“We didn't know if we were making or losing time on the others early on, so had to drive at 10/10ths for a few stages. It all worked out which is just fantastic.” Final results Modern1. Steve Glenney (SA) , Bernie Webb, (ACT) , 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 7m35s2. Jim Richards (VIC), Barry Oliver, (TAS), 2008 Porsche 911 GT2, 9:063. Dean Herridge (WA), Glenn Macneall (WA), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 9:534. Ray Vandersee (QLD), Jahmeil Taylor (SA), 2004 Skelta G-Force, 9:575. Jamie Vandenberg ( TAS), Simon Vandenberg (TAS), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 10:206. Greg Garwood (TAS), John Allen (QLD), 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, 10:257. Matt Close (VIC), Casey Close (VIC), 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo, 11:318. Klark Quinn (QLD), Natasha Deniese (VIC), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 11:499. Tony Quinn (QLD), Keith Wenn (TAS), 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo, 11:5310. Tony Longhurst (NSW), Jameil Taylor (SA), 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti, 13:07Classic Outright1. Rex Broadbent (VIC), John Lillyman (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 17m22s2. Gavin James (VIC), Neil McLeod, (VIC), 1989 Porsche 944 S2 , 18:463. Peter Eames (VIC), Will Logan (TAS), 1974 Porsche Carrera RS, 18:514. Steve Coad (VIC), Rachael Coad (VIC), 1971 Holden Monaro GTS; Jon Siddins (QLD), Darren Ferguson (QLD), 1970 Datsun 1600, 21:246. Gary Tierney (VIC), David Carra (VIC), 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, 22:127. David Morton (NSW), Malcolm McDonald (NSW), 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo, 23:128. John Ireland (NSW), Michael Ribot (NSW), 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera, 23:429. Rob Sherrard (QLD), / Roberts (TAS), 1981 Porsche 930, 25:3610. Barry Faux (ACT), Therezia Mihajlovic (ACT), 1979 Mazda RX7, 28:58Showroom 2WD1. Alister McRae (SCO), Iain Stewart (QLD), 2007 Mazda3 MPS, 20m0s2. Philip Buggee (VIC), Paul Freame (VIC), 2006 FIAT Punto Sport, 46:353. John Dunkley (NSW), Jon Parker (NSW), 2006 Peugeot 206 Gti 180, 1h3m0sShowroom 4WD1. Tony Warren (TAS), Rhonda Burrowes, (NSW), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 19m30s2. Scott Millar (QLD), Christopher Dean (QLD), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 27:593. Malcolm Klopp (SA), Damien Pearce (SA), 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, 31:42 

The biggest field was 313 entries in 2000. The lowest entry was 187 entries in 1997. By the time Targa reaches the finish line in Hobart on Sunday, only about 270 cars will be left running. The rest will have either crashed out, or be broken down beyond repair. That's a shame because this year's field has an estimated value of $75 million, including the $1 million Pagani Zonda, which is being used as the tail end Charlie to sweep each stage and ensure it is clear of Targa vehicles before being re-opened to public traffic. Targa directly contributes $10 million annually to the Tasmanian economy and countless millions in international exposure. The event was bought by Octagon Worldwide, one of the world's biggest sports management companies, in 2000. This year's Targa field paid around $1.2 million in entry fees for the privilege of tasting Tasmania's unique road system as a motor racing track. There are 39 in all, climaxing with the sprint stage over the Domain in Hobart on Sunday afternoon. The stage starts near Government House and runs uphill to the Cross Roads. It will be Targa's largest-attended stage for the entire course, with a gathering of about 20,000 petrol heads. When Targa started in 1992, there was no compulsory requirement for roll-cages or fire-proof driving suits. All you needed was a classic marque and a fist full of dollars. These days, drivers and navigators must meet those requirements, as well as having numerous safety briefing and getting breath-tested by Tasmania Police every morning before competition. Targa has attracted some of the biggest names in motorsport, including five Formula One drivers, led by triple world champion Sir Jack Brabham and 1967 world champion Denny Hulme. Other racing stars include nine-times Bathurst champion Peter Brock, five-times world 500cc grand prix motorcycle champion Mick Doohan and two-times world motorcycle champion Barry Sheene. The voice of Formula One, Murray Walker, took part as a navigator in 2003. Jim Richards and navigator Barry Oliver are the most successful competitors in Targa history. Richards, 60, from Melbourne and Oliver, 63, from Launceston have won the race a record eight times between 1996 and 2006.  

He is in form, has a strong car, and Ashley Madden believes he has the right stuff to win the Tassie Sixes Classic at Hobart International Speedway on Saturday night.The problem is, the same can be said for another 10 drivers in one of Tasmanian speedway's largest fields.Madden, 24, who won the Classic in 2004, goes into Saturday's stoush having won a feature race last time out.That makes him one of the favourites for the Tassie Sixes' biggest annual race outside the state championship.To claim the Classic again, Madden will have to deal with top local drivers such as Noel Russell, Dion Menzie, Marcus Cleary, Darren Graham and Dwayne Sonners.Russell is the driver Madden fears most.“He's a very hard man to beat, very consistent, a very good car, a good driver,” Madden said yesterday.Russell's XR6 Falcon has a power advantage over Madden's Pontiac GP with a Holden motor.“The Falcon engine is an alloy-headed, four-litre job. It puts out a few more kilowatts than the Holden engine,” Madden said.“We have worked tirelessly on tire and suspension set-up to try and go faster."“I'll definitely be a chance to win."“I have to make sure I qualify in the top 10 to have a realistic chance."“As long as I start up the front with the quick blokes, I'm fairly confident I can be at least a podium chance.”Each driver will contest two heats of 10 laps to decide grid positions for the 20-lap final.With an expected field of 25-plus, some drivers will miss the cut.“I enjoy the evenness of the class, no one has got a really huge advantage,” Madden said.“There's a great camaraderie between everyone, if someone needs a hand everyone is there, and we get to race all tracks round the state.”As well as the Tassie Sixes, sprint cars will feature in the final round of their state series. 

That's the case for Queenslander Graham Copeland, who is lining up for his 10th crack at Australia's ultimate tarmac rally next month.Copeland has won his Classic class at Targa once and has finished on the podium in the overall Classic category four times, driving a variety of vehicles.He has driven Triumph TR4s and TR8s, and more recently moved to Datsuns, but this year sees a different challenge emerging.“I was hoping to drive my 1938 Dodge Speedster but that will now have to wait until 2009,” he said.“I'll be co-driving this year in a rare Bizzarini GT America.”Copeland will be sitting beside successful circuit racing star, Wayne Park, who has won numerous Queensland and Australian championships, and has also driven at the Bathurst 1000 four times, with a fifth place his best result.“I find Targa is quite addictive,” Copeland said.“I'm really looking forward to teaming up with him Wayne this year. Targa is like no other event.“The roads are unbelievable, the organisers do a terrific job and the public are really supportive of the event. Targa is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.”The 1967 Bizzarini is a valuable piece of machinery that is certain to create enormous spectator interest.With upgraded shock absorbers and a bit of sorting and tuning by Park's Brisbane automotive business, the car is now a real contender in the Classic class.“The Bizzarini GT America is a very rare car and it is even rarer to see one competing in full competition in events like Targa,” Copeland said.“But the car's owner, Rob Sherrard, believes in using them as they were meant to be used, not wrapped in cloth in some museum.”The 17th Targa Tasmania, featuring dozens of exotic cars, starts on April 15, taking the record-breaking field of 305 entries along some of the best rally roads in the country, before the grand finish at Wrest Point on April 20. 

Under the regulation banning driver aids, traction control (which allowed the driver to stamp on the brakes entering a corner and stamp on the accelerator on the way out) has been outlawed, placing the emphasis back of the skills of the driver. It is expected to create more overtaking and more mistakes. The other significant change is that F1 gearboxes must now last four consecutive races, rather than be a one-hit wonder. A gearbox change will cost a driver five spots on the grid. However, if a driver fails to finish a race due to a broken gearbox he can start the next race with a new one with no penalty. In a slight tweak to the familiar knockout qualifying format, the duration of Q1 has been increased from 15 to 20 minutes, while that of Q3 has been cut from 15 to 10. Q2 remains 15 minutes long. Drivers who make it to Q3 will no longer get back the fuel used in that session as part of their race weekend allowance. They must now start the race with whatever fuel was left in the car at the end of qualifying, thus eliminating the need for the infamous "fuel-burning" phase at the start of Q3. All teams must now use standardised, FIA-approved Electronic Control Units to control their cars' electronics systems. Aimed at producing a more level playing field in terms of cost, the new ECU - which must run FIA-approved software - will allow the FIA to monitor the cars' performance more closely. Three of this year's F1 field are chips off the old block. Nico Rosberg will drive for Williams, where his father Keke was world champion in 1982. Nelson Piquet Jr, son of three-time world champion Nelson, joins Fernando Alonso at Renault. And Kazuki Nakajima teams up with Rosberg at Williams. He is the son of Satoru Nakajima, who competed in 74 grand prix from 1987-91 with Lotus and Tyrrell. There is a new team on the grid this season. The former Jordan- Midland- MF1-Spyker outfit was acquired by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya. It will be called Team Force India. India will host its own Grand Prix in 2010 and Mallya wants a TFI driver on the podium at that race. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is back with Renault this season after a short 12-month stint at McLaren. It was supposed to be the Alonso show at McLaren last year. However, the Spanish driver felt he was not treated with the respect deserving of a reigning world champion after British rookie Lewis Hamilton stole the show in a stellar debut season. Alonso feels he is has a 30 per cent chance of winning the championship for Renault this year. Two-time USA Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais will debut in F1 this season, driving for the Toro Rosso team, marking the Frenchman's much-anticipated move back to Europe. There are a few changes to the 2008 calendar, including F1's first night race on a street circuit in Singapore, and a street race in Valencia, Spain. Additional information - A record 401,000 attended the first Melbourne Grand Prix in 1996. Last year's event attracted 301,000.  

Car enthusiast Scott Sommer could not believe his luck when he picked up this classic 1969 Monaro for what he considers a song.The 37-year-old sheetmetal worker paid $30,000 for the Holden Monaro HT GTS 350 Coupe.It might seem a lot, but not when you ponder the price tag he has slapped on the steel beast with a thumping V8 engine; $200,000.“I don't really want to sell it,” Mr Sommer said yesterday. “But I've just bought a new house and I was hoping it could be a mortgage-buster.”Why the hefty mark-up?“One recently sold at auction for $200,000, and so I thought I'd put mine on the market to see what I could get for it,” he said.“But I'm in two minds about selling it."“I've got a gravel road up to my house, and I don't want to ruin the car. It's a beautiful car, the best I've ever owned.”Mr Sommer's love affair with the classic Aussie muscle car started by chance five years ago.“I contacted the Monaro club in Victoria hoping to get a 308 Monaro, and they put me onto a bloke who had a 350,” he said.“I couldn't believe it, and I had the money at the time so I bought it."“I was just awfully lucky, that's the only way I can put it.”The Monaro, which has an original 350 engine, which was used in General Motors' marketing campaign to launch the modern version of the Monaro in 2001.It was even driven by the late Peter Brock in demonstration laps at Bathurst that year.The GTS 350 Coupe is catnip to lovers of classic vehicles and Sommer is used to the lasting glances he gets while driving the car.“People come up and ask me lots of questions about the car, which gets a little exhausting . . . but it's nice,” he said.   Would you spend $200,000 on a classic car or spend just a little bit extra on a brand new car like an Aston Martin?   

The actor was lucky to walk away unhurt from the accident, which had spectators drawing parallels with the fatal crash that claimed the life of motor racing legend Peter Brock last year.Bana's immaculately-restored 1974 Ford XB coupe, similar to the one Mel Gibson drove as the Interceptor in Mad Max, over-shot a corner on a high-speed stage about 2pm.Bana and his navigator Tony Ramunno climbed from the dented Ford and put up safety signs to indicate to other competitors that they were okay.As soon as Bana's support crew arrived, they jumped in the back-up vehicle and left the scene.“They're fine,” event director Mark Perry said.“They overcooked it coming into a pretty sharp turn and left the road and smacked into a bank.”Bana went into a hard-right-hand corner on a downhill slope going too fast, over-shooting the bend. He was placed 53rd in a starting field of 276 at the time.The 600-horsepower Ford bounced off a large rock before slamming into a tree on the driver's side.“The damage to the front of the car was enough to put them out for the rest of the day,” Mr Perry said. “They bent a steering arm. They're hoping to fix it overnight and be back in the event tomorrow.”