The second day of Targa was held between Rotorua and the central North Island township of Wharepapa before the mid-day service and lunch, which was provided by Wharepapa South School.
Dave Rogers and Shane Reynolds continued to hold onto their lead at the conclusion of a shortened Leg 2 by the narrowest of margins. Australians Paul Dowie/John Allen in the Porsche won two of the four stages that were run today.
This allowed them to eat into Rogers’ lead to end the day with just a 1.9-second gap. The Mitre 10 Porsche GT3 RS of Martin Dippie and his co-driver Jona Grant are a further 48 seconds back.
In the 2WD Classic, Mark McCaughan and Lindsay Lyons continued to stretch out the gap to the Ford Escort being driven by Steven Blackley and his co-driver Daniel Newton with a comfortable 3-minute margin.
Bevan Claridge has not been able to get on top of the electrical issue that plagued the Holden yesterday and has dropped down to seventh place. The Volvo of Mike Lowe and Paul Lyons was another car to experience mechanical gremlins.
As Mike recalls, “Bolt fell out of the wastegate control, giving 40lb+ boost and cracked pistons. I posted on Volvo 240 Facebook, and within 10 minutes, I had someone who I don’t know offer us a complete set of pistons and rods!! We are now at a workshop in Cambridge, rebuilding the motor.
“Never ever give up! Hopefully, we’ll be done by midnight and will try to make tomorrow afternoon’s stages”
Within the Targa event is also the Time Trial. There are six cars entered in this, aiming to drive as close as possible to a predetermined time, with points awarded.
The Toyota MR2 driven by Dallas Yates and his sister Alise Inger in the co-driver’s seat currently lead this group.
In second place is an MG Sebring of Michael Fitzpatric/Alla Rull, while Des and Ellinor Redgwell are placed third in a Volvo 240GL.
The field stayed in New Plymouth overnight and the third day got underway this morning where they are tackling the roads of the Manawatu and Taranaki area.
Header Image: Steve Ritchie
