TASMANIA, Australia -- Monday, May 8: The Prologue run through the streets of
George Town---two words, it turns out---was a Porsche romp, with "Gentleman
Jim" Richards blasting through today's mist-dampened lanes just a tick
faster than Peter Fitzgerald, new GT3 against veteran 911. But our focus was
with the All-American Girls: How would they fare in their first actual taste
of all-out competition? New engine, new transmission, new team---and the
rain started quietly just before they were to start the 4.2-kilometer dash.
. . .
As it turned out, their conservative strategy proved correct; with a time of
4:46.47, they hit no curbs, bent no wheels, flattened no tires, rearranged
no real estate, stayed between the gutters and started out very cautiously;
the two have no intention of joining the half-dozen cars put out of action
before the Prologue was over! Car 443 will start the actual rally on Tuesday
about midway through the 300-car field, intent on finishing every stage
within the allowed trophy time and bringing two Targa trophies home to
America.
In terms of other contests, Les Dames Americaines are running against two
other all-woman teams, one in a Category 6 Mazda RX7 (which could be favored
unless it rains) and the other in a Category 3 Porsche 356 in the capable
hands of a highly experienced Targa Tasmania-veteran crew. The two posted
excellent mid-field Prologue times, with the Porsche showing the advantages
of confident experience:
#356 Classic 3LMSC Kerith Buckingham (VIC)/Carol Fitzgerald (VIC)
1963 Porsche 356C 4:13.48
#644 Classic 6SSC Glenda Taylor (QLD)/Kim Vajda (VIC)
1979 Mazda RX7 4:23.48
Interestingly enough, Buckingham in the vintage Category 3 Porsche bested
all the Category 4A Limited-Modified cars:
#445 Classic 4LMSA Jeremy Browne (SA)/Stella Plenderleith (NSW)
1969 Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF 4:14.61
#431 Classic 4LMSA Graham Harrison (VIC/ Graeme Sedgwick (VIC)
1970 Morris Cooper S Mk II 4:16.60
#416 Classic 4LMSA Syd Jenkins (WA)/Mark Kyle (TAS)
1970 Morris Cooper S 4:17.17
#443 Classic 4LMSA Teresa Davenport (USA)/Cheri Huntoon (USA)
1968 Saab Sonett 4:46.47
While it appears that the 4A class is evenly matched, one other 4A car, a
Lotus Elan, was nowhere to be seen on the evening's results board and may
have failed to start the day. This is unfortunate; the nimble Elan should
have proved a strong contender against the 1.6-liter Lancia and the
MiniCooper S brigades that flew around the George Town corners like they
were on the freeway! As for the Yanks, we are confident that as Teresa and
Cheri get their sea legs, their little blue Sonett will hold its own on the
gorgeous Tasmanian tarmac roads.
For those interested in goings on at the top of the list, here are the times
of the top four Porsche teams:
836 Modern 8LMSA Bernie Stack (SA) Mark Forgie (SA)
1995 Porsche RS 3:17.33
839 Modern 8MS Ray Lintott (NSW) Fred Gocentas (NSW)
1996 Porsche 911 Turbo 3:17.25
811 Modern 8LMSA Peter Fitzgerald (VIC) Michael Mansour (VIC)
1996 Porsche 911 Turbo 3:12.80
919 Modern 9LMSA Jim Richards (VIC) Barry Oliver (TAS)
1999 Porsche 911 GT3 Clubsport 3:12.60
Reprinted with permission of the author.
