After three days of non-stop action, the 2019 edition of Targa Tasmania has witnessed a heap of drama unfold as a number of the top seeds have toppled out of winning contention.
Currently leading the 265-car field at the midway point of the iconic six-day event is Victorian Matt Close and co-driver Cameron Reeves in the Porsche GT3 RS.
Some consistent driving and fortunate results have helped the pair to top spot with plenty more challenging kilometres still to tackle.
On the first day of action, 2018 CAMS Australian Rally Championship runner-up Steve Glenney and co-driver Dennis Sims took the slightest advantage over Jason and John White, with only one second separating the two for the lead.
On day two, following an intense morning of action, the Lotus Exige 350 S pilots extended their gap at the top after the Whites received a 10-minute penalty when their Dodge Viper’s sensor wire melted under the bonnet – forcing a late arrival after lunch.
With the penalty sending the Whites to 84th outright, the defending Targa Tasmania winners' chances of picking up a record-equalling eighth outright victory were effectively over as Glenney assumed a 24-second lead over Close.
Glenney continued to dominate on third day of competition and managed to extend the gap over Close, but with only 600 metres remaining on the penultimate stage, disaster struck the Tasmanian as he speared off the road and into the trees.
Glenney’s accident handed Close a 44-second lead over Michael Pritchard and co-driver Gary Mourant, while 2018 CAMS Australian Targa Champion Paul Stokell sits a further 11 second behind alongside co-driver Kate Catford.
"It’s not the way we wanted to take the lead. We know what it’s like to crash out after last year,” Close said.
“It’s a real shame from a battle point of view that we’ve lost Jason White and Steve Glenney.
“But there’s a hell of a lot of rally to go and we’re certainly not taking anything for granted.”
The Shannons Classic GT has seen multiple lead changes throughout the three days with Michael Downey and Nicholas Browne ending day three with a one second lead over reigning class champions Michael and Daniel Bray.
The action starts again tomorrow morning with Cethana stage in the state’s North west.
Class Leaders
Outright/GT2: Matt Close and Cameron Reeves.
GT4: Angus Kennard and Ian Wheeler
Shannons Classic GT: Michael Downey and Nicholas Browne
Shannons Classic: Graham Copelan and Josh Herbert
Dutton Garage Early Modern: Guy and John Lilleyman
Country Club GT Sports Trophy: Antony and Sandra Seymour
Shannons Thoroughbred Trophy: Jack Waldron and Vin Gregory