Reigning CAMS Australian Targa Champion Paul Stokell would still consider the 2019 season a success even if he doesn’t win next month’s season finale.

 

Stokell and co-driver Kate Catford head into Targa High Country holding a commanding 53 point lead over Targa veterans Jason and John White, needing only to finish in the top five to take out the title.

 

It’s the second year in a row that Stokell has found himself with a commanding lead and with one round remaining, with the Queenslander in a better position than the corresponding round 12 months ago.

 

A runner-up finish either side of a maiden Targa Tasmania victory in 2019 has Stokell content with his season so far, despite wanting to add another national championship into his cabinet.

 

“Even if we don’t win the final round, I would still consider the season a success because I feel we have had a good year,” Stokell said.

 

“We are in a reasonable position as far as the Championship is concerned and it would take something pretty bad for us to lose the title from here.

 

“I know what’s required. We probably just need to finish the event or at least in the top seven and I believe we are well and truly capable of that. Whether we’re on the podium is a different story though.

 

“For me, it’s important to win championships. It’s something I am always striving for. We are going to put in all of our efforts and see where we end up.”

 

When the championship met in Mount Buller last year, it was the Whites who took out the victory – their third consecutive round win, but it was Stokell and then co-driver Malcolm Read who had the last laugh after being crowned outright champions.

 

It was Stokell’s first time on the mountain and the Lotus Exige driver put in a good session, finishing just one minute behind the fifth place pairing of John Ireland and Janet Binns.

 

Now with more experience under his belt and more confidence going into the 2019 season finale, Stokell is hoping for a better result on the Victorian course.

 

“2018 was my first ever year doing Targa High Country and I have to say that the run up the mountain was spectacular,” Stokell added.

 

“Some of the country roads were a little quick for our car. There are lot of stages that are long and fast, which doesn’t favour our car, but we’re still going to give it a red hot go.

 

“I still feel like we went pretty well last year so I am looking forward to the run around there.

 

“As for the preparation, the car hasn’t changed a big deal. We just started using it better. Kate and I have also gelled a lot more this year as far as our timing is concerned.

 

"I think these are the things that have put us in a much better position. Having the win at Targa Tasmania was obviously a bonus but it would be really good to win the title again.”

 

The CAMS Australian Targa Championship wraps up its 2019 season with next month’s Targa High Country taking place in Mansfield and Mount Buller in Victoria on 9-11 November.