Around 95 cars are expected to compete in the third round of the Shannons Targa Rallysprint series at Perth Motorplex, making it the largest field for the new season so far.
Boasting a range of different drivers from around the country, the impressive field is headed up by 2019 series winner Paul Brockbank and co-driver Matt James-Wallace, as well as this season’s first two round winners Troy Wilson and Toni Cameron.
The third round will be the Brockbanks first for the year after co-driving for Jeremy Noble in last year’s season opener where the duo secured a solid top-five finish.
Brockbank then missed the second round and was replaced by James-Wallace, who helped Noble guide his Lancer to a seventh place. James-Wallace will line-up next to both drivers in the third round.
For Wilson and Cameron, they will be looking to add another victory to their brilliant run of wins, with the duo having taken out the previous four rallysprints – their run stretching all the way back to the corresponding round last year.
Last season’s round one and two winner Peter Major will also be looking to get back on the winners’ list having been unable to recreate the form that saw him claim two wins last season.
While there is a lot of local talent entered in this month’s event, a famous surname will also grace the three-kilometre course with 14-year-old Max McRae getting behind the wheel for the first time.
The young Briton will compete with father and rally legend Alister as his co-driver in a Suzuki, while Max’s grandfather Jimmy McRae will also enter the event in a Porsche – adding a sense of prestige to the series’ middle round.
With the series once again reaching almost 100 entries for the third consecutive round, Clerk of Course Ross Tapper was pleased with the series’ current state and the high-profile entries.
Photo: CMR Photographic
“We’ve had 90 plus in the past, but this season has really kicked off,” Tapper said.
“To have more than 90 competitors for this type of motorsport is fantastic. It’s absolutely brilliant that we’ve been having these sorts of numbers throughout the whole season.
“Also having Alister, Max and Jimmy McRae part of the event is wonderful. It’s Max’s first time competing in a car after completing a few years in go-karts.
“We’re really excited to have three generations of the famous McRae family name here from the UK and involved in the event. It’s an absolute pleasure to have them.
“The McRaes aren’t the only ones to look out for though, with Paul Brockbank and Will White both making their first appearances for the year which is great. Pete Major is also one to keep an eye on, although hopefully he fixes the Lotus that’s caused him issues in the opening rounds.”
The third round of the 2020 Shannons Targa Rallysprint takes place at Perth Motorplex on Thursday 9 January.