Well motorsports fans it’s that time of year again, the weather is getting colder and Formula one is heating up, yep it is Targa Tasmania time.

Last year we saw only one R35 Nissan GT-R entered but this year sees that upped to 5 competing in the event. There is a wide variety of experience amongst the field of R35 drivers.

First we have the Russell Newman and Chris Murphy 2008 Nissan GT-R. Newman competed in last year’s Tasmanian Tarmac Challenge and has competed in Dutton Rally events. With 12 months under his belt with the car Newman will be interesting to watch.

Next are Tony Quinn and Naomi Tillett driving another 2008 Nissan GT-R. Quinn is coming off a fantastic start to the year with a 2nd place in Targa Wrest Point and outright victory at Rally Tasmania a few weeks later, they will be challenging for another win.

Tony Alford and Karl Farmer in their 2007 Nissan GT-R, part of Donut King racing team. Alford competed in last years event but had suspension problems and retired from the event, he has also competed in last years Tasmanian Tarmac Challenge and both Targa Wrest Point and Rally Tasmania earlier this year. In all those events he was running top 10 and top 5 times. He will be one to watch especially if it gets wet.

Peter Leemhuis and Ben Fitzsimons with another 2008 Nissan GT-R. Leemhuis has competed in only Targa Tasmania in 2008 and Targa Wrest Point this year, unfortunately the Wrest Point event ended early for him down a embankment. The car has been repaired and he is back for this event.

Steven Jones and Ruari Soutar-Dawson in a 2007 Nissan GT-R is the dark horse for this event. After winning Targa West this year on his 3rd attempt, and thus giving the new R35 Nissan GT-R its first motorsports win in Australia, he is favorite for the event. Jones has put a lot of time and effort into his pace notes and is expected to be in the top 10 from the start.

As usual GTRBlog will be covering the results with photos daily, stay tuned for more action from the Targa Tasmania 2009 as it happens this week.

- Joel Strickland

リンク: Targa Tasmania ウェブサイト

Targa Tasmania（オーストラリア）, モータースポーツ gt-r, gtr, joel strickland, quinn, r35, rally, targa tasmania, tarmac, tarmac rally

Well the news has come through the Donut King/Just Jap Nissan R35 GT-R of Tony Alford/Karl Farmer (Car #901) has been withdrawn from the event due to Suspension problems that have developed during today.

Speaking to Tony earlier tonight, he was full of praise for the car and is just blown away by how amazing the car is. They will go back to tarmac racing again.

Stay tuned to GTRblog.com for a full wrapup of their Targa Tasmania 2008 event.

GTRBlog からのお知らせ, Targa Tasmania（オーストラリア）, モータースポーツ

The R35 GT-R of Tony Alford and Karl Farmer has had an off on The Sideling stage of the Targa Tasmania Tarmac Rally. Two front tires have been punctured and a rear wheel is damaged but the crew is ok. We are unsure whether this ends Targa for the GT-R this year or not and will update shortly as this develops.

GT-R ニュースヘッドライン, Targa Tasmania（オーストラリア）, モータースポーツ

Well day one is over, the leaders have all charged very hard during todays 9 stages.

The result is that Jim Richards/Barry Oliver (Car #919) are at the head of the leader board. Leading by only 1 sec back to Steve Glenney/Bernie Webb (Car #975)in 2nd place, with Tony Longhurst/Jahmeil Taylor (Car #922) 3 secs behind.

The Donut King/Just Jap Nissan R35 GTR of Tony Alford/Karl Farmer (Car #901) is back in 23rd, 57 secs behind the leaders.

Tomorrow has the competitors running 8 stages, beginning with the Sideling stage before heading over to the East coast of Tasmania then returning back to finish the day in the historic racing town of Longford.

Keep coming back to GTRblog.com for further updates. Pics from today below:

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Targa Tasmania（オーストラリア）

Day 0 today, the Prologue stage in George Town. It was the first time all the cars hit a rally stage at competitive speed. There was big field to go through as this year as there is the Tour Group, Rookie Rally and Historic Classes to go through before we get to the main game, the Modern Class.

There was some seriously quick times being laid down. Matt and Casey Close in a 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo (car #913) were the quickest around the 5.17km stage in a time of 03:12.72, over 2 seconds faster than the second place Weeks/Crunkhorn Lamborghini Gallardo (car #991). The Donut King/Just Jap R35 GT-R came in 14th place with a time of 03:22.78.

Tomorrow the event officially starts in Launceston (Entally Stage) before heading to the Northern Loop.

Keep coming back to GTRBlog.com for daily updates. Images from today’s action below:

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Targa Tasmania（オーストラリア）, モータースポーツ