Colin Byrne Alfa GTV 2000 second place in Targa High Country 2015

[Evan Bottcher]

70+ weeks after his last Alfa tarmac rally car was destroyed in an accident in Targa Tasmania, Colin and his new navigator finished the Targa High Country second place in their class.  Congratulations Colin and team!

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from http://targa.com.au/

Early Classic

It was a dramatic final day in Shannons Early Classic with overnight leaders Jon and Gina Siddins in a 1970 Datsun 240Z suffering a suspected broken gearbox ten kilometres into the Jamieson 14th stage.

The 40.18km stage certainly took its toll, with the second placed Jack Waldron and co-driver Vin Gregory in their magnificent 1955 Fiat also coming to grief, finishing the podium dreams of both cars.

With Siddins and Waldron on the sidelines, Roger Lomman and his co-driver Annie Bainbridge in a Datsun 240Z moved into the lead. While the renewd competition was hot given the sudden departure of both Siddins and Waldren, they were able to bring it home and finish 24 seconds clear of Colin Byrne and Michael Partridge in their Alfa Romeo.

"It's been a fantastic day," Lomman said. "We pushed hard as we knew it was close."

"Jon Siddins had it shot to pieces so we are disappointed for them and look forward to sharing a drink with them tonight."

Richard Woodward and Andrew Marshall, driving a Holden Monaro GTS, had made it up to third. But on the penultimate stage local hopes, Brian and Linda Dermott, Holden Torana GTR XU-1, moved ahead, after Woodward and Marshall lost over 15 minutes on the long 40 kilometre stage.

To the pleasure of many, the Dermotts were on the podium in the sixth running of an event they did so much to get off the ground.

SHANNONS EARLY CLASSIC HANDICAP

Roger Lomman / Annie Bainbridge, 1970 Datsun 240Z
Colin Byrne / Michael Partridge, 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000, +30s
Brian Dermott / Linda Dermott, 1971 Holden Torana XU-1, +5m10s

[carlo rossi]

well done congrats that is a good result , I dont think many saw that coming being the smallest car

[massiveluvbuddy67]

Well done Colin and team...very chuffed for you all
Best Regards
Phil

[Colin Byrne]

Thanks guys, and thanks for posting Evan!