TASMANIAN drivers Eddie Maguire and Peter Nunn have dominated the fifth running of the Targa High Country to take victory in the Modern and Classic categories of the tarmac rally.
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Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 with former Targa Tasmania winner Steve Glenney in the co-driver's seat, the talented 28-year-old Maguire won comfortably by two minutes and 15 seconds, while Nunn also took his first Targa win by six minutes and 13 seconds to see off a hot field cars.
In 4WD Showroom, Angus Kennard triumphed in his Subaru WRX STI after a nail-biting battle with the Mitsubishi Lancer of Stewart Liddle, while seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, Jim Richards, proved too strong in the Showroom competition in his Porsche Cayman S.
Maguire had a late drama when his car became stuck in fourth gear during the morning stages, but quick work from his service crew soon had the Lancer repaired and back on the road to victory.
It was a jubilant Maguire who sprayed the champagne on Mt Buller, with two other Evo drivers, Matthew Selley and Toby Gill, filling out the podium placings.
"It's great to win our first event, and the car has been great for just about the whole event," Maguire said.
"On the third stage this morning we lost all gears, but managed to find a broken roll pin in the gearbox after the stage. Luckily Jason White was on hand to fix it - if it wasn't for him we'd have been out of the event.
"After Tim Hendy went out this morning we backed right off to conserve our lead, and took it nice and easy to the finish.
"It's a great feeling to win."
In Classic Outright, Peter Nunn's victory was comfortable in the end after his closest rival, Craig Haysman, retired his Triumph TR7 V8 on the last day with clutch problems.
"We're absolutely rapt ... although I had to keep pushing pretty hard today," Nunn said.
"The car was fantastic. It got a bit hot coming up the final stage on Mt Buller, but other than that it was fine.
"We used only four of our six tyres, so it handled the conditions really well. We'll enjoy the celebrations tonight."
Bathurst legend Jim Richards had trailed rival Neill Ford in the Showroom competition at the start of the day, but the wily veteran came good when it counted to give his Porsche an 11-second win.
Targa High Country results - MODERN: 1. Eddie Maguire (TAS) - Steve Glenney (SA), 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo; 2. Matthew Selley (SA) - Hamish McKendrick (SA), 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9RS, +2m15s; 3. Toby Gill / Sam Tapping, 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, +2m41s; 4. Max Williams / Bruce Bush, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, +2m59s; 5. Adam Spence (QAT) - Erin Kelly (QLD), 2011 Nissan GTR, +3m08s.
CLASSIC OUTRIGHT: 1. Peter Nunn (TAS) - Keith Johnstone (TAS), 1985 Porsche 944 Turbo; 2. Steve McClintock (NSW) - Jann Skinner (NSW), 1985 Mazda RX-7, +6m13s; 3. Peter Ullrich (NSW) - Roger Carter (TAS), 1963 Jensen CV8, +6m57s; 4. Greg Cook (VIC) - David Cooper VIC (VIC), 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS, +10m43s; 5. Roger Lomman (SA) - Annie Bainbridge (SA), 1971 Datsun 240Z, +12m15s.