Over the nine-kilometre closed road course, Garwood, driving a Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II, achieved an overall time of four minutes and 9.4 seconds.

Finishing in second place was duo Ben Manion and Mary Hughes (Launceston) in a turbocharged two-wheel drive Nissan Skyline.

Rounding out the top three was Robbie Maher and Golly Roberts in a Mazda RX-7. 

Hobart’s Peter O’Keefe and Julie Winton-Monet (Mazda RX-7 SP) came close to toppling the Launceston pair, before withdrawing with fuel pump concerns as the race reached its climax. 

Garwood, who previously won the 2015 event with Queensland co-driver Cameron Reeves, said he enjoys the challenges that the unique road presents. 

“The car was really strong,” Garwood said.

“This was the first event together for Bec and I, and everything just went to plan.

“This is my second win at the event, last time was 2015 in a Porsche 911 GT3, and I just can’t get enough, it’s one of the best roads in Australia.”

Despite not having a designated navigator, Hobart-based driver Stephen Noble was consistently producing stage times worthy of a podium finish.

Noble was driving a turbocharged Nissan 350Z throughout the course, while competing in the vehicles produced after 1985 category. 

Event director Stuart Benson said the fourth annual running of the Poatina mountain race was a raging success.

“This event enjoys excellent support from the local community and discussions are under way about an exciting expansion in 2018,” said Benson.