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Taking it to the streets of Bunbury

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockSouth Western Times
Wayne Turner has entered his 1964 Ford Falcon in this year’s GT Fabrications Targa Bunbury Sprint.
Camera IconWayne Turner has entered his 1964 Ford Falcon in this year’s GT Fabrications Targa Bunbury Sprint. Credit: Jon Gellweiler / South Western Times

The streets of Halifax will be filled with high-octane action this Sunday for the second annual GT Fabrication Targa Bunbury Sprint.

Almost 100 competitors are set to test their skills in some modern and classic cars around the 4km track, which has some of the trickiest twists and turns in the 2017 Quit Targa Cup calendar.

There are five classes in this year’s event, including the two-wheel-drive up to 2000cc, two-wheel-drive 2000cc and over, four-wheel-drive up to 3500cc, four-wheel-drive 3500cc and over and the two or four-wheel-drive gravel tyres.

Targa Bunbury Sprint race director Ross Tapper said organisers were pleased with the interest from competitors, with participants increasing from 80 to 92.

“It is mind-blowing the enthusiasm we have from the competitors,” he said.

“It is a terrific event and I anticipate a high number of spectators will attend.”

Tapper said drivers loved the Bunbury track.

“It is just long enough for them to get their teeth into,” he said.

“We have added more safety barriers to increase safety.

“It is a good day’s competition for them.”

Tapper said with the terrific response from drivers and the support of the Bunbury City Council, he saw no end in sight for the Targa Bunbury Sprint.

“We will have a look each year as to how we can improve it,” he said.

“We cannot increase the number of drivers too much more because then they will get less laps on the track. But as long as we have the support of the City of Bunbury and the interest we will keep this event going.”

Treendale’s Wayne Turner is a veteran of Targa racing, having competed in 10 races in Perth, and eight in Pemberton.

Turner drove his 1964 Falcon Sprint in last year’s inaugural Bunbury Sprint, which he believed was a success.

“It is social for us, we run to have a bit of fun,” he said.

“The car and I are too old to match it with the young blokes.

“It is more about the social side for us nowadays, it is less competitive.” Turner said the Bunbury track was “something different”.

“People in Bunbury just like having cars racing around the streets legally,” he said.

Racing begins at 9am on Sunday, with the winners to be announced about 3.30pm.

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