The Mazda Motorsport team is primed and ready for the start of the 2012 Targa Tasmania rally.
Consisting of four drivers and co-drivers along with a further 12 mechanics and support staff, Mazda Motorsport’s largest ever Targa team is now assembled in Launceston ahead of today’s opening prologue stages in Lilydale and George Town.
Final preparations have gone smoothly and with the start line inching ever closer, a palpable sense of anticipation is spreading across the whole team.
Just about to start his first race with Mazda Motorsport, Tasmanian Matt Rickards is taking the experience in his stride.
“I’m very excited to be given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the RX-8 SP for the first time in competition. We had a very successful test session with the car a couple of weeks back and as long as I can continue to use the experience I gained there along with my previous rally experience in other cars, I’m sure we’ll do well,” said Rickards.
“With Bernie Webb’s co-driving experience alongside me and people like Brendan Reeves, Simon Evans and team boss Allan Horsley all on hand to give me advice as the race progresses, it’s safe to say that I’m in good hands.”
Embarking on his eighth Targa Tasmania, Mazda Motorsport team manager, Horsley, is feeling both relaxed and optimistic about the team’s chances.
“One of the key ingredients to success in rallying is meticulous preparation and I’m comfortable with how preparations for this year’s Targa campaign have gone. All four cars are ready and we arrive at the start line in pretty good shape,” said Horsley
“I’m delighted with the quality of the driver line-up we’ve secured and, with just a little bit of rallying luck on our side, there’s a very good chance that you’ll see a Mazda at the pointy end of the field when we get to Hobart.”
Targa Tasmania starts today with a 9.4km prologue in Lilydale and George Town.