Quit Targa West hit the roads of Perth, Kalumanda, and Toodyay on the weekend some exciting rally action. The Fabcar team consisted of two time winner Steve Jones and Ben Searcy (R35 GTR), 2009 Modern Challenge winners Mark and Andy Conacher (R35 GTR), 3 time competitors Ross Hamilton and Tony Robson (Evo 8 MR), and late addition to the team David Heaton and Lisa White (TMR Evo 10).

Disaster hit the team on Special Stage 1 at Whiteman Park when Steve Jones experienced engine troubles with his GTR forcing him to bow out of the event, which allowed front runners Jim Richards and Peter Major to breathe a little easier as Jones was out of contention.

Friday saw Leg 1 hit the roads of Kalamunda with some great stages – John Forrest, Kalumanda and Zig Zags to name a few. The Conacher’s took charge in their GTR claim the lead for the leg over Robert Darrington in another GTR. The Evo 8 MR of Hamilton and Robson took hold of 4^th position after some issues were sorted out with their Evo.

Leg 2 and 3 where based out of Toodyay with the Killarnie City of Perth Super Stage finishing off the event on the roads of the Swan River.

The Hamilton/Robson Evo had put in consistant times over the two legs to come across the line in 4^th place in Modern Competition behind Peter Major (R35 GTR), Jim Richards/Barry Oliver (Porsche GT2), and Peter Rullo/Simon Iseppi (R35 GTR). The Conacher’s took back to back victories in the Modern Challenge category, holding off the GTR of Darrington. Long time Fabcar friends – Tolley Challis and Greg Flood took top honours in Classic Competition.

The Fabcar team had a very successful rally and would like to thank all our partner sponsors McDonalds, and LF Performance, Live Fitness, Greenline, GT Graphics, and Xspeed and sponsors Caffi Logistics, Bassendean Hotel, Café Nocello, and the Environmental Printing Company. We would also like to thanks David Heaton from Metropolis Fremantle for jumping behind the wheel in his first Targa West event, the boys from Fabcar were happy to help Dave out and look forward to working with him closely in the future.

The Fabcar Racing Crew 2010

Congratulations - Modern Challenge winners 'Back to Back' - Mark and Andy Conacher

Ross Hamilton and Tony Robson - Awesome drive in 2004 Evo 8 MR

Dave Heaton and Lisa White - Metropolis Fremantle Evo X with Fabcar's Andre and Matt

Motorsport eNews Review - T Challis and R Hamilton

Thanks to Corbin Hurst for his pics over the weekend and also for his work on Fabcar Racing poster.

A special thanks to Corbin Hurst for photos, GT Graphics for design work as well as the Environmental Printing Company (Printing) for their support in making this happen this year.

Yesterday saw the three Fabcar LF sponsored cars complete some final testing at RAC centre. On hand was Bob Arnette from Nine Sport and Media Liaison from Targa West.

We wish all the boys the best of luck and thank them for their support of Fabcar.

Steve Jones & Ben Searcy – Nissan GT-R

Ross Hamilton & Tony Robson – Mitsubishi Evo 8 MR

Mark Conacher & Andy Conacher – Nissan GT-R

Spectator information is available here.

Thankyou to all the sponsors for their support, including Fabcar, LF Engineering, Live Fitness, McDonalds, The Bassendean Hotel, X-Speed.

2010 will be the 6th consecutive year that the Fabcar Automotive Group will support the Targa West event. Fabcar have supported the event since it inception in 2005, providing up to 18 support vehicles that will shuffle some of the hundreds of volunteers that the event requires each year to run. Fabcar is proud to assist in this way and also thrilled that they have had some great success with competing in the event, taking out Modern Competition wins with Steve Jones behind the wheel in both 2008 and 2009.

The support vehicles have varied year to year but are made up of an eclectic mix of the best that Japan has to offer. Mitsubishi Delica’s have for the most part been the people mover of choice, and again this year we will see approximatley 12 Delicas moving around Perth and surrounding areas bearing the Targa West livery. Delica’s are the perfect choice for such events as they allow lots of space for both people and equipment.

This year will will see the all new Skyline V36 on the roads  with some officials showcasing the vehicles.

Steve Jones, Ross Hamilton and Mark Conacher will be teaming up with Fabcar, LF Engineering and other sponsors  for Targa West 2010 (August 26-29 2010)

Steve is yet to confirm which vehicle he will be using in an attempt to pull off a third consecutive Modern Competition win, backing up hugely successful 2008 and 2009 campaigns. Targa West will form as a prequel to Steve possibly heading to Japan to compete in some local racing behind the wheel of a Nissan GT-R racing prototype vehicle currently being built by a successful Japanese tuning/development company. Stay tuned for more information. (Steve is also about to launch his own website stevejonesracing.com that will feature lots of information on Steves racing endeavours.) Either way Fabcar will be supporting Steve in his attempt to show off his skills in Japan.

Ross Hamilton with co-driver Tony Robson will take part behind the wheel of the very competitive Mitsubishi Evolution 8 MR. The boys have competed in the last two years of  Targa West, and were making some impact in 2009 before a small error cost the boys  by the end of the event.

2009 Modern Challenge Competition winner, Mr Mark Conacher of McDonalds will be heading the third car (Nissan GT-R). Mark has been an influential help in setting up planning for 2010, in particular assisting with sponsorship for Steve’s Japanese campaign.

Fabcar will support the team with the help of their technical partners LF Engineering. LF Engineering have long supported Fabcar and are the chosen partners when it comes to Motor Racing.

In addition to LF Engineering, Fabcar are also partnering with McDonalds, Northside Nissan, GT Graphics, Live Fitness, Greenline MotorSports, and Caffi Logistics. (Other sponsors are also soon to be announced)

Thank you to all these partners, as we look forward to a successful 2010 campaign.

2008 Modern Competition Winner

‘drive something different!

At this stage it is not confirmed as to what vehicles will represent Fabcar, but the team are keen to bring home a 3rd successive Outright title. Whether this will be headed by 2008/2009 champion Steve Jones remains to be seen, as it is rumored that Steve will head back to Japan for some testing with a prominent Japanese development house on or around Targa West time.

Stay tuned.

Congratulations to first place finishes Jason and John White in their 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo with a total time of 1:17L09.18.

Second place outright was Steve Jones and Ben Searcy from WA in their 2008 Nissan Skyline GTR  with a total time of 1:17:26.96. Third place goes to Dean Herridge and Chris Murphy in their 2008 Subaru WRX STi, also from WA, with a time of 1:18:54.27.

The clasic competition was taken out by Rex Broadbent and Chris Randell in their 1974 Porsche 911 RS.

For full results, please CLICK HERE.

Quinn in VIP Pet Foods GTR – completes Day Two

After an amazing 3 day battle through the roads surrounding Perth, Steve Jones won Targa West 2009, making it back to back wins in the prestigious event. Some fantastic driving in all sorts of weather allowed him to unleash the potential of Nissan’s brilliant R35 GTR beating home well respected racers including Dean Herridge and ex World Rally Championship driver Alister Mcrae.

Now, for the first time, come and take a ride with Steve as he tackled some challenging tarmac. Sitting on the front guard of the GTR, prepare to see what it takes to win.

The first stage featured is a blast through Coondle West. This is just the first of several videos, so stay tuned for more from the Fabcar Racing team!