Targa NZ: Series newsletter 2009-08-27

Motor Racing LEGEND CHRIS AMON TO JOIN 15TH ANNIVERSARY TARGA RALLY.

Five years ago Chris Amon and retired F1 Commentator, Murray Walker, participated in the 10th Anniversary Targa Rally of NZ. That co-incided with the release of Chris Amon's biography Forza Amon, written by motor sport's respected historian, Eoin Young. Five years later Chris Amon is back, but this time in a support role.

For those 15 years of Targa NZ the various district councils, towns and cities along the Targa route to Wellington have supported the event to varying degrees. This year their Mayor or CEO's will lead the event from the passenger seat alongside the legendary Amon.

The idea is the brainchild of Targa's Event Director Peter Martin who said; "Between the Targa Tour entrants and the triple zero (000) safety car there is a 20 minute 'window' in which Chris Amon will drive the tarmac rally route."

Chris Amon has been an 'Ambassador' for the Toyota Racing Series since it's inception and through that relationship, Lexus NZ will equip Amon with a Lexus ISF. It's a 311kw 5 litre V8 that produces 505nm of torque via an eight speed tiptronic gearbox. Stopping power comes from the biggest Brembo brakes on the market.

Sir Jackie Stewart, three times World Motor Racing Champion is quoted as saying; "Chris Amon is one of the most skilful and natural drivers ever to grace Formula One.

Eion Young says; "Yet, for all this undeniable talent behind the wheel, Amon did'nt win a single World Championship Grand Prix. As one of his fellow drivers purportedly quipped; "If Chris Amon quit racing and took up undertaking, people would stop dying !!""

Young continues "Amon wove his special brand of motoring magic in the days before saturation TV coverage that could have assured him of hero status at home. Many New Zealanders are still surprised to learn, that for three seasons in the late sixties, one of their own led the Ferrari Team."

The Dunlop Targa event is less than two months away. It's a 7 day event from 25 October to 01 November from Auckland to Wellington. It's over Labour Weekend and on the Sunday competitors will participate in Manukau City's "Full Throttle Event" at the Telstra Pacific Events Centre adjacent the motorway. The event's Prologue (car, driver and co-driver shake-down) will be at the new International Motorsport complex at Hampton Downs. Labour Day Monday will consist of tarmac racing at three motorsport tracks, Pukekohe Park Raceway, Hampton Downs and Taupo.

-credit: www.targa.co.nz