Team Whitsundays to race in Targa Tasmania

THE Whitsundays will be put on the map at the world’s longest tarmac rally later this year.

Hamilton Island couple Bruce and Gail Absolon have entered the Targa Tasmania event under the name ‘Team Whitsundays’, vying to promote the region and fuel their love of motorsport.

Now in its 24th year, the internationally renowned event travels more than 2000km on closed roads through more than 40 competitive stages and against 300 cars.

Bruce and Gail have entered their 1994 SL500 Mercedes in the sports trophy class, marking the first occasion a Mercedes will compete in the event.

“Many of the entrants compete year after year and there is a real feeling of mateship and fun, while still being a very serious competition,” Bruce said. Bruce will act as driver while Gail will navigate from the passenger’s seat.

“There’s no mute button in the helmet so I get to tell him what to do, which is just brilliant,” Gail said.

The pair is searching for sponsorship from local businesses to not only help cover the related costs of participation, but also promote the region.

“We’re making a whole campaign out of the Whitsundays, using local suppliers and trade to prepare the car,” Bruce said.

“We’re both long-term residents in the region so we’ll represent North Queensland as best we can.”

For more information on Team Whitsundays and the Targa Tasmania Tarmac Rally, contact Deborah Friend on 0488 760 800.