South Australians dominate podium at Rally Tasmania

After three days of hard driving around some of the most challenging roads in the country, Cameron Wearing has claimed the Classics title and Steve Glenney the Modern title at Rally Tasmania.

Both produced performances that set them apart from their competition.

Wearing, driving a 1971 Ford Capri Perana, won nine of the 20 stages to finish 53 seconds clear of his closest rival, Roger Paterson, in his 1974 Porsche 911 RS. David McDonough was third driving a 1970 Ford Capri Perana, another one minute 21 seconds back, completing a trifecta for South Australians in the Heritage rally.

Glenney's win in the Modern section was even more emphatic. He was fastest across 18 of the 20 stages, demonstrating great speed and consistency in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 on all 192 competitive kilometres.

Also from South Australia, the thoroughbred horse trainer finished one minute 45 seconds clear of Jim Richards in his 2007 Porsche GT3 RS with Tony Longhurst's Subaru Impreza WRX STI third, three minutes five seconds behind the winner.

Glenney was in the same car that took Alan Simonsen to the Rally Tasmania title in 2007. It was just his second outing in the event, and his result this time was a significant improvement on his fourth in 2006.

"We've got a great car and a great team who have worked hard to make sure everything went to plan," Glenney said.

"The car was faultless and helped us build a good lead early on in the event."

"It was a great Rally and we'd love to be back next year."

Wearing was in Tasmania for Rally Burnie last September and finished second. After changing the car's set-up he won the Classic Adelaide rally in November and has now added another trophy to his growing collection.

"Winning against these guys, my peers, is what is really satisfying," Wearing said.

"I've raced against them a lot and really respect them."

"It's a bit of a relief actually to get to the finish line today. We got to the front early and got a good lead, and today we just thought we should consolidate. On Hellyer today we were seven seconds slower than yesterday. On the last stage we drove like we were going to the shops."

"Tasmania offers roads with the character that just demands respect. But the most fun of the whole event was the Burnie Super Stage. It was just fantastic. I love coming to Tasmania and love entering Rally Tasmania."

Final Results - Rally Tasmania - Top 10 Classics (Provisional)

1 C Wearing/R Cochrane, 1971 Ford Capri-Perana
2 R Paterson,/R Geue, 1974 Porsche 911 RS, +53secs
3 D McDonough/L Wilson, 1970 Ford Capri Parana, + 2:14
4 D Cooper/B Sherriff, 1977 Holden Torana A9X, +4:33
5 H de Corti/M de Corti, 1974 Porsche 911 RS, +5:34
6 G Crimp/P van der Mey, 1981 Porsche 924 GTS, +6:50
7 R Lowe/P Lowe, 1971 Datsun 240Z, +8:44
8 M Laucke/R Laucke, 1974 Porsche Carrera 3.0 RS, +8:58
9 P Cochrane/G McLane, 1967 Ford Mustang, +105
10 D Kurzok/S Taylor, 1968 Datsun H510 1800 SSS, + 11:37

Final Results - Rally Tasmania - Top 10 Modern (Provisional)

1 S Glenney/B Webb, 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 MR RS
2 J Richards/B Oliver, 2007 Porsche GT3 RS, +1 min 45 secs
3 T Longhurst/J Taylor, 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +3:5
4 E Evans/C Murphy, 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +3:54
5 J Vandenberg/S Vandenberg, 2006 Mitsubishi lancer Evo9, +3:55
6 T Quinn/K Wenn, 2001 Nissan Skyline, + 7:19
7 S Gillett/K Norton, 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, +7:47
8 D Jorgensen/G Jorgensen, 1989 Nissan Skyline GTR, + 8:26
9 S Bartter/I Wheeler, 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, + 8:48
10 M Heskin/ B Searcy, 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 RS, + 8:57