There be another outright contender in this years East Coast Targa, following a more than impressive world wide motorsport debut in Targa Tasmania by the all new Lamborghini Gallardo.

Two of the exotic four wheel drive Italian thoroughbreds contested the recent Tasmanian rally, which saw regular Lamborghini Australia driver Paul Stokell grab a strangle hold on the event, only to crash out on the penultimate day, while leading. On the previous day when the dual Nations Cup champion hit the lead, he had won all but one special stage, and was looking good for an outright win until he misjudged a corner and fired off into a bank, causing extensive damage to the car.

The teams second Gallardo, was driven on the Targa Tasmania by well known PGA golfer Stuart Appleby, and he shocked all by finishing 10th outright on what was essentially his first motor sport event.

The car driven by Appleby has been entered by Lamborghini Australia for the East Coast event, and it will be driven by Lamborghini Australia Sales Manager Jason Sinai, while the company’s Managing Director Andrew Smith will be co-driver.

The East Coast Targa is a tarmac rally using a mixture of private and public roads closed for the purposes of the event, and motor racing circuits. It is the only event of its kind in New South Wales. The first event was staged in March 2000 when it was known as the East Coast Classic. The event was conceived by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, originally for classic (pre-1981) car enthusiasts but since 2003 has been open to all road registered cars, classic or modern. PRC and Group N Rally cars and Utes are also now eligible.

The 2005 edition, which runs from 24th-27th August, spans four action-packed days where entrants compete over more than 200 km's comprised of at least 30 special stages. All roads used for competition are sealed, although some liaison stages are unsealed.

The event includes at least eight stages utilising the world renowned Mt Panorama. Other closed roads cover the Old Pacific Highway to the north of Sydney and areas west of Sydney extending into the Blue Mountains and around the towns of Lithgow, Oberon and Blayney.In addition special stages include several full laps of Eastern Creek Raceway and Oran Park.
 

For Jason Sinai, this will be his first motor sport event since arriving in Australia in 1997 from South Africa, where he competed in a BMW in production car racing, and a Porsche Series similar to Carrera Cup. He won the series in 1995. Smith is well known in Australian motor racing circles as Team Manager for Lamborghini Australia, where Paul Stokell became a prolific winner of Nations Cup events, winning back to back national titles.

Named after a famous Spanish fighting bull, the 4WD Gallardo has a 5 litre V10 engine and produces 376 kw of power with a top speed of 309 kph. A dry weight of 1430 kg and just 2.3 turns from lock to lock, makes for sharp steering and easy handling.

Already the winners of the last two years East Coast Targa events have entered, and they are sure to have an intense battle with the V10-powered Italian car. Tony Quinn the 2003 winner has entered his Porsche, while reigning champion Warwick Rooklyn will be back in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V11.

The Gallardo’s entry into the NSW all tarmac rally, will give enthusiasts the opportunity to see it pitted against another Italian thoroughbred, a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, to be driven by Phil Griffin and well known racer Mark Williamson. The Stradale is rear wheel drive, has a 425 bhp, 3.6 litre V8 Stradale engine, but at 1180 kg is lighter, and has a similar top speed of 300 kph. Driven by Griffin and Williamson, the Ferrari competed in last years East Coast Targa, and was to compete in this years Targa Tasmania, but its entry refused because there were not enough produced to make it eligible for the Tasmanian regulations.