Steven Jones Nissan Skyline R35 Gtr Is The New Leader Of Quit Targa West Competition Modern Class.

[Guest]

2008 Winner Steven Jones dedicates his win...

What a fitting end to Father's Day with 2008 QUIT Targa West’s Competition Modern winner, Steven Jones, dedicating his win to his late father Warren Jones.

“Thank my dad for everything he did for me, my old man is the reason I wanted this for so long. He passed away when I was 17 and I’ve done this for him, I’ve given him what he wanted!”

Perth’s Steven Jones has become the youngest competitor to win QUIT Targa West, taking the honours in the Competition Modern class ahead of Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2) and Kevin Weeks (Lamborghini Superleggera).

Behind the wheel of a Nissan Skyline GTR, 24-year-old Jones took the lead from Weeks on Saturday and held off the far more experienced tarmac drivers over the 10 stages run today to win by 15 seconds.

Proving just how tough the QUIT Targa West competition is, Jones is the third winner of the Modern Competition class in events four year history

Former World Rally Championship driver, Alister McRae dominated the Competition Classic Class from the opening stage of the rally. After 31 stages, McRae crossed the final stop control with a total lead of 7minutes 27seconds, ahead of David Moir (Datsun 240Z) in second and Michael Miller (Holden VH SS Commodore) in third.

Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) took honours in the Challenge Modern Class, only six seconds quicker than second placed Simon Gunson (Ford F6 Typhoon). Paul Davies (Holden HDT VC Retro) finished in third.

Andy Van Kann (Toyota Levin), who was joined by two Camp Quality nominated co-drivers, Brook Martinsen and James Marquet, won the Challenge Classic Class, finishing an impressive 3minutes 47seconds ahead of Nick Rahimatulla (Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105 Series) in second. Martin Eyer (Triumph TR8) was third.

Steven Jones:

“It was a learning curve for us, the car is so new and I didn’t know what to do it is so electrical.”

“(Over the weekend) I learnt the car, every hour I spent in the car I learnt how to drive it and we just became stronger and stronger, it was so good!”

“I don’t know who to thank; all the people here that helped me come here and get what I’ve wanted for so long.”

Jim Richards:

“Young Steve’s done a fantastic job, he’s definitely got a bright future and we’re really rapt that he’s won. We would have liked to have won but we didn’t so very, very happy for him.”

Barry Oliver:

“It’s been one of the most enjoyable rallies we’ve done and certainly one of the toughest. We went into the last stage only 3 seconds in front of Kevin weeks and he beat us on the stage previously so the pressure was on. It’s getting a bit tough for us older guys out there.”

[Duncan]

well done guys!

[funkymonkey]

nice one lads... good to see the GTR put to good use.

Maybe someone at Nissan Australia might take notice now.

[GTR-N1]

Top Result. But Better still...

Top Driving from Top Guys!

[dan_the_man]

ho hum

[Brockas]

Edited September 7, 2008 by Brockaz

[teejay]

Im deeply humbled by the chance to watch this kid go out and win Targa in a fundamentally stock 35 GTR - absolutely staggering performance. He is on road tyres, so to beat the likes of Richards and Weeks in supercars is no easy feet.

Good stuff Steve, and may it be the first of many victories for you, highly deserved bro!

Edited September 7, 2008 by teejay

[GTS-t VSPEC]

Yep, great result Steve, you really deserve it, and hopefully there is more to come from the mighty GTR

[giant]

great driving & top result! well done

[Jezza-gtR]

Congratulations guys, well done

[kidd]

GTR!!!!!!!!!!NUMBER1!!!!!!!!! almost got kicked out cos of that rant hahah!!! ruby room sux!!! good one team GTR!

steve u still owe me a drink

[SS8_Gohan]

andrew, were you over there?? thought i so the blue beast in one of the youtube vids

that is such an impressive effort. I freakin GT2 with gentlemen Jim AND a super legerra, both succumbing to a street tyred GTR.... impressive, most impressive...

and why the f*ck are some people still calling it a Skyline??? :headshot:

[Marlin]

Nah the blue 34 was Appo's old one he just sold to a dude over there. We built it for Targa Tas 2006. The new guy entered it in the "challenge class" hmmmm, seen the results? lol

[Snowman]

Yeah I'm not cool enough for roads yet. I'm hoping to be next year though - thats the plan anyways.

Engine has to come out in a couple of weeks to fix the diff / sump from Dutton W.A so will take that opportunity to swap the turb's etc and have the car Targa Spec when it goes back together.

Then we'll go find some fun roads to play on

[teejay]

Nah the blue 34 was Appo's old one he just sold to a dude over there. We built it for Targa Tas 2006. The new guy entered it in the "challenge class" hmmmm, seen the results? lol

Challenge is limited to 130kmh top speed, no need for a cage etc, guys are newcomers to the sport, I say well done to them for getting out there.

Id kill to do the event in a GTR and be mid pack

[dan_the_man]

[Echo63]

well done to steve and rauri

here is two of my pics from halfway through the last stage (racecourse 2)

[Guest]

Below are two in-car movie's of Steve driving in Targa 2008, it is sure to impress and show why he won.

and

Also yes he did have his stereo cranking.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Guest

[Iron Chef]

Holy f*cking crap. Get this man into Targa Tas, stat!

Better still, assuming it may well be the first Targa-style race for the R35 GT-R anywhere in the world, Nissan Japan should sign the kid up as a works driver.

Again, holy f*cking crap. Balls of steel.

[teejay]

Targa Tas had the pink Donut King one.

If the right people get behind him, I can see no reason why he couldnt reach the top levels of Aussie Motorsport.