Targa Champ Joins Tarmac Rally

South Australian Co-Driver Naomi Tillett, who won Targa Tasmania and Rally Tasmania this year with Tony Quinn in their VIP Petfoods Nissan GTR, returns again to compete in the 2009 asp / Cut Price Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally on the weekend of May 30 & 31st.

“Tarmac rallying in this state took a massive boost when SDCC began running this event, and its experience on events like this, that helped me with the role I have in the VIP Petfood team.”

The battle for the lead in Targa Tasmania this year was intense. 5 cars were all capable of winning the event on their outright speed, and its this pressure that Naomi says made the win extremely satisfying.

“The speed was just at a new level, Jimmy (Richards) was beating his 2008 times by a second per kilometre, in the same car, and he wasn’t the fastest!”

It was this pressure that Naomi suggests was the major reason Richards, Steven Jones & Kevin Weeks all left the road, in pursuit of the title.

Whilst the pressure may be slightly less in the upcoming 2009 asp / Cut Price Adelaide Hills Tarmac Rally, the battle for SARC honours may be closer than some may have expected. Naomi Tillett is sitting in with long time family friend Craig Fox in his Subaru WRX STi.

“We’re a real family team, with fun our number one priority! Leah (Craig’s wife), Adam (Naomi's husband), Adam Block & Ben Makai are crewing again for us, and they’re always sure to keep us smiling with a crappy joke ready at each service”

The team however are aware that this year is promising to be their best yet, in terms of results and are confident a good points haul will materialise and propel them to their first SARC championship.

“We know Matt Selley & Claire Ryan will be quick this year in the SARC, and the team to beat, but there are probably 5 or 6 crews who will aiming for silver... and maybe with a little luck, the win”

There are a number of other crews, that until the entry list states, may or may not be in the SARC component. Steve Glenney and Sam Brand are two very quick drivers and could, on their day show a very clean pair of heels to the rest of the SARC field.

Despite this the Fox/Tillett team are very keen to run their own race, knowing that the championship is not won over 58 kilometres.

The team is supported by S&J Automotive, Complete Exhausts Marion, Key Mobile Locksmiths and Ozsport Photos.