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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Ford Enters Award Winning Falcon XR6 Turbo in Targa Tasmania

Staff, Friday May 9, 2003.

Page 1 of 1

Winner of the Australia's Best Cars/Best Sports Car under $57,000 award, the two Falcon XR6 Turbos will be driven by Ford Racing Australia engineer and Targa Tasmania regular Steve Hoinville, and MOTOR magazine editor Michael Taylor.

Along with experienced co-driver Ruth Williams, Hoinville will compete in the Modified Specification (MS) class in a Ford Racing prepared Falcon XR6 Turbo. Taylor will be partnered by his wife, Bronwyn Humphrey, in a production Falcon XR6 Turbo.

Run over 44 Targa stages, the six-day rally covers all corners of Tasmania and is a favourite amongst many of the world?s top carmakers and drivers.

The entry of the Falcon XR6 Turbo continues a commitment to Targa Tasmania that was first made back in 2001 with the previous AU model Falcon XR6.

Although the car is the latest model, the goals of the Ford entry have not changed with the aim being to finish the rally and promote the Falcon XR6 Turbo as a serious performance car, rather than press for outright victory.

?The Falcon XR6 Turbo has quickly gained a cult-like reputation in the market and we want to prove its sporting potential by entering Targa Tasmania,? said Falcon Brand Marketing Manager Andrew Birkic.

?Targa Tasmania is a great test for the Falcon XR6 Turbo, as the roads around the Apple Isle provide a true challenge. We?re confident that the Falcon XR6 Turbo is well suited to this challenge.

?Steve?s car is an Falcon XR6 Turbo with a number of further improvements, while Michael?s car is very much showroom specification with uprated brakes.

?We?ve not only made a commitment to Targa Tasmania this year, we?re also looking at building on the strong reputation of the Falcon XR6 Turbo with further entries in the years to come.?

Spending the majority of his time working on the BA Supercar development program for the past two years, Hoinville is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Falcon XR6 Turbo in competition for the first time.

?It?s different to our previous Falcon XR6 and obviously a vast change to the V8 Supercar we?ve been developing, but rallying is all about driving clean and to the conditions,? said 32-year-old Hoinville.

?This car?s handling and torque from the turbo-charged engine are both very strong elements we aim to use to the full advantage.

?From a driving point of view, Targa Tasmania is a great event. The roads are all very challenging especially the longer stages like Cethana.

?I have a very experienced co-driver in Ruth Williams who has competed at Targa many times as well as Australian Rally Championship events. This will be my second Targa Tasmania on pace notes so we?re pretty confident of a good result against others in our class.?

Hoinville made his Targa debut in 1998 in a Falcon EL GT, and his past driving experience includes competing in the Rally of Tasmania, the Classic Adelaide tarmac rally, and the Grand Prix Rally. He has also raced Formula Fords, club cars, and sports sedans at club level since 1993.

Michael Taylor is no stranger to motoring and motor sport having driven many of the world?s top cars as well as competed in numerous races and rallies.

?I wanted to compete in a showroom Falcon XR6 Turbo to get the full appreciation for just what the car can do,? said the editor of MOTOR.

?I enjoy the roads around Tasmania at the best of times, but to really drive them in a competitive nature is something I?m really looking forward too.

?Any form of rallying is always a team effort and having Bronwyn beside me is going to be a great experience for both of us. I know she?s very much looking forward to telling me just where to go!?

With 267 confirmed entries, this year's rally will be the 12th annual Targa event in Tasmania since 1992, and will be contested over a total distance of 2,282km, with 462.44km competitive, plus the Temco Prologue.

For further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing
Phone: (03) 9596 9011
Mobile: 0417-262 753
Email: benb@global-marketing.com

Mike Porter
Media Coordinator
Targa Tasmania
Phone: 07-5591 1773
Mobile: 0417-311 997
Email: mikep@qldnet.com.au

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