One of the great names of Australian rallying will be back competing in New Zealand next month.
Ross Dunkerton, five-times Australian champion, is bringing a Datsun 240Z to contest the Dunlop Targa, which begins at Mangatawhiri, south of Auckland, on October 24.
Dunkerton heads an Australian contingent of 10 in a field of more than 100 for the five-day event, which will finish in Tauranga.
The colourful Dunkerton competed several times in the Rally of New Zealand and also was a regular winner in Asia.
He made a spectacular exit from New Zealand rallying when he crashed heavily in his Mitsubishi in the Maramarua Forest.
The Targa, which combines the sport of rallying with an appreciation of classic cars, offers a rather more sedate competition, though the rivalry can be just as fierce.
Targa organiser Mike John had to close entries early because of the demand from owners of vehicles ranging from 1960s Austin-Healeys to the latest rally machinery.
The event faces something of a clash next year when the Rally of New Zealand moves to September 21-23, putting pressure on the available roads.
The moving of the world championship rally has complicated the Australian V8 Supercar round at Pukekohe.
The promoters, IMG, have run into transport problems for the current date and proposed either September or November. For the moment the February 17-18 fixture remains.
Motorsport: Australian rally ace returns for Targa
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