Targa cool attracts the champs

They've made their names in quicker, more intense versions of motorsport, but Jim Richards and Aaron Slight still love their Targa Rally style.
Both famous names came through Wanganui yesterday with smiles on their faces ? Richards and co-driver Barry Oliver well in charge and heading for their third win in as many attempts, and former Super Bike rider Slight in the top 20 in his very first Targa.
Slight and co-driver Richard Scott found the bumpy roads of Taranaki a bit disconcerting yesterday, but survived the exercise.
Richards, with his vast experience, was Mr Cool as usual, calmly supervising the refuelling of his 2003 Porsche GT3 and making sure everything was shipshape.
"We could probably do with some new shock absorbers and things ? there were a lot of blind crests. The motor, gearbox and everything's in the front, and there's no weight in the back, so it tends to do a big nosedive," Slight said. "But I don't think anything's going to fall off it."
The Targa appeals to Slight "because it's just a bit of fun, really, although we're still looking at lap (stage) times."
Slight is doing a bit of work with Honda importer Blue Wing Honda, and some bike coaching, but his Super Bike days are over.
"I've been there, done that," Slight said.
Richards has been a dominant figure in Targa rallies in Tasmania, elsewhere in Australia and in New Zealand, and he continues to be.
The former motor-racing champion was happy.
"Everything's been going great. We started off in the lead and we've increased that, and we haven't put a foot wrong (today), so that's good too," Richards said.
"There's another day or two to go and anything can happen, but we're feeling pretty good."
This is Richards' third Targa in New Zealand ? without a hitch.
"The guys are looking after us ? we do the easy work, they do the hard work."
Richards has been involved in motor-racing since he's was 11 years old.
He doesn't seem to be slowing down any.
The rally stopped for afternoon tea at St Anne's School in Wanganui East, providing a target for every petrol head and child for kilometres around.
The cars came to St Annes from the stage 16 around Waitotara's Ngutuwera Rd.
This was won by jointly by Ray Vandersee and Dennis Neagle in their spectacular Skelta G Force, with Richards called in second but on the same time, and Wellington's Joe McAndrew Third.
Wanganui drivers Peter Cullen (47th) and Quentin Handley (50th) also did well.
PICTURED: First to stop for afternoon tea at St Anne's School in Wanganui yesterday was the third oldest car in the Targa Rally, the 1960 Triumph TR3A driven by Rod and Anne Corbett. This is his first Targa in this car ? but there's a 1955 Triumph at home he and his wife have done 10 in. "This is good with the top down," Corbett said.