Preliminary Results - 5th place overall

Team AutoQuest has placed FIFTH overall in the 2009 Rotorua Targa! Somehow, as the weather cleared, that darn feisty Porsche GT3 RS started going faster and faster. Unfortunately, Targa rules set a very safe upper speed limit and in our case, penalty points were awarded. However, driver Gavin Riches reports winning a stage, coming in second in 2 stages and overall being thrilled with the car's performance…“just a little tweaking needs to be done before October (the Dunlop Targa) – just a little work”. We wish the entire team well, especially as they try to make the car invisible to the “speed satellite”!

Rotorua (Day 2) Starting position

Team AutoQuest is scheduled to roll off at 3:25 pm Eastern Time. We wish our road warriors safe competition and a victory!

Rotorua Day 1 (Closing Results) - 5th Place

Rain, rain, go away! Team AutoQuest reports a wet, soggy afternoon. However, with the new suspension, the Porsche GT3 RS hugged the road and driver Gavin Riches reports absolutely no altercations with either the rugged terrain or stray barnyard animals!

The Rotorua Targa pumps almost $500,000 into this rural community. 170 teams make up a traveling entourage of 1500 plus people. And not only do local businesses benefit, the Targa infuses much needed revenue into non-profit sector by hiring schools as catering stops and car wash centers.

When Day 2 starts on (our) Saturday at 3pm, Team AutoQuest is hoping for sunny, dry weather. The route for the second day takes the drivers thru 10 stages (159km) stopping at Te Woutu School, Wharepapa School, Cambridge, Matamata and finishing back in Rotorua.

While the final score for Day 1 has Gavin and Steve in fifth place (something about a speeding ticket???), Radio NZ is reporting a gradual clearing in the weather for Sunday and everyone is ready for a big finish!

Rotorua Day 1 (Mid-day results) - 2nd Place

It’s lunchtime, Day 1, at the Rotorua Targa. Team AutoQuest has successfully completed the first 4 stages and is busy washing off the road debris that accumulated on their feisty Porsche GT3 RS. And yes indeed, feisty it is…as driver Gavin Riches reports, “We’re doing great! All four stages were extremely wet. It was absolutely pouring with rain. The roads were slippery and downright treacherous. This morning has put our new tires and our new wet weather suspension to the test! Happily, our new gear has stood us well and we’ve managed to hold our own as a 2 wheel drive car against an entire flock of 4 wheel drive cars.”

While munching on huge sandwiches, the crew was still trying to decide the best way to adapt the car for the weather. Every so often, a peak of sunshine looks promising, but the consensus is that they’ll probably stick with the wet weather set-up.

Car gear isn’t the only thing that’s new this year…Lew had shown up this morning with a very cool green John Deere hat and Malcolm is sporting new Avanti sunglasses. Grant has chosen a new Porsche shirt for the day but it’s Ivan in his bright yellow rainwear that is giving this team the boost.

And what a boost it is – at lunchtime on Day 1 – Team AutoQuest is in 2^nd place with total time of 28:42! Way to go guys!

Here Comes Targa Rotorua Rally 2009

Watch this page for frequent updates on AutoQuest's own Gavin Riches in the 2009 Rally in New Zealand, June 13 and 14. Stay tuned as our specially-prepped Porsche GT3 competes through the stages. Always check http://www.autoquestcars.com/ for information on events and exotic and premium luxury automobile sales and service.