Well the race has been run and won, and HDT produced some fantastic results.

Day One saw the start of the Targa and a full field of 60 vehicles in the Modern Challenge, amongst the prestigious field of vehicles including Lamborghini, Subaru, Lotus and Daytona the HDT VE Retro come home in mid-field at 35th position. Driven by WA's Melville Holdens', Paul Davies, along with his Navigator Dave Henderson, they worked well throughout Day 2 and gained three positions to finish in 32nd for the day.

After a gear box change overnight, the HDT VE resumed its cracking pace and gained another 4 positions over the day, finishing inside the Top 30 at 28th position.

Day 4 the Targa headed towards Strahan on the west coast and some of the more interesting stages of the rally. The HDT was really moving and Paul and Dave performing brilliantly. By the fifth stage of the day at Hellyer Gorge the HDT was sitting in 23rd position overall and moving upwards. The next Stage - Mount Black saw the guys hitting an absolutely cracking pace and moving up an incredible 9 positions to 14th overall for the stage.

But a Top 10 finish was not to be this year for HDT. Unfortunately, on the very next leg, the car left the road at approximately 160km an hour and came to grief on an embankment. Thankfully, and most importantly, Paul and Dave were checked onsite by the medical team, and both given the all clear, with no injuries. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the HDT VE Retro. The passengers front wheel took the majority of the impact and was destroyed, the passengers' side doors also looked pretty nasty. The car was retrieved and towed back to Burnie, as the HDT team headed for Hobart for the final celebrations of the Targa.

Sitting in 29th Overall and 1st in its class when they crashed out, the pace and performance of the HDT vehicle was impressive to say the least, even though unfortunately HDT didn't finish the rally.

Peter managed to get another wheel fitted onto the car and put it safely on a vessel back to Perth for its repairs. Paul and Dave have assured us they will be back for Targa West in September, 2009.

Peter and Sandy Champion, along with HDT Manager, Darren Gilllis, would like to thank all the members of the Tasmanian chapter of the Brock Commodores Owners Club, especially Dale Coombs, for their efforts and support throughout the week. The general public's reaction to the new HDT Heritage series vehicles was overwhelmingly positive.

For full detailed results visit www.targatasmania.com.au