Lillie wins 2021 Targa High Country

While a newcomer to Targa, Lillie is an experienced driver in circuit competition, including Production Cars, Improved Production, GT, V8 Brutes, Sports Sedans and Touring Car Masters.

For his Targa debut, Lillie partnered with Steve Glenney, a 20-year veteran of tarmac and gravel rallies, with two Targa Tasmania wins as a driver. For Targa High Country, Glenney switched to the navigator’s seat of Lillie’s 2007 Mitsubishi Evo X, entered in the Dutton Garage Early Modern 4 category.

The rescheduled three-day rally encompassed 16 competitive stages around the Mt Buller and Mansfield regions of Victoria from 5 to 7 February.

Despite treacherous weather on the opening day, Lillie/Glenney were fast from the outset, fending off challenges from Luke Anear and Andy Sarandis in a 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R, and the vastly experienced Tony Quinn and Kate Catford in a 2018 Nissan GT-R R35.

On Day 2, Lillie/Glenney were able to build their lead to just over a minute, and when Anear/Sarandis suffered a puncture early on Day 3, the pair could play it safe, finishing the final day 2 minutes 27 seconds ahead of Quinn/Catford who had rebounded from fourth on Day 2 to finish second in the overall. Lillie/Glenney also took out the Dutton Garage Early Modern 4 category by just under three minutes.

“I’ve wanted to do this event since I first came to the Mt Buller Sprint back in the early days,” Lillie said after his stunning Targa debut.

“The car held up well and we drove the wheels off it ever since the opening day when it was wet. The twisty Jamieson and Eildon stages suited the Evo and Steve (Glenney) has done an amazing job on the other side of the car.”

At time of writing, Lillie had yet to confirm an entry for Targa Tasmania, which is scheduled for 19-24 April, COVID permitting.

For more details and updates, go to: targa.com.au