Four drivers have been injured in two separate crashes in the Targa West Rally on the outskirts of Perth - the same event which claimed the life of Peter Brock.
Two years ago Australia was shocked by the death of motor racing legend Brock after he crashed near Gidgegannup in the rally.
The first crash today happened about 12.30pm when a car driven by West Australian Kerry Wade with co-driver Alan Stean from Queensland went off the zig zag scenic drive in Kalamunda.
Both men got out of the car and were examined by a doctor and a paramedic at the scene.
About an hour later the father-son team of WA motoring writer Bill Buys, 65, and Robert Buys crashed on the same stretch of the zig zag route.
A doctor and paramedic were soon on the scene and Bill Buys was treated in the car before being removed.
They were both taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
Their injuries are not known but a rally spokeswoman said they were not believed to be serious and both men were in a stable condition.
Weeks puts Lamborghini in front
Kevin Weeks, driving a Lamborghini Superleggera, led the premier Competition Modern class of the rally at the close of day one today.
Weeks ended the day seven seconds ahead of Steven Jones (Nissan Skyline GTR), and a further two seconds ahead of Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2)
It is Weeks' third drive in the event, with mechanical failure and bad luck cruelling his bids for an outright win in past years.
“We’re rapt to be up the front,” Weeks said of his time today with co-driver Rebecca Crunkhorn.
“We made a few errors today and I’m bit disappointed with some of the stages, but it’s a good thing to be in the lead, definitely better than being behind.”
In the Competition Classic class, international rally star Alister McRae (Porsche 911 RS), who is competing in his first QUIT Targa West, holds a commanding lead of more than one minute.
David Moir (Datsun 240Z) sits in second, ahead of David Bartlett (Ford Escort) in third.
“It’s gone very well, we’re (McRae and Bill Hayes) obviously pushing reasonably hard but at the same time we’re not taking risks,” McRae said.
“The car’s going well, the tyres are working well and to be so far in front is fantastic. There are still two days to go, so long way yet but we’re happy with where we are!”
Kym Illman (Porsche 997 Turbo) leads the Challenge Modern class ahead of Bruce Hawle (Skyline R34 GTR) and Rob Darrington (Aston Marton Vantage).
In one of the stand-out performances of the day, Andy Van Kann and co-driver Brook Martinsenwill take a 53 second lead into the Challenge Classic class tomorrow.
Van Kann, who auctioned off the ride in the co-drivers seat of his Toyota Levin for Camp Quality, will be joined by a new co-driver, Jamie Marquet, tomorrow.
Both Martinsen and Marquet are involved with Camp Quality through family and personal experiences with cancer.
An excited Van Kann joked at the end of the day that it was his plan all along to head the field with a novice co-driver.
“Brook is a champion co-driver, it’s his first time but it’s as though he was born to do it, he’s a natural,” he said.
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