Hyundai i30 Cruises To Victory In 2009 QUIT Targa West Rally

28 August 2009 · posted by Staff

The Hyundai i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel production car cruised to win its class within the ‘Modern Challenge’ category of the 2009 QUIT Targa West tarmac rally last weekend.

The i30 completed all 30 stages, running consistently through them all and winning the SS4 Kalamunda stage. In the end the i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel finished 3 minutes 49 seconds ahead of the Holden Cruze CD Ti to clinch the class trophy.

The ‘Modern Challenge’ category saw a total of 10 competitors which included performance cars such as the Nissan GTR 35, Audi S4, Volkswagen Golf R32, Ferrari 575M GTC and the i30’s class competitor Holden Cruze CD Ti. The i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel finished a very respectable 3rd overall.

“It was a great rally – we had our first stage win, the SS4 Kalamunda stage on Friday, we won our class and finished 3rd overall in the ‘Modern Challenge’ category – the first time a Diesel car has adorned the podium,” said driver Razvan Vlad.

“The i30 did not miss a beat all weekend and handled very well, even on the slippery roads of Saturday,” Vlad continued, “Hyundai gave us an excellent car, the Hyundai W.A. dealers a very professional service crew and this all added up to a fantastic result!”

Hyundai’s 2009 entry was a collaborative initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, supplying the vehicle, and the Western Australian Hyundai Dealer network, which supported the event with technicians and a professional race support team.

“The podium finish and the class win show the commitment of the 2009 QUIT Targa West Hyundai team, from the driver to the support of the Hyundai Dealer network,” said Heinz Wiesner, Hyundai’s Regional General Manager. “This collaboration offers our expert dealer service team the chance to work in a competitive environment – and they came up trumps.”

Genuine Hyundai Accessories were fitted to the production i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel including alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

Other additions included the addition of semi-slick tyres, upgraded front brake pads, a modified exhaust, a tuned engine, a roll cage and other safety equipment to meet competition requirements.

“Winning our class shows Hyundai’s commitment to quality products which offer safety, technology and efficiency coupled with outstanding value,” said Hyundai’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Kevin McCann.

This was the car’s second year in the rally. In 2008, the i30 SX CRDi won its class. The category podium finish in 2009, as well as the class victory demonstrates how the team has built upon lessons learned from last year’s competition.

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