On target for Tassie

Nelson Hall

Wollongong’s Matt Amos and navigator, Zoey Gillis, have set themselves a challenge by being the youngest entrants in the biggest Targa Tasmania yet.

Twenty-year-old Amos will drive his 1993 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 when the event starts in Launceston on April 15.

“We’ve always wanted to do Targa Tasmania and have heard a lot about it,” Amos said.

“When we found out about the Rookie Rallye being reasonably cheap to enter, we thought we might give it a crack.”

Amos met his 17-year-old navigator, Zoey Gillis, two years ago at the local car club.

“Zoey is doing her HSC this year,” said Amos, who has been rallying since Year 12.

“Being the youngest in the field is good, we can mix it with the older competitors.”

Despite being the youngest in the 300-strong field, the duo work well together with proven results, placing sixth in last year’s NSW State Championship.

“With us both being young we get along really well and understand each other. I absolutely trust her and her calls are spot on.”

The pair are expected to arrive in Tasmania in early April for the April 15 start in Launceston.

“Some of my friends have already asked if they could come and be part of our service crew,” Amos said.

“We’re expecting some tight, twisty roads, but it’s going to be great.”

Targa Tasmania takes competitors on a journey through the heart of the state, along some of the best tarmac rally roads in Australia.

The Targa Tasmania finish will happen at Hobart’s Wrest Point on April 20.