2009 Targa Newfoundland Rally Canada(05/28/2009)
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Racecars with Hot Bits under them have always run strong at this difficult and specialized event, with a number of class wins and strong showings overall. This year, the incredible performances put in by competitors as well as pre-event testing and tuning by Hot Bits North America have resulted in not one but two spots on the overall podium! Huge congratulations go to overall Targa winners Roy Hopkins and Adrienne Hughes in their Hot Bits-equipped 1969 BMW 2002. While their total score of 10 seconds over the length of the event is impressive on its own, the highlight has to be a zero score achieved in the torrential rain on the final day of competition. Friday's drive catapulted Hopkins & Hughes from 3rd going into the morning stages to 1st overall at the finish. Third on the overall podium this year were Jud Buchanan and Jim Adams in an immaculately-prepared 1967 Pontiac Acadian Canso with a total score of 33 seconds. As is often the case with applications not listed in the Hot Bits catalogue, fitment for the Canso's front end was engineered by Hot Bits personnel in Canada and Malaysia. Thorough testing and development in concert with driver Buchanan prior to the event yielded a setup that worked well at keeping the front end of the Canso solidly-planted over the rough roads that form many of the Targa stages. Hot Bits personnel, including North American boss Peter Reilly were on-hand over the course of the event to provided technical assistance and setup advice. "I told Roy Hopkins that while we had all of the tools necessary for repairs, rebuilds and revalving, we wouldn't need them. We were just there to make customers feel secure. It turns out we did need to do repairs on one occasion but it was to another brand of shock on the little NSU TT," laughs Peter. "We spent time with customers both at the shop and out at tracks like Watkins Glen and Mosport tuning and testing prior to the event. Obviously it paid off. We're very happy with the results!" Other notable finishes of competitors running Hot Bits include: 7th Overall, 1st in-Class, Giannou/Felice, Porsche 911 |
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