Pictured, Paul Stokell accomplished his first outright victory and Dutton Garage GT2 class win at the event after negotiating six days of some of the fiercest tarmac rally competition in the world. (PS Angryman Photography)

Highly decorated former circuit racer Paul Stokell conquered Targa Tasmania.

Stokell accomplished his first outright victory and Dutton Garage GT2 class win at the event after negotiating six days of some of the fiercest tarmac rally competition in the world.
It was also the first outright victory for his experienced co-driver Kate Catford who was calling the pace notes for Stokell for only the second time.
The win was the first for the Lotus brand at the 28th running of the rally which covered 33 special stages and a total distance of more than 2000km, spanning the length and breadth of Tasmania.
Stokell drove conservatively on the final six stages through Tinderbox, Pelverata, Gardners Bay, Oyster Cove, Cygnet and Longley.
“I’ve always called Targa Tasmania the hardest event I’ve ever done,” said Stokell,
“It’s the most challenging and the most individual thing because you are out there on your own.
“The conditions we had - we went from icy roads that were so slippery that you could hardly stay on them to high grip, high speed stuff and you’ve got to adapt pretty quickly.”