There's just six days to go before the 2010 Targa Tasmania, the high speed endurance rally that takes place on the island state of Tasmania, Australia. The Mazda Australia team will campaign an RX-8 SP and Mazda3 MPS in this year's running of the world's toughest tarmac-based rally. Both cars are well prepared for the event, having already finished performance testing, with final set ups now being conducted.

The RX-8 SP has been equipped with a turbo charger and produces more than 290ps and 35.3kgf-m of torque. It will be participating in the Modern Competition class, campaigned by vehicles manufactured after January 2003. Modern high performance cars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911 GT3 and Nissan GT-R also compete in this class. Driver Steve Glenny and navigator Bernie Webb have won the Targa Tasmania in the past. Additionally, Mazda Australia announced that they will be participating in the rally using ethanol blended fuel.

The Mazda3 MPS is being campaigned in the Showroom class, for vehicles manufactured within the last five years and which were sold new for under $85,000 Australian. Popular models in this class include the Lancer Evolution. There is also a privately-entered MX-5 in this class for the event.

Promising 21-year-old rally driver Brendan Reeves will drive the Mazda3 MPS with his sister Rhianon Smyth navigating.

The Targa Tasmania is a tarmac rally with competitive stages on closed roads for the best touring, sports and GT cars in the world. It is a genuine "red-blooded" motor sport competition. The present format is to conduct the event over six days (including a Prologue) covering more than 2,000 kilometres of tarmac roads. To win the Targa, known as a car-breaker of a rally, the cars need to possess not only high-powered engines and durability but also good handling and drivability. Drivers are required to drive fast with quick reactions while making sure not to break the car as the event is conducted on (closed) public roads. For victory, these factors and a bit of good luck are required. This year's Targa Tasmania starts on April 27th, reaching its goal on May 2nd.