Peter Brown and co-driver Stewart Gamble have today re-written the record books by piloting their Mazda supported Mazda3 Diesel to overall victory in the Showroom class at the Targa High Country rally. This is the first time ever a diesel entrant has sat atop the podium at a Targa rally event.

The Mazda3 Diesel has put in some previous strong performances including a seventh place in the Showroom category at this year's Targa Tasmania. However its performance at this weekend's event has elevated the Mazda3 Diesel to another level and really highlights its impressive performance capabilities. The Showroom category is often the domain of more traditional sports cars, but this result really shows that the Mazda3 Diesel can mix it with the best.

"We've worked with Peter in the preparation of the Mazda3 Diesel and we are thrilled to see them rewarded with a maiden diesel victory in a Targa event." said Mazda Motorsport's Allan Horsley.

About Targa High Country:
Targa High Country is the newest event on the Australian tarmac rally calendar and is the first of three races making up the 2011 Australian Targa Championship. The event was kicked off on Friday 5th November with a Prologue in Mansfield before a further 16 gruelling stages through the Victorian Alps, King Valley Wine region and Eildon National Park. The total route covered over 849km with the competitive closed-road sections accounting for 219km.