Glenn Badger and navigator Roger Cations are competing in the Quit Targa West 2009 in Perth.

They expect to travel more than 1,000km in the rally which started yesterday with a prologue at the Quit Motorplex to determine the rally starting positions.

“I’ve been in motor sport for the last seven years,” Badger said.

“This is a big step up for me to an all-tarmac rally.”

The men met after realising they had common motor sport interests.

Cations had been helping with the car when he was invited to be navigator.

“I really wanted to do an event like the Targa,” Cations said.

“I volunteered my time to help with the car and this led to Glenn asking me to navigate.”

They will be competing in a mark 1 1970 Ford Escort which Badger has used in the Albany Classic round-the houses after building it to a competitive level from scratch.

Starting every day from Burswood Casino, Targa West takes in closed roads in the Perth hills and north as far as Bindoon.

Badger’s father, Ken, and other family members will help out as service crew members, with parts available in the chase car.

Badger is sponsoring the car through his business, Ulster Kennels, and has received backing from a number of local business – Premier Hotel, Halls Haulage, Tectonic Construction, Motel Le Grande, The Weekender, Tyre Power and Eyrite Signs.