Queenslander Tony Quinn has held off a fierce challenge by seven-time Bathurst winner Jim Richards to take his first Rally Tasmania title in one of the closest finishes in the event's 29 year history.

Tony used the original tyres fitted to the R35 GTR: the DUNLOP SP600, while Jim used a mixture of Toyo and Pirelli tyres to suit the unusual size requirements of the Porsche.

Local Burnie driver, Jamie Vandenberg, held on for third place, one minute 56.2 seconds behind the leader.

In fourth place was Bathurst winner Tony Longhurst in a Subaru with Linda long as navigator.

In all, 8 of the 9 leading Modern cars used the dominant DUNLOP rubber. With the exception of the unique 20" tyres fitted to Tony Quinn's new GTR, the winning tyre of choice was the DUNLOP DZ03G, acknowledged to be the best competiton tyre for these events.

DUNLOP tyres were used by 62% of the Modern field (Bridgestone 19%, Yokohama 9.5%, Toyo 9.5%)

The battle of the classic car title was less intense, with Kevin Weeks easily the master of the Tasmanian roads in his Porsche 911. Behind him though, an gripping dual raged between Victorian Gary Tierney and South Australian Roger Paterson. Tierney eventually edged in front of his fellow 1974 Porsche by just 2.5 seconds. All three leading cars also used the dominant DUNLOP DZ03G tyres.

DUNLOP tyres were used by 5 of the top 6 cars and 50% of the Classic field (Yokohama 19%, Kumho 12%, Bridgestone 6%, Michelin 6%, Toyo 6%)

An overall summary of tyres used for the major events from 2004-2009 can be viewed HERE