Marlin

That was a standout, amongst some worthy others

My apologies Turbosoftroader, you appear to have a reasonable conversation going here. I had become jaded reading many of your other posts in other threads, and subconsciously expected more of the same.

Sure were, it was really exciting having three phones and two laptops going, keeping everyone both in the event and at home up to date with the latest news. When the news came through that Gavin and Tim had broken down many folks were gutted. For a fantastic effort to end like that was disappointing for sure. How cool was it though that a big show like Mazda Motorsport crew did everything within their power to get the guys to the finish. Having both Steve Glenney and Bernie Webb calling me with updates on what they'd done and where the guys were was stirring stuff. A little reminder we're competing against the course and the conditions, not each other! If Timmy can get a better gig, I wish him the very best and I'll be the first to congratulate him. I was behind Mozz (commentator) giving the the young fella a huge wrap for everyone to hear over the microphone, and I gotta say a little tear formed in the corner of my eye when Mozz said, "This performance has solidified Tim Kulhanek as one of Tasmania's foremost tarmac navigators". *sniff* I'll never afford him now! *sniff*

Nah, I don't want to take a step backwards, I did run a 32 GTS-t last year you may remeber (just for Roy that one )

Does this mean I can run your 34?

Which is effectively what the Freestone's Holden 48-215 is doing. It has a sequential Hollinger, much later model Holden 202 six, and LCD dash n all. Very spiffy! I think I'll call Greg Crick and see if he will lease me his old Honda Prelude Sport Sedan.

Top bloke too!

I'm sure if I was a smarter man I'd understand that Dan! haha

By golly I wish I had more time to allocate this discussion. I appreciate Steve and Kel getting finally on here to defend themselves. In my mind a few poorly considered comments from several people not involved with the sport have managed to create a slight on car 803 (Steve/Kel), unfairly too in my eyes. As stated above, and confirmed in conversations I've had with officials, car 803 had every right and was completely elligible to be there. This however does not mean I personally totally agree with such elligibility, how would anyone prove for certain that a particualr part was in fact fitted to these cars? It is times like this that I personally miss the old CAMS days, and I did in fact warn the powers that be if AASA rules allowed too many freedoms, then in fact it would have the opposite effect of what was wanted by the switch, and that is reductions in costs. The ridiculous freedoms (meaning non FACTORY spec car elligability) are not good for the sport, as it means; spend heaps, drive well, you'll win. I personally think the Lambo's are in bullshit spec, along with the Mazda RX8, and in fact I don't think the Skelta should be allowed either (for other reasons). Why Steve has been singled out here has me stumped. As has the one eyed love for Snowy? Where is the love for Beable? Has the Moon shifted the Earth on it's axis? Nothing will change the fact that Snowy's car was illegal, and I cannot see how anyone entering the event wouldn't know it was. I'm sorry, I just can't. To all saying the change is major enough to warrant it's illegality, I say bullshit. I'll say it to your face too! I'm not looking at Andrew here, he's copped it on the chin, but to all the fan boys. In summary, I think the Targa organisers need to have a big step back and a good hard look. I've offered my time to them if they ever want to chat. I see they need to continue with AASA to get younger blood into the event, by allowing non-genuine equivelent parts instead of over-priced genuine stuff. That is THE benefit that I see with running AASA. The lax licensing is terrible (yes, Kellogs box) and can certainly be done without. Cheers everyone, Woo Edit: I'll ad that I am nowhere near as excited about entering 2011 after seeing the 999 car debacle (not finishing a stage in my book means you can't stand on the podium! That's what an endurance event is all about far fark sake!) and I'm simply not prepared to spend $100k plus on an early Modern car to compete on a level playing field equipement wise with the monster "specials". Nope, as nearly proven by James/Kulhanek in the 944, they can still be beaten, on the track, where all good races are won

Forgive me for not being more involved in this conversation. Work is extremely busy. Massive highlights for me were Gavin and Tim absolutely handing it to everyone with an old 1989 non turbo 944. To be leading plus 4 minutes before an unfortunate engine failure is simply huge. Another great achievment is Jeff and Nerida's continued success. Their car is still quick, even though I think it still complies with the old CAMS spec, tiny exhaust and all! And to have completed 12 years running, well, I could only dream of that!

Gee, most here disagree with me, I went for "Absolutely everything, to the letter". But funnily enough, I'm not that concerned. I prefer to just go as hard as I/we can, beat them on the track, and smile knowingly at the cheaters

You didn't crunch it in Hellyeah Giant, everywhere else, but not Hellyer.

I for one look forward to this thread getting to page 55 of the Motorsport section.

No I didn't, suffice to say his tail lights appeared first Talking about the T junction at the bottom of the steep descent down Cethana, braking downhill from over 200klm/h in the wet for a first gear corner on a 1 in 5 hill usually catches a few out! LOL

Jason White (Lambo alphabet) on Paloona stage Leg 3. Major moment about 1klm in! Turn it up and enjoy this shit hot stage! (Greg and I were at the spectator point at 2:30, YT looked wicked quick through there ) You reckon he's happy with his time?

Awesome vid mate! Saved to favourites and shared on Facebook. Excellent

Can't agree more.......

I hope the general public isn't allowed actually IN the pit bays. GP likes to souvenir bits of race cars in my experience. Trying to get work done on Mark's car at the test day a few weeks back was hard enough when trying to dodge people having a gander. I'm all for involving the punters as much as possible, but the Guidos usually ruin the experience for everyone by getting in everyone's face too much. I think the pit areas should be roped off, even if only for safety reasons.

Nice to meet you Jess. I managed to dodge the leaches. Funnily enough Queenstown is my least favourite stage. I don't mind the descent over the back, but the climb is boring, repetative, and just too slow. I do personally prefer 5th gear flat corners than 2nd gear stuff though.

Haha, I'm steering clear!

So, he's a Champ then? No wonder you chose him! CHAMP!

Snowy, you two guys performed a wonderful job mate. As I've said over and over to you in person, just finishing this event is epic, to be competing for a position is a truly wonderful thing. So, congratulations, again (and a huge well done to Jesus, whom I still haven't met officially, but mate, pat on back )

He's a local I guess, and he's an awesome steerer, and he's not scared. I can tell you if this rally was in my back yard I would be quick, in fact I would likely not need notes! How you Taswegians don't get out there and just learn the stages is beyond me, the place is so compact it's perfect for practic.... oops, I mean recce'ing every spare weekend. And it's better fun than sitting on ya bum watching V8 Supercars while trying to avoid the missus.

My opinuion is Savman, that it's not so much the equipement or skill that is holding Jimmy back. I think that the level of commitment the front runners are driving with now require pace notes much more accurate than simply "slow/medium/fast" calls. (what they use now) One only needs to look at what Steve and Bernie can do by completing a long recce and having perfect notes. I don't car what anyone says, for them to get that Mazda up there and scaring those weapons, they were ON IT. Good notes are everything, I speak from my own experiences, and you'll note that my 2009 was quicker than 2008, much of which I put down to far superior notes. On another note, Close/Close were a standout for me, that car is good, and so very very close to standard too! And don't it sound the business! Part Broup B Quattro, part V10 Lambo

Good morning all, I've gorn cross eyed! Thanks for the call yesterday Greggy, was transitioning from one plane to another when I listened to your message. I'll give you a call soon mate.