Tarmac Rallying Perpetual Thread

[Snowman]

Ah yes, sorry about that

I guess that opens the can of worms; What defines crazy quick

Crazy quick

Not crazy quick

I think what Ben is suggesting is it's better to start with something closer to the latter to gain experience before you try the top one.

[Marlin]

Yes, that says it very succintly... well done again Snowflake.

[t01-100]

Here goes…

Targa Tasmania only accepts entries with a certain level of experience and always has since a large number of crashes at a single event back in the early 90s. Circuit racing, hillclimbs, super sprints, driver training and any at speed driving experience is all considered and usually as a block of experience (people that can drive rarely forget how!). Sometimes there might be questions over finishing ability at events too as starting an event doesn’t always mean you have actual experience! The actual car, the driver, the navigator and also end goal of the crew are all considerations taken into account.

If its thought someone is a bit light for experience, or might not have much experience in the car they plan to drive we will ask for some time to be spent with an instructor, or to do some more events before a Targa event.

I've talked guys out of running Targa Tasmania in certain cars, particularly people new to motorsport as a whole that go an buy the flashest car they can afford and want to have a serious crack. Mindset is important… my suggestion is to enter the first event with the simple goal of finishing and a good class or category result is a bonus. I nav’ed for the first time about six months ago and we have great prep, plenty of recce and a well set-up car. We had both competed in events and rallies before with solid results, but I’d driven and my mate had nav’ed, but never together. We took it casual and if results came all good and we got quicker over the weekend. We only totally gelled with each other and the car just two stages from the events conclusion and took the car home un-damaged and keen for more… there are no sheep stations on the line at these events, even if you are super competitive, budget on one or two events to simply ‘to get your eye in’ and try for results after sussing out the game.

The modified group is aimed at people that have a car that they might use for say circuit racing or quick road stuff that has mods that place it outside the rules (whatever they might be), but they’re keen to come and try it out without having to invest a heap of cash retro fitting standard parts for something they are interested in but not totally prepared to dedicate a their car too just yet. It all really depends on the specifics of the entry as to what will work in this group. Remember that Targa Tasmania and Targa Wrest Point are invitational events, if the package doesn’t work then that will be explained and we'd with you to see if all the boxes can be checked to ensure the safest event possible.

[N1GTR]

Thanks for the explanation Stuart, i look forward to sending down an application next year - until then, more circuit days

[Snowman]

Ok - entry application forms and fee's have been faxed off for Wrest Point Targa and Targa Tassie Rookie 09

Fingers crossed we get accepted.

The car went in this morning to get the new cage and other safety stuff fitted and things like the Terratrip installed.

Still plenty to do though between now and Jan. One question I do have for you regular Targa guru's is accommodation. Can that be booked in now (aka do you stay in one central spot for the event) or do we have to wait for the event schedule to be realesed to know where we need to be? But I'd hate to miss out on a bed in the "place to be" if it can be helped.

[Roy]

Well, personally if i was to ever do this style of event it would be in a 160hp Escort with a shit load of cage. I service/crew at too many rallies to want anything quick or expensive, "stuff" happens and i imagine at the higher speeds of tarmac rallies they happen more frequently.

Also re finishing. LOL, like i said i service and crew for a few people. I cant think of any of my mates tramping around helping to fix my car. I am usually the guy under other ppls cars helping them

[Marlin]

Well done Snowball, you'll be accepted in a heartbeat!

Accomodation suggestions (where I stay)

Targa Rookie;

During recce and up to morning of day 2 - The Olde Tudor Motor Inn (closest to Silverdome)

Night of day 2 into Hobart, Hotel 429 (across road from casino)

Wrest Point;

Again, Hotel 429 unless you're particularly monied and stay at the casino.

[t01-100]

i'll be thinking of you woo... while i'm enjoying my spa at country club and wrest point!!

[Marlin]

**puke**

Do you always think of me when you're in the spa Benno?

Fkn Taswegians....... wierd I say.....

[Roy]

Ok - entry application forms and fee's have been faxed off for Wrest Point Targa and Targa Tassie Rookie 09

Fingers crossed we get accepted.

The car went in this morning to get the new cage and other safety stuff fitted and things like the Terratrip installed.

Still plenty to do though between now and Jan. One question I do have for you regular Targa guru's is accommodation. Can that be booked in now (aka do you stay in one central spot for the event) or do we have to wait for the event schedule to be realesed to know where we need to be? But I'd hate to miss out on a bed in the "place to be" if it can be helped.

I am being sincere here. Rather then put the terra trip straight into the GTR, i suggest you throw it in the Lada or some other heap you dont care about and do a few navigational rallies with the HRA etc. Give James and you a good chance to build an understanding, James an idea of how to read notes/terra trip at speed (see if he throws up?...) etc and you they are cheap and easy to get into with little in the way of safety gear required for the car.

[Roy]

And Ben , see the new sig with the wheels. Any clearre pics? Are you happy with how they look?

[Marlin]

Snowy will be fine Roy. Jason and I started (and healthily, still do) out fearing for our lives. Of course silly things can happen to anyone, but a cool head and self preservation usually prevail.

re pics, uploading some to the Show me your Racing Machines thread

Edit: James will be runnin so much peak he won't even consider gettin sick I can tell you lol

Edited September 11, 2008 by Marlin

[Roy]

I am not worried about Snowy I know James will be great, and they will be fine. But practice at a $50 event cant be a bad idea. I know when i am doing course checks i cant even read the damn notes with all the bumping etc..... so i have the fear of how hard it is to navigate at speed

[Snowman]

Bris - don't worry mate James and I have plans for several pre-event training runs to get a grasp on things. We won't be rocking up to the 1st stage of Wrest Point Targa with no idea where the ON swtich is on the Terratrip and wondering what 100 L3½ • R5½ OnC 〉4½ • L4½ Imm R5 Then R4 Imm Long L4 Then ! R3 150 L3½ • R4½ 100 L5 Imm R4 is all supposed to mean!

I've always been pretty thorough with my preparation - hell I started running my own DECA days to get more competition time for the Duttons - and I won't be going into these things completely unsure you can bet on that. The great thing is there are plenty of people on here that are helping me out already which is more than I got when I first started at club level stuff so I'm confident we'll be right come Jan

[Roy]

Man, come drive in Hyderabad for a while. There is all sort of stuff you have to avoid and should be put on pace notes. It would be great practice.

[giant]

will be good catching up with ya nowy at some events!! great to see mate

[Snowman]

Wrest Point;

Again, Hotel 429 unless you're particularly monied and stay at the casino.

Website says thats fully booked for the Friday 30th (infact for the whole previous week). You booked there already or was that just the plan?

[Duncan]

we do it on a lighter budget maybe, this is where we stay in hobart: http://www.stivesmotel.com.au/ about 2 min from the casino and we can pack people in. last year it was 8 people in 2 apartments

and in launceston we use the beautiful Treasure Island caravan park. Keeping in mind you need to be there a few days early because of scruitineering and boat schedules. plenty of room to work on cars here. http://www.caravancampingnetwork.com.au/ta...l#Accommodation

also don't forget to book the ferry early it fills up too. you are lucky you are not doing the full rally - if you haven't booked for strahan yet you might be in trouble. we were slow to book burnie a few years back and ended up in a caravan park about 30k back towards launceston

[Snowman]

Cheers Dunc - St Ives looks good so have booked there for Wrest Point weekend.

[t01-100]

Event Partner Thrifty will be doing demon deals on hire cars for recce and during the event too, cut straight to State Op's Manager Rob MacDonald if you wanted to lock something away and just mention you're playing at the event - robert.macdonald at thrifty.com.au

Ps. Woo - yes, always!