Targa Tasmania

[vaarg]

A mate and I are just starting to toy with the idea of entering targa tasmania within the next couple of years and just wanted to know of any other experiences good and bad that could give us some insight towards what we're in for? We are sorted in the car area just more looking for info on the less thought of stuff that might catch us out.

Cheers

[Polyal]

I dont have any personal experience to give you this opinion but depending on what class you ate running id look at doing the touring group thing first.

Before entering Targa, id do some hill climbs etc first and get yourself sorted, im assuming this is the first time you have thought/going to enter such an event?

[vaarg]

we've done a couple of small non competitive hill climbs and a fair bit of drifting (obviously very different to targa). we're not looking to be too competitive just to finish would be a cool acheivement.

[Polyal]

Yeah no doubt. I know it might sound like a waste of time but as I mentioned there is a group that IIRC is called the "touring" class, they get to drive on the same sections but with restrictions. Roughly about $6k to do it I think.

If you are in TAS its less of an issue, but if your on the mainland then id look at doing the Bulla event run by the same people to get a taste of it and not need to cross an ocean.

[madmelon]

I'm interested in running Targa Tasmania too- it's an expensive venture though. Not something I plan on doing without having got a considerable amount of experience driving whatever car I choose (Probably an older non turbo skyline) around a track first, then some hill climbs.

[vaarg]

yeah cheers might look into some local events to get a taste of it. We're driving an s13 silvia with an rb20 turbo with a long list of mods so not sure what class the car would be in but we'll just check it out and see.

Thanks guys

[mrfordfairmont]

http://targa.org.au/Tasmania/targatasmania_home.html
here is their website it will all details you required

[vaarg]

thanks for the link. I was mainly after personal experiences and any do's and don't people had to offer

[GTP owner]

Budget a minimum of $20,ooo for the week. Accommodation, getting to and from Devonport on the boat, Tow/support vehicle with trailer, race fuel (not all fuels are available in Tas), pit crew (and their accommodation and food), food, entry fees, full set of race tyres x2, brakes (rotors and pads), competition preparation of the vehicle (everything really needs to be in 100% condition, because by the end of the week it will be severely tested and worn), and the paint work will be pitted and stone chipped by the end of it. On top of that you have the purchase price of the race vehicle.

I have friends that have done Targa multiple times, and costs are huge. One even wrote off his genuine gtr xu1 torana (no big deal!). Another his lotus elise (cry). I will do it one day in a mitsu evo 6.5 but i need to save some coin first

[vaarg]

yeah we figured the costs would be big which is why we havnt set a year to do it as yet. the targa site says that accommodation and lunches are included in the entry fee? the vehicle is no problem it is about 90% ready to go just all the hidden extras and costs that are sure to pop up unexpectedly.

Thanks for the info though

[GTP owner]

I was not aware that the entry fee included accommodation - but check if it is just you and the navigator. If you have 2 pit crew, you may need to pay for them.

The boat costs a motsa for a car and trailer. As I said, you may have to bring your own fuel, which will require a permot on the boat.

My friends have found that the car really needs a full rebuild after each Targa, so that is a cost that recurs if you do it again.

[Polyal]

Yeap the figures GTP speak of are about what I have heard aswell but wanted someone else to confirm, and that is minimum.

Id be doing Bulla before Targa, both great events but I think the reason Bulla exists is because not of just popularity but also not needing to get on that boat.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah no doubt. I know it might sound like a waste of time but as I mentioned there is a group that IIRC is called the "touring" class, they get to drive on the same sections but with restrictions. Roughly about $6k to do it I think.

Go for your dream, but my advice would be as Polyal has written. Do a "soft" run first year and then see how you feel about moving up.
A friend of mine who is always in the top ten (and who doesn't want his name up here) has some hair raising stories to tell. Targa is a serious event.

[snottygobble]

the missus and i usually head over to take photos of the event (strictly amateurs tho). planning on doing a targa tour one day myself but that's some way off yet. heading across this year for the 20th anniversary of the event, should be a good one.

this pic was taken during last year's 'Sideling' stage, notoriously bloody cold.

enjoy.

[XDV800]

I was part of service crew for over 12 cars in 2007. Got a lot of tales of woe and mis/good fortune from lot's of competitors while there, mind blowing experience.
As has already been stated, lot's of funds easily accessed.
Any first-time drivers must compete in the rookie class for their first year of Targa. Probably rookie modern in your case, which only competes on the first 2 days which will keep you in Launceston. The Tour used to be the mandatory intro to Targa i think.
But once you are fully fledged, there will be plenty of stuff to catch you out.
Gotta have sorted accomodation in Launceston, Strahan, and Hobart, and Burnie depending on your booking schedule for the boat over and back. Somewhere very secure in Burnie as it is not secured by event security like L, S, and H.
The Targa site and application process explain about how the car needs to be setup.
But some essentials to carry in the car during stages would be;
-1x spare tyre
-tyre pressure gauge
-just enough tools (spanners are lightest)to carry out stuff that you have materials for and to fit every bolt on the car.
-zip ties. MORE ZIP TIES.
-100 mph tape
-a spare set of nuts (and also wheel nuts just incase some go missing due to carelessness)
-tension wrench and wheel socket (tension wheel nuts at EVERY checkpoint)
-brake fluid and a bleeder bottle, in case brake fluid boils and pedal goes to the floor, you will want to quickly be able to bleed some fresh stuff through. Be well practiced at this operation, as it can be done in minutes.
-spare litre of engine oil, water, rags
-light snacks

If you have a seperate crew, they will need to know map of the island in depth because they can't travel on stage routes while event is on, they will need to leave the start, and travel generally a longer alternate route to the finish point to meet you, in time so you can be at the next stage start in time, which is a Targa rally in itself let me tell you

Thats all i can think of for now.
If you crash or break something, there is bound to be a local tradesperson spring to your assistance.
On my tour of duty, Chris Bowdens sprint got a severe knock or some such matter in the donk at Georgetown on the 1st competitive day. A local connection was made within a few hours and the car at a non-descript workshop in invermay for a motorswap. The motor? The sprints fairly hot 302 windsor was swapped out for some dudes mild 289 which showed up under the bonnet of a 65-66 GT350 stang!!! Sprint finished the event on that borrowed motor - just.

Most important of all, you will be breatho'd daily, it would suck to be able to not compete because of a 0.01 reading! So be off the booze as soon as you get off the boat in Burnie, and stay off it until the last nite at the Casino in Hobart, that is the night to partay

[vaarg]

Awesome mate, thanks. Very useful info and much appreciated. Looking forward to an awesome experience hopefully with minimal problems