Discussion
Targa time again and this year we get to play down south.
The Porsche 944 team are out again in 2 Wheel Drive classics class running number 260.
I'll be driving, Mike will be reading the road book and Nathan will be waving the spanners around.
The car is pretty much the same as last year - some brake & suspension changes, lets see if they help.
PLease come and say hello if you see us at service.. you will be doubly welcome if you bring coffee :-)
Itinery is :
Monday 27th - signing on and 2 stages in Christchurch
Tues 28th - Christchurch to Dunedin
Wed 29th - Dunedin to Dunedin
Thurs 30th Dunedin - Invercargill
Fri 1st - Invercargill to Cromwell
Sat 2nd - Cromewll to Queenstown
Full details at www.targa.co.nz
I'll try and get some updates on line during the event
The Porsche 944 team are out again in 2 Wheel Drive classics class running number 260.
I'll be driving, Mike will be reading the road book and Nathan will be waving the spanners around.
The car is pretty much the same as last year - some brake & suspension changes, lets see if they help.
PLease come and say hello if you see us at service.. you will be doubly welcome if you bring coffee :-)
Itinery is :
Monday 27th - signing on and 2 stages in Christchurch
Tues 28th - Christchurch to Dunedin
Wed 29th - Dunedin to Dunedin
Thurs 30th Dunedin - Invercargill
Fri 1st - Invercargill to Cromwell
Sat 2nd - Cromewll to Queenstown
Full details at www.targa.co.nz
I'll try and get some updates on line during the event
Good stuff 
I'll probably get to a few stages on the Friday (Invercargill-Cromwell day), and might pop up into Central for the Saturday too. Will get to a service park and say hi if I get a chance.
Just to get you in the mood, here is an old video of some not particularly good driving in the middle of the Catlins stage. You get 45km of this road!
http://vimeo.com/15896697
The stages close to Dunedin were favourite drives of mine in my student days there, and I often go over Moa Flat on my way to Central Otago. So many good roads on the intinerary, I'm a bit jealous really!
I'll probably get to a few stages on the Friday (Invercargill-Cromwell day), and might pop up into Central for the Saturday too. Will get to a service park and say hi if I get a chance.
Just to get you in the mood, here is an old video of some not particularly good driving in the middle of the Catlins stage. You get 45km of this road!
http://vimeo.com/15896697
The stages close to Dunedin were favourite drives of mine in my student days there, and I often go over Moa Flat on my way to Central Otago. So many good roads on the intinerary, I'm a bit jealous really!
Edited by GravelBen on Friday 24th October 13:17
The team is now assembled in Christchurch and preparing for signing in and prologue on Monday. Looking at the weather forecast we will be running the RSR595 wet tyres tomorrow, I don't think the low temperatures and dampness will allow the FZ201 semi slicks get up to operating temp.
Quite a number of other crews have been spotted, phil and mike in the Abarth were on the ferry and the sunbeam tiger crew are staying at the same accommodation as us.
Christchurch is also awash with Ford Mustangs, there is a big meeting for the 50th anniversary of the iconic pony car. Some of them will be joining us tomorrow for the prologue stages.
Quite a number of other crews have been spotted, phil and mike in the Abarth were on the ferry and the sunbeam tiger crew are staying at the same accommodation as us.
Christchurch is also awash with Ford Mustangs, there is a big meeting for the 50th anniversary of the iconic pony car. Some of them will be joining us tomorrow for the prologue stages.
Monday was a long and busy day, it started cold and damp and we had hours lining up I a car park for various checks on the car before we could proceed to signing on. This was despite being pre scrutineers in wellington a week ago.
Once the queuing and paperwork were out of the way, things started to improve. To start with it stopped raining and then we got to drive the car.
First stage was up in the Port Hills above Christchurch. Teh stage stared late due to a police incident on the stage unrelated to the rally, but once underway we were treated to a tight bouncy road with some huge drops off the outside. Things were going well until a couple of km in when my accelerator pedal broke and started wandering around the footwell. I could still operate the throttle using the tips of my toes, but couldn't heel & toe on downshifts... Also getting between the pedals quickly was a challenge making it difficult to balance the car through corners. Progress was a bit messy but improved when I managed to kick the pedal remains out of the way.
There was quite a long tour to the circuit formerly known as ruapuna where we had to change into track mode. This isn't a circuit I have driven before and they managed to make it more complex by including some extra infield links to make it even more tight and twisty. I had a look at a circuit guide before heading out, but still had a voyage of discovery on the first lap. The circuit is quite tight and there is always some kind of a corner going on, only one real straight in the whole circuit. I'd love to spend some ore time there in the Caterham 7 one day.
We seemed to go reasonably well and passed a few cars on track. The seeding committee seems to think so too and have moved us 10 places up the pecking order for the start tomorrow.
The day finished with a beer and buffet at Addington raceway, we shared a table with Bernie & Jilly who are competing in a 2.8 Capri and were able to swap tales of of the day and tyre tips..
Tuesday is an early start with a long drive down to Timaru before we get to drive fast. The weather is looking better so we have put the FZ201 semi slicks on the car ready. Let's hope the forecast is right because those tyres won't be much fun in the wet.
All in all a good start, keen to get on with the main course now!
Once the queuing and paperwork were out of the way, things started to improve. To start with it stopped raining and then we got to drive the car.
First stage was up in the Port Hills above Christchurch. Teh stage stared late due to a police incident on the stage unrelated to the rally, but once underway we were treated to a tight bouncy road with some huge drops off the outside. Things were going well until a couple of km in when my accelerator pedal broke and started wandering around the footwell. I could still operate the throttle using the tips of my toes, but couldn't heel & toe on downshifts... Also getting between the pedals quickly was a challenge making it difficult to balance the car through corners. Progress was a bit messy but improved when I managed to kick the pedal remains out of the way.
There was quite a long tour to the circuit formerly known as ruapuna where we had to change into track mode. This isn't a circuit I have driven before and they managed to make it more complex by including some extra infield links to make it even more tight and twisty. I had a look at a circuit guide before heading out, but still had a voyage of discovery on the first lap. The circuit is quite tight and there is always some kind of a corner going on, only one real straight in the whole circuit. I'd love to spend some ore time there in the Caterham 7 one day.
We seemed to go reasonably well and passed a few cars on track. The seeding committee seems to think so too and have moved us 10 places up the pecking order for the start tomorrow.
The day finished with a beer and buffet at Addington raceway, we shared a table with Bernie & Jilly who are competing in a 2.8 Capri and were able to swap tales of of the day and tyre tips..
Tuesday is an early start with a long drive down to Timaru before we get to drive fast. The weather is looking better so we have put the FZ201 semi slicks on the car ready. Let's hope the forecast is right because those tyres won't be much fun in the wet.
All in all a good start, keen to get on with the main course now!
I'm in town whilst travelling around NZ and sorely missing some motoring action. Are spectators allowed into the Stadium at Dunedin to look at the cars do you know? Some fruitless googling hasn't revealed an answer.
I'm heading down tonight after 6pm to watch some cas arrive. I'll look out for any PH stickers. Good luck to those competing!
I'm heading down tonight after 6pm to watch some cas arrive. I'll look out for any PH stickers. Good luck to those competing!
Tuesday was full on. We had an early start before 7 at the car in Christchurch and we reached our accomodation in Dunedin at about 8pm.
We are currently sitting 9th in class and have every intention of gaining a few more places over the next few days.
It was a steady start as I am driving for a finish not event victory! The new fz201 tyres are very different to what I have drive on before. They need careful prep, a different set up on the car and a different driving style. I think we have most things sorted now, the final tweak was to raise the rear ride height by about 15mm back to where it should have been... A bolt on the spring plate had slipped. The car feels a lot better now and I am driving with more confidence.
The morning stages were quite tight, but the afternoon ones were more flowing and smooth. We had to back off as we approached 200km/h (the event limit) on a couple of occasions. The scenery certainly passes quickly at that speed.
We had one mishap when I crossed a blind brow a bit too quick and arrived a LH corner facing the direction we had arrived from. No big deal, lots of space to slide around in and very little time lost. We ran that stage a second time and the skid marks and hole in the bank show I wasn't the only one to make a mistake there, at least we got away with it.
A few cars fell by the wayside today, several trailered away with mechanical problems, an escort hit a double caution dip in the road and took off across a field, taking out a marshals car on the way. The same mistake was later repeat by Tony Quinn in his new Lamborghini Hurracan in spectacular fashion. He won't be winning the event this year.
Wednesday will be another change in set up, rain is forecast so we are back on the wet tyres.. If it is wet we will do well...if not then we won't be making up too many places.. So let's hope for rain.
We are currently sitting 9th in class and have every intention of gaining a few more places over the next few days.
It was a steady start as I am driving for a finish not event victory! The new fz201 tyres are very different to what I have drive on before. They need careful prep, a different set up on the car and a different driving style. I think we have most things sorted now, the final tweak was to raise the rear ride height by about 15mm back to where it should have been... A bolt on the spring plate had slipped. The car feels a lot better now and I am driving with more confidence.
The morning stages were quite tight, but the afternoon ones were more flowing and smooth. We had to back off as we approached 200km/h (the event limit) on a couple of occasions. The scenery certainly passes quickly at that speed.
We had one mishap when I crossed a blind brow a bit too quick and arrived a LH corner facing the direction we had arrived from. No big deal, lots of space to slide around in and very little time lost. We ran that stage a second time and the skid marks and hole in the bank show I wasn't the only one to make a mistake there, at least we got away with it.
A few cars fell by the wayside today, several trailered away with mechanical problems, an escort hit a double caution dip in the road and took off across a field, taking out a marshals car on the way. The same mistake was later repeat by Tony Quinn in his new Lamborghini Hurracan in spectacular fashion. He won't be winning the event this year.
Wednesday will be another change in set up, rain is forecast so we are back on the wet tyres.. If it is wet we will do well...if not then we won't be making up too many places.. So let's hope for rain.
Wednesday wasn't wet...one big shower all day and of course rain while we were doing the final service at the end of the day. So being on the wet tyres wasn't perhaps the best plan. I have learnt that they are more progressive than the dry tyres and that they deal with gravel better, but they are not as fast in dry conditions.
The first stage of the day was straight out of dunedin and over Mt Cargill, this was a tight and twisty stage more like Teh North Island stages we are used to. Did well on this one setting a 6th in catagory, and followed this with another decent stage time. After this the character of the stages changed and they became much faster and more open. I don't think I have ever spent so much time in 5th gear wondering what was over the next blind brow.. Lots of time and slides at about 180 km/h... Which is quite full on and makes you wonder about what you need to do to bring the car home in one piece. Caution was the selected option and the cars still looks great...
Weather for tomorrow looks damp again so I'm staying on the wet tyres and hoping that the forecast is more accurate this time.
We were pleased to see the MK 1 Escort back today after its big off yesterday. The bodywork is mainly made of duct tape plus it needed a new axle and wheels . No sign of Tony Quinn after his spectacular incident with the Lamborghini, there is a rumour that he is going to raid his museum and bring the Nissan GTR out of retirement
One regret is that we didnt have time to look at "steampunk central" in Oamaru today. It was right next to the service area but we were kept a bit busy.
On to Thursday, we travel down to Invercargill via the catlins and the final stage at Teratonga circuit. We are just looking at the road book and it seems to be full of huge drops and triple caution corners. Should be interesting.
The first stage of the day was straight out of dunedin and over Mt Cargill, this was a tight and twisty stage more like Teh North Island stages we are used to. Did well on this one setting a 6th in catagory, and followed this with another decent stage time. After this the character of the stages changed and they became much faster and more open. I don't think I have ever spent so much time in 5th gear wondering what was over the next blind brow.. Lots of time and slides at about 180 km/h... Which is quite full on and makes you wonder about what you need to do to bring the car home in one piece. Caution was the selected option and the cars still looks great...
Weather for tomorrow looks damp again so I'm staying on the wet tyres and hoping that the forecast is more accurate this time.
We were pleased to see the MK 1 Escort back today after its big off yesterday. The bodywork is mainly made of duct tape plus it needed a new axle and wheels . No sign of Tony Quinn after his spectacular incident with the Lamborghini, there is a rumour that he is going to raid his museum and bring the Nissan GTR out of retirement
One regret is that we didnt have time to look at "steampunk central" in Oamaru today. It was right next to the service area but we were kept a bit busy.
On to Thursday, we travel down to Invercargill via the catlins and the final stage at Teratonga circuit. We are just looking at the road book and it seems to be full of huge drops and triple caution corners. Should be interesting.
It's a tough week this... sitting in the office hitting refresh on the trackit website for stage times while wishing I was there! 
Category 2 is a tough class this year with Cat 2 cars currently holding 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the overall classic competition. Finishing in one piece is obviously the major goal, but over and above that what's motivating you to go faster out there? Coming in ahead of some old foes like Bernie, Greg and Dr Nic?
Category 2 is a tough class this year with Cat 2 cars currently holding 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the overall classic competition. Finishing in one piece is obviously the major goal, but over and above that what's motivating you to go faster out there? Coming in ahead of some old foes like Bernie, Greg and Dr Nic?
Motivation is an interesting one. Being away from work is a good start, as is having the opportunity to wring out the Porsche on some great roads.
We realised at the start that we were going to have a hard time to do well, I think only 3 out of 12 in our class are running on Federal tyres. Dunlop or Toyo would be a big advantage so I'm not really thinking about trying to beat them.
Also there are a few new people with some well prepared toys and some who have done a load of development and are going faster this year.
Another difference is the character of the stages... They are very fast, with blind brows and blind corners.. So a test of bravery. I need to bring the car home in one piece, so will back off. We have had one stage Today (SS 18, Larnach) which was tight and twisty and we did really well there... We need more technical stuff to do well.
So basically I am using Bernie in the Capri as a yardstick and at the moment he is beating me too.
Still, it is fun, the scenery is great and I am hoping to get the satisfaction of completing another Targa... Two days more fun left....
We realised at the start that we were going to have a hard time to do well, I think only 3 out of 12 in our class are running on Federal tyres. Dunlop or Toyo would be a big advantage so I'm not really thinking about trying to beat them.
Also there are a few new people with some well prepared toys and some who have done a load of development and are going faster this year.
Another difference is the character of the stages... They are very fast, with blind brows and blind corners.. So a test of bravery. I need to bring the car home in one piece, so will back off. We have had one stage Today (SS 18, Larnach) which was tight and twisty and we did really well there... We need more technical stuff to do well.
So basically I am using Bernie in the Capri as a yardstick and at the moment he is beating me too.
Still, it is fun, the scenery is great and I am hoping to get the satisfaction of completing another Targa... Two days more fun left....
Had to do a job down at Owaka yesterday and timed it to perfection. Had the entire Targa Tour and Targa NZ fields drive by me. Just brilliant to see so many wonderful cars "in the wild" so to speak, especially such classics as the Alpine A110, the Integrale, and the wee Fiat. The cars really are a credit to their owners and kudos to them all for having them out and using them. Maybe in a couple of years when the 40 is finished I'll be able to join in....
Got out to 3 stages today, but the last one the field ended up touring through - any idea why that was?
Rumour on the roadside was that a school bus had driven into the stage instead of detouring around like it was supposed to, but no idea if thats true.
Good day out anyway
and a truckload of photos taken!
Rumour on the roadside was that a school bus had driven into the stage instead of detouring around like it was supposed to, but no idea if thats true.
Good day out anyway
and a truckload of photos taken!Ben - the story you heard about the cancellation of the final stage today was the same one they told us at the start line, so I guess it is probably true. It was a shame to have to tour through as it was good fun when we did it the other way earlier.
Let me know if you have any photos of us.. All the pictures I have are of a stationary car... Hope we weren't going too slow...
Great to see so many vehicles still going, and a lot of broken ones returning. Then Lamborghini is back and so is the little Abarth which is now on its second engine.
Let me know if you have any photos of us.. All the pictures I have are of a stationary car... Hope we weren't going too slow...
Great to see so many vehicles still going, and a lot of broken ones returning. Then Lamborghini is back and so is the little Abarth which is now on its second engine.
I think there is a timing glitch on the Highlands Park stage - it has you second overall, 14 seconds faster than Quinn's Lamborghini but 4 and a half minutes behind the VL Commodore in first! Hmm...
http://targa.trackit.co.nz/StageResults.aspx
http://targa.trackit.co.nz/StageResults.aspx
Well, I went out to the Teretonga stage.....
The Targa website information was:
"Special Stage 22 - Teretonga Park Invercargill
13.15km
From 3.30pm
Chance for Invercargill locals to pop out to Teretonga Park and check out the Targa field lapping the world's southern-most motor-racing circuit."
I arrived at 3pm to avoid any holdups on the road and saw several spectators' cars there already. Some official Targa cars appeared about 3.30pm, so I asked when the Targa cars were likely to start arriving. The person I asked consulted his timetable and told me the Tour cars were due at 4.40pm and the Targa cars at 5.40pm. I had another appointment so was only able to stay until the Tour cars had arrived and missed the Targa cars entirely.
Had the website given accurate information I could have made alternative arrangements and seen all the cars, something I had been looking forward to doing since seeing the announcement and information in NZ Classic Car magazine. A number of other spectators that I spoke to were similarly confused by the non-appearance of the cars and by the dearth of information available to them beforehand. There was nothing useful in the local paper (the Southland Times), just an "advertising feature" giving basic information about the event in general, and the NZ Classic Car feature only gave a time for the service stop (5.40pm).
There were some interesting cars in the Targa Tour group, including a couple of Lamborghini Gallardos, Datsun 240Zs - and a LVVTA Ferrari 308 replica. Not enough to compensate for missing Mike Lowe's Fiat Abarth, the Huracan, the Cheetah, the Alpines and all the other interesting and/or rare cars in the competitive classes though
Especially as it was a one-off and not likely to be repeated any time soon!
Incidentally, one of the officials asked if "the locals" had "got behind" the event. I told him that I knew the Gore Vintage Car Club were marshalling the next day's stage but, apart from that, nobody seemed to know anything about the event as there had been no publicity.
The Targa website information was:
"Special Stage 22 - Teretonga Park Invercargill
13.15km
From 3.30pm
Chance for Invercargill locals to pop out to Teretonga Park and check out the Targa field lapping the world's southern-most motor-racing circuit."
I arrived at 3pm to avoid any holdups on the road and saw several spectators' cars there already. Some official Targa cars appeared about 3.30pm, so I asked when the Targa cars were likely to start arriving. The person I asked consulted his timetable and told me the Tour cars were due at 4.40pm and the Targa cars at 5.40pm. I had another appointment so was only able to stay until the Tour cars had arrived and missed the Targa cars entirely.
Had the website given accurate information I could have made alternative arrangements and seen all the cars, something I had been looking forward to doing since seeing the announcement and information in NZ Classic Car magazine. A number of other spectators that I spoke to were similarly confused by the non-appearance of the cars and by the dearth of information available to them beforehand. There was nothing useful in the local paper (the Southland Times), just an "advertising feature" giving basic information about the event in general, and the NZ Classic Car feature only gave a time for the service stop (5.40pm).
There were some interesting cars in the Targa Tour group, including a couple of Lamborghini Gallardos, Datsun 240Zs - and a LVVTA Ferrari 308 replica. Not enough to compensate for missing Mike Lowe's Fiat Abarth, the Huracan, the Cheetah, the Alpines and all the other interesting and/or rare cars in the competitive classes though
Especially as it was a one-off and not likely to be repeated any time soon!Incidentally, one of the officials asked if "the locals" had "got behind" the event. I told him that I knew the Gore Vintage Car Club were marshalling the next day's stage but, apart from that, nobody seemed to know anything about the event as there had been no publicity.
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