2025 UK Targa/Road Rallying Thread
Discussion
It's that time of year again!
What are you plans for 2025..... ?
I haven't competed since June (and not in the dark since March) due to cataracts, but those are fixed now so time to make some plans.
Weald Motor Club 12 Car Series (Kent, Sussex, Surrey) - I have entries in for the next two driving the Mini Cooper - 10th Jan (Sevenoaks) with a new-to-me navigator, who's just moved up from Semi Expert. Then 31st Jan (Maidstone) with a good friend navigating, who was a top Expert in the area but hasn't competed for 8 years. In between I am planning on the Far North Winter Classic - a 2-day Historic / Targa Rally based in Tain, which is about 622 miles from home!
What are you plans for 2025..... ?
I haven't competed since June (and not in the dark since March) due to cataracts, but those are fixed now so time to make some plans.
Weald Motor Club 12 Car Series (Kent, Sussex, Surrey) - I have entries in for the next two driving the Mini Cooper - 10th Jan (Sevenoaks) with a new-to-me navigator, who's just moved up from Semi Expert. Then 31st Jan (Maidstone) with a good friend navigating, who was a top Expert in the area but hasn't competed for 8 years. In between I am planning on the Far North Winter Classic - a 2-day Historic / Targa Rally based in Tain, which is about 622 miles from home!
I’m due to get up at 5:00 am tomorrow to get down to Gaydon for the HRCR open day at Gaydon, armed with the promotion stuff for the Ilkley Jubilee Historic, the things we do…… !
Have a few 12 cars and Nav scatters planned, should have been one tonight, but the ice was too dangerous so it’s been scrubbed.
Longer term I’m not sure, potentially Mull Classic In March, a few of the HRCR rounds, possibly a Targa or two.
My normal driver ( my brother) has decided to hang up his boots now, budget issues and getting old, I may be having some health related issues and probably budget ones too, so I’m not expecting much now.
Must admit after last years recurring disasters I’m getting a bit cheesed off with the sport.
Have a few 12 cars and Nav scatters planned, should have been one tonight, but the ice was too dangerous so it’s been scrubbed.
Longer term I’m not sure, potentially Mull Classic In March, a few of the HRCR rounds, possibly a Targa or two.
My normal driver ( my brother) has decided to hang up his boots now, budget issues and getting old, I may be having some health related issues and probably budget ones too, so I’m not expecting much now.
Must admit after last years recurring disasters I’m getting a bit cheesed off with the sport.
Edited by velocemitch on Friday 10th January 21:32
My regular driver added a new car to the fleet on Thursday and then decided he fancied taking it for a spin on Saturday on a South West road rally so we got a late entry fired in.
I'd said I didn't want to do any road events this year after having a pretty unenjoyable year on them in 2024. But with nobody else available at short notice I have found myself in the left hand seat.
160 mile route, ice, a new car, unfamiliar tyres and his first time with a dog box.
Also put our entry in for the Bath Festival targa this evening. I was fairly on it but still entry #18 at 20:04. It was a full 90 entries within 15 minutes.
I think the plan is to try and put together a BTRDA Gold Star Targa Rally campaign this year which I am quite looking forward to.
He's also talking about maybe doing some single venue stage rallies with a view to going in to the forests in 2026.
I'd said I didn't want to do any road events this year after having a pretty unenjoyable year on them in 2024. But with nobody else available at short notice I have found myself in the left hand seat.
160 mile route, ice, a new car, unfamiliar tyres and his first time with a dog box.
Also put our entry in for the Bath Festival targa this evening. I was fairly on it but still entry #18 at 20:04. It was a full 90 entries within 15 minutes.
I think the plan is to try and put together a BTRDA Gold Star Targa Rally campaign this year which I am quite looking forward to.
He's also talking about maybe doing some single venue stage rallies with a view to going in to the forests in 2026.
A fun, challenging and successful return to competitive night driving after 9 months out due to cataracts. 
A late change in Navigator due to clashing appointments.
The Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Acorn 12 Car rally was incredibly icy for most of the 58 miles, so bad that we spent 10 mins helping a girl (not a competitor) back on the road after she'd spun into a ditch. Very ably navigated by Graham Brunton on his return to road rally navigating after 30 years.
We were struggling just to drive anywhere near 30mph average with the ice, so old age wisdom meant we knew when to cut and run - worked out well for us, finishing 3rd o/a and 1st in class. Half the field were OTL. A great shakedown for the Far North Winter Classic in 2 weeks.
A late change in Navigator due to clashing appointments.
The Sevenoaks and District Motor Club Acorn 12 Car rally was incredibly icy for most of the 58 miles, so bad that we spent 10 mins helping a girl (not a competitor) back on the road after she'd spun into a ditch. Very ably navigated by Graham Brunton on his return to road rally navigating after 30 years.
We were struggling just to drive anywhere near 30mph average with the ice, so old age wisdom meant we knew when to cut and run - worked out well for us, finishing 3rd o/a and 1st in class. Half the field were OTL. A great shakedown for the Far North Winter Classic in 2 weeks.
Edited by thepawbroon on Saturday 11th January 20:27
It took less than 10 minutes for the 90 entries to be taken for the Bath MC Festival Targa.
Entries are now up to 115, there will be crews dropping out so still worth putting in an entry.
The entry list for the Bramley Targa has just been published - 54 cars to run, I'm entry 59 as a driver and also navigating for Steve Conner in his Puma at entry 60.
Last minute entries as Daniel Smith from MSUK mentioned that he wouldn't mind doing a Targa!
The Targa scene is looking good for 2025.
Entries are now up to 115, there will be crews dropping out so still worth putting in an entry.
The entry list for the Bramley Targa has just been published - 54 cars to run, I'm entry 59 as a driver and also navigating for Steve Conner in his Puma at entry 60.
Last minute entries as Daniel Smith from MSUK mentioned that he wouldn't mind doing a Targa!
The Targa scene is looking good for 2025.
fourstardan said:
Can you buy tickets for these events? Bath is only up the road!
Targas are generally non-spectator events as valuable Marshal resources would be needed to "look after" spectators.You can volunteer to Marshal to see the action and put something back in to the event.
The Bath Festival is based at Castle Combe but also visits two other venues. Marshals are needed!
More at https://www.bathmotorclub.co.uk/club-events/the-fe...
alanwak said:
It took less than 10 minutes for the 90 entries to be taken for the Bath MC Festival Targa.
Entries are now up to 115, there will be crews dropping out so still worth putting in an entry.
The entry list for the Bramley Targa has just been published - 54 cars to run, I'm entry 59 as a driver and also navigating for Steve Conner in his Puma at entry 60.
Last minute entries as Daniel Smith from MSUK mentioned that he wouldn't mind doing a Targa!
The Targa scene is looking good for 2025.
That's excellent news! I'm sad I will miss Bramley this year, there's a clashing family event.Entries are now up to 115, there will be crews dropping out so still worth putting in an entry.
The entry list for the Bramley Targa has just been published - 54 cars to run, I'm entry 59 as a driver and also navigating for Steve Conner in his Puma at entry 60.
Last minute entries as Daniel Smith from MSUK mentioned that he wouldn't mind doing a Targa!
The Targa scene is looking good for 2025.
The (first?) year it ran in the snow, that was great fun.....
Not long back from the Far North Winter Classic rally, it was an absolutely fantastic weekend. One of the best motorsport experiences I've ever had.
The rally started in wild wet and windy darkness, a real challenge for the set up crews and marshals. 2 brilliant and long tests on a very slippy airfield kicked us off, then some farm track tests and the first regularity - mainly public roads but a few whites to keep us on our toes. A code-boarded (but untimed) road section wrapped up the Friday evening leg. We were on the go for 3 straight hours but it felt like longer. Couple of pints and fish & chips before bed.
Saturday was a long day - starting at 9am, we went back to the airfield for two more, then another couple of excellent tests on farm tracks. Then a long tough regularity (R2) on the narrow yellows up in the hills at Meall Mor, up to about 600 feet which was enough to see the roads covered in snow, which got trickier as we dived in and out of the forests.
Lunch break was at the North of Scotland Kart Club track in Golspie, with tests on the track either side of the Mac & Cheese. At that point we got the navigation handout for the next regularity (R3) which went even higher up to Knockarthur, but nice dry roads. Just as well as there were lots of NAMs and complex whites and yellows, and a lot of speed changes.
Back to the airfield for a very long tricky test (T12) then a couple more farm track tests, very muddy now on the second running, and a sting in the tail with a tight regularity (R4) up Castlecraig which overlooks the Nigg fabrication yard.
Back to the hotel in the dark about 6pm for results, banter, steak pie and a great fun night.
We did well, I think - 6th overall from 29.
We nailed R2 and R4 within seconds of being "best". R1 scunnered is a bit, the Tripmeter lost GPS service and we weren't on the ball enough to use the car's trip - so we guessed it and lost a minute or so. T12 we apparently went wrong direction and the test maximum cost us 2 mins.
R3 we got a little confused, we thought we were 30secs down and speeded up - but in fact we were 30sec up, so arrived a minute early!
We were pretty steady on the tests, focussing on not missing a cone.
Without our mistakes on R1 and T12, we might have finished in the top 3, but I'm sure everyone else has similar tales.
For a first time group of Targa / Historic organisers at Highland Car Club this was a very impressive event. They are blessed with amazing terrain and lots of very supportive landowners, and really enthusiastic club members helping in all sorts of ways.
Personally I love the Scottish style of Targa, more like a Historic Road Rally, and the navigator Gerry played a blinder on the Regs to get us a good result.
One photo for now - the action shot credited to Gary Plimer. More tomorrow!
The rally started in wild wet and windy darkness, a real challenge for the set up crews and marshals. 2 brilliant and long tests on a very slippy airfield kicked us off, then some farm track tests and the first regularity - mainly public roads but a few whites to keep us on our toes. A code-boarded (but untimed) road section wrapped up the Friday evening leg. We were on the go for 3 straight hours but it felt like longer. Couple of pints and fish & chips before bed.
Saturday was a long day - starting at 9am, we went back to the airfield for two more, then another couple of excellent tests on farm tracks. Then a long tough regularity (R2) on the narrow yellows up in the hills at Meall Mor, up to about 600 feet which was enough to see the roads covered in snow, which got trickier as we dived in and out of the forests.
Lunch break was at the North of Scotland Kart Club track in Golspie, with tests on the track either side of the Mac & Cheese. At that point we got the navigation handout for the next regularity (R3) which went even higher up to Knockarthur, but nice dry roads. Just as well as there were lots of NAMs and complex whites and yellows, and a lot of speed changes.
Back to the airfield for a very long tricky test (T12) then a couple more farm track tests, very muddy now on the second running, and a sting in the tail with a tight regularity (R4) up Castlecraig which overlooks the Nigg fabrication yard.
Back to the hotel in the dark about 6pm for results, banter, steak pie and a great fun night.
We did well, I think - 6th overall from 29.
We nailed R2 and R4 within seconds of being "best". R1 scunnered is a bit, the Tripmeter lost GPS service and we weren't on the ball enough to use the car's trip - so we guessed it and lost a minute or so. T12 we apparently went wrong direction and the test maximum cost us 2 mins.
R3 we got a little confused, we thought we were 30secs down and speeded up - but in fact we were 30sec up, so arrived a minute early!
We were pretty steady on the tests, focussing on not missing a cone.
Without our mistakes on R1 and T12, we might have finished in the top 3, but I'm sure everyone else has similar tales.
For a first time group of Targa / Historic organisers at Highland Car Club this was a very impressive event. They are blessed with amazing terrain and lots of very supportive landowners, and really enthusiastic club members helping in all sorts of ways.
Personally I love the Scottish style of Targa, more like a Historic Road Rally, and the navigator Gerry played a blinder on the Regs to get us a good result.
One photo for now - the action shot credited to Gary Plimer. More tomorrow!
Edited by thepawbroon on Monday 27th January 22:14
Friday was the latest round of the Weald MC 12 Car series - this one organised by Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club and start/finish was at Headcorn Aerodrome which has an excellent bar.
I roped in my pal Dave Town to navigate, he'd previously been one of the best in the area but hadn't competed for a few years. Turned out that not only had he lost none of his skill, but knew the area intimately hence could call the road with accuracy.
We cleaned the rally - route correct and on time at each control. But I managed to drive past a code board without spotting it (as did a few other crews) so we ended up tied for 4th place and 1st expert.
As usual, well organised and good fun. Mini goes for its MOT tomorrow and next one is Farnborough & DMC's 12 car on 21 Feb.
I roped in my pal Dave Town to navigate, he'd previously been one of the best in the area but hadn't competed for a few years. Turned out that not only had he lost none of his skill, but knew the area intimately hence could call the road with accuracy.
We cleaned the rally - route correct and on time at each control. But I managed to drive past a code board without spotting it (as did a few other crews) so we ended up tied for 4th place and 1st expert.
As usual, well organised and good fun. Mini goes for its MOT tomorrow and next one is Farnborough & DMC's 12 car on 21 Feb.
thepawbroon said:
Friday was the latest round of the Weald MC 12 Car series - this one organised by Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club and start/finish was at Headcorn Aerodrome which has an excellent bar.
I roped in my pal Dave Town to navigate, he'd previously been one of the best in the area but hadn't competed for a few years. Turned out that not only had he lost none of his skill, but knew the area intimately hence could call the road with accuracy.
We cleaned the rally - route correct and on time at each control. But I managed to drive past a code board without spotting it (as did a few other crews) so we ended up tied for 4th place and 1st expert.
As usual, well organised and good fun. Mini goes for its MOT tomorrow and next one is Farnborough & DMC's 12 car on 21 Feb.
This looks great fun, is there a website which lists all forthcoming events for Road / Targa rallies ?.... thanks in advanceI roped in my pal Dave Town to navigate, he'd previously been one of the best in the area but hadn't competed for a few years. Turned out that not only had he lost none of his skill, but knew the area intimately hence could call the road with accuracy.
We cleaned the rally - route correct and on time at each control. But I managed to drive past a code board without spotting it (as did a few other crews) so we ended up tied for 4th place and 1st expert.
As usual, well organised and good fun. Mini goes for its MOT tomorrow and next one is Farnborough & DMC's 12 car on 21 Feb.
Apart from MSUK’s permit system ( not really accessible) there is no centralised system to find these sort of events.
If you do Facebook there are various user groups which would help. Search for British Road Rallying, Targa Rally UK, 12 Car Navex and Scatters.
Where about in the country are you? The best way is to locate a motor club in your area which does these events, then get in touch with them. 12 Cars are a seasonal thing, March is probably the last month, after that the evenings are too light.
Night Road Rallying and Targa Rallying goes through the year, so plenty of opportunities there, but they require a step up in commitment than do the 12 Cars.
If you do Facebook there are various user groups which would help. Search for British Road Rallying, Targa Rally UK, 12 Car Navex and Scatters.
Where about in the country are you? The best way is to locate a motor club in your area which does these events, then get in touch with them. 12 Cars are a seasonal thing, March is probably the last month, after that the evenings are too light.
Night Road Rallying and Targa Rallying goes through the year, so plenty of opportunities there, but they require a step up in commitment than do the 12 Cars.
... and if you have a historic car, there are daytime historic road rallies throughout the year - see the Historic Rally Car Register
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