Targa tasmania

[bernie]

Targa tasmania again turned on a sensational event, this time being competed over 44 stages on some of the best tarmac roads in the country. Unfortunately for us it rained for most of the 5 days the event is held over. This did not suit our car (Porsche 928S) as it has unending power, but is quite heavy. We ended up first in class, first in category and 19th outright (classic).

Congratulations must go to the other ACT crews who participated, particularly Barry Faux and Ron Pollard finished 5th outright in a Waterhouse prepared RX7.

Hopefully we will see more ACT crews make the journey in the future. The event is amazing and well worth the sacrifices.

A final note to congratulate central coast driver Tony Sullens and co-driver Julia Rabbet. Tony and Julia were running 6th outright (Modern) until a mechanical failure let them down (presumably gearbox) on day 4. They took several stage wins, beating both eventual winner Jim Richards and crowd favourite Peter Brock. This is a feat worth commending, especially considering it is only Tony's 2nd ever tarmac rally.

[TK]

Tony Sullens has won the Mt Panorama tarmac stage of the Bathurst state round for the last two years, so it looks like he has a natural affinity for the surface.
Does he have a history in the roundy-roundies?

[beanpole]

Don't know his history but he can sure drive. He was a cut above everyone at bathurst until his turbo went.

I think he knows the bitumen around Mangrove Mtn pretty well too!



Kev

[Darren]

Hmmm, an awful lot of VERY expensive porshe's at the top. Whats peoples opinions on the Targa regulaitons? I know almost nothing about them but I wonder if they might need a look at with one brand of car being so dominant??? Or is it that ALMOST all the contending drivers are in a Porshe just by chance???

[bernie]

Tony has only done 1 tarmac rally before this years targa. I don't think he has any real circuit experience to speak of. he is just a damn good driver.

The reason that there are so many Porsches at the top is that money simply cannot buy a faster showroom-type car for asphalt rallying. The regs are not set up like the procar regs which lay penalty on individual cars. Just as in Group N they allow certain well controlled modifications, but the same across the board. If you have half a million dollars spare to spend on a tarmac rally car, there are not many others worth considering.

[Daniel]

Bernie - I disagree - I love Porches don't get me wrong, but there are plenty of other bits of gear that are as good if not better.

BMW M5
Ferrari 550 - although stopping it might be an issue
Skyline
Audi S8

Just to name a few - I think its more an issue of the front runners just happen to have Porches.


JMO

[bernie]

The syline is the only one on your list that has come close. The BMW and any Audis have fallen well short (admittedly perhaps by fault of driver rather than car). I had overlooked the 550. It would be a good option but I guess no-one has tried it.

[Darren]

Hmmm. Some angles I had'nt considered.

I suppose its a rare combination to find not only someone with enough money to buy something in Daniel list but also with so much money they are willing to drive it to the limit and risk loosing the lot!!.....and all in the name of "fun". Still you'd think some BMW/Ferrari/Audi dealer would want to get his (and the cars) name up in lights (even if its pose factor not the cars ability that appeals to most people buying them). The fact that a Porshe Cup exists and no Audi or BMW Cups exist would also influence the entry list