What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

matt9111 · Postby **matt9111** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:54 am

Hi guys,

It's been a few years since I've posted on these forums.

After a few helpful tips here beceause I want to do things right this time.

Now I have no idea about the rules of Targa, but it's always been my dream to one day compete in it.

I don't own an MX-5 anymore, I used to own a 2002 NB8B. I'm after a new one (any model), I'm going to modify it completely for Targa.

Which model would be the best base to modify for Targa?

Obviously I'm not going to win, but I would like to be as competitive as possible.

Cheers guys I look forward to your responses

Matty

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 1:12 pm

matt9111 wrote:Hi guys,

It's been a few years since I've posted on these forums.

After a few helpful tips here beceause I want to do things right this time.

Now I have no idea about the rules of Targa, but it's always been my dream to one day compete in it.

I don't own an MX-5 anymore, I used to own a 2002 NB8B. I'm after a new one (any model), I'm going to modify it completely for Targa.

Which model would be the best base to modify for Targa?

Obviously I'm not going to win, but I would like to be as competitive as possible.

Cheers guys I look forward to your responses

Matty

Matty,

Suggest you have a word to Chris at MX5 Racing (http://www.mx5racing.com.au/).

He prepares targa cars, include NC model MX5's, and provides a support package include car, servicing etc for targa events.

Might be a better way to start by renting one of his cars before deciding to build your own targa car.

I don't know how things could be arranged, with them on NSW Central Coats, and you in Melbourne, but it could be at least worth a call.

BTW, I have no connection to MX5 Racing, other than being a satisfied customer

David

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:21 pm

The Targa page also has some links to some great articles written by current and former competitors, rules etc. Check it out. :-)

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:37 pm

Targa has a $7K entry fee.

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:45 pm

Depends on class doesnt it?

Targa West has a touring class which is cheaper to enter. You dont even need a caged car for that class but your top speed is limited to 130KMH.

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:18 pm

Look at the novice class, or whatever it was, as that is significantly cheaper.

I think this year I saw entry was 8k or so.

wozzah1975 · Postby **wozzah1975** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:07 pm

matt9111 wrote:Hi guys,

It's been a few years since I've posted on these forums.

After a few helpful tips here beceause I want to do things right this time.

Now I have no idea about the rules of Targa, but it's always been my dream to one day compete in it.

I don't own an MX-5 anymore, I used to own a 2002 NB8B. I'm after a new one (any model), I'm going to modify it completely for Targa.

Which model would be the best base to modify for Targa?

Obviously I'm not going to win, but I would like to be as competitive as possible.

Cheers guys I look forward to your responses

Matty

The lightest one with the 1.8 engine

Woz

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:24 pm

Oh come on wazz.. i always get a hard time for giving that answer.

dann

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 11:11 pm

NitroDann wrote:Oh come on wazz.. i always get a hard time for giving that answer.

dann

Come on dann be honest you say na6 and keep the b6

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:30 am

One thing to keep in mind: It's not just about choosing any car with any setup you want to enter. It's by invitation, after you've done an initial entry. It's not guaranteed your vehicle will actually be selected.

Definitely talk to those that have prepared cars for Targa before and talk to some of the organisers. They'll be able to steer you in the right direction.

Also, I really hope you get there. :-) It's been my dream to do Targa one day for a long time too. When the savings permit and the TC is rebuilt, I'll see you there. :mrgreen:

Good luck!

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:15 am

You probably need to clarify this a bit further. You could do an entire targa event on a set of road tyres in the touring class but you wont be competitive. If you want to win your class you need to have a trailer full of tyres to do it.

matt9111 wrote:Obviously I'm not going to win, but I would like to be as competitive as possible.

If you want to be competitive and be at the pointy end that also means choosing a class and then going with the car most likely to put you at the pointy end which might not be an MX5.

Personally, knowing I dont have the budget or skill to be at the pointy end in a targa event I would just be looking to have fun so I would stick a lightly modified car in the touring class.

Note that an MX5 even with a hard top will need a full cage for anything more than that.

Read the rules and then read them again and then study the CAMS manual and then combine it with the rule book and shuffle liberally.

16bit · Postby **16bit** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:37 am

i would personally think an early model nb8b would give you the best bang for buck entry. especially if you keep it a NA the 6 speed should really help on the tighter stuff.

though an NC can be had for 20k these days.

if you get an NA or NB consider this suspension as i believe it was designed for targa events.

http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid= ... 0%20CUSTOM

good luck!

-alex · Postby **-alex** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:14 pm

Get hold of an NC and enter it in showroom. There are restrictions on modifications in showroom, making it a somewhat more level playing field. I won my first Targa Championship in an 06 NC in showroom.
There are also restrictions across the event to the number of tyres allowed, off the top of my head I think it's six per car and all are marked and inspected throughout the event.
For the rest of this season Im in a 911 (next seasons car is a surprise) so if your around come say hi.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:32 pm

Well, your team and you won Targa.

I think that's the key,

A good car with a crap driver won't win.
A good driver with a crap navigator won't win.
A good driver/nav/car with a crap mechanic won't win.

It's a matter of finding a balance of all these that's better than the others, obviously in Alex's case the car was good enough to be up there, and so were the people in and around it.

wozzah1975 · Postby **wozzah1975** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:16 pm

Best have a look at the classes, I am only familiar with the "classic" category.

What you need to do is pick a class that you can be competitive in and build your car to suit. It's no good entering or building your car to a class that you simply have no chance in.

Don't under estimate what a small car can achieve, one of the rookie rally classes was won by a Gemini in 2007 which gives you free entry to the main event the following year. I do the cylinder head on that particular car, and since it has place 6th in Tarta Wrest point last year, and is always competitive.

BE WARNED! As others have posted here, Tarmac rally events are super expensive to compete in, and depending on what class you build for, to build a quality car for such an event is also expensive.

Cheers
Woz