What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

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Bauer
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Bauer » Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:52 pm

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.


it is 8. use of a ninth tyre starts the penalties. (Im not in the know, I was curious so went and had a look)



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,


hey Wozzah - is that a white Gemini that at first glance looks like a HDT entry?
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby MrsB » Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:24 pm

As a regular Targa competitor and having run an SE and SP along with other non MX5's I agree with Alex, an NC in Showroom. I also agree with the recomendation to have a talk to Chris at Targa Racing, there is a heck of a lot more to competing in Targa than just the car and you would find Chris's support and experience would be invaluable. You could end up like Alex - Australian Tarmac Champion in your first Targa season. :D

Feel free to message me

Good luck

Chris

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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby mx5racing » Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:18 pm

Where to begin with doing Targa....

First of all “Targa” currently is 3 events (High Country, Wrest Point and Tasmania) and this will be expanded to 4 events (Adelaide) next season. The one that everyone hears about is Targa Tasmania however, I would recommend you start with one of the smaller events to get your head around exactly how it all works.

The best car for Targa depends on the class you wish to run in so the first place to start is to read the rules and determine which category best suits you and your car. We run all of ours in Showroom as this is easily the most regulated and the modifications are limited. There are a couple of freedoms that I personally believe should not be there but generally it’s not too bad. The NC is the only model MX5 eligible for Showroom although the earlier ones can run in a couple of different classes depending on mods and age. If you want to win then perhaps consider another car as the NA or NB will struggle to be competitive in either of these categories.

I would recommend you get a car with ABS and keep the air-conditioning. The ABS will save you everyday during a Targa event and the a/c will keep your visibility clear when it rains - and believe me when I tell you it WILL rain.....

Get the best 6 point roll cage you can afford with particular emphasis on the side protection. I would not have a cage that extends into the strut towers but instead let the crumple zones work as intended. Same for harnesses and belts – although the “wrap around head” ones are very good it is almost impossible to get one into a MX5 that allows you to get in and out with a hardtop on.

Be aware that the support team you have around you is very important as basic repairs and service may be needed and some things like spare wheels and tyres (in the event of punctures) are must haves. Other things like limited supply of fuel (Esp 98 octane) are important if you car can only run on this. We carry enough spares to keep our cars going under just about all circumstances and this takes 3 service vehicles and 6 service crew for Targa. We have 48 wheels and tyres for TT alone.....

The best advice I can offer anyone considering doing Targa is preparation is key. Everything (and I mean everything) has to be checked and double checked. Every one of our cars has a full strip down and check before each season with all bits like clutches, brakes, discs, etc replaced. All the parts in our cars are “lifed” and dismantled, inspected, repaired or replaced at predetermined intervals.

Don’t underestimate the costs involved. There is obviously the cost of the car, which can run into many tens of thousands depending on what you choose. Then there is the entry, accommodation, tyres, meals, transport to and from the event (by ship), service crew costs, fuel, stage notes, etc, etc.... The absolute minimum budget would be around $15,000 not including the car (or any damage to it during the event).

And remember the most important thing is to have fun but, be careful, as it is very addictive!! :mrgreen:

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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby matt9111 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:18 pm

Wow!

Thanks so much for all the quick and informative replies. I'd forgotten how helpful forums can be.

Looks like I need to do some more research before I jump into this venture.

Stock NC hey, I like my cars more modified though :lol:

I'll do some reading and i'll probably pm a few of you guys soon.

Thanks very much for info.

Cheers

Matty
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby wozzah1975 » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:34 pm

Bauer wrote:
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.


it is 8. use of a ninth tyre starts the penalties. (Im not in the know, I was curious so went and had a look)



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,


hey Wozzah - is that a white Gemini that at first glance looks like a HDT entry?


Correct. thats the car.

I thought it was 6 tyres (i may be wrong), and yes they are marked at scrutineering and checked on a regular basis.

Cheers
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Okibi » Tue Mar 20, 2012 2:57 am

Great to have so many Targa Tassie competitors here to give advice. :mrgreen:

I'd love to head over one year and shoot some photos, perhaps Ben might need a camera assistant? :beer:
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby -alex » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:40 am

wozzah1975 wrote:
Correct. thats the car.

I thought it was 6 tyres (i may be wrong), and yes they are marked at scrutineering and checked on a regular basis.

Cheers
Woz


Apparently as of this year we're allowed 8 for TT12. There has been chatter about helicopters to fly tyres between stages and touring for the guys at the pointy end.
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby bensale » Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:59 pm

Matt, I would listen to the people who've posted and have actually entered and run in Targa as thats definitely where your best informed information will come from. I'm also sure they'd would be more than happy to have a chat and Chris at MX-5 Racing is probably a very good start, especially as they do an amazing job running the cars they run and know all the ins and outs. Other people know more about this than me but an NC will be a faster car than NB & NA's at Targa due to the wider track, better performance on bumpy roads and under brakes.

A good alternative option (and very popular) if you want to enter your own car is an Evo X.. TMR do a package that is $15k and takes the car from standard to ready to enter showroom 4wd. Modify the to your content from there, but you don't really need to - These videos I shot outline the basics of what you can and can't do. http://youtu.be/E00NspX-JB8 & http://youtu.be/MfTyxEnWkKw

Also... 4 tyres for the 2 day events and 8 this year at Targa Tasmania due to the new longer course which as Alex said which has been very, very, very contentious among a few people we know. Hoping not to see helicopters or large crews ferrying tyres around allowing people to run softs during stages and harder tyres on transport... But it's a very competitive event so who knows... the rumours are flying everywhere about who is going to do what. My personal take is that Targa is an endurance event and therefore teams should have to choose tyres which can last the event and manage them effectively...
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby bensale » Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:19 pm

Okibi, still not too late to come to Targa Tasmania ;) Welcome to tag with me or the other camera guys spending the day out on stages! As Chris said Adelaide is expanding to include modern cars so maybe that would be a good one to go to as well.
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Okibi » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:13 pm

Hoping to shoot Targa South West and Targa West this year, Tassie might have to wait a year or so.
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Boyracer » Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:06 pm

They have good burgers and sausage sandwiches down there which is the most important thing for the service crew.
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Bauer » Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:42 pm

Cant tempt you with a salt free pie?
cheers
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby Boyracer » Sun Mar 25, 2012 8:33 pm

Bauer wrote:Cant tempt you with a salt free pie?


Stu the herbal, vegetarian ,vegan, organic meat pie shop is not on my list of places to visit next time.
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Re: What car is most suitable for Targa Tasmania?

Postby matt9111 » Sat Apr 07, 2012 12:30 am

Thanks for the help guys. Much appreciated, I ended up buying a BMW 135i haha, so no Targa for me :(. Couldn't help myself, I went and test drove one and fell in love haha, so no money for a Targa car.



Cheers
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