Targa Tas class: Showrom Stock

[pp]

Originally posted by DBJURY
A certain TR7 does spring to mind. Then there's that Torana that requires cleaner side windows than windscreen.

Yes, I think the TR7 is the reason they introduced the penalties for changing tyres - damn he was good to watch and he had a blinder of an event.

[edo]

Honestly, I think they would love it!

[pp]

Could be an interesting marketing tactic - no I am not going to win, I am going as a PR exercise - we will be sideways anytime we see a camera and/or spectators. We will cop a lot of penalties as we will use a lot of tyres. BUT you will be certain to get coverage of our car by the media for being spectacular!! This has to be given some more thought methinks ....

[T99]

While brakes are very important, its not as bad as it seems. Its only on some stages that you are really going to test them. Unlike a circuit, the number of times you go from 180-200 (or in fast car talk 240-260) to 60 are not many.

Entry fees might seem high, but it is good value for money. 6 days of trashing around on good public roads. Look at what it costs to run GTP, or even IP. I'd do it again

[pp]

Pads will also help a lot - but I do think that pushing hard one will stress brakes a lot. What is the longest stage?

[T99]

pp - they even make it easy by marking all the spec points in the route book, just transfer that to the pacenotes. We pretty much drive sideways on the town stages, its hard to with 70hp atw. I like the pic of the MX5 cranked on full oppy lock in the Targa Tas book, but that in-car of the roll down the hill on ch 10 was not so nice.

[edo]

There are a couple of rally tas stages that do a proper job of testing brakes!!!

PP, DO IT!

I think its great value for money, it costs the same amount to do that as it does a GTP round, Targa is 6 days of driving, GTP is 2 x 12 lap races...
Im pretty much happy to never go circuit racing again....

[pp]

Heh - I have always preferred special stage rallying to circuit - a bitumen one would be a ball (we did a sprint in the ute on the Gold Coast for the never run GCTT and got 10th outright - had an ansolute ball!!) And some pretty good scary moments seriously crossed up in 4th gear trying to stay on the black stuff!!

If nothing comes of the ARC in the next 6 months then I will seriously consider it. Commodore or Ford would be a bucket load of fun. Bugger the penalties for tyres

[T99]

Longest stage (50km) is not the problem actually. Its those long downhill ones that kill you. Cethana is one, 33km long. Starts fairly flat but then goes over two mountains Good thing about the slow car is that the brakes a) don't have to work too hard, b) have plenty of time to cool down. But if you are slow uphill, you have to be pretty brave downhill. I went through one set of Endless pads in about 4 days in a slow car, big boys probably change daily.

PP - maybe you are looking at the wrong side of your garage for a vehicle. Then again, neither are eligible, and the one in the driveway is something that makes Fook's idea look fast.

[pp]

Originally posted by T99
Longest stage (50km) is not the problem actually. Its those long downhill ones that kill you. Cethana is one, 33km long. Starts fairly flat but then goes over two mountains Good thing about the slow car is that the brakes a) don't have to work too hard, b) have plenty of time to cool down. But if you are slow uphill, you have to be pretty brave downhill. I went through one set of Endless pads in about 4 days in a slow car, big boys probably change daily.

PP - maybe you are looking at the wrong side of your garage for a vehicle. Then again, neither are eligible, and the one in the driveway is something that makes Fook's idea look fast.

Yup - we ran on Pagids and did a full season in the ARC - but they do not work as hard on dirt as bitumen (much more locking up Mind you, they get a good workout in Melb on Ben Cairn coming down the bitumen road into the hairpin and we have never experienced fade.

Supra is eligible - just not with the current motor There was one that ran last year.

I do like the idea of this class though from a cost perspective - is seam welding allowed? What if you buy a damaged vehicle that happens to replaced at all seams? Cage will obviously help with setup. I assume blue-printing of motor is allowed also. Would still cost a bit to build a competitive package.

[edo]

PP, you would surprise yourself with how well you would go, if you moved out of the showroom category you could put brakes on it, & if you used a non R spec tyre you would probably be able to do the lot with the 1 set.

The honda is a bit like t99s 5, you dont need much in the way of brakes if you havent got much power especially if you can keep your corner speeds up.

[floody]

I have to say I've seen a bit of targa in the last 4 years I've been here in Tassie, and for out and out spectacle, the Dark Blue galaxie that runs with a 427 side oiler on board is the most spectacular, its like "bugger the penalties, we've got a boot load of tyres, lets make some noise and lay some rubber". That thing is as heavy as a small truck, longer, louder and often sideways.
very nice!
So yeah go for it, give us some entertainment, at least something other than a bunch of guys in porsches and healey's with a bunch of letters after their name doodling round....
I reckon a 9C1 pack exec commodore with the V8 and six speed option....
cheers,
floody

[pp]

This whole discussion has me thinking a lot more about doing this event. Hmmm... I need to chat to you both a bit more at the next skid-pan day.

[edo]

Hmmm, just an idea...
An exec or SS isnt going to be seen as desirable by the organisers...but a HSV would...
What do you have to pay for a VT2 clubsport??? Remembering then that you get bigger rubber, & the HSV branded harrops were an option, plus you get a bit more hump. A GTS would be better again but bigger $

[edo]

PP, Best I bring the regs along then...