Targa Tasmania 2017- ALFA report

[Paul Byrne]

We did not enter TT this year, but needing a Targa fix I volunteered to to work with CAMS at the event. Mainly scrutineering and class eligibility work- and that was quite interesting in its own right!

But back to the ALFA report, and I am going to stretch '105' here, there was many a tale:

First we have the Ken Gover standard1600 Giulia Sprint driven to and from outback Queensland, completed the grueling 6 days without offs or problems, and made it into 19th place out of 25 starters and with a Targa Trophy for completing all stages within trophy times.

Next up Is David Ogg in the 1750 GTV 'yellow peril', on pace notes for the first time and going very solidly with some stage times that were right up there. The gremlins struck on day 3 when suddenly-- no clutch action. The circlip holding the slave cylinder popped out after 45 years of faithful service closely followed by the cylinder and the push rod, (which is available on a tassie road somewhere). A new 30 cent clip and a bolt converted into a rod and it was back to work the next day. Alas the Targa Trophy and podium hopes were gone with the circlip.

Then we had the 2600 beauty:
Magnificently prepared and flying, the 2600 looked like a real podium contender:
Then the day three jinx hit and the input shaft to the gearbox completely stripped its teeth, leaving only fourth and an inability to continue:
The crew found a 105 box in a shed somewhere and fitted it but----the only thing different was the input shaft. The navigator's girl friend flew over from Adelaide with a 2600 shaft in her hand luggage and they were back for the last day. No trophy, no hope, but they crossed the line.

Finally we have the Giocottolo, original down to the paint, and in the tour class. It cruised through without a worry, in the company of no less that two Ferrari Italia 458s and a brand new 488:

Now for the ad: New entrants to Targa Tas next year get a 50% reduction on this years entry fee price, and existing entrants get a 10% reduction. There will also be a CAMS National Tarmac Rally Championship for 2018 with three rounds: the 2 day Targa North West (Tassie) in February, Targa Tasmania in April, and Targa High Country near Mansfield in November.

Prep those 105's or other, get an entry in for Targa High Country this year, and enjoy a wonderful world of tarmac rally motorsport.