Targa 2012 Begins

[Colin Byrne]

Couple of photo's

Hi guys, well Targa is just around the corner (we leave in a couple of hours) and fingers crossed looks like both cars are ready to rock.  I've had terrible pre-event preparation, on to my 4th engine, breaking pistons and all sorts of things, my 3rd gearbox, broke third gear then first, I've had old clutch plates that have catastrophically failed and brand new clutches that wouldn't disengage.
   Looks like all that is behind me now, the brand new gear set seems to be doing it's thing and after making 1 more modification to the box in the form of a cap to fit over the hole in the bellhousing where the selector rods pass through, it looks like I have a completely oil tight bearbox !(and yes I did need to pull the gearbox out again to fit it, I think that makes number 15)
   Engine is running well, thanks to the guys down at Historic and Vintage Restoration, thanks to the care taken during the run we managed to find what looks like could have been the culprit of all my engine woes without causing any damage.  The resulting engine tune is brilliant to drive and even behaves itself around town, not bad considering its punching out around 150bhp at the rear wheels
   The old mans car is also looking good, his engine is putting out a little less HP but has proved to be super reliable which is what you want.  I couple of small issues with his new gearbox also, but nothing catastrophic so looking good.
   
   This years event is a monster and the longest competition km ever and over half the course is new, which is good for us as it takes the advantage away from those guys that have been doing it for ever.  With the extra km 2 full sets of tyres are now allowed to be used (increasing the cost of the event substaionally) so with only 1 service vehicle between us we are taking a trailer for the spare wheels and enough spares to pretty much make up a 3rd car! (engine, gearbox, diff ect.)
   
So now just been tidying the car up  and been on a mission to get rid of any small rattles, which is harder than it sounds in a 40 year old car with no sound deadening and rock hard suspension, I'll try and make a few updates during the event but I'm also planning on updating a twtter account during the day so you can follow me on

colinbyrne105 or #targatasmania

the results are also updated very quickly at http://www.targa.org.au/Tasmania/targatasmania_home.html
We're in the early classic category

Couple of photo's

[pancho]

Good luck Colin - I for one will be following your progress - enjoy yourself and return safe!

[DaveT]

Wow Colin well done with the preparation, taking a 105 on the targa is the stuff dreams are made of...looking forward to following your progress.

[Colin Byrne]

Thanks guys
All is going well both cars sailed through scruitineering and have their "ready to go" stickers, drivers briefing this afternoon and then the prologue tomorrow.
Weather is really nice down here for a change and looks like it will continue with very little rain, very unusual for Tassie this time of year! It will make tyre conservation critical. 

[JKaissar]

Good luck Colin.
The cars look great. Have fun and will definetely be watching your progress.

[Colin Byrne]

Leg 1 update
Today was the first full day with 8 special stages.  This morning was dry and little rain creep in at the end of the day.  Both cars are running well with no real issues, an oil leak as developed on my gearbox but not anything to worry about.  The car is performing really well the brakes, gearbox, engine and suspension are all working together great, its awesome fun to drive now.  My Co-Pilot Paul Stoopman is doing a fantastic job with the pace notes and when we pulled into service tonight we discovered we are running 3rd place, so wrapped about that.  We did really well in the last stage which was the only one that was completely wet, so we've put the softer tyres on and hoping for more rain.
looking forward to tomorrow (hopefully wet)!

[alfagtv58]

Awesome!

Can I point out that I think Colin is being a bit modest.  As best as I can tell from here http://www.rallyresults.com.au/targa/tt2012/index.asp
He is running 3rd in the Early Classic Handicap, he is also running first in class and a very impressive 12th in Outright Classic.

Keep it up mate, and keep it on the black stuff in the rain, think of the finish line......

[pancho]

You're praying for rain Colin!!? You must be a duck! - great work

[Colin Byrne]

Hi guys, well we got just enough rain and it paid off.  We gained 30 sec off 2nd place so now we're only 11 sec away.  The results also show we moved to 4th outright which is.awsome if its true.  Our soft tyres are wearing well in the wet so we've left them on as forcast is for heavy rain tomorrow, which is a huge day.  Both cars are running really well with no problems as of yet so everyone is haveing a great time, let's hope it continues

[Davidm1600]

Saw the news clips tonight on the News.  It certainly looked pretty wet.  Some did well, others less so.  I don't suppose you know what happened to Blakey in the red Lancia Beta by any chance, and whether or not they are still running.  All I saw from the Targa website was that he had an off early in the day.

[Colin Byrne]

Unfortunately I don't think he'll be back in, car looked pretty badly damaged

[Davidm1600]

Ouch! Bugger. Stay safe but have fun. Thanks for the feedback re Blakey

[alfagtv58]

The Alfa boys are killing it in Targa.  With the day not done yet, Colin is in 3rd in Early Classic and Ian Morris in his GTV6 has moved up to 2nd in Late Classic!

[len105]

Talk about flying the Alfa flag !! and how........

Colin - What you are achieving in an under 2 litre car is outrageous !! Third in Early Classic ( with over 4 minutes to the guy behind !! ) & 7th outright in Classic is way up there in a list of achievements & hasn't been done for years !! Keep up the pressure & who knows where it will finish !! Just remember that some of the best stages are yet to come !!

Its also great to see the previous Targa winner Ian Morris hovering in 2nd place in late Classic behind a seriously fast & consistent Porsche ( & previous winner ) - driving brilliantly and being 11th outright !!

I can smell an Alfa on the podium - hopefully its at least 2 !!

Forza Alfa !!

[Neil Choi]

Sorry for the slight deviation from Colin and Paul's Alfa.  And Ian's too.

Small gracious humour by our club sponsor Les Smith, "putting it down to lack of driver talent"