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Feature Image – Competition Modern winners Peter Rullo / Jimmy Marquet, 2019 Lotus Exige Targa GT. Photo: CMR Photographic
Rullo takes Modern and Wolfe takes Classic at 2020 Make Smoking History Targa South West
Impressive field to battle one long day at Make Smoking History Targa South West
In an impressive field of 50 cars that includes five rookies and six electric vehicles, Western Australian tarmac rally drivers are relishing the opportunity to race the clock at the 11th Make Smoking History Targa South West on Saturday 8th August in the spectacular Southern Forests region.
Competitors will travel a total of 249 kilometres which includes 122 kilometres of flat out competition on 17 closed-road Special Stages that each range in distance from 2.9 kilometres to 15.19 kilometres in and around Pemberton and Northcliffe.
Clerk of Course Ross Tapper said that the usual two-day event was compacted to one day initially for COVID-19 reasons.
“Even though the event has been condensed into one day, it’s going to be a big day with almost the same amount of competition distance as previous years,” Tapper said.
“The Pemberton to Northcliffe stage is fast and flowing and held on the scenic roads through the Karri forest, and the town stage in Pemberton will be tight and technical.”
Mark Greenham / Steph Esterbauer. Photo: Tim Allott
A favourite to take the top step of the Competition Modern class is Mark Greenham with co-driver Steph Esterbauer in their Race Torque Engineering 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Greenham is defending his 2019 and 2018 title ahead of a potential hat trick, all going to plan.
“Targa South West has historically been a very successful event us and we hope to repeat the win again this year,” Greenham said.
“We’re just extremely grateful for the opportunity to compete in motorsport here in the West given the COVID-19 challenges faced by our Eastern cousins at the moment.”
You can bet that Axis Hire managing director Mark Cates with co-driver Declan Stafford in their 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be hot on the heels of Greenham.
Mark Cates / Declan Stafford. Photo: Tom Allott
“It’s an exciting prospect to be able to get back behind the wheel again – we can’t wait for Targa South West,” said Cates of Bunbury, who finished third last year.
“We’ve done testing on the tyres and brakes and made some modifications to the suspension, the car is excellent and if it doesn’t rain, we’ll be having a crack for the win.”
Peter Rullo, a regular on the Targa West podium, hasn’t competed in Make Smoking History Targa South West since the first event in 2010.
“The last three or four months have been challenging both personally and professionally, there are lots of people doing it tough, and that’s a big reason why I’m looking forward to getting down to Pemberton,” said Rullo, who’ll be joined by regular co-driver Jimmy Marquet.
“COVID has been a wake up call not to take things for granted, so I’m taking the time do something that I love, get in the car and go racing. A few friends are also coming along, so it will also be a great reason to get away for the weekend to bond with some old mates.
“I’ll be using it as a shakedown opportunity ahead of Targa West in October, nothing too serious, but we’re keen to set ourselves up to have another decent crack at Targa West.”
Rullo’s Land Surveys / Autostrada 2019 Lotus Exige 410 has been upgraded to the new Lotus Exige Targa GT Spec and should arrive from the east coast later this week.
Peter Rullo / Jimmy Marquet. Photo: Blake Rattenbury
“I’m excited to jump in a race car again after such a long break and hope to have it in time for a test in the coming days before Targa South West starts,” Rullo said.
In the Competition Classic category, last year’s winner Tim Wolfe will be with a new co-driver, Scott Beckwith, in his Dieselcraft 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.
“After all this hiatus in the COVID world, it’s good to be getting back in the car. Scott is vastly more experienced than me, so I’m looking forward to learning a few things from him,” said the Kalamunda resident.
“We’ll be giving it our best shot to defend my title but as long as we have some fun, that’s the main thing.”
In addition to the Competition Modern and Competition Classic categories, there’s the Targa 130 (speed limit of 130 kilometres per hour) and Targa 165 (speed limit of 165 kilometres per hour, as well as an electric vehicle Targa Tour, which is a spirited drive on the same closed-road stages as competitors racing the clock.
Florian Popp, co-owner of the Gemtek Group, EV Targa Tour Manager and Team Director for EV competitor Jurgen Lunsmann, said that Targa South West is a good opportunity to collect EV data.
“We’ll have a dedicated charging truck for Jurgen and another for the Targa Tour competitors which can charge six cars at once, but they should have plenty of battery life given the speed limitations,” Popp said.
Jurgen Lunsmann / Helen Lunsmann at the Shannons Targa Rallysprint series. Photo: CMR Photographic
Competing in the Targa 130 category and supported by Western Power, Jurgen Lunsmann will be joined by his wife Helen who’ll call pace notes in their Gemtek Group 2019 Tesla 3 Performance, a stock standard car that has only had seats replaced and a head-restraint harness fitted.
“Normally the Tesla has a range of about 450 kilometres, but during competition, we’re working on a factor of 5-to-1, so about 80 or 90 kilometres before it needs charging,” Popp said.
“As we all become more climate aware and with the trajectory of clean energy, it’s a great opportunity to educate people about electric cars in a fun way.”
Local truffle farmer Al Blakers and co-driver Wayne Deighton is swapping his classic Torana to compete in his Manjimup Truffles 2008 Holden HSV.
Will White, 2017 winner and third place finisher last year will be hoping to repeat his past success in his Dardanup Removals / Store Local 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 with co-driver Matt Thompson.
Will White / Matt Thompson. Photo: Tim Allott
There’ll also be a 1965 Mustang, 1964 Ford Sprint, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, Porsche 944, Subaru WRX, Lancer Evo, Nissan GTR, 2008 Dodge Viper and plenty of other fast and furious machines.
Cars will start at 30-second intervals and race against the clock with the winner being the car that is fastest over all stages.
“The essence of motorsport is competition, but what sets rallying apart from other codes of motorsport is the camaraderie and sense of community – a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing a common experience – a spirited drive in some of the State’s most picturesque areas,” Tapper said.
The Make Smoking History Targa South West fraternity will bring approximately 400 people into Pemberton.
Spectators can watch the rally action from the designated spectator areas – click here for more information and visit ww.targasouthwest.com.au for results.
Organisers would like to thank Targa South West sponsors Healthway, along with the Make Smoking History message, Shannons, Cutts Transport, Manjimup Truffles, AAAC Towing and the Shire of Manjimup for their support along with series sponsors Axis Hire
LADIES & GENTLEMEN…START YOUR ENGINES
Targa South West is GO GO GO!
Saturday, 8th August
Saturday, 8th August
Following a meeting late last week the Shire of Manjimup have given us the go ahead to proceed as planned with Option 2 for the 2020 Make Smoking History Targa South West.
Road Closure applications, Supplementary Regulations and a ream of other paperwork is making its way through the usual ‘red tape’ process and we are now 99% confident that Targa South West will proceed. Confident enough that we have reopened entries and are now accepting entry fees from those who have already completed their online entry.
Obviously until such time as there is a vaccine or cure for COVID-19 there may be a number of additional measures in place to help minimise any potential exposure or spread of the virus. We are speaking to the relevant authorities to reduce the restrictions as much as we can. Currently we are looking at the the following possible measures:
- No Pemberton Street Party (this was included in Option 1)
- Scrutiny – only 1 person to accompany the vehicle to scrutiny.
- Contactless/Electronic Documentation Checking
- Service Crew – limit of 2 service crew per competitor
- Service Locations – a number of distinct service areas will be set up and teams will be need to remain in their allocated area
- Additional COVID Declarations / Paperwork eg Dual Occupancy Vehicle Declaration
- Temperature Screening
- Drivers and Officials Briefings will be conducted electronically
- No Spectator locations
As restrictions ease further…touch wood…we will be able to review the list.
Whilst the majority of our costs are the same regardless of whether it is a one day or two day event we have reduced the entry fee down to $2080, a $170 saving that reflects no dinner tickets and lower Motorsport Australia permit fees etc.
For Rookie Drivers the entry fee is only $1150 representing fantastic value for those Rallysprint competitors who have not competed in a Tarmac Rally previously (eg Targa South West or Targa West).
With a total competitive distance of 122km (only 8km less than last year), the new compressed 1 day format will still provide plenty of challenging roads for Competitors to get their teeth into.
DRAFT Road Book and Supp Regs are available to download from the Official Noticeboad.
For Rookie Drivers the entry fee is only $1150 representing fantastic value for those Rallysprint competitors who have not competed in a Tarmac Rally previously (eg Targa South West or Targa West).
With a total competitive distance of 122km (only 8km less than last year), the new compressed 1 day format will still provide plenty of challenging roads for Competitors to get their teeth into.
DRAFT Road Book and Supp Regs are available to download from the Official Noticeboad.
We look forward to seeing you all in August but in the meantime keep washing your hands, maintain appropriate physical distancing and download the COVID-Safe Application and do all we can to ensure our return to Motorsport is as smooth as possible.
Kind regards
Ross, Jan & David
Targa West Pty Ltd
TEAM RELEASE: O’Dowd – The ‘Final Stage Thief’
John O’Dowd has snatched an extra position on the final stage of Targa South West 2019.
Going into the final pass of the 3km Manjimup Truffles Pemberton street stage, O’Dowd sat five seconds behind Dennis Heller. But relishing the tighter, more technical stages, O’Dowd was six seconds quicker, taking fifth place overall by a single second.
Continue reading “TEAM RELEASE: O’Dowd – The ‘Final Stage Thief’”
Make Smoking History Targa South West sparks close competition, a back-to-back win for Greenham and redemption for Wolfe
Mark Greenham / Stephanie Esterbauer. Photo: CMR Photographic
After a wet start on Saturday morning, conditions improved and were near-perfect for the tenth Make Smoking History Targa South West which was held in picturesque south west towns of Pemberton, Manjimup and Northcliffe.
The tarmac rally took place on 22 closed road Special Stages over a total distance of 130 kilometres, with competitors traversing 380 kilometres over the weekend (17-19 May). The stages ranged in distance from 3.11 kilometres to 15.13 kilometres with some tight technical stages and some fast, open, flowing stages.
There was an incident 400 metres into the first stage involving car number 8. Both the driver and co-driver were flown to Royal Perth Hospital and are expected to make full recovery. The co-driver has been discharged and the driver is expected to be discharged tomorrow.
The incident resulted in the following three stages, SS2, SS3 and SS4 being cancelled.
Australian first: R5 on tarmac at Make Smoking History Targa South West
Al Blakers. Photo: CMR Photographic
Quality field to tackle Make Smoking History Targa South West
A high-quality field of thirty-six teams are set to tackle the tenth Make Smoking History Targa South West held around the picturesque south west towns of Pemberton, Manjimup and Northcliffe from 17th to 19th May 2019.
Competitors will race the clock along 22 closed-road Special Stages, 130 kilometres of flat-out competition and drive a total distance of 380 kilometres over the weekend. The stages range from 3.11 kilometres to 15.13 kilometres, taking competitors through the spectacular Southern Forests region.
Continue reading “Australian first: R5 on tarmac at Make Smoking History Targa South West”
Perseverance pays off for Greenham at Make Smoking History Targa South West
Greenham and Stagoll take the 2018 Outright crown.
Credit CMR Photographic
There was an intense battle at almost every stage during this weekend’s Make Smoking History Targa South West – with many producing equal first and second places, and even three way tie situations in both the Modern and Classic categories.
The new Northcliffe stage commanded competitors give both full attention and full throttle, and was a highlight for many. Despite the pressure being on with fresh routes and close competition, competitors kept their bearings for the full 130 competitive kilometres, with no event-ending incidents over the weekend. Continue reading “Perseverance pays off for Greenham at Make Smoking History Targa South West”
Make Smoking History Targa South West entry list released
The entry list for next weekend’s Make Smoking History Targa South West has been released with a field of 41 vehicles lining up for the ninth running of the tarmac rally.
As in previous years, the entry list features a diverse field with a mixture of both rookies and regulars in vehicles that represent many eras – from classic Ford Mustangs and Holden Toranas, to current model Porsches, BMWs and even a Tesla.
The vehicles will be put through their paces from Friday 18th May to Sunday 20th May on 130 kilometres of closed road, normally reserved for public touring traffic visiting the picturesque Manjimup and Pemberton region.
There have been some changes to the year’s stages with the addition of the Northcliffe stage, and amendments to the popular Gloucester stage which has been renamed as the Diamond Tree stage.
Continue reading “Make Smoking History Targa South West entry list released”
Entries closing in…
Click here for the Entry Form or check out the Official Noticeboard for other Competitor information.
Entries open, electric car category and special rookie pricing for Make Smoking History Targa South West
Entries are now open for the ninth edition of the Make Smoking History Targa South West tarmac rally that will take place in and around Western Australian south west towns of Pemberton, Manjimup and new this year, Northcliffe from 18th to 20th May 2018. (Click here for the Entry Form)
Held over two days competitors will travel over 380 kilometres in total which includes 130 kilometres of flat out competition on 22 closed-road Special Stages that range in distance from 3.11 kilometres to 15.13 kilometres through the spectacular Southern Forests area.
Targa South West Event Director Ross Tapper said that competitors are excited about some changes to the course.
“The addition of Northcliffe is new this year and there are two runs south and north on the Pemberton to Northcliffe road. The stage around Pemberton has also changed and that’s generating some exciting chatter amongst competitors,” Mr Tapper said.
Driver Andy van Kann who has who has competed in every Targa South West event and has checked the stages said the course this year has the best on offer.
“The forestry-type stages at Targa South West are amazing – Big Brook Dam, Kurandra, Pump Hill and Gloucester are all in breathtaking country,” Mr van Kann said.
“I’m excited to see the very best of the Gloucester stage chosen, I mean, what would Targa South West be without that rail crossing. The stage is now called Diamond Tree and is short and very exciting.
“Northcliffe is a fast flowing stage with lots of crests and dips and long sweeping corners through glorious forestry. It will require precise driver and co-driver teamwork as there’s no room for error over the narrow blind crests. It’s an awesome rally drive and run in both directions,” Mr van Kann said.
Competitors and crew can expect a warm welcome from the Northcliffe town folk with a service park and meal break in the main street of this romantic township.
Cars will start at 30-second intervals and race against the clock with the winner being the car that is fastest over all stages. Cars are grouped into classes and there are categories for Competition, Challenge and the new electric vehicle category.
“The automotive future is electric and we are receiving a fair bit of interest from WA dealers wishing to showcase electric cars in this environment – so we’ve included a new tour category for electric vehicles, a spirited enjoyable drive without the competition element,” Mr Tapper said.
“I encourage owners of electric cars to enter and enjoy a weekend in their cars along closed-roads – no experience is necessary.
“Make Smoking History Targa South West has a very relaxed atmosphere and provides a welcoming environment for first time rally competitors to learn the art of rallying and hone their driving skills without the pressure often associated with bigger events. Everyone who comes to Targa South West loves it.”
Mr Tapper said that rookies have special entry fee pricing.
“The essence of motorsport is competition, but what sets rallying apart from other codes of motorsport is the camaraderie and sense of community – a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing a common experience – a spirited drive in some of the State’s most picturesque areas.
“Rookies are made to feel especially welcome because everyone in rallying wants to see the sport grow,” Mr Tapper said.
Make Smoking History Targa South West usually attracts a wide variety of cars from classics like Ford Escorts, Mustangs, Toranas and Commodores to more modern turbocharged Mitsubishi Evos, Subaru WRXs and Nissan GTRs and this year, electric cars such as the Tesla Roadster and the ‘gull winged’ Tesla Model X.
The Make Smoking History Targa South West fraternity will bring 400 people into the towns of Manjimup and Pemberton.
Organisers would like to thank Targa South West sponsors Healthway, along with the Make Smoking History message, Shannons, Cutts Transport, Manjimup Truffles, AAAC Towing and the Shire of Manjimup for their support along with series sponsors Go Gear and Perth Motorsport Tyres.
CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE ENTRY FORM
Main Pic: Al Blakers / Wayne Deighton, 2017 Quit Targa West. Photo: CMR Photographic