Targa Racing at Targa High Country 2010
Last weekend saw the TargaRacing team travel to Mt Buller in Victoria for the inaugural Targa Tasmania Targa High Country. This is a 2 day tarmac rally based around Mansfield/Mt Buller and consists of over 200 km of competition stages including several passes up and down the famous Mt Buller road.
Our teams consisted included the return of Geoff Kennedy and Kelly Handley together again for the first time since Targa Wrest Point in January and the debut of Andrew McKay and Alex Hailstone competing in their first Targa event.
Friday got underway with the usual paperwork and scrutineering which both cars sailed through.
The first stage was a demonstration event on the streets of Mansfield on the Friday afternoon followed by Targa Fest in the evening where all the spectators and fans can get up close and personal with their favourite cars and drivers/navigators.
Saturday began with a clear but cool day with the 1st pass down the 7 km mountain road from Mt Buller. Most teams used this as a feeler for the event with most times being competitive but well within the generous nominated time allowed.
The next 3 stages took the crews towards Wangaratta where they would have lunch before returning on the same road for a reverse pass on the stages. These were very fast stages with some of the top cars reaching well over 200 km/h at various times. The MX5’s performed well but struggled against some of the more powerful cars on the open plains. The final stage of the day was the 16 return up the mountain to the Mt Buller Summit. Again the MX5 suited the tight, twisty corners and punched above their weight to some of the more fancied cars. By the end of day one the McKay/Hailstone car was 3rd in class just ahead of the Kennedy/Handley car.
