Jim Richards is an eight-time Targa Tasmania winner. Each of those wins has been at the wheel of a Porsche 911 of some description. This year, though, Jimmy drove a mid-engined Cayman S with PDK. So what was it like? Watch this video to find out…
Category: Targa Tasmania
As you know the 2014 Targa Tasmania rally has been run and won. CAMS media has produced short promo clip discussing the event and its future plans. It’s a nice bonus to see our MINI get some screen time too.
The drama continued right to the very end of Day 5 which eventually saw long-time campaigner Jamie Vandenberg (Nissan GT-R) claim his first Targa Tasmania victory.
Vandenberg inherited the lead on Day 4 following the demise of Steve Glenney (Nissan GT-R) and Jason White (Mitisubishi Lancer Evo IX). Despite holding a lead of under 20 seconds from Matt Close (Audi TT RS), Vandenberg looked to be relatively safe after the 58km Mount Arrowsmith stage mid-way through the final day.
However, on the short Tarraleah stage which followed the engine in his GT-R showed signs of imminent expiry as smoke began to bellow from its exhaust. The team thought their day was over and put 3 litres of oil into the engine and hoped for the best, expecting they’d not make it through the remaining two stages.
In more ways than one Vandenberg was fortunate to win the rally. Matt Close looked set to take the lead, possibly on the final stage of the event. But this drama fuelled Targa Tasmania was not done with yet and Close crashed out while passing another competitor on the second-last stage of the rally.
It was a desprately cruel blow for Close who would have been an equally worthy first-time winner. Alas for him he will have to wait and fight another day.
To the victor the spoils and, somehow, Vandenberg managed to limp his GT-R across the ceremonial finish line at Wrest Point Casino to put an end to one of the most dramatic Targa Tasmania rallies ever staged.
Thankfully, the MINI John Cooper Works GP I was assisting had a trouble-free run all rally and driver Andrew Robinson and navigator Tom Browell were thrilled to stand on the podium and collect their trophies for finishing in second place in the Showroom category. After a few of our own final day mishaps in recent times it was a nice relief to head into the Targa Bar with a huge smile on our faces.
Reports from all categories can be read on the Targa Tasmania website:
Outright & general | Classics | Modern | Showroom | Regularity
Today’s conditions have been described as some of the worst ever in Targa Tasmania’s 20-plus year history. Yet before a car was even started this morning the dramas began when rally leader Steve Glenney (NIssan GT-R) was forced into retirement with gearbox troubles.
This handed the lead to Jason White (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) who was hoping to nurse his car home with the benefit of a 2 minute 30 second buffer. Alas, like so many other drivers today, White succumbed to the Riana stage and crashed out of contention.
Tasmanian Jamie Vandenberg (Nissan GT-R) now heads the field, enjoying a 16 second lead over Matt Close (Audi TT RS). Their battle to the finish line in Hobart tomorrow will be one worth watching!
Eight-time Targa Tasmania winner Jim Richards was another who crashed out on the Riana stage. Both he and navigator Barry Oliver escaped unharmed after their Porsche Cayman S was forced out with a holed radiator. It’s just Richards’ second crash at Targa in 22 starts.
Our car, the #923 MINI JCW GP, is looking strong going into the final day where a cautious approach will be taken in an attempt to avoid final day dramas which we have endured in recent years. Fingers crossed!
A full wrap of the main categories is available from the Targa website:
Outright & general | Showroom | Modern | Classic | Regularity
Ever wanted to race in Targa Tasmania but don’t have the car, the time or the budget? Then here’s your best shot at it, watching onboard footage from the event.
This video was filmed yesterday from the MINI JCW GP (car #923), Andrew Robinson is behind the wheel and Tom Browell is calling the notes.
South Australian Steve Glenney (Nissan GT-R) continues to lead Targa Tasmania at the conclusion of Day 3. However, a fast charging run on the day’s final stage saw local hope and defending title holder Jason White (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) reduce the margin to a catchable 26 seconds.
The #923 MINI JCW GP is continuing to cover the miles with a minimum of fuss and while we’re trying not to get ahead of ourselves a strong result in the admittedly shallow Showroom category is there for the taking.
Rain is expected tomorrow and while it should favour the little MINI, it may upset the apple cart elsewhere in the field.
A full wrap of the main categories is available from the Targa website:
Outright & Classic | Showroom | Modern Muscle | Early Modern | Regularity
UPDATE: The extra highlights clip has been added below.
Steve Glenney (Nissan GT-R) has extended his lead in the chase for outright success at Targa Tasmania. Last year’s winner, Jason White (Lancer Evo IX) has moved into second place, relegating Matt Close (Audi TT RS) back to third.
I’m pleased to report car #923 had another enjoyable day and is now safely tucked away in the Launceston Silverdome ready for the journey west on Day 3.
UPDATE: As is proving to be usual practice now a new highlights video is updated after the news footage and general pool video. A third highlights clip has now been added below.
Here’s the TV highlights from Day 1 of Targa Tasmania. Steve Glenney has put himself and his R35 Nissan GT-R in the lead but as he achknowledges there’s a long way to go, with challenges currently coming from Matt Close (Audi TT RS) and Jason White (Lancer Evo IX).
Car #923, the MINI JCW GP, got through the day unscathed and is looking good heading into Day 2.
UPDATE: An extra highlights clip has been added below.
Day 0 has been safely ticked off by most of the crews today. The day is little more than a qualifying or seeding process to set the running order for the following days when the competition begins in earnest.
Happily I can report that car #923 is running well and the guys were pleased with their efforts today, which included a 10 second PB on the George Town stage. When they are out on course you can track the lads, or any of the other competitors, in real time using the Rally Safe link on the official Targa website. Pretty cool, huh!
After the break you can check out the highlights from the local TV news outlet Southern Cross.
UPDATE: On-board footage from Jason White’s Evo IX has been added above.
Categories
Targa Tasmania 2014
Targa Tasmania starts this week and I’ll be heading down later today to act as service crew for car #923. The car itself, a MINI JCW GP, may look familiar to you.
And it is, almost!
This also means updates to AUSmotive may be a bit sparse for the next week.
As many of you will know, especially those who follow AUSmotive on twitter and Facebook, I have been away for Targa Tasmania this past week. I was working as service crew for some friends of mine who were going really well. Indeed, they were flying, setting personal best times stage after stage.
Alas, as the photo above shows, seeing the team’s MINI John Cooper Works on a trailer rather than at the finish line in Hobart would tend to indicate that all didn’t end well.
So, while we were basking in the glow that Robbo and Tom were heading for a best ever finish—leading their category and racing towards a top 10 placing in the Modern outright classifications—fate dealt a cruel blow, with only two stages to go.
Robbo’s MINI broke a belt which meant a number of things went wrong, chief among them being no more alternator and the car was overheating. It couldn’t be driven through the final stages without causing terminal engine failure and there was no time to fix the car before the next stage.
And that, as they say, is motor racing.
Categories
Targa Tasmania 2012: Day 5 update
Jason and John White have overcome final day electrical gremlins to claim their third Targa Tasmania title today (2005, 2010, 2012)—their second at the wheel of a Lamborghini Gallardo.
The Whites started the day losing ground to Tony Quinn (Nissan GT-R) in the morning’s opening two stages and saw almost half of their 2 minute 25 second advantage disappear.
Some quick repairs to the Lambo’s electrics before the epic Mt Arrowsmith stage soon had the Whites back on the charge. Sensing a need to respond Jason White put in an astonishing drive to ‘clean’ the 58.55km Mt Arrowsmith stage, the longest in the rally, and regain virtually all of the time lost.
In the end they went on to win by a relatively comfortable 2 minutes 27 seconds from Quinn. Targa legend Jim Richards (Porsche 911 GT2 RS) snuck into third place after mechanical dramas ended Brendan Reeves’ (Mazda RX8-SP) podium hopes.
You’ll recall the White’s blew an engine, with only 120km on the clock, during the media day immediately before Targa Tasmania began, so today’s win will go some way to ease the financial pain felt after fitting a new motor.
For the sixth year in a row Rex Broadbent (1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS) won the Classic outright category. Although a spin on Mt Arrowmsith would have caused him a few moments of concern. Jon Siddons (1970 Datsun 240Z) finished just over 1 minute behind. John Ireland (1977 Porsche 911 Carrera) came home in third, a long way behind the leading pair.
Simon Evans (Mazda3 MPS) won the 2WD Showroom category, while local Jamie Vandenburg (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) won the 4WD class.
For access to final Targa Tasmania results click here: ausm.tv/tt2012