[StuJones]

Now I know this is very motor sport centric and all that stuff but this is a pretty important topic for the future of Tarmac Rallying in NSW.

East Coast Targa is a unique event in that it is the only tarmac rally in Australia to date to include a competitive Touring category. What this means is that you can enter your daily road car, without safety mods like rollcages etc, in a competitive touring event over closed stage rally roads in a "spirited drive". You are still limited in max and average speed for each stage but still get to drive and enjoy some great roads, at pace, on both sides, legally!!!

So the problem is that due to low entries it looks like the event will not go ahead and this would be a sad thing for such a unique event.

Now its not cheap at $5,720 to enter for the four days of competition but the logisitics of organising the closing, safety and operation of 34 closed road stages including runs on Eastern Creek, Oran Park and the awe inspiring Mount Panorama is huge. Payments for police and ambulance support alone amount to in excess of $100,000!!!

Now I know this sort of event is not for everyone and quite a few probably think you would have to be crazy to both waste that sort of money and drive your pride and joy on roads in a competitive manner but all we need is a few of you to think about it and register your interest and it may be the one that tips the balance to secure this unique event for NSW.

If any one have any questions please have a look at www.eastcoasttarga.com.au in particular the pages with maps and shedules at http://www.eastcoasttarga.com.au/Map...e_mainpage.htm, or if you want to ask any questions directly please call on 0400 600662

Cheers
Stu

[minigolf]

I reckon this would be an absolute blast and I'd love to have a go. But sadly, budget would rule it out for me.

Good luck with it Stu. I hope it goes ahead for you guys.

[Stumpmeister]

Ahhh... Me too

I have been keen to get into these type of events for a while, but it is usually the cost that kills it for me. When you are paying off a house by yourself, 5 grand can go along way to helping out.

Sorry Stu.

[TeeBee7]

Not this time, also due to the 5 grand price tag. What we need is a sponsor

TOM

[minigolf]

Yeah, see, if someone gave me $15K to go in the East Coast Targa then I could sponsor Stumpy and Tom.

[TeeBee7]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf

Yeah, see, if someone gave me $15K to go in the East Coast Targa then I could sponsor Stumpy and Tom.

So, who ya gonna call?

TOM

[StuJones]

Yeah I totally understand that the cost of this type of event is a significant barrier to entry for many people. Sadly due to the logistics of over 400 officials, negotiating with seven councils, police and other govt bodies requires a lot.

Thankfully there has been a good degree of interest from the motoring community that may save the day, but if anyone knows someone who could be interested please let them know

Stu

[n00b]

Is timing equipment (like a Terratrip) necessary for this event?

[StuJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by dairyboy

Is timing equipment (like a Terratrip) necessary for this event?

No its not necessary, although can be helpful, it definately can be done without.

Two years ago S4MATT did it in his wifes MINI with just a stopwatch and the car trip meter and placed 2nd overall in Touring/Challenge category. The design of challenge is not how fast you can complete a stage but how close to a target time you get. Go slower and you get a penalty for every second you are over, go faster and you get two seconds for every second your faster. So the aim of the game is knowing your target time and managing this over the distance of the stage.

The stages can also be shared between driver and co-driver so everyone gets a go!

Stu