Targa Canada West

Kelly felt he had brain fade this morning (forget cash, credit card, driver's license, sun glasses, and at various stages would "rock-up" with HANS fixation missed, lights off, odo not reset, etc) but really is doing great. The first stage, the car's grip level seemed odd and had a balky gearshift. I felt better that Mark and Lindsey in the Fiat 125 also had a tough time getting acclimatized first thing today.

Only four (all longer) stages today, so the second stage seemed a quasi-disaster at the time. Shifter was stuck in 4th gear, with lots of tight sections and 90 lefts and rights thrown in as well. To add to the drama, we were starting the 30 km stage with the reserve fuel tank light illuminated.

Fortunately, we did not run out of fuel, did not lose too much time, and Luke was able to quickly diagnose and rectify our shifter malady. Which made us happy, as the "signature" stages of the event were next.....the Forgotten Highway to Whangamomonan.

Up and over three "saddles" of non-stop tight twisties, with great flowing FAST valley sections connecting the saddles. Some of the fast bits seem frost heaved, and the front end seemed a bit "skippy" in our hellacious trip in. The lads dialed in a more compliant front suspension for the stage out (shock settings, sway bar torque, and tire pressure), and we were on fire, cutting 25 seconds from our previous.

So we ended the day still in the top ten in Classic, still the lead car in Class 2, now by a useful 140 second margin. Eddie and Roy, our Porsche Team mates in the 1978 SC have displaced father & son team James and Jeff in the Toyota Levin by 1 second, to move into second place in Class 2. Steve Rasmussen is clearly following along from Pirongia, texting us our results, and inquiring about our tire wear. He says we may see some rain tomorrow afternoon.

The warm fine weather continues, which makes Targa so pleasant, (save for the ‘sweat fest' in the fire suits). We had our usual end-of-day car wash by the high school girls raising money for their netball teams. New Plymouth hosted an successful street party from 4 pm to 6 pm and now as the lads wrap up the car check and prep shortly we will be taking them out to dinner. (Our Monit rally computer is now fixed, with a small rock guard to protect it.)

So far it has been amazing... and bolsters my confidence that a similar Targa Canada West event would be a win-win for BC's interior.

"Wow, what a day......clearly the most awesome day of Targa competition I have experienced to date" says Kelly Silverthorn. All the pieces came together, "fine" weather, and AMAZING twisty roads. A well sorted car with unique handling traits that Steve has trained Kelly how to get the most from ("full wellie two seconds earlier in the corner that you think would be safe, and she'll be right"). And you know what, that approach has been working.

Today was a lot less waiting than we expected. In fact, it flies by: meeting people and looking at the hive of activity surrounding each race car as it goes through final preparations. Weather was "fine" (which means blue sky in Kiwi Speak). We seemed to be on our back foot most of the day getting to what we were supposed to get to.

Prior to starting we are enjoying Hampton Downs Racetrack. This impressive new facility is New Zealand's first experience with the "country club" style of racetrack. Much of the capital comes from the sale of on-track condos to well-healed gearheads who keep two or three cars in the garage here for track-day style days, and/or club racing. This weekend the classic motorbikes have been racing (cue thunderous noise passing by as opening lap pack sweeps by on the front stretch). Apparently, the "country club members" and their guests should get an hour of track time at the end of the day.