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WA’s borders might be shut but that won’t stop 54 West Australian tarmac rally drivers from racing along the closed streets of Perth and surrounds for the 16thMake Smoking History Targa West tarmac rally from 22 to 25 October.
Starting tomorrow (Thursday 22 October), competitors and their rally cars will assemble in Forrest Place in the CBD from 10am for the Ceremonial start and ‘flagging off’ by newly sworn in Rt Hon the Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas at 11.45am.
The strong field consists of 54 modern and classic rally cars with 108 competitors, of which 19 are rookies.
Conditions are set to be hot with the forecast for the next four days predicted to be 25, 26, 29 and 34 degrees on Sunday – it’ll be the first time that Make Smoking History Targa West has been run in temperatures over 30 degrees, which could pose new challenges for competitors.
The competitors to watch in the Competition Modern Category are Peter Rullo, John O’Dowd, Mark Cates and Will White.
Peter Rullo and regular co-driver James Marquet will be in Rullo’s modified 2019 SSC Lotus Exige Targa GT. Rullo and Marquet won the rally in 2018 and have finished on the podium eight times between them. This will be Rullo’s 12thTarga West.
Rullo said that he was looking forward to some new and some newly configured stages.
“It’s good that the organisers are mixing it up with some new stages and running others in reverse, it means no one can’t use notes,” he said.
“We did our final test in the car last week and our preparation has gone well, we’re feeling pretty confident, but you never know how the warm weather will affect things,” Rullo said.
John O’Dowd and regular co-driver Toni Feaver have parked up the Skoda R5 rally car that took him to win the 2019 State Rally Championship (gravel) and have leased Peter Major’s 2004 Porsche 996 that won Targa West last year.
O’Dowd, competing in his 15th Targa West rally, said that he hasn’t had a chance to test the Porsche, which is less than ideal ahead of tomorrow’s start.
“The Skoda doesn’t have the legs for the long stages, although it was great fun to drive it last year,” said O’Dowd.
“Over the years I’ve driven lots of different cars in Targa West including Holden, Subaru, Lamborghini, Skoda and this year it’s a Porsche and I’m looking forward to driving it.
“The plan of attack is to enjoy the rally and have some fun and give the car back in one piece of course,” O’Dowd said.
In the Competition Classic Category, last year’s winner Simon Gunson is with a rookie co-driver, his long-time friend Peter Morley in Gunson’s 1971 Ford Capri Perana.
Gunson, a three-time winner of Targa West, said that Morley has been a part of his service crew for long time.
“It’s all about having a good time. We have a great crew of guys and we get together on Wednesday nights to build rally cars, break them, and repeat – it’s about the camaraderie and friendship,” said Gunson.
Photo: Jason Matz
“I’ve been on Peter’s crew when he races, and we’re good friends. Hopefully we’ll still be friends afterwards!” quipped Gunson.
For Morley, co-driving in Targa West has been on his bucket list.
“I race a single seater and I’m usually a one-man-show, so I’m really looking forward to co-driving for Simon. It’s not just about having a good time, it’s about winning!”
Other competitors to watch in the Competition Classic Category are Mark Dobson, Tim Wolfe and Bruce Lake.
Make Smoking History Targa West has four categories:
Modern vehicles are manufactured between 1986 and 2020, and classic are manufactured pre-1986.
Competitors start at 30-second intervals, with the winner being the fastest over all 36 stages, a total of 268 competitive kilometres, across four days.
It’s completely free to get involved and watch Western Australia’s premier tarmac rally, and there are plenty of spectator points to catch the fast-paced action.
Competitors will compete on closed road special stages in and around Perth, Whiteman Park, Muchea, Ellenbrook street stages, Kalamunda (including the infamous Zig Zag), Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook, along with Malaga Sunday morning prior to the finalé at the City of Perth Special Stage along Riverside Drive next to the spectacular Swan River from 1.00pm.
On Sunday 25th October in the city is the Shannons Classic on the Park, a showcase of beautiful cars from yesteryear and the Celebration of Motorsport on Langley Park with over 600 cars, bikes and boats on display as well as free activities for the kids.
Download the Make Smoke History Targa West Spectator Guide here, includes more detailed information including times and maps.
Main Photo: CMR Photographic
Raring to go are 54 West Australian tarmac rally drivers who’ll take to the streets of Perth to race the clock for the 16th Make Smoking History Targa West from 22nd to 25th October.
Competitors start at 30-second intervals, with the winner being the fastest over all 36 stages, a total of 268 competitive kilometres, across four days.
It’s completely free to get involved and watch Western Australia’s premier tarmac rally, and there are plenty of spectator points to catch the fast-paced action.
Thursday 22nd October – City, Whiteman Park, Wanneroo, Ellenbrook
From 10am in the heart of the City, Forrest Place, rally cars will be on display and then, with anticipation is at an all-time high, competitors will be flagged off at 11.45am for the Ceremonial Start of the Make Smoking History Targa West.
From the city, competitors will make their way to Whiteman Park for two stages with action from 12.15pm to 3.10pm. Rally cars then go to Wanneroo Raceway for two stages from 3.35pm – 4.45pm.
The not-to-be-missed night street stage in Ellenbrook, Service Park and Community Fair is again expected to draw big crowds from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Last year, in rainy weather, about 5,000 people lined the streets as rally drivers fanged their cars through the centre of Ellenbrook – they love an audience!
Photo: Tim Allott
Friday 23rd October – Parkerville, Mundaring, Kalamunda, Northbridge
Cadet students from Mundaring Christian College will swap uniforms for high vis as they work as officials for Make Smoking History Targa West. Rally competitors will assemble at the school from 10am and do two runs of the Parkerville stage.
Competitors then head to nearby Mundaring and Kalamunda for two stages from 11.20am and then at 12.40pm, cars will stop at Haynes Street in Kalamunda, converted into the rally’s Service Park, where they’ll also break for lunch.
After lunch at 1.55pm, competitors tackle the famous Zig Zag stage – a favourite with drivers – and Kalamunda stages, both stages run twice. A shuttle bus is provided to take spectators to Zig Zag. Then onto the Bendigo Bank Forrestfield Service Park at 4.15pm before competitors park their rally cars in Northbridge on James and Lake Streets for the Shannons Show ‘n’ Shine 6pm to 9pm.
Photo: CMR Photographic
Saturday 24th October – Toodyay, Chittering, Bullsbrook
Saturday is when the competition gets serious. It’s crunch time for the longest and hardest day of the Make Smoking History Targa West Rally, when the competitors need to finish the day well. It takes endurance, both man and machine, to finish this day well with 14 stages and a total of 129 competitive kilometres in Toodyay, Lower Chittering and Bullsbrook.
In Toodyay, you can see the crews at work in the Service Park during three services at the Charcoal Lane Service Park in Toodyay at 9am, 10.45am and 12.30pm.
Spectators can follow the rally action with spectator points at Harvester in Toodyay from 8.50am, Condle West 10am and 11.45am, Timberden West 10.25am, Toodyay 11.25am and 12.20pm and Timberden East at 1.30pm.
Then it’s the two 20-kilometre marathon stages, Maryville Downs 1 and 2 starting at 2.15pm and 3.05pm respectively, after which competitors head to Bullsbrook for four more stages from 3.40pm.
Photo: Tim Allott
SUNDAY 25th October – Malaga, City – Riverside Drive and Langley Park
Sunday Fun Day has never been truer. Make Smoking History Targa West action starts in Malaga along closed roads in the Industrial Estate from 8.40am until 11.45am, which includes a dare-devil demonstration of sideways skidding and smoking tyres by the D1WA Drift Cars.
Rally drivers will make their way into the City of Perth for the grand finale, three short and sharp city stages along Riverside Drive starting at 1pm.
Also in the city is an epic display of motors with over 600 cars on display at the Shannons Classic on the Swan, a showcase of beautiful cars from yesteryear along Riverside Drive, and the Celebration of Motorsport on Langley Park featuring racing cars, bikes and boats and examples of all forms of Motorsport. Speedway, Drags, Circuit Racing, Bikes, Boats, RC Cars, Dakar Trucks, Open Wheelers and Trade Displays and hundreds of Fords at the All Ford Day.
There’ll be action all day Sunday in the city with the Targa City Sprint featuring exotic, historic and classic race cars, taking place concurrently from 9.30am along Riverside Drive between Victoria Avenue and Governors Avenue.
From 3.15pm, winners will take the podium and be presented with medals ahead of the traditional champagne spray on Riverside Drive, under the archway.
Photo: CMR Photographic
Quotes attributed to Event Director Ross Tapper:
“Despite the pandemic forcing us to defer the rally from our usual August date to October, and the hard borders in place, we have a strong field of local WA competitors, slightly more than last year, including 19 rookies.
“From high-horsepower sideways rally action to historic cars on displays and everything in between, it’s great for the whole family, and totally free.
“The event program is every car lover’s dream and there is so much happening around the competition.”
Download the Make Smoke History Targa West Spectator Guide here, includes more detailed information including times and maps.
For more information, visit www.targawest.com.au and keep up to date on Facebook www.facebook.com/targawest
Friday 23rd October is set to deliver memorable lessons to 360 high school students at Mundaring Christian College as the whole school takes the morning to get involved in the 16th Make Smoking History Targa West.
Make Smoking History Targa West is a four-day tarmac rally held in Perth and surrounds from 22nd to 25th October.
Cadet students at Mundaring Christian College will become officials and assist with setting up the stages and spectator points, others will work in the café and provide coffee and food to rally crews, or be a part of the news team and write stories for the school’s newspaper, assist at time control and help marshals, as well as head out to a number of spectator points and enjoy some high octane entertainment.
Mundaring Christian College health and physical education teacher, Levi Rosolin, said that getting the whole school involved was a way of giving back to the community.
“Events like Targa West are exciting, and it’s a terrific opportunity to engage the students to learn new skills while assisting the event which is largely run by volunteers,” Mr Rosolin said.
“Helping out instils a sense of community spirit, and let’s face it, Targa West is also something different and exciting for students to participate in. They’ll be put to work and then have a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labour and take in the motorsport action right on our doorstep.”
Students in Years 7 through to Year 12 will take two periods off their normal curriculum to get involved in Make Smoking History Targa West, which was last year awarded Motorsport Australia’s Western Australian event of the year.
Event Director Ross Tapper said the students would be an asset to the Make Smoking History Targa West team.
“Organising a four-day rally takes a monumental amount of work and about 500 volunteers,” Mr Tapper said.
“Two stages will start just outside Mundaring Christian College and students will have an opportunity to see how a five-star motorsport event is run, get up close to rally cars, watch crews service cars as well as having a chance to spectate,” he said.
Over four days, competitors will race the clock along 263 kilometres on 35 closed-road special stages at Whiteman Park, Ellenbrook at night, Parkerville, Kalamunda including the infamous Zig Zag, Toodyay, Chittering, Bullsbrook, Malaga, and the finale in the City of Perth along Riverside Drive.
Mr Tapper said the Make Smoking History Targa West will include a new “tour” category open to anyone with a car, sense of adventure and a helmet.
Usually held in August, Make Smoking History Targa West was deferred as a result of COVID-19 and remains a full-length rally.
For more information visit www.targawest.com.au
Firstly, we hope that you, your family, and your loved ones are all healthy, and remain so.
Aside from the funny memes circulating, there is one other thing that the Corona Virus has shown us and that is that planning for the future is difficult. The rules are going to change…often.
We all need to remain flexible, but we thought we would give you an update on our plans as they currently sit to allow you to do some future planning of your own.
TARGA SOUTH WEST
Saturday – 8th August 2020
Obviously we have no idea what restrictions, if any, will still be in place in August, however we have decided to plan for a ONE DAY Targa South West, on Saturday 8th August 2020.
TARGA BUNBURY SPRINT
POSTPONED until late 2020. Date to be confirmed.
The City of Bunbury have cancelled all events for the next 6 months meaning our June event is postponed. Given we are running Targa West in October it is likely the Targa Bunbury Sprint will run in November or December.
The advantage of course is that it is unlikely that rain will be an issue 🙂 Hands up who would prefer a balmy summers afternoon in Bunbury instead of cold and rain?
Obviously heat could be a consideration, however to mitigate that we are investigating whether we start on Saturday afternoon and run into the evening, with the final runs being in the dark. We may need to put up a couple of lighting towers on selected corners to complement the existing street lighting, but running at night would bring a fresh new element to what is already a very popular event.
We would be interested in your thoughts on running in the afternoon/evening.
TARGA WEST
22nd – 25th October 2020
We have received verbal approval from our stakeholders to run Targa West from the 22nd – 25th October and planning is well under way for the new dates.
Additions for 2020 being planned include a new stage at Wanneroo after Whiteman Park and before Ellenbrook, however this means Muchea will not run. On Friday morning we will do two runs over the popular Parkerville stage and the Kalamunda Service Park returns to Haynes Street albeit only once, but for a slightly longer lunch break.
Timberden makes a return for 2020, at the expense of Coondle Highlands, and a number of the Saturday stages will be run in the reverse direction (eg Harvester) or will have a new layout (eg Maryville). On Sunday, Malaga will also be rejigged just for something different before the grand finale in the City of Perth.
Maps and Itinerary are available now on www.targawest.com.au and the DRAFT Road Books will be available soon.
The Celebration of Motorsport and Shannons Classics on the Park will hopefully be bigger than ever with many dusting off their cars for their first post COVID outing.
Without wanting to jinx ourselves, the October date should ensure we have a dry event.
As frustrating as the current restrictions are the seriousness of this pandemic, not only medically but economically, will be felt for many years to come and we encourage you all to do the right thing. Practice good social distancing, wash your hands and stay at home…in your garage preparing your car for August or October!
So, there you have it, that’s our plans as of this afternoon, naturally subject to movement restrictions being lifted, and we hope to see many of you at some stage in the future once the world returns to our new “normal”.
Stay Safe and healthy!
Ross, Jan and David
6th April 2020
Below are contact details from the accredited photographers that were capturing all the action of Targa West. Please contact them directly to negotiate to purchase their photographs.
PHOTOGRAPHER | WEB | ||
Tim Allott | Web | ||
Travis Barnes | |||
Stephen Blackberry | Web | ||
Noel Blackberry | Web | ||
Joshua Cochrane | |||
Jonathan Gladstone | |||
Graeme J Howie | Web | ||
Grant Lauterbach | Web | ||
Shane Lawrie | Web | ||
Gemma Lucas | Web | ||
Adam MacDonald | Web | ||
Jason Matz | |||
Blake Parry | Web | ||
Blake Rattenbury | |||
Naomi Reed | |||
Chris Richmond | Web | ||
Brett Sandells | Web | ||
Michele Seymour | Web | ||
Ash Westwood | Web |
Photo: CMR Photographic
Six-time winner Peter Major shares the win with his children. Photo: Tim Allott
Bright blue skies on a warm sunny winter day with the faint whiff of high-octane fuel drew crowds in the thousands for the exciting motorsport action on the streets of Perth for the final day of the 15th Make Smoking History Targa West. Continue reading “Day 4: Major six-time winner and Gunson wins for a third time”
Major / Screaigh. Photo: Tim Allott
It was a long hard day in the office for rally teams during the third day of Make Smoking History Targa West with plenty of thrills and spills.
Starting early in the Toodyay mist, eight stages were run, then after the lunch service, competitors tackled the event’s longest stage at 20.30 kilometres Maryville Downs (run twice) in Chittering and finished the day with four stages in Bullsbrook. It was 13 hours of solid rallying on 14 stages over 127.47 competitive kilometres and a total distance of 450 kilometres. Continue reading “Day 3: Plenty of spills on the longest day ahead of the grand finale tomorrow”
Major / Screaigh. Photo: Absolute Edge Media
The second day of Make Smoking History Targa West saw the battle intensify in sunny winter conditions on dry roads in Parkerville then in Perth’s picturesque hills.
The 15th edition of WA’s premier tarmac rally saw competitors race the clock along six stages including the hair-raising steep, tight and twisty Zig Zag in Kalamunda for a total of 70.75 competitive kilometres.
It was all colour in Kalamunda with classic cars on display and a musical quartet playing to crowds as they waited for rally cars to roll into Railway Road for two services. The day’s final service was held in Forrestfield.
After shining their machines, competitors headed into Northbridge, Perth’s nightspot precinct for the Show n’ Shine on James and Lake Streets, bringing some high-octane excitement and colour to the inner-city streets from 6.00pm until 9.00pm.
Note: results are provisional at the time of writing. Continue reading “Day 2: New stage winners and mere seconds separates leaders as battle intensifies”