Ross Tapper awarded Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in 2021 Australia Day Honours List

Rally supremo Ross Tapper awarded Order of Australia Medal

Ross Tapper, owner of Targa West Events, has been awarded an Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to motorsport in the Australia Day Honours.

Mr Tapper’s career in motorsport administration spans close to 45 years.

He has been Clerk of Course in over 250 events including motorkhana, autocross, rallysprint, and national, state and club rallies including the Forest Rally, Rally of Melbourne, Rally Tasmania, Rally Calder and Australasian Safari.

In 1988, Mr Tapper was Assistant Clerk of Course for Safety in the country’s first round of the World Rally Championship, Rally Australia, a role he performed until 1994.

He has been a Clerk of Course for at least one round of the WA State Rally Championship or Australian Rally Championship every year since 1978, and in May he will be Clerk of Course for WA’s round of the ARC Forest Rally held in Bunbury and Nannup, for the 32^nd time.

Mr Tapper has run tarmac rally Targa West in Perth for 16 years, has been chairman of the WA Rally Advisory Panel for 12 years, President of the WA Car Club for 20 years in three separate stints, was named WA State Official of the Year in 2015 and in that same year inducted into the Australia Rally Hall of Fame and given Lifetime Membership to Motorsport Australia (previously CAMS).

Mr Tapper said that the OAM has taken him by surprise.

“I feel very humbled and equally very pleased that someone from a non-mainstream sport can be recognised for their contribution to a sport they love,” Mr Tapper said.

“Running rallies is not a one-man-show and I certainly couldn’t have done any of this without the friendship and support of many officials, competitors and service crews, and especially my number one supporter, my wife Jan.

L-R: Alan Tapper, Max & Linda Chesterfield, Jan & Ross Tapper

“My love of rallying doesn’t come from liking cars, in fact, it’s the opposite – I don’t pop open a bonnet and get excited at the shiny bits.

“What makes it so rewarding are the friendships formed, many that have lasted decades and continue on to this day. That, and bringing together a gazillion moving parts that make up a motorsport event – approvals, competitors, officials, all of it, and overseeing everything so events run safely and smoothly.

“I am so fortunate that I’ve been able to turn a hobby into a long and fulfilling career, it’s been amazing.

“When I reflect back, I feel truly grateful to do what I love and love what I do, every day I’m surrounded by friends and good people.

“I’m living proof that motorsport is addictive, whether you’re behind the wheel or not, before one event is over, I’m already planning the next.”

There’s no talk of retirement or slowing down, Mr Tapper, 63, is deep in the throes of planning the next rally, the Auto One Targa Albany Sprint on February 28 and March 1, which he has expanded from one event last year into three events this year.

Introduced to motorsport by his father in the 1950s, Mr Tapper joined the WA Car Club in 1975 and the following year started rally driving in a Galant. His first foray organising a rally was three years later in 1978 for which he received the Director of the Year Award.

Ross in his Galant during the 1984 Rock Inn Rally

Mr Tapper was sent overseas by the FIA to officiate and train in Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and his long list of awards and accolades includes Lifetime Membership of the WA Car Club.

The WA Rally Community congratulates Mr Tapper on an outstanding career and the much-deserved Order of Australia Medal.

November 9, 2020

Make Smoking History Targa West 2020: Rookies

Written by Mundaring Christian College students Brendan Elliott and Layla Cassian – 6th November 2020

Rookies, the freshest competitors, are often the most fierce and
eager in any competition. In Mundaring recently at the Make
Smoking History Targa West rally, rookies were involved for fun, the
challenge and for the new experience. A total of 19 rookie drivers
and co-drivers entered the high-speed adrenaline-filled event, with
many commenting on the good time they were having.

Make Smoking History Targa West is a four day annual tarmac rally,
consisting of 54 rally teams competing in four different categories.
This year there were 500 volunteers who helped out, plus support
from Mundaring Christian College. The school helped by providing
the start and pitstop for the Parkerville stage of the rally on Day 2,
whilst some of the students assisted by tagging gates, undertaking
media interviews and offering food and hospitality.

For some rookies, tarmac rallying at the four-day Make Smoking
History Targa West was their first involvement in any form of
motorsport.

“Well, I wasn’t into motorsport until three months ago, so I just
decided to go do it and have a crack, get a driver’s license and
have a go,” states Nissan Silvia driver Kevin Bailey in car number
31.

A group of students from MCC were assigned the task to interview
the rookies and other competitors during the Parkerville Stage of
the rally held on Day 2.

Bailey was one of a handful of drivers who shared their experience
on the first section with the students, saying his favourite stage was
a toss up between Barbagallo and Ellenbrook on Day 1.
“Yeah, it was very good, Whiteman Park was a bit challenging, but
the rest has been great fun.”

Bailey explained that Targa West was very exciting for the public,
seeing the people come out of their back yard to watch.

The City of Swan Mayor left his desk job for quite a different
experience this year, joining the competitive 1000km Rally, but
unfortunately for Bailey and his team they didn’t make the top ten.

Veteran driver Simon Gunson and his ‘virgin’ co-driver (as he calls
him), Peter Morley, raced their way into first place in the Classic
category. With an astonishing lead of 4 minutes 43 seconds, they
were able to convincingly beat other experienced teams.

This year was Morley’s first Make Smoking History Targa West rally,
although he has had previous experience with single seat racers.
Morley enlightened the students on his ‘Cycle of Racing’.

“It starts with building a car, then racing it, breaking it, and fixing it
again.”

Morley and Gunson didn’t have any major problems at the time of
interviewing.

“No problems at all apart from a loose bolt on the exhaust, unlike
some other competitors.”

As Morley explains, all the drivers experienced their fair share of
difficulties whether it be new motors, mechanical issues, or other
costly repairs.

Similar to Bailey, Morley also described the challenging first stage.
“Stage 1 was a bit tight and narrow,” he says.

Gunson and Morley, in their a 1971 Capri Perana, blew it out of the
water, finishing faster than all the competitors in their category and
some in the other categories too. A win for a rookie co-driver or
driver is incredible, but for those who didn’t place it’s all about the
fun and the experience.

All the drivers, rookies or experienced, mentioned that they enjoy
the camaraderie and community support that comes with the rally.
Experienced driver Chris Caruso also gave students an insight into
how he and his team Wyldcat Racing enjoy the community and the
people.

“As far as our team goes, the rally is all about high performance
cars, rallying and racing, but the other aspect of it is people. It’s all
about community and people,” Says Caruso.

“It’s good camaraderie because there’s a lot of involvement with
other competitors. As you see, everyone gets along really well and
it’s good to enjoy the successes at the end of the day.” Comments
SSC Lotus Driver Peter Rullo.

Rullo also mentions he can’t wait to be back next year. “Thanks to
Mundaring Christian College for the hospitality and I can’t wait to be
back next year,” says the Gooseberry Hill resident.

The 2018 Winner and his crew had a few moments on Day 1, but
apart from that they quite like the stage in Parkerville. We asked
Rullo if he was confident for a win, and this is what he had to say:
“It’s a long event so you can’t put all your eggs in one basket. So
what I meant by that is to finish first, first you must finish. So it’s just
using your strengths and what you’re good at and leveraging off
that.”

Unfortunately Rullo, his days of mechanical troubles have returned
with his car succumbed to overheating issues when a fan belt broke
on Day 3 and he was out of contention.

Rookie or veteran, a podium contender or in it for the challenge, the
common thread between all competitors is that rallying is about
camaraderie, community, having a great time and driving as fast as
they can.

Make Smoking History Targa West was held in and around
Mundaring, Perth, Toodyay, Chittering, Ellenbrook, Whiteman Park
and Kalamunda from 22 to 25 October 2020.

For more information and full results, visit www.targawest.com.au.

October 23, 2020

Make Smoking History Targa West, it’s getting hot in here

Western Australia delivered warm sunny spring weather for Day 2 of the 16^thMake Smoking History Targa West which took to the streets of Parkerville, Mundaring and Kalamunda, including the Zig Zag today.

Today was Section 2 of Leg 1, consisting of eight stages, 76.56 competitive kilometres and a total distance of 264 kilometres.

The day began at Mundaring Christian College where the Bush Cadet students donned high vis vests to join officials to help set up stages. The school newspaper students interviewed, photographed and filmed drivers before they set off, and the canteen put on a special morning tea to keep everyone caffeinated and fed. The day ended with rally cars in Northbridge for the Show and Shine along James Street and Lake Street.

Competition Modern

Mark Greenham and Steph Esterbauer in their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 started the day 22 second ahead of nearest rival Peter Rullo and Jimmy Marquet in their 2019 SSC Lotus Exige Targa GT and were doing all they could to maintain their lead.

At the day’s halfway mark, Rullo / Marquet made up enough time during the first four stages to be equal first with Greenham / Esterbauer. The battle was on and Rullo / Marquet were able to pull away in the day’s last three stages to finish 12 seconds in front.

“We’re running our own race,” said Rullo. “There’s still a long way to go.”

Greenham said that he’s been going flat out.

“It feels good to be fighting for the lead. Yesterday’s stages suited us, and the car has been faultless. We expected the Lotus to catch us, but we’ll keep doing our own thing and having a crack – we’re having a ball,” said Greenham.

There’s a little gap between the two front runners and the rest of the pack and the day ended with a tie for third place between Brett Morse and Rodney Ng in their BMW M2 Competition and husband and wife team Jeffery and Catherine Foster in their 2019 Porsche GT3 RS, a further 2:03 minutes behind Greenham.

Will White and Matt Thompson blew the engine of their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 just a week before Targa West and yesterday were plagued with fuel regulator issues which have resolved. They finished Day 2 in fifth place 11 second behind the equal third-place holders.

In the mid-pack there’s some healthy competition going on with bragging rights on the table (and possibly $50 according to sources) on who finishes fastest.

In contention (and possibly the instigator) is David Heaton and Caleb Ash in their 2018 Nissan GTR R35 who are currently in sixth place, just 8 seconds behind White / Thompson.

Also vying for bragging rights is John O’Dowd and Toni Feaver who yesterday showed promise in their leased 2004 Porsche 996 Turbo but today had issues with a slipping clutch, losing time and dropping down the leaderboard to ninth place, 3:55 minutes behind first place.

No longer in contention in the mid-pack rivalry and adding to the retirements list is Bill and Gleyns Stagoll their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 who were showing good pace earlier on before suffering a mechanical issue.

Mark Cates and Declan Stafford who retired last night after hitting a kerb in Ellenbrook breaking a strut housing in their 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will rejoin the rally as an invitational competitor in Cate’s 1977 Holden Torana LXSS V8.

Competition Classic

In the Competition Classic (pre 1986), Simon Gunson with rookie co-driver Peter Morley continued to set a blistering pace in his 1971 Ford Capri Perana, again taking a clean sweep to win all stages two days in a row to increase his lead to 2:36 minutes. Gunson / Morley have won 15 stages straight.

Gunson was all smiles in the Kalamunda Service Park today.

“It’s been very good so far. We’ve got to the stages that we enjoy and the car is beautifully balanced,” Gunson said.
Simon Gunson / Peter Morley. Photo: Brett Sandells

Co-driver Morley said today was awesome.

“Now we’re doing real stages, I’m loving it and we’re having so much fun. I can’t wait until Toodyay tomorrow,” Morley said.

Finishing the day in second place was Tim Wolfe and Scott Beckwith in a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS and jumping up the leaderboard to third today was Kim Stewart and Frank Zanotti in their 1965 Ford Mustang, 2:27 minutes behind Wolfe / Beckwith.

Targa 165 and Targa 130

The Targa 165 category that restricts drivers to 165 kilometres per hour, rookies Ben Pang and co-drive Brandon Chin in their 1999 Honda Civic have increased their lead to be 6:01 minutes ahead of Nick Rahimtulla and Lisa White in their 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105.

The Targa 130 category restricts drivers to 130 kilometres per hour and it was again soft but speedy electric Telsa 3 Performance+ car of Jurgen and Helen Lunssman that finished on top, increasing their overall lead to 4:47 minutes ahead of David and Anna Hodges in their 2013 Holden VF SSV.

Tomorrow – Leg 2, Day 3

Tomorrow is the marathon day at Targa West with competitors heading out to Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook for 14 stages, 129.2 competitive kilometres that includes the two longest stages of the rally, Maryville Downs at 19.68 kilometres, that’s run twice. Competitors will cover 461 kilometres in 12-hour day.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is expected to reach 30 degrees and Sunday’s prediction is for 34 degrees, which could create new challenges for competitors.

Usually run in winter in August and deferred to October due to COVID, the warm weather meant crews at Make Smoking History Targa West had to pay close attention to tyre pressure, particularly those running the soft tyres, which be at risk as the weather heats up. Each car is permitted six types during the four-day event.

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.

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 https://www.facebook.com/targawest

Main Photo: Peter Rullo / Jimmy Marquet. Photo: CMR Photographic

Mark Greenham / Steph Esterbauer. Photo: CMR Photographic

October 22, 2020

Make Smoking History Targa West, a real crowd pleaser

In beautiful sunny conditions this morning, 54 rally cars competing in the 16^thMake Smoking History Targa West rally drove high octane excitement into Forrest Place in the City of Perth for the tarmac rally’s Ceremonial Start.

In his first official public appearance, new City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zemplias wished competitors and crews a safe and successful event before flagging off the first cars.
Forrest Place for Ceremonial Start of Make Smoking History Targa West. Photo: CMR Photographic

Competitors then headed to Whiteman Park to tackle four stages, racing against the clock, then two stages at Wanneroo Raceway and then took to the streets of Ellenbrook for the day’s last two stages, thrilling over 7,000 spectators.

Section 1 of Leg 1 today consisted of eight stages, 26.34 competitive kilometres and a total distance of 178 kilometres. Stage 1 was used as a warm up and not timed.

There were six retirements after Day 1 with competitors experiencing a range of issues from mechanicals, blown head gaskets, broken drive shaft, getting bogged in sand and, in the case of Mark Cates, a broken strut when his 2017 Porsche 911 GT3 RS hit a kerb on the first stage at Ellenbrook. Cates said that he was mostly uninjured, the only thing that hurt is his back pocket. Some competitors may restart the rally if they can fix their issues overnight.

Competition Modern

Ending the first day on top 22 seconds ahead was Mark Greenham and Steph Esterbauer in their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Greenham / Esterbauer blitzed the two stages at Wanneroo Raceway, winning by 11 seconds and 7 seconds, the new engine, his 4WD car and driving style clearly suited to the stage. The duo also finished fastest in the Ellenbrook street stages.

“There were lots of first and second gear corners and the four-wheel drive really punches the gear hard and handles them so well,” said Greenham of High Wycombe.

Mark Greenham / Steph Esterbauer. Photo: CMR Photographic

Peter Rullo and Jimmy Marquet in their 2019 SSC Lotus Exige Targa GT bolted from the get-go, winning the first two stages, but with a car suited to long flowing roads, lost time on the tight, twisty stages at Wanneroo Raceway.

Rullo / Marquet finished the day in second place. Rounding out the top three a further 22 seconds behind was husband and wife Bill and Glenys Stagoll in their 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9.

John O’Dowd and Toni Feaver showed promise in their leased 2004 Porsche 996 Turbo and finished the day in fourth, a good effort considering that the first time O’Dowd drove the car was on route to the Ceremonial Start.

Will White and Matt Thompson blew their engine the week before Targa West, and the crew spent many a late night to fix it in time. Despite finishing equal fastest on the first Ellenbrook stage, fuel regulator issues plagued them today and it looks like they’ll be out of contention.

Competition Classic

In the Competition Classic (pre 1986), the pace was set early by Simon Gunson with new rookie co-driver this year Peter Morley in his 1971 Ford Capri Perana taking a clean sweep to win all stages, finishing 33 seconds ahead of Tim Wolfe and Scott Beckwith in a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

Co-driver Morley said that he was almost losing his voice.

“I don’t need to shout at Simon because we have comms, but I keep yelling at him!” Morley quipped.

Gunson reported that he made a couple of small driving errors, but all in all, it had been a good, trouble free day.

Finishing the day in third place 35 seconds behind Wolfe / Beckwith was Bruce Lake and Peter Hall in their London-to-Sydney Marathon car, a 1971 Datsun 240Z.

Targa 165 and Targa 130

In the Targa 165 category, drivers are restricted to 165 kilometres per hour. Rookies Ben Pang and co-drive Brandon Chin finished with a healthy lead of 2:44 minutes in their 1999 Honda Civic ahead of Nick Rahimtulla and Lisa White in their 1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV 105.

The Targa 130 category restricts drivers to 130 kilometres per hour. It was the electric Telsa 3 Performance+ piloted by husband and wife duo Jurgen and Helen Lunssman that finished the day fastest, 1:16 minutes ahead of David and Anna Hodges in their 2013 Holden VF SSV.

Jurgen Lunssman said it was important to build a lead.

“In the electric car, obviously we need time to charge the car, so it’s important we build up a lead now to off set the longer days ahead. Other than that, we’re a Swiss team now, running like clockwork,” said Lunssman.

Tomorrow, Leg 1 continues and Targa West heads to Mundaring and Kalamunda, which includes the famous Zig Zag stage, ahead of the Show and Shine in Northbridge tomorrow night from 6pm.

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.

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 https://www.facebook.com/targawest

Main Photo: Bill & Glenys Stagoll, currently 3rd in Competition Modern Photo: CMR Photographic

Simon Gunson / Peter Morley. Photo: Phil Williams

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

Start your engines and keep your cool

Make Smoking History Targa West starts tomorrow

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 16^thMake 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 12^thTarga 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 15^th 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:

Competition (Modern / Classic): Motorsport Australia compliant vehicles & crews, vehicles have high level of safety requirements
Targa 165 (Modern / Classic): Motorsport Australia compliant vehicles & crews, vehicles have high level safety requirements but speed limited to 165km/h
Targa 130 (Modern / Classic): showroom style or non-roll caged vehicles, compete in all stages but speed limited to 130km/h
Targa 2Day: For competitors taking part only in the weekend stages.

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

October 15, 2020October 19, 2020

One Week To Go – 2020 Make Smoking History Targa West

Raring to go are 54 West Australian tarmac rally drivers who’ll take to the streets of Perth to race the clock for the 16^th Make Smoking History Targa West from 22^nd to 25^th 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

October 2, 2020

Local school gets high speed lesson – Make Smoking History Targa West

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

April 7, 2020

UPDATE ON OUR 2020 PLANS

UPDATE ON OUR 2020 PLANS (as at 6/4/2020)

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.

The Shire of Manjimup cancelled all events for 6 months (now 5 months) so we may just be lucky running in August
No activities on the Friday, allowing people to finish work then travel to Pemberton and be ready for a Saturday morning Driver’s briefing
125km Competitive (only 5km less than the 2019 total)
No Manjimup town stage, and no Kurandra either
Instead, 3 x Pump Hill and 2 x Gloucester Short (replaces Diamond Tree) will be added to Saturday’s normal itinerary
Dinner – to be decided depending on restrictions in place at the time
A one day event allows for teams to make a leisurely trip home Sunday and be back in Perth for work on Monday…presuming we all have work to got to!

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

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019

List of Targa West Photographers

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	EMAIL	WEB	FACEBOOK
Tim Allott	Email	Web	Facebook
Travis Barnes	Email		Facebook
Stephen Blackberry	Email	Web	Facebook
Noel Blackberry	Email	Web	Facebook
Joshua Cochrane	Email		Facebook
Jonathan Gladstone	Email		Facebook
Graeme J Howie	Email	Web	Facebook
Grant Lauterbach	Email	Web
Shane Lawrie	Email	Web	Facebook
Gemma Lucas	Email	Web	Facebook
Adam MacDonald	Email	Web	Facebook
Jason Matz			Facebook
Blake Parry	Email	Web	Facebook
Blake Rattenbury	Email		Facebook
Naomi Reed			Facebook
Chris Richmond	Email	Web	Facebook
Brett Sandells	Email	Web	Facebook
Michele Seymour	Email	Web	Facebook
Ash Westwood	Email	Web	Facebook

Photo: CMR Photographic

August 11, 2019August 12, 2019

Day 4: Major six-time winner and Gunson wins for a third time

Six-time winner Peter Major shares the win with his children. Photo: Tim Allott

Peter Major wins his sixth Targa West
Same car wins fourth consecutive Targa West
Simon Gunson wins Classics
Close battle in Targa 130 battle won by husband and wife
Thousands of spectators turn out for stages in Malaga, City and Celebration of Motorsport

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 15^th Make Smoking History Targa West. Continue reading “Day 4: Major six-time winner and Gunson wins for a third time”