gt38088

just back from Targa, not much sleep what with a few drinks after finish yesterday and rugby. only 4 hours sleep after a tough week. didn't manage to keep up with any posts here. The long and short was that I intended to keep it tidy and a managed pace all week with no risks and then see what happened at the end of the week as there weren't any other class 8 (4wd restricted turbo competitors) to race with a few cars not repaired or rebuilt and perhaps some away to RWC. So only the big boys turbos class to race and I can do that with some but not the real heavy metal with over 500 hp and running E85. I have to run pump gas now which takes away some hp but also a slug of torque.

We nearly stumbled at the last hurdle when the clutch blew on the 3rd to last stage and we had to stop by selecting neutral and turning off - then start again by selecting first and cranking the starter motor with some help from a push from crew or spectators. We toured back to service and with no time to fix anything then toured out to do 2 stages and get back to finish as best we could. the last stage was Pihiatua Track and uphill start so we drove into the start queue past most of the cars to a spot near the start line and then let the other competitors know what was happening. Just before our start time we moved up and then started the stage with 4 ppl pushing and the starter motor cranking whilst in first gear. Lucky I had rebuilt the starter motor this year!!

Result was a class win and unexpected win in the 4wd Index of Performance with Inkster/Winn the outright winners second and Green/Pederson 4th outright third. Pretty happy with this

Will post a link to youtube vid once done

996tnz

Awesome Graeme - top achievement, and will look out for your vid. Bet a lot of work and great driving went into that!

Macca

Great work Graeme. I haven't kept across it in detail but saw quite a few "outages" on day 3 or 4 with the wet weather and kept my fingers crossed you would bring it back in one piece this event. Imagine you have your toes crossed too! Sounds like it was worth the perseverance too with a bunch of wins and accolades! Well done.

John McM

Went up to Pukeiti gardens today and understood the road was part of a targa stage. Pretty challenging done at pace I imagine. Great work finishing so well.

John McM

The next 2k cup race is 21/11. It sounds like we have some work to do to have the cars where they need to be. We have spare drive shafts,CV boots and pads. I suspect we many need all of them. Do we need to do another maintenance day, maybe with a grass gymkhana using BB?

John McM

Oh no. Discovery Turbo has started on Sky Channel 75. I watched nothing but that channel in Jakarta and it cost me a fortune in playing with cars when I repatriated to NZ. For the sake of your wallet resist at all costs.

racoguy

Oh no is right, been watching it most of the day.........how sad.

John McM

Chasing classic cars with Carini was a favorite as was the vet that built a helicopter, race car, Land Rover and e type jag. This is like crack to a car nut.

gt38088

thx Walt and Macca
There was some damage in all parts of the field. Thing was the conditions changed not only day to day or stage to stage but sometimes within a stage. For example coming out of Whangamomona it was dry til about the last 10km and that caused some problems. Gentle Annie West was wet at the end too and if you go to the Friday Targa wrap up you see video from my car

996tnz

John, I'd be in for that.

John McM

Not sure what the pecking order is Walter. I can't go as in Melbourne so that reduces the number. I think Paul has first dibs. We can poll the owners. First priority is getting the cars ready.

996tnz

Was talking about being in for the maintenance day and grass gymkhana John. Would be great to see Paul and others out there at Puke. Missed him at Taupo.

996tnz

Gotta love those dead possums and one lane bridges with 90 degree approaches or exits eh Graeme. And Kim's in car line from that Wrap Up was a classic - 'Go Graeme, he'll have lost his confidence now'. Would've almost needed a change of pants too I reckon.

Bit worried your channel may work out to be even more expensive than John's Sky Turbo though...

gt38088

whats the last sentence mean Walt? Not sure I get your meaning?

996tnz

Just that the more I watch vids like yours Graeme, the more likely I'll eventually buy or build a rally car. Just looks like too much fun and action to stay away from. So could threaten my wallet even more than John warned about with Sky's Discovery Turbo: