1998 TARGA 28 April - 3 May

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1998 FLAG CAR

Robert Shannon and Glenn Coad in the 1930 Low Chassis Invicta ‘S’ This car was one of 77 built and 35 remain world-wide. It was powered by a 4.5 litres 6 cylinder OHV engine. It was the first production vehicle of its era to reach 160km/h (100mph).

The Majestic 1915 Locomobile Speedster Nick Langford and Michael Dodds

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The Devonport public again turned out to greet the arrival of the Spirit of Tasmania arrival from Melbourne with its load of mainland and international cars and competitors and followers.

LIST OF CONTENTS

1. THE COURSE

2. 1998 - A MAJOR UPLIFT FOR

3. ENTRIES

4. PLACINGS

5. ORGANISATION

6. COMPETITION

7. PHOTOGRAPHS

Acknowledgement of the major references I used to research the information from which I have taken direct quotes, and photographs, are: • Targa Tasmania – ‘The Ultimate Tarmac Rally – 1992 to 2001 The First 10 Years’ produced by Octagon Motorsports edited by Michael Browning; • ‘The Legend’ published by Media Productions Pty Ltd, covering the 1992 to 1995 events. • ‘Targa Tasmania 1992-1993’, Clipper Press, Hobart; • Targa Tasmania Official Programs, 1992 to 2003; • Internal event documents from 1993 to 2003 that I have in my possession.

I take full responsibility for the information listed and I apologise for any errors made by me and will be most pleased to hear from anyone seeking to correct any issue – [email protected]

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1: THE COURSE

LEGEND DAY COLOUR LOCATION - LOCATION DISTANCE 0 Pink George Town Prologue 150 km 1 Brown Launceston-Launceston 270 km 2 Blue Launceston - Hobart 440 km 3 Purple Hobart - Hobart 190 km 4 Green Hobart - Burnie 470 km 5 Red Burnie - Hobart 510 km

Schedule of Targa Stages - 41 DAY 1 - 8 DAY 2 - 9 DAY 3 – 7 DAY 4 - 8 DAY 5 - 9 Legana 5.6 Launceston 2.6 Mount Nelson 1.2 Hobart# 3.3 Hellyer Gorge 15.0 Moriarty 6.9 The Sideling 13.9 Howden 7.4 Colebrook 6.0 Mount Black 8.7 Latrobe 3.9 Winnaleah 6.4 Oyster Cove 12.0 Ross# 2.8 Rosebery 17.5 Devonport 16.6 Weldborough Pass 11.9 Woodbridge 8.2 Cressy 10.4 Strahan 33.0 Nook 5.7 St Mary’s Pass 5.5 Cygnet 14.4 Cethana 37.9 Queenstown 5.9 Sheffield 13.4 Elephant Pass 10.8 Longley 11.8 Wilmot 5.8 Mt Arrowsmith 50.1 Deloraine 10.4 Cranbrook 10.3 Ridgeway 3.7 Gunns Plains 14.7 Tarraleah 8.7 Longford# 3.7 Triabunna# 3.4 Riana 36.2 Ellendale 10.2 Grasstree Hill 7.9 New Norfolk 2.0

1998 saw the introduction of a number of stages: • Day 1 - ‘Nook’, set over a 5.7 kilometre course, was located between ‘Devonport’ and ‘Sheffield’. It was a relatively short, sometimes winding as the stage climbed over a wooded ridge and then over a more gentle hill with a fast finish in open country. It was close to the town of Sheffield. • Day 1 - ‘Sheffield’ reverted to the original course of 1992 and 1993 (when 13 cars left the road) and replaced the previous ‘Sheffield’ run over 7.7 kilometres. ‘Sheffield’ covered 13.4 kilometres and was run between Paradise (near Sheffield) to Union Bridge via the Gog Range. Initially it passed through farming lands and then wound up over high country and finished with a steep downhill run to Union Bridge.

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• Day 3 - ‘Howden’ was set between ‘Mt Nelson’ and ‘Woodbridge’ and ran through built-up areas of outer Hobart. Conducted over 7.4 kilometres it started with a twisting undulating run and then straightened out, passed through a new housing estate (without any houses this year) and then it was a quick, but curving run to the finish line.

2: 1998 – A MAJOR UPLIFT FOR TARGA TASMANIA John Large was well aware that the 1997 event was in its sixth year, and now that it runs more smoothly and efficient than ever, the organisers must make sure they don’t become complacent about it. Complacency and growing public indifference has seen the demise of major events both around Australia and overseas and therefore the organisers must make sure that they never risk the future of Targa Tasmania by taking it for granted.

With this in mind at the end of the 1997 event Large brought together a small team of Robin Wheeler, Tom Snooks and himself for several meetings, and they sought counsel from a variety of sources, including competitors and senior officials.

Quote: (Michael Browning from Targa Tasmania The Ultimate Tarmac Rally 1992:2001 The First Ten Years)

“1998 was a watershed year for Targa Tasmania, a year that stabilised the event and ensured its long-term future as one of the world’s great tarmac rallies.

With a new three-category format and other major rule revisions, Targa Tasmania 1998 returned to the spirit of the first events in 1992 and 1993 when ‘weekend warriors’ in treasured cars ventured on to Tasmania’s magnificent roads in search of the world’s last great road race.

Gone in 1998 were the quasi ‘works’ entries, the World Rally Championship-style helicopter service gunships and hard-edged hype which had seen the event evolved from its classic sporting car ideals towards a showroom scramble, with classic and vintage competitors dwindling in numbers.

As entries began to waver below the benchmark of 200, new Targa Tasmania owner and managing director, Robin Wheeler, took action. Together with John Large (who, in 1998, continued as non-executive Chairman) they took a long, hard look at themselves and re-set goals for the 1998 event.

Part of the process was accepting what made Targa Tasmania truly special. While modern machinery is regularly unleased on closed public roads in major tarmac rallies, Targa stands apart as the world’s longest and most exciting full-on road event for classic cars.

Their solution was to create three distinct and equal-status categories – Historic, Classic and Modern while removing some of the marketing gloss available to manufacturers by deleting any reference to ‘outright’ or ‘overall’ results.”

Competitors were encouraged to drive within their means and to avoid over-driving by a new four-tyre rule, which imposed penalties for each additional tyre changed or used. To enforce this regulations close attention was made to marking and recording the tyres and tyre expert Peter Gallagher, from Spinning Wheel Tyres in Sydney, joined the Technical Team to head the tyre scrutineers. For quite a few years Peter had provided sound advice to competitors on what tyres would be most suitable for the car under the varying Targa Tasmania conditions.

Scoring System The Historic competition was to be run over a shorter road course with one day dedicated to a Concours dÉlegance and repair/servicing that may have been needed. The Classic competition was to emerge from the scoring system based on the Handicap System formula, as was the Historic but each were to be separate competitions. The Modern competition was to be conducted in the fixed minimum time system.

Technical Integrity Technical integrity was also revised with the advice and co-operation of the Technical Team, headed by Melbourne’s Ken Price, and the class system was revised and the end result was to introduce three levels of modifications for vehicles to conform to: • Standard Specification (SS); • Limited Modification Specification (LMS); and • Modified Specification (MS).

The Limited Modification Specification (‘LMS’) was introduced for those cars which did not depart significantly from the vehicle manufacturer’s specification, but NOT the engine or exhaust. Targa Tasmania had, in the past, catered only for both standard and modified specification (‘SS’ and ’MS’).

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These specifications allowed for a more level playing field for those cars that were not ‘stock standard’ but had modifications to make them viable for motor sport, but did not have extensive engine modifications. Awards were to be made to the winners of each of these classes.

Peter Gallagher (left) played a key role with the tyre control regulation

Additionally, restrictors (to FIA standards) were to be used on turbocharged vehicles.

Attracting Historic Cars Based on entries alone, the fine tuning had the desired effect. The number of Classic entries was at a three year high in 1998 with 144 entries (compared to 94 in 1997), representing 62% of the total entries. Modern, with the exception of Jim Richards and his Turbo, returned to being the province of the ‘weekend warriors’.

Disappointingly, the Historic had dropped away in numbers (3 in 1996 and 2 in 1997) so much thought was given to attracting these magnificent cars back to the event (10 were in the 1994 event). It was determined to reduce the amount of competition exposure to these cars by setting the Historic course using only some of the stages each day - but sufficient to adequately satisfy the competitive spirit of the competitors - and dropping Day Three altogether so that it could be used to carry out any major servicing, and to participate in a Concourse held in Hobart.

Additionally, a promotion campaign aimed at attracting Historic vehicles was devised and put into action and was successful in that by the 2000 event 16 Historic and 10 Touring Classic were entered, providing so much extra colour and interest to the event, for the ‘old bangers’ indeed looked very majestic when travelling along the roads, as well as the nightly Expos.

Touring Classic It was also envisaged that from 1999 a Targa Tasmania Touring Classic cars would be introduced, this category being positioned between Historic and Classic and to be available for owners of vehicles built between 1947 and 1965 who would prefer to follow the shorter Historic course, and run under the same regulations as Historic

So, as an example, in 1998 the structure of the competitions was:

Day One Historic Tour. Hist. Classic Modern Legana     Moriarty   Latrobe     Devonport     Nook     Sheffield   Mole Creek   Deloraine     Longford     Jump to List of Contents Page 6 of 19

Year of the MG 1998 saw several other major advances for the event: • this was the first year in which the event recognised famous marques in motoring history and 1998 was the Year of the MG, with the MG competitors having a competition amongst themselves and the winners received special trophies. The winners were: o Highest Placed MG in the Historic Competition - Hamish and Robert Barr - 1960 MG A TC o Highest Placed MG in the Classic Competition - David Spencer/Andrew Head - 1965 MG B o Highest Placed MG in the Modern Competition - John Potter/Andrew Sluce - 1985 MG Metro o Highest Place MG International - Allan and Martin Dipple (New Zealand) - 1967 MG C GTS

The 1972 MG Midget with crew members Mick Peart and Tim Dyer tackling the hard right turn on the Riana Targa Stage at Natone

• 1998 herald the introduction of the new FIA General Prescriptions for International Targa Rallies. Although these Prescriptions were based on Targa Tasmania regulations there were some irritations felt by competitors of changing some of the things had been adopted for some years. The express aim was to reign in the outer limits of performance (ie: preventing further increase rather than reducing the current levels of performance). Changes imposed were restrictors on turbocharged vehicles, a four-tyre rule (penalties were applied for any replacement) and a limitation on overall wheel size. In all the changes were aimed at the safety of the event and to limit cost blow-ours in future years in the ever-escalating technology battle.

3: ENTRIES For 1998 the vehicle eligibility changed to give competitors a wider choice of competition in which to participate, whilst retaining the three basis Competitions of Historic, Classic and Modern Groups, with Touring Classic to be added in 1999. The number of starters bounced back from 183 in 1997 to 229 in 1998. A drop-out number of 30 meant a finishing rate of 87%.

Category Historic Classic Modern Vintage 1900 - 1930 1900 – 1930 Post Vintage 1931 – 1946 1931 – 1946 Historic 1947 – 1961 1947 – 1961 Post Historic 1962 - 1965 1962 - 1965 Early Classic 1966 – 1971 Late Classic 1972 – 1976 Post Classic 1977 - 1981 1977 – 1981 Early Modern 1982 – 1990 Contemporary 1991 - 1998 Note: Historic cars could compete in the Classic Competition and therefore cover the full course

PERIOD NO Vintage 1900 – 1930 4 Post Vintage 1931 – 1946 4 Historic 1947 – 1960 24 Post Historic 1961 – 1965 24 Early Classic 1966 – 1969 22 Jump to List of Contents Page 7 of 19

Late Classic 1970 - 1977 60 Modern Classic 1978 - 1987 19 Contemporary 1988 - 1993 43 New Releases 1994 - 1998 29 Tot. Starters 229

48 different marques were invited to compete in this year’s event, ranging from a 1915 Locomobile Speedster to a 1997 Porsche Boxster.

Marque No Years Marque No Years Marque No Years AC 1 1965 Honda 3 1964-1995 Morris 4 1961-1970 Alfa Romeo 9 1966-1977 Invicta 1 1930 Nissan 6 1986-1995 Amaroo 2 1990-1993 Jaguar 9 1936-1979 Peugeot 3 1969-1987 AMC 1 1970 Jensen 3 1967-1976 Pontiac 1 1986 Aston Martin 1 1965 Lancia 5 1953-1981 Porsche 26 1963-1997 Austin Healey 8 1956-1965 Lexus 1 1995 Renault 1 1961 BMW 8 1969-1997 Locomobile 1 1915 Robnell 1 1996 Bolwell 1 1972 Lotus 3 1980-1997 SJ Countach 1 1988 Chevrolet 4 1969-1986 Lucalia 1 1997 Speedwell 1 1963 Datsun 7 1969-1976 Maserati 1 1987-1996 Standard 1 1963 Dodge 1 1935 Mazda 12 1981-1995 Sunbeam 1 1965 Elfin 1 1960 Mercedes 4 1960-1986 Toyota 8 1977-1993 Ferrari 5 1969-1976 Mercury 1 1969 Triumph 4 1960-1978 Fiat 5 1955-1973 MG 12 1933-1996 TVR 1 1976 Ford 24 1936-1987 Mini 2 1970-1971 Volkswagen 3 1958-1968 Frazer Nash 1 1928 Morgan 1 1976 Volvo 7 1957-1980 Holden 19 1963-1996

Historic Competition (6 starters) The Historic Competition was designed to test the vehicles of this era yet recognise their fragility compared with more modern vehicles. The competition remained the same with common start and finish locations on the stages. However, the crews tackled fewer targa stages than Classic and Modern each day and did not contest Day Three, to allow for maintenance. The trophy times were achievable by all competitors as they were based on mechanical reliability rather than speed. Historic Competition cars could be entered in the full Classic and Modern Competition and be governed by those Categories regulations. The placings were determined by the Handicap System.

This year the Historic Competition was based on cars up to 1965 and the true historic cars (to 1946) included five cars - 1936 Invicta ‘S’ Type with Robert Shannon/Craig Brown (which was the Flag Car), Nick Langford/Michael Dodds in a 1915 Locomobile Speedster. Laurence and Antony Donnan (1928 Fraser Nash Boulogne), John Link/John Ould in a 1921 American La France Speedster, Neil and Ros Fankhauser in a 1935 Dodge Du and Jaguar SS100 for Ian Cummins/Kay Kilgariff.

Drew Kent (1936 Ford Coupe) wanted to run the full course so entered in the Classic Competition.

Regular Targa Tasmania competitor Drew Kent, with Michael Halley, and the 1936 Ford Coupe. Touring Classic Competition (7 starters) The Touring Classic Competition was aimed to position between the Historic and Classic Competitions to cater for owners of vehicles built between 1947 and 1965 and were reluctant to put them through the rigours of a full Targa Tasmania. Competitors in this Competition were to compete over the same course as the Historic Competition and be governed by the Historic regulations. Two classes would apply - Thoroughbred (1947 to 1961) and Early Classic (1962 to 1965) - and awards provided for class winners, along with the much coveted Targa Trophies. Jump to List of Contents Page 8 of 19

Classic Competition (144 starters) The Classic Competition allowed prewar cars (‘Historic’) if entrants preferred to enter this Group in order to tackle the full course; they were eligible for a Targa Trophy if they successfully complete any three full days of the competition under their trophy times on all those stages – thus equating with the requirements under the Historic Competition regulations. However, classification in the Classic Competition was based on all five days of competition. The placings were also determined by the Handicap System.

The Porsche main entry was an all-alloy body 1960 356B 2000 GS Carrera Coupe which Jacky Ickx used in an Argentinian Rally the previous year. Jochen Mass was to have driven the car but he was not available and Australian GT Production Champion Peter Fitzgerald was offered the drive, with German newspaper journalist Michael Petersen. Fitzgerald had not driven a 356 before, let alone in one of the world’s most daunting rallies, and Petersen had never previously navigated - so s they took off the Classic Competition!!!

Equal first placegetter in 1996, and third in 1997, Leigh Mundy/Guy Dunstan challenged again in a 1974 Porsche 911 SRS, while 1997 winners Mark Parsons/Ojars Balodis were back in their 1978 Triumph TR7 V8.

Modern Competition (72 starters) The Modern Competition was unchanged and determined by elapsed time over the minimum time, and these cars were not included in the Handicap Competition.

The two main contenders in the Modern Competition who were first and second in 1997, were Jim Richards/Barry Oliver in a 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo, and in a similar car was Ray Lintott with new navigator but an Australian Rally Champion, Fred Gocentas. Mazda RX7s were entered for an all-out attack on the event - Dick Johnson’s son Steven, with ex-Targa Tasmania Event Secretary (1992-1994) Zara White in one, Vaun Guthrie/Steven Mills in a second one, and Lynn Rattray/Hedley Browning in a third.

Glenn Ridge, with Bob Edwards, entered a 1998 Lotus Elise. He had previously competed in Porsche (as a navigator with John Schaap in 1994) then as a driver in the following years in a Nissan 300ZX and a Mazda RX7 SP.

International Competitors (19 people)

Crews with International Competitors (19 people) Car Driver Cty./ Navigator Cty./ Vehicle No. State State 356 Peter Fitzgerald Vic Michael Petersen GER 1960 Porsche 356B Carrera GS 357 Klaus Bischof GER Hermann Ruettger GER 1953 Porsche 356 American Roadster 414 Stewart Webster Vic Bill Gordon USA 1963 Porsche 356 434 Neil Revington NZL Peter Roberts Tas 1962 Triumph TR4 (Works Rally) 533 Roger Browning Tas Neil Goodwin NZL 1970 Datsun 240Z 535 Allan Dippie NZL Martin Dippie NZL 1967 MG C GTS 601 Chris Andrew ZAF Mike Hooper ZAF 1972 Chevrolet Can-am 609 Roger Pearce ZAF Ivor Floyd ZAF 1973 MGB GT 814 Wakujiro Kobayahsi JPN Ruriko Kobayashi JPN 1990 Nissan GTR 919 Kenji Suzuki JPN Yuji Yamazaki JPN 1995 Honda NSX 922 Takehiro Moriyama JPN Hitoshi Gotch JPN 1996 MGF Trophy

International Competitors in Event Drivers Navigators Total Historic 1 2 3 Classic 5 5 10 Modern 3 3 6 Total 9 10 19

Female Competitors (44 people) Female Competitors in Event Drivers Navigators Total Historic 0 9 9 Classic 1 22 23 Modern 0 12 12 Total 1 43 44

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4: PLACINGS Competition Outright Results Spec. Legend: SS – Standard Specification LMS – Limited Modification Specification MS – Modified Specification

HISTORIC (1900 to 1960) – Placings determined by the Handicap System from this year Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 404 Ray Williams Robert Taylor 1963 Holden EH Series MS 0m0s 2 302 Hamish Barr Robert Barr 1960 MG A TC SS 0:11 3 423 Paul Tucker Gordon Lepp 1962 Aston Martin DB4 SS 0:55 4 203 Ian Cummins Kay Kilgariff 1936 Jaguar SS 100 SS 2:20 5 104 Laurance Donnan Antony Donnan 1928 Frazer Nash Boulogne MS 4:36 6 314 Bill Griffiths Russell Jackson 1956 AC Ace-Bristol SS 4:43 7 307 Stanley O’Brien Donna Geddes 1960 Mercedes 190 SL SS 6:10 8 413 Paul Kemp Shaun Kelly 1962 Standard Vanguard 6 SS 10:38 9 202 Neil Fankhauser Ros Fankhauser 1935 Dodge DU SS 15:21 10 363 Tony Cameron Dean Tapping 1961 Renault Gordini SS 18:44

CLASSIC (1961 to 1977) – Placings determined by the Handicap System from this year Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 356 Peter Fitzgerald Michael Petersen 1960 Porsche 356B Carrera SS 4m09s 2 646 Leigh Mundy Guy Dunstan 1974 Porsche 911 RSR MS 6:26 3 603 Steven Coad Rachael Coad 1973 Holden Torana XU1 SS 7:18 4 787 Farrel White Daniel Townsend 1978 Ford Falcon XC Cobra SS 8:09 5 708 Paul Wilson Danielle Alderson 1977 Holden Torana A9X MS 9:01 6 312 Reg Kenny Mae-Lin Hendry 1960 Jaguar Mk11 3.4 SS 9:06 7 333 Henry Draper Roslyn Draper 1961 Morris Mini Minor SS 9:17 8 419 Wayne Bradshaw Greg McPherson 1965 Ford Falcon GT 500 MS 12:17 9 635 Chas Latter Terry Smith 1972 Holden Torana XU1 MS 12:33 10 605 David White Phil Russell 1974 Holden Torana L34 MS 12:37

Winners of the 1998 Classic Competition - Peter Fitzgerald/Michael Petersen and the 1960 Porsche 356B Carrera

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Michael Petersen and Peter Fitzgerald

MODERN (1988 on) - Placings determined by Elapsed Time System Place No. Crew Vehicle Spec. Result 1 955 Jim Richards Barry Oliver 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo LMS 7m49s 2 941 Craig Dean Graham Bell 1993 Toyota Soarer LMS 15:40 3 933 Mark Rathbone Ric Rathbone 1992 Mazda RX7 MS 17:03 4 903 Lynn Rattray Hedley Browning 1995 Mazda RX7 SS 18:55 5 907 Howard Long Linda Long 1994 Nissan 200 SX MS 19:17 6 939 Max Warwick Georgia Warwick 1996 Porsche 911 RS CS SS 20:12 7 968 Michael Catchpole Michael Darling 1993 Porsche 968 CS SS 21:31 8 949 Garry Scott Richard Francke 1995 Mazda RX7 LMS 23:50 9 819 Greg Waters Brian Learoyd 1989 Chevrolet Corvette LMS 24:04 10 942 Jeff Church Ross Dillon 1996 Holden HSV GTS SS 24:42

Smiling Modern Category Winners at the finish Jim Richards and Barry Oliver in the 1996 Porsche Turbo 911

Targa Trophy Winners 296 of the 558 competitors who participated in the 1998 Targa Tasmania achieved a Targa Trophy with 32 of these achieving a Golden Targa Trophy, and 10 awarded a Platinum Targa Trophy.

Golden Targa Trophy Winners There were 53 drivers and navigators eligible to win a Golden Targa Trophy and the following 32 were successful:

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Burton Gary Vic Mundy Leigh Tas Burton Ken Tas Pilkington Corey Tas Clements Mark Tas Pitt Lawrie Tas Finlay Simon Tas Rees Martin Tas Freestone Christine Vic Rees Martin Tas Gaffney Wayne Tas Rosan Geoff Tas Guthrie Vaun Tas Saxby Mark Tas Hendry Mae-Lin SA Seltin Mark Vic Hogarth Julie Tas Simmons Grahame NSW Kent Drew Tas Smith Barry Tas Kent Pat Tas Smith Terry Qld Latter Chas NSW Taylor Brian NSW Lenne John NSW Taylor Gregg Tas Long Howard NSW Warren Terry Tas Long Linda NSW Warwick Georgia Vic McPherson Greg Vic Williams Christopher Vic

Platinum Targa Trophies 1998 was the first year for the Platinum Targa Trophy and there were 11 drivers and navigators eligible to win one and the following 10 were successful:

Buckingham Peter Vic Catchpole Michael Tas Dillion Des Vic Hogarth Michael Tas Kenny Reg SA Mier Mike Vic Moore John Vic Ogg Andrew Vic Oliver Barry Tas Richards Jim Vic

Chairman’s Plate The Chairman’s Plate was introduced in 1996. It was a perpetual trophy to be awarded to the winning State Team and was designed to recognise and add spice to the friendly rivalry between competitors from each state. A coefficient determined from a mathematical formula equalised the disparity of population numbers in each state and the distance competitors had to travel from their home state to Tasmania.

State Coefficient Tasmania 3.47 Victoria 3.57 New South Wales (incl ACT) 4.71 Queensland 14.71

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South Australia 16.67 Western Australia 32.72 Northern Territory 38.24 International 20.83

State Points Queensland 15357 Western Australia 7856 Victoria 7814 Tasmania 6644 New South Wales 6562 South Australia 3378 Northern Territory 113

5: ORGANISATION Once again the running of the targa stages was almost flawless, and since the end of the 1993 event not one targa stage was downgraded due to operational failures. This was an excellent reflection on the ability of the roadside officials – and of the volunteer Area Coordinators and their Deputies who selected and trained the officials – Pontus Reutersward and Tyrone Jones (North), Jim and Jim McLagan (North West) and Ken Roddam and Geoff Pilgrim (South).

1998 Senior Competition Officials: Chairman John Large Managing Director Robin Wheeler Operations Manager Jonathan Gayton Clerk of Course Tom Snooks Deputy Clerk of Course Geoff Becker Competition Event Secretary Sian Fox Area Coordinator South Ken Roddam Area Coordinator North Pontus Reutersward Area Coordinator North West Jim McLagan Town Stage Coordinator Mark Lipscombe TTT Coordinator Mark McGuire Community Relations Officer Noel Harris Chief Spectator Marshal Mike Reardon Chief Competitors Relations Officer John Keeffe Chief Technical Officer Ken Price Chief Scrutineer Stewart Barling Chief Results Manager Gordon McCutchan Results Consultant Garry Searle Chief Safety Officer Geoff Becker Emergency Services Manager David Watson Chief Communications Official Keith Thompson Support Services Officer/Equipment Officer Ron Brown Recovery Manager Ross Richardson CAMS Checker Stuart Lister

Headquarters:

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Hobart - Wrest Point Casino

New Targa Tasmania Owner After developing Targa Tasmania over six years to become one of the greatest tarmac rallies in the world, John Large handed the event ownership over to Robin Wheeler, who became the Managing Director. Large stayed on for a number of years as the non- executive Executive Chairman and so stayed around to provide counselling for the big years ahead - the six-day 2000 Millennium event and the Tenth Anniversary event in 2001.

New Volunteer Officials Appointment to Competition Committee Two substantial appointments of volunteers to the Competition Committee were made for the 1998 event: • One was John Keeffe as the Chief Competitor Relations Manager which he held until 2003. John was a past Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS - 1973 to 1993) and a prominent rally navigator in the sixties and was associated with the setting up of the Southern Cross International Rally in 1966. John headed a team of some five ‘CROs’ and brought a high degree of professionalism and consistency to this all important role of handling competitors’ enquiries.

John Keeffe

• the second was also an important appointment. Technical integrity was of high importance to the credibility of the event, as was the inspection of cars for both safety and eligibility issues prior, during and after the event. Stewart Barling, from Melbourne, brought a no-fuss approach to the tasks, quite massive in putting (some years) well over 250 cars through their checks in the two days before the event. He also brought a high degree of tack in dealing with the 20 or so scrutineers from Tasmania, mainly Launceston.

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After 7 years finally Targa Tasmania accurate results were produced at the end of the event. Above shows Clerk of Course (Tom Snooks) and the Results Consultant (Garry Searle) with the provisional results (posted at 4am) ready for competitor inspection the morning after the finish.

6: COMPETITION Historic Competition While Robert Shannon had major mechanical problems on Day One - which put him out of contention for a good placing - there was quite a contest for overall victory, which ultimately went to Ray Williams/Robert Taylor driving a 1963 Holden EH, with an 11 second gap to Hamish and Robert Barr in second place in their 1960 MG A TC. Paul Tucker/Gordon Lepp came third by a further 44 seconds in the 1962 Aston Martin DB4.

Best of the pre-1947 cars was in fourth place which was filled by Ian Cummins/Kay Kilgariff crewing a 1936 Jaguar SS100. Fifth place went to the 1928 Frazer Nash Boulogne of Laurance and Antony Donnan.

Post event it was decided by the organisers, after discussion with competitors involved in the Historic Competition, to limit the Historic Cars to pre-1947.

Classic Competition Competition on the ‘Classics’ was extremely close, as expected. Peter Fitzgerald/Michael Petersen took their Porsche Museum 358 Carrera to victory with over a two minute lead to second placegetter Leigh Mundy/Guy Dunstan in their 1974 Porsche 911 RSR. Then third to seventh place-getters came home with less than three minutes apart - third was Steve and Rachal Coad (1973 Holden Torana XU1) less than a minute after second; then less than a further minute to Farrel White/Daniel Townsend (1978 Ford Falcon XC Cobra) in fourth; fifth were Paul Wilson/Danielle Anderson by a further minute crewing a 1977 Holden Torana A9X and sixth place went to evergreens Reg Kenny/Mae-Lin Hendry (1960 Jaguar Mk 11 3.4) by only five seconds, and seventh by another 11 seconds to Henry and Joslyn Draper in a 1961 Morris Mini Minor.

The Targa Base Times were a rather contentious topic amongst competitors, and some of them with the organisers! It was obvious that more fine tuning was required. And this was achieved with Garry Seale joining the organising team - with his statistical ability with the computer he and Tom Snooks spent many months to completely revised the handicap system, basing their research using data from the previous four years.

Modern Competition Jim Richards/Barry Oliver took their 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo to a very convincing win, making it three in row, almost eight minutes ahead of second placegetter in a 1993 Toyota Soarer, Craig Dean/Graham Bell. Vaun Guthrie/David Parsons (1992 Mazda RX7) originally came second but at post-event scrutiny it was found that under the bonnet was a clearly non-original airbox. As the car was entered in the Standard Specification category it was disqualified from the results. Mazda RX7s took off third and fourth places, with Mark and Ric Rathbone in third in their 1992 model by well over a minute from second, while Lynn Rattray/Hedley Browning brought their 1995 model home almost two minutes after the Rathbones.

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The second placing by Dean/Bell was extremely meritorious seeing that in 1997 they came 14th and this was the very first motorsport event.

Warwick Freemantle/Nick Watchorn had their 1995 Nissan well placed at the end of Day Four but on the west coast run on Day Five their GT-R blew a turbo hose and they lost all boost, plummeting them down the running order whilst repairs were carried out.

7: PHOTOGRAPHS

Keith Brodie/Tracey Watts in a 1960 Elfin Streamliner

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Terry Daly/Peter Svensson in the 1965 Ford Mustang Coupe V8

On the climb from Queenstown - Leigh Mundy/Guy Dunstan in the `1974 Porsche 911 RSR

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The Flying Mini - Stephen and Tristan Bruce in their 1967 Morris Cooper S

Steve Johnson/Keith Wenn in their 1988 SJ Countach Replica

Targa Tasmania evergreen Reg Kenny with Mae-lin Hendry in the 1960 Jaguar MK11 3.4 Jump to List of Contents Page 18 of 19

Lined up at the start of ‘The Sideling’ on Day Two

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