sciamop
10-01-2004, 10:16 AM
I got back from the this event last Saturday:
www.targanewfoundland.com
Although I wasn't campaigning an Nissan S or Z chassis, I figured I'd share with you guys because it was totally awesome!
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/images/PICT0023.jpg
Car: 1990 Ford Mustang GT
Mods: Tokico HP struts, Ford Racing Springs, Hawk Black brake pads (aka the rotor crackers!), F/R/Undercarriage eBay braces, SS brake lines, some maintenance items. No mods to engine/drivetrain.
Cost of Mods: ~$1000
Tires: Goodyear F1 225/50/16 & 245/50/16
Background:
Targa is a tarmac rally event that covers over 2100 km in 5 days. The competition has two main components, Transits and Time Controls:
Time Controls = Hardcore, flat-out performance driving on closed public roads. Speeds are limited to 200 kmh. Timed.
Transits = Travel between Time Controls on open roads. Follow posted speed limits.
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/images/PICT0109.jpg
The 280Z was campaigned by the Jack Mac from Tuner Transformation.
Day 1:
We got some experience with the Rustang on the demo day, but the real roads are INSANE. The 'Stang's primitive, pick-up-like chassis is awesome for the rutted-out, washboard, pot-holed Newf roads. Our big mistake was lowering it too much... oops! The driving is crazy. Imagine being in the car with the guy that is running away from the police in a bad episode of COPS! Due to the washboard road surface, the Stang is constantly bottoming out or on its bumpstops; the most common sound is various BANGS and BOOMS coming from the chassis. The Time Control sections are made up of twisty backroads (with some terrifying straight sections) and maze-like in town driving. We made all of our Targa times on day 1.
Day 2:
The Rustang's mufflers both broke off. We find out halfway through the day that the fuel gauge sender is out-of-whack -- we run out of gas during a transit. We miss a Time Control due to this. The final Time Control is a tight course through a suburban development -- I felt like I was running away from Sally's dad the morning after the prom!
Day 3:
On our way back through the Leading Tickles Time Control, we skid the Rustang into a ditch. 4 other cars crashed on the same course. My theory: the high speed section (200kmh!) of this course got the cars and the drivers too fired up... Oh yeah, we cracked another rotor (my bad, should've went slotted/crossdrilled) and she's running a little hot now.
http://www.whistlehog.com/data/targa1.jpg
Watch out, kid. I might fall on you!
Day 4:
In the final course before lunch, something in the drivetrain poops out. We thought it was the clutch but since we couldn't find a unit in Newfoundland, we were forced to retire from the race.
Wrap Up:
Next year, I'd like to campaign a more competitive car. The rules are skewed towards older or classic cars so I was thinking about a Datsun 510 w/ SR20 and as many bits as possible from a Z32 (or maybe an '84 e30 BMW with a 540 V8 or a '82 Supra with a 1JZ or a '76 Rabbit with a 1.8T). The driver is a real fab whore, so I think he'd enjoy the challenge... In closing, if any of you have ever wanted to drive your car AT THE LIMIT on public streets, Targa is for you!
My digital camera was acting wonky so I only got a few pictures, you can see them all here:
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/
Todd
93 Coupe
90 Coupe
www.targanewfoundland.com
Although I wasn't campaigning an Nissan S or Z chassis, I figured I'd share with you guys because it was totally awesome!
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/images/PICT0023.jpg
Car: 1990 Ford Mustang GT
Mods: Tokico HP struts, Ford Racing Springs, Hawk Black brake pads (aka the rotor crackers!), F/R/Undercarriage eBay braces, SS brake lines, some maintenance items. No mods to engine/drivetrain.
Cost of Mods: ~$1000
Tires: Goodyear F1 225/50/16 & 245/50/16
Background:
Targa is a tarmac rally event that covers over 2100 km in 5 days. The competition has two main components, Transits and Time Controls:
Time Controls = Hardcore, flat-out performance driving on closed public roads. Speeds are limited to 200 kmh. Timed.
Transits = Travel between Time Controls on open roads. Follow posted speed limits.
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/images/PICT0109.jpg
The 280Z was campaigned by the Jack Mac from Tuner Transformation.
Day 1:
We got some experience with the Rustang on the demo day, but the real roads are INSANE. The 'Stang's primitive, pick-up-like chassis is awesome for the rutted-out, washboard, pot-holed Newf roads. Our big mistake was lowering it too much... oops! The driving is crazy. Imagine being in the car with the guy that is running away from the police in a bad episode of COPS! Due to the washboard road surface, the Stang is constantly bottoming out or on its bumpstops; the most common sound is various BANGS and BOOMS coming from the chassis. The Time Control sections are made up of twisty backroads (with some terrifying straight sections) and maze-like in town driving. We made all of our Targa times on day 1.
Day 2:
The Rustang's mufflers both broke off. We find out halfway through the day that the fuel gauge sender is out-of-whack -- we run out of gas during a transit. We miss a Time Control due to this. The final Time Control is a tight course through a suburban development -- I felt like I was running away from Sally's dad the morning after the prom!
Day 3:
On our way back through the Leading Tickles Time Control, we skid the Rustang into a ditch. 4 other cars crashed on the same course. My theory: the high speed section (200kmh!) of this course got the cars and the drivers too fired up... Oh yeah, we cracked another rotor (my bad, should've went slotted/crossdrilled) and she's running a little hot now.
http://www.whistlehog.com/data/targa1.jpg
Watch out, kid. I might fall on you!
Day 4:
In the final course before lunch, something in the drivetrain poops out. We thought it was the clutch but since we couldn't find a unit in Newfoundland, we were forced to retire from the race.
Wrap Up:
Next year, I'd like to campaign a more competitive car. The rules are skewed towards older or classic cars so I was thinking about a Datsun 510 w/ SR20 and as many bits as possible from a Z32 (or maybe an '84 e30 BMW with a 540 V8 or a '82 Supra with a 1JZ or a '76 Rabbit with a 1.8T). The driver is a real fab whore, so I think he'd enjoy the challenge... In closing, if any of you have ever wanted to drive your car AT THE LIMIT on public streets, Targa is for you!
My digital camera was acting wonky so I only got a few pictures, you can see them all here:
http://www.whistlehog.com/targaweb/
Todd
93 Coupe
90 Coupe