Targa tryout target for WA

A TARGA Tasmania-style tarmac rally could be coming to Western Australia in less than a year.

To be known as Targa West and scheduled to run in September 2005, the event will have competitors racing against the clock over closed public roads and on special stages at race circuits.

The team promoting the event are Respect Yourself Forest Rally clerk of course Ross Tapper, AHG Driving Centre training facility founder Steve Cherry and Australian 4WD & Adventure Show promoter Bob Schrader.

Mr Schrader said the Targa concept had come at the urging of some “influential people” in the motor sport and motor industry who he declined to name.

He said those requests had been coming over the past two years and now the concept was close to conclusion.

The Targa event has proved successful for Tasmania. The event is driven there by the island State’s government and organised by international entity Octagon.

The WA version is planned to be run over three days.

Mr Schrader said routes were still being finalised with extensive timed stages on closed public roads combining with special stages at Barbagallo Raceway, the AHG Driving Centre complex and other motorsport venues.

It is planned the event will start in Perth and “cloverleaf” out into the surrounding country side.

One proposed stage would involve a drive to and incorporating the Collie Motorplex.

"We’re getting a lot of good support from shires around Perth," Mr Schrader said.

He declined to name which local governments had indicated an interest in the event, preferring to wait until more concrete route proposals were in place.

While the modern performance cars such as the Porsches and the Subaru WRXs driven by experienced competition drivers are expected to do well, the organisers want to include a ‘touring’ category.

Cars in the touring category will not need roll cages but will require more safety features than are fitted to a standard vehicle.

Mr Schrader said all drivers would be required to have a Confederation of Australian Motor Sport licence.

“Run over closed public roads with no speed limits it’s going to be the quickest, best-handling cars and the fastest drivers that come to the fore at Targa West,” he said.

Targa West will be restricted to 80 entries in its first year and Mr Schrader said interest was expected to be strong.

He said potential competitors from rally and circuit racing ranks were already talking about preparing their cars.

To put on such an event will also require a lot of volunteers.

Mr Schrader said about 500 volunteers and officials would be required.

“We want all the participants to walk away from the event saying ‘wow’,” he said.